PITTSBURGH – The Ukrainian Technological Society (UTS) of Pittsburgh presented its 2015 Scholarship Awards to 13 undergraduate and graduate students from Western Pennsylvania and Ohio in ceremonies at Posvar Hall on the University of Pittsburgh campus on Sunday, August 2.
Students, family members, UTS members, and guests were welcomed by UTS Executive Board President Dr. Roksana Korchynsky, who provided an overview of the UTS – now in its 46th year – and its activities. In her opening remarks, she thanked the many donors who have generously offered their financial support to the Scholarship program, which has helped students pursue higher education in a variety of fields.
Dr. Korchynsky noted that the society is an organization of Ukrainian professionals and businesspersons interested in cultivating Ukrainian culture and social awareness, and strengthening the Ukrainian community through active participation and leadership. In addition to the scholarship program, Dr. Korchynsky spoke of the society’s annual tradition of selecting and recognizing a Ukrainian of the Year. Awardees are selected for outstanding scientific or scholarly contributions, humanitarian contributions, or for outstanding efforts in the advancement or perpetuation of Ukrainian culture. This past year’s recipient was Dorothy Waslo, who was recognized for her efforts to promote and maintain the tradition of Ukrainian sacred and choral music through the founding and leadership of the Ukrainian Cultural Trust Choir of Western Pennsylvania since 1990. Mrs. Waslo was on hand at the ceremony to see the Ukrainian Cultural Trust Choir of Western Pennsylvania Scholarship awarded for the first time.
The featured speaker for the scholarships award ceremony was Dr. Hanna Chumachenko Lassowsky. Dr. Lassowsky holds a Ph.D. in theory and history of literature and a master’s degree in library sciences and has taught extensively in Ukraine. In her presentation, titled “A New Age of Cooperation and the Ukrainian Community,” Dr. Lassowsky discussed how technology, open access initiatives and social media were instrumental in this new age of cooperation, one example being the popular TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design) Talks reflecting a desire for information sharing and global cooperation.
She cited the roles of Facebook and Twitter in the huge mobilization effort by protesters on the Maidan in late 2013 and observed how Ukrainian communities in the diaspora have been able to coordinate their activities through the use of social media. Dr. Lassowsky encouraged the scholarship recipients to immerse themselves in this new age of cooperation by educating themselves, volunteering, communicating for a greater purpose and trying new things.
Dr. Korchynsky then awarded the 13 scholarships totaling $8,500. This marked the 43rd year of the UTS Scholarship Program, with 425 separate awards made totaling $195,700 to 273 different students. The UTS gave an additional $500 to Smoloskyp Inc. to fund scholarships for students in Ukraine.
The Lesia Ukrainka Memorial Scholarships, awarded to the highest ranked high school senior and the two highest ranked college students, were made possible through a donation by the Maria Hulai Lion Foundation of Brooklyn. They were awarded to Juliana Leis of Bethel Park, Pa., and Juliana Kochis and Michael Kochis of Coraopolis, Pa.
The Michael Korchynsky Memorial Scholarship, awarded to a student with exemplary academic standing pursuing engineering, was awarded to Nicholas Spak of Pittsburgh.
The Chester and Olga Manasterski Memorial Scholarship, underwritten by sons Myron and Gregory Manasterski, was awarded to Victoria Cycak of Moon Township, Pa.
The Dr. Michael Kutsenkow Memorial Scholarships, underwritten by Rose Kutsenkow, were awarded to Allison Cross of Pittsburgh; Katarzyna Goebel of Sewickley, Pa.; Stephanie Russick of Ford City, Pa.; and Christina Pierko of Niles, Ohio.
The Michael and Anna Komichak Memorial Scholarship, underwritten by Mr. and Mrs. Michael Komichak and Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Komichak was awarded to Gregory J. Markiw of Pittsburgh.
The Ukrainian Cultural Trust Choir of Western Pennsylvania Scholarship, underwritten by The Ukrainian Cultural Trust Choir of Western Pennsylvania, was awarded to Mikaela Kapeluck of Carnegie, Pa.
Ukrainian Technological Society Scholarships were awarded to Amanda Bellock of Ebensburg, Pa., and Maria Kalymon of Carnegie, Pa.
Refreshments and a social hour followed the program in the Posvar Hall Galleria.
To learn more about the UTS, its Scholarship Program, and other activities, visit their web site at www.utspgh.org, or “friend” UTS on Facebook at “Ukrainian Technological Society (UTS) of Pittsburgh.”
Donations toward the 2016 Scholarship Program are being accepted. Donations are tax-deductible, as provided by law, as the UTS has Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3) designation. Donations or inquiries may be sent to the UTS at P.O. Box 4277, Pittsburgh, PA 15203. Donations can also be made securely via PayPal by visiting the UTS website and clicking on the “Support” page. Readers can contact the UTS by e-mail at [email protected].