St. Basil's graduates first class of seminarians from Ukraine

STAMFORD, Conn. - The first class of seminarians from Ukraine to study at St. Basil College Seminary graduated on May 15 in a ceremony held in the seminary chapel.

Bishop Basil H. Losten conferred the bachelor of arts degree on 11 seniors following a liturgy concelebrated by the bishop, staff and former rectors.

The homily at the liturgy was given in Ukrainian by Bishop Losten. The commencement address was given by the Rev. Douglas Mosey, CSB, president-rector of the Holy Apostles Seminary in Cromwell, Conn.

Academic awards were presented to the graduates and underclassmen by St. Basil's rector, the Very Rev. Edward Young, and the academic dean, Dr. Edward Bordeau.

More than 60 seminarians from Ukraine are studying at St. Basil College Seminary in a five-year program that leads to a degree in philosophy. Bishop Losten inaugurated the program to accommodate the overflow of vocations in Ukraine and to educate priests to return to their homeland and missions in the diaspora.

Msgr. John Terlecky was master of ceremonies at a dinner for the graduates, faculty and guests that was held in the college auditorium following the commencement exercises.

Volodymyr Yakymets delivered the valedictory address, after which members of the junior class presented each of the graduates with a stuffed bear in academic dress as a farewell gift.

Dr. Bordeau, retiring as academic dean, was presented with a certificate of appreciation for his decade of service.

Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, July 25, 1999, No. 30, Vol. LXVII

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