Detroit's UAC Foundation awards student scholarships and grants to organizations (01/20/02)

Detroit's UAC Foundation awards student scholarships and grants to organizations

by Stephen M. Wichar Sr.

WARREN, Mich. - The Ukrainian American Center (UAC), incorporated since 1915, sponsors a foundation that provides scholarships to deserving Ukrainian American students who live in the state of Michigan. In addition, financial service awards are bestowed on Ukrainian organizations that conduct worthy community endeavors.

The UAC's goal is to foster cultural, artistic and athletic undertakings, with the ultimate goal being to promote among the public at large and American citizens of Ukrainian ancestry the appreciation of Ukrainian culture and traditions.

Beginning with year 1987 to date, the UAC Foundation has granted 150 scholarships to Ukrainian students and 42 grants to Ukrainian organizations for a grand total of $92,050.

The UAC - the oldest social organization in metropolitan Detroit - celebrated its 86th birthday with a community banquet held at the Ukrainian Cultural Center in late October 2001. Before the formal opening of ceremonies, Nicholas Koshiw read his winning essay to the audience. His topic dealt with the 10th anniversary of Ukraine's independence, and a decade of its failures and successes.

In keeping with the chosen topic for this academic year, Bohdan Andrushkiw, president of the Ukrainian American Center Foundation, opened the banquet with greetings and an address about his participation in The Washington Group's recent Leadership Conference.

Mr. Andrushkiw focused his comments on the panels on U.S. policy toward Ukraine and women in Ukraine's society, as well as on the Ambassador's Forum. "All the panel discussions were interesting," stated Mr. Andrushkiw, "but the [one on] United States policies toward Ukraine was the most provocative." He added that the State Department, the Defense Department and the Department of Commerce had representatives who commented on their respective relationships with Ukraine.

Mr. Andrushkiw, also acting as a master of ceremonies for the afternoon, called upon the Very Rev. Roberto Lukavey OSBM, pastor of Immaculate Conception Ukrainian Catholic Church in nearby Hamtramck, to offer the invocation.

After dinner and acknowledgments, a team composed of Lydia Jachnycky, Mr. Andrushkiw and Walter Marfey offered congratulations and introduced the scholarship recipients.

The following students were invited to the podium: Larissa Hotra, Matthew Hotra, Zenovyj Hotra, Adriana Karanec, Orest Kornetsky, Amy Krupa, Anne Maziak, Nicholas Koshiw, Lauren Palmer, Danylo Terleckyj.

Grants were also presented to the following Ukrainian organizations: Americans for Democracy in Ukraine, the Ukrainian Heritage Room at Wayne State University and Help Us Help the Children.

The remainder of the program was devoted to Ukrainian entertainment. The popular Zoloti Dzvony (Golden Bells) song ensemble of greater Detroit, under the directorship of Olga Dubriwny-Solovey, performed several folk songs.

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