Ukrainian Diaspora History Chair established at National University of Ostroh Academy (12/17/06)

Ukrainian Diaspora History Chair established at National University of Ostroh Academy

by Petro Kraliuk

OSTROH, Ukraine - The Chair of the History of the Ukrainian Diaspora was established on October 12 during a special inaugural ceremony at the National University of Ostroh Academy. The chair, with its focus on immigration and the diaspora, is the first in Ukraine as well as the world, and its establishment realizes one of the goals of the Institute of Ukrainian Diaspora Studies.

The institute, created in January 2002 on the unanimous recommendation of the Research Council of the National University of Ostroh Academy, can already boast of significant accomplishments in the relatively short time since its establishment.

It has published a number of scholarly works and monographs from the diaspora; sponsored two international conferences on the diaspora at Ostroh Academy; and established and developed a rich library collection consisting of materials published in the diaspora which attracts researchers interested in examining the various aspects of the history of the Ukrainian immigration and life in the diaspora from different regions of Ukraine.

Dr. Ihor Pasichnyk, rector of the National University of Ostroh Academy, welcomed the many guests and participants who gathered for this special event and officially proclaimed the establishment of the Chair of the History of the Ukrainian Diaspora.

In his opening remarks he noted the significant contribution to world culture and economy made by Ukrainians who, due to various mitigating factors, were forced to leave the motherland and seek their future in foreign lands.

He stressed the importance and the necessity of educating university students, the future intellectual elite of Ukraine, about the history of the Ukrainian emigration, the causes behind the various waves of emigration, the experience of the immigrants, the establishment of multi-institutional communities by the immigrants within the receiving countries, and especially about the vast and rich intellectual and cultural heritage created in the diaspora by many unique individuals and organizations. Prof. Pasichnyk acknowledged the significant role played by the Ukrainian Historical Association and Dr. Lubomyr Wynar in not only promoting the idea of creating both the institute and the chair, but in actively working toward their actual establishment.

In Ukraine, according to Rector Pasichnyk, this first Chair of the History of the Ukrainian Diaspora is destined to become a force behind developing and directing a crucial area in Ukrainian historiography: the history of Ukrainian immigration and the Ukrainian diaspora.

Dr. Pasichnyk presented to the newly established chair a work of art of deep significance - the Coat of Arms of Ukraine created in amber.

The well-known historian and ethnic studies specialist Dr. Wynar was named honorary professor and honorary director of the Chair of the History of the Ukrainian Diaspora. Prof. Wynar presently heads the World Scholarly Council of the Ukrainian World Congress, is president of both the Ukrainian American Association of University Professors and Ukrainian Historical Association, editor of the journal Ukrainian Historian, and head of the Historical Section of the Ukrainian Academy of Arts and Sciences in the U.S.A.

In addition to being acknowledged by his peers as a leading activist within the scholarly community both within the diaspora and in Ukraine, Prof. Wynar is also recognized for his contributions to American ethnic and immigration studies. He founded and for many years directed the Center for the Study of Ethnic Publications and Cultural Institutions in the United States at Kent State University in Ohio, initiated and for 15 years edited Ethnic Forum: Journal of Ethnic Studies and Bibliography, and served as president of the Inter-Collegiate Council of Ethnic Studies in Ohio which coordinated the development of ethnic curriculum and conferences at Ohio universities and colleges.

Prof. Wynar introduced a number of graduate-level courses focusing on American immigrant and ethnic communities, as well as on the contributions made to American society by ethnic publications and cultural institutions. In Ukraine, Prof. Wynar was instrumental in organizing three international congresses of Ukrainian historians, as well as two major conferences on the Ukrainian diaspora sponsored by the Institute of Ukrainian Diaspora Studies at Ostroh Academy.

In his acceptance speech, Prof. Wynar dwelt upon the uniqueness of this chair, noting that its creation will promote even greater cooperation and interaction with Ukrainians and Ukrainian institutions from the diaspora. He further pointed out that the quality of scholarly achievement at the institute will serve as a solid foundation upon which the future work of the Chair of the History of the Ukrainian Diaspora can continue to build.

He thanked Rector Pasichnyk and Institute Director Alla Atamanenko for their notable contributions to the development in Ukraine of university-level research on the topic of the diaspora, as well as for their role in bringing to fruition the establishment of the first Chair of the History of the Ukrainian Diaspora.

Dr. Wynar conveyed special congratulatory greetings and expressions of support from the World Scholarly Council of the Ukrainian World Congress, the Presidium of the Ukrainian Academy of Arts and Sciences in the U.S.A., the presidium of the Ukrainian Historical Association, the presidium of the Ukrainian American Association of University Professors, the Shevchenko Scientific Society in Europe and the editorial board of Ukrainian Historian.

Dr. Atamanenko was appointed as the chief administrator of the newly created chair. In her opening remarks she discussed her conviction that the chair will eventually become an important center for initiating, developing and introducing into the academic curricula of Ukrainian universities courses that examine Ukrainian immigration, various aspects of organized community life in the diaspora, as well as the extensive cooperative network that has developed among Ukrainian communities scattered across the world.

Since Ukrainian immigration constitutes an important part of the history of the Ukrainian people, Prof. Atamanenko said she feels it is imperative for students at Ukrainian universities to learn how the diaspora succeeded in not only maintaining its Ukrainian identity and preserving its culture and language, but also how its many generations have enriched this culture by introducing new and unique concepts and ideas that continue to keep the communities vibrant and not stagnant.

According to Dr. Atamanenko, accurate information about the intellectual and cultural heritage established by Ukrainian diaspora communities, as well as their contribution to world culture, must be incorporated into the Ukrainian higher educational system in order to counteract the misinformation and ignorance which, unfortunately, still exists among a significant proportion of the Ukrainian population. Dr. Atamanenko stated that an important goal would be to develop strong connections and relationships with scholars, both within and outside Ukraine, who are leading experts on Ukrainian diaspora history.

She also reported that one of the goals for 2007 is to organize a special research-methodological seminar for academic faculty at Ukrainian universities that will focus on developing sound courses on the topic of the Ukrainian diaspora which could be incorporated into the curricula of universities throughout the different Ukrainian regions. It is Dr. Atamanenko's conviction that both the institute and the chair will serve as a magnet for attracting scholars and students interested in the history of the Ukrainian diaspora from across Ukraine, as well as from other parts of the world, to the National University of Ostroh Academy, thus making the Academy an important crossroads for learning and research.

Prof. Vasyl Zhukovsky, vice-rector of Ostroh Academy, welcomed the creation of the Chair of the History of the Ukrainian Diaspora and expressed his belief that leading Ukrainian scholars from the West, many of whom have already established a strong working relationship with the academy, will become actively involved in the development of its academic and research programs as advisors and guest lecturers.

Also welcoming the establishment of this unique chair were Iaroslav Malyk, guest professor; Sviatlana Novoselska, dean of the the department of foreign languages; Vitaly Kovaliuk, dean of department of law; and others.

On the unanimous recommendation of the presidium of the Ukrainian Historical Association, Prof. Lubomyr Wynar presented Rector Pasichnyk with a certificate of honorary membership in the Ukrainian Historical Association for his significant contribution to the development of Ukrainian scholarship and national culture, his leadership role in educating the future intellectual elite of Ukraine, and for his promotion of strong ties between scholars from Ukraine and the diaspora.

Prof. Wynar also presented a special certificate of recognition from the World Scholarly Council to Prof. Alla Atamanenko for her extensive research in Ukrainian historiography, organizing two major international scholarly conferences on the Ukrainian diaspora, and publishing numerous academic monographs and diaspora source materials, as well as for her work in steering the course of development of various programs at the Institute of Ukrainian Diaspora Studies.

The concluding event took place the following day with the presentation by Prof. Wynar of the inaugural paper: "Mykhailo Hrushevsky - Noted Historian and Organizer of Ukrainian Scholarly Life - Period of Emigration."

Dr. Petro Kraliuk is professor and vice-rector of the National University of Ostroh Academy.

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