1982: a look back: Notables (12/26/82)

1982: a look back

Notables

Foremost among the Ukrainians in the news during the year were two men who were chosen to make their respective marks in the fields of education and diplomacy.

On July 6, Peter Savaryn, 55, an Edmonton lawyer, was installed as chancellor of the University of Alberta, his alma mater. Elected chancellor by the 62-member University of Alberta Senate, he thus became charged with the responsibility of representing the public interest at the university.

As Mr. Savaryn explained, he aspired to become chancellor, a voluntary position that is filled by a representative of the community at large, for two reasons: first of all, he, like Maimonides, a 12th century Jewish rabbi and philosopher, believes that "The advancement of learning is the highest commandment"; and he wanted to pay back his alma mater with his time, knowledge and experience. He had previously served on the university's Senate and board of governors.

News of Mr. Savaryn's election was hailed by the Ukrainian community, which knows Mr. Savaryn as a tireless community activist who is involved in many organizations including the Ukrainian Canadian Committee, the Ukrainian Professional and Business Club and Plast Ukrainian Youth Organization.

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A professor of economics at Georgetown University, Dr. Lev E. Dobriansky, was nominated by President Ronald Reagan to become U.S. ambassador to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. News of the nomination was released on October 25, and Dr. Dobriansky appeared at a hearing on December 6 before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which later that day voted to support his nomination.

The full Senate voted to confirm Dr. Dobriansky's nomination on December 10, thus making him the first U.S. ambassador of Ukrainian descent.

Dr. Dobriansky, 64, is known for his involvement in the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America and the National Captive Nations Committee, and he has served both organizations in various executive positions. He is the 1964 recipient of the Shevchenko Freedom Award.

The Georgetown professor has also acted as adviser to the U.S. Department of State and as faculty member of the National War College. He is active in the Republican National Committee.

Several Ukrainians made their marks in a completely unrelated field (or should we say rink?). Hockey seems to be the sport of Ukrainians these days, especially in 1982 when we finally learned that, yes The Great One, superstar Wayne Gretzky of the Edmonton Oilers, does indeed have some Ukrainian blood coursing through his veins.

Gretzky was the leading scorer in the NHL in the 1981-82 season and was the winner of the Hart Trophy given to the NHL's most valuable player.

Moving from the top scorer to the second-place finisher, we found another Ukrainian, Mike Bossy of the Stanley Cup champion New York Islanders. Bossy, too, received an MVP award - this one for the playoffs' best - the Conn Smythe Trophy.

Rookie of the Year (Calder Trophy) honors went, of course, to another Ukrainian: Dale Hawerchuk of the Winnipeg Jets.

The 1981-82 season was also a good one for Ukrainian Dennis Maruk of the Washington Capitals. He finished fifth among the NHL's top scorers.

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