Ukrainian Heritage Room proposed for WSU (05/27/01)

Ukrainian Heritage Room proposed for WSU

by Stephen M. Wichar Sr.

DETROIT - The Ethnic Heritage Rooms located at Manoogian Hall of Wayne State University, exemplify the character of Greater Detroit by melding culture, beauty and learning. Collectively, they represent many lands. Now, after the first decade of Ukraine's national independence, Ukrainian Americans who are scattered across counties of Metro Detroit stand ready to present the history and artistic treasures of their forbears via a Ukrainian room at WSU.

The Ukrainian Graduates of Detroit and Windsor have undertaken a long anticipated project at WSU named the Ukrainian Heritage Room. The room, an artistic creation, will not be a museum but a functioning, fully utilized classroom.

Co-chairing this project are Olga Dubriwny Solovey and Stephen M. Wichar Sr. The Steering Committee includes Prof. Vera Andrushkiw, Alberta and Oleh Cieply, Dr. Paul Dzul, Ivan Halich, Cathy Koneya, Jaroslaw Konopada, Bohdan and Lydia Nehaniv, Joe Elnick, Olga and Tom Meyer, Dr. Alexander Serafyn and Iryne Torrance.

The basic details for the room have already been planned and given to WSU for final approval. The map relief of artwork originally crafted by the late noted Ukrainian artist Edward Kozak has already been restored by one of the project's participating artists, Jarema Kozak, (a son of the late Mr. Kozak), and is ready for mounting on a dry-wall coverage. Another wall will have a pre-fabricated but permanently mounted showcase with a gate entrance adorned with woodcuts and carvings.

One of the existing chalkboards will be completely removed and dry-walled. A floor-to-ceiling mural depicting the historical periods of Ukraine has already been commissioned and will be executed by Lviv-born artist, Volodymyr Mayorchak. A dramatic corridor entrance will feature and suggest traditional Ukrainian designs with heritage ornaments. The floor tile will be selected by the participating artists in order to complement the overall artistry. A cast bronze wall tablet with the names of donors will be permanently mounted at the entrance area.

When the UHR/WSU Committee completes the Ukrainian Heritage Room, it will be a gift from the Ukrainian community to Wayne State University. Thus, funds for the Ukrainian Room must be raised by the Ukrainian community.

One fund-raising effort has already occurred: a special reception held on February 25 at the Ukrainian Village Activity Center in Warren, Mich. There a capacity audience learned about the many variables that must be studied and implemented in the Heritage project. Exhibit tables were prepared to demonstrate the room's current status and long-term plans for its future development; and the plans were explained by Messrs. Kozak and Mayorchak. More than $20,000 was collected during this introductory fund-raiser.

The committee will coordinate fund-raising campaigns between the Ukrainian community and WSU Community Affairs.

As WSU is a recognized, charitable educational institution under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code and is licensed in the State of Michigan donations may be tax-deductible. Dr. Serafyn, a committee member, detailed for the audience the advantages of making donations through matching funds connected with industries such as Daimler-Chrysler, Ford Motor Co., and others (current and former employees may apply).

Eventually, the Ukrainian Graduates of Detroit and Windsor will be seeking Historic landmark status for the Nationality Rooms at WSU. The grads will also strive to have the site listed in the National Register of Historic Places by the U.S. Department of the Interior.

Once the Heritage Room is completed, it will provide a showcase of Ukrainian culture in both Detroit and the state of Michigan. Recognition will follow with receptions, lectures, seminars and the like.

Send contributions to: Olga Dubriwny-Solovey (UHR co-chair), 27221 Wilson Drive, Dearborn Heights, MI 48127. Checks should be made payable to Wayne State University - Ukrainian Fund.

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