‘You are the small core which drives big changes’ – UCU holds graduation ceremonies

“In the history of social changes, political transformations, and technological breakthroughs, a paradox is repeated again and again: Exceptionally small groups had the biggest achievements. All great breakthroughs in culture, research, education, and even in war were not the results of the actions of large institutions or large groups of people. They always were and continue to be launched by small groups of people who are interested, not indifferent, and not afraid. Major changes are driven not by large groups, but by small core teams. Now you are the small core.” Keynote speaker for UCU’s 2026 graduation ceremonies, historian Olena Stiazhkina

Graduation ceremonies, 2026

On 13 June, bachelor’s and master’s students of Ukrainian Catholic University participated in their graduation ceremonies. This summer, 641 students joined the community of UCU’s graduates, from the programs: Theology; Artes Liberales: History; Artes Liberales: Culture Studies; Artes Liberales: Philology; The Future of Heritage: History, Culture, Literature; Computer Sciences; IT and Business Analytics; Data Science; Ethics.Politics.Economics; Sociology; Law; Public Administration; Psychology; Social Work; Clinical Psychology Based on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy; Clinical Psychology Based on Psychodynamic Therapy; and Physical Therapy.

There were also graduates from master’s programs of the UCU Business School: MBA, MSIE (Innovations and Entrepreneurship), MSTM (Technology Management), and MSMM (Marketing Management).

UCU graduates

The graduation ceremonies began with prayer and a Pontifical Liturgy, headed by Bishop Hlib Lonchyna, UGCC bishop-emeritus, advisor to the president of Ukrainian Catholic University and chaplain of the university community.

Graduation ceremonies, 2026

“Dear graduates, today you begin a new stage in your life. You leave the university’s walls, which protected you and gave you comfort and an opportunity to study, develop, grow in wisdom and gain experience. You’re now going out into the wide world. It’s important that you go with deep faith in Jesus Christ, because Christ will lead you. Use the knowledge which you have received here and remember that UCU will support you in your further steps. Be grateful to your parents, teachers, and benefactors. This gratitude will help you develop and even surpass your teachers. This is your assignment,” emphasized Bishop Hlib, who prayed that the Holy Spirit lead the graduates, strengthen their faith, and help them grow.

Bishop Hlib Lonchyna during Divine Liturgy

The emcees of the graduation ceremonies were Mariya Banias, assistant head of the UCU Admissions Department, and Yaroslav Volianinov, head of projects and programs of the UCU Admissions Department and a student of the UCU School of Public Administration.

The ceremonies began with a moment of silence for all the defenders who perished protecting Ukraine and the singing of the national anthem.

Graduation ceremonies, 2026

UCU Rector Taras Dobko in his speech emphasized that today is truly an unforgettable and beautiful time.

“Graduation is the most important day in the life of a university. Each graduation is special. Today’s bachelor’s students were first-years at the time of the full-scale invasion,” noted Taras Dobko as he spoke to the graduates. “You came from various regions of Ukraine, each with his or her own dream and challenges. I hope that you leave UCU with your various qualities, but all equally enriched. We are different by nature, calling, and gifts. Each receives fulfillment.”

Taras Dobko, rector of UCU

The rector added that at UCU the graduates gained not only knowledge and experience: “The most important things in life require not only a sharp mind but also the heart. The community is not simply an addition to study at UCU but one more important essential. The secret of our community is that we try to live the Gospel. Today you say farewell to UCU. Some will remain in Lviv, some will go to the capital, some abroad, and some will take up arms and defend our land in the country’s east. But you will remain in the UCU community through the responsibility you have freely chosen for the common good. Here you received more than an education. You found friends, allies. You can’t feel alone, because your alma mater will always be with you.”

Graduation ceremonies, 2026

Fr. Dr. Mykhaylo Plotsidem, Rector of UGCC Holy Spirit Seminary in Lviv, emphasized that God in His plan gives us a mission and also a path which we should take.

Seminary Rector Mykhaylo Plotsidem

“The world offers us many challenges and encourages us to run faster, reach higher, and be successful. In this rush, we don’t pay attention to living joyfully and rightly. But a joyful and correct life is not born by rushing but born when you are attentive, when you notice someone on the side, and embrace your loved ones. We are called to serve people. Let’s not miss the opportunity!” So stated Fr. Mykhaylo Plotsidem.

Speaking to the graduates, he emphasized: “You are all already winners, because you’ve shown that, even in the darkest circumstances, a person can hold up, if she or she loves, believes, and hopes. Going out into the world, remember that the most valuable treasure when you are discouraged is to recall that you are beloved children of God.”

Olena Stiazhkina, keynote speaker

The keynote speaker of the graduation ceremonies was Olena Stiazhkina, Ukrainian writer, publicist, doctor and professor of history. She is the senior researcher of the Department of Ukrainian History of the second half of the 20th century of the Institute of History of Ukraine of NAN Ukraine. Olena Stiazhkina lived in Donetsk until the Russian occupation. She worked in the Department of Slavic History of Vasyl Stus National University in Donetsk. She is the founder of the civic movement De-occupation.Return.Education and a member of Ukrainian PEN.

Graduation ceremonies, 2026

She stated that we Ukrainians cannot and will not popularize fear: “We popularize almost forgotten virtues, European values, and also effectiveness, resilience, and technological innovation. But you can become promoters of happiness and love. Finally, we all are already trying out this unique proposition of happiness which, above all, is possible: to love, even when regarding washing your hair there is the question will there be water or electricity or will I even have a head in the morning?”

Graduate ceremonies, 2026

Olena Stiazhkina expressed her hope that in a future where war becomes routine and security serves as the basis for technological breakthroughs, we will allow ourselves to be vulnerable and be present for one another when something important and good happens.

Finally, she called them to make room in their lives for long-term projects.

“Long-term projects” (“dovhobud”) is a forgotten Soviet word with a negative connotation. We can give it a new meaning – “long-term construction” – explained Olena Stiazhkina. “We can allow ‘long-term projects’ into our lives and not be afraid that we can’t see the final results. But neither our contemporaries nor even the next generation will be able to appreciate everything that we’ve done. And not everything will work out on the first try.”

The final speeches to the graduates were delivered by graduates from the bachelor’s (salutatorian) and master’s (valedictorian) programs: Anna Syvkova, graduate of IT and Business Analytics, and Daryna Kolmyk, graduate of the Marketing Management master’s program of the UCU Business School.

Anna Syvkova, salutatorian

Anna Syvkova is from Mariupol. She works as an analyst in an international consulting company, Civitta, and manages partnerships at the charitable fund 1991. She is mentor and facilitator for youth programs in leadership and volunteering.

In her speech, Anna Syvkova emphasized: “The university gave me the ability to give back, to myself and even my family, traditions which we had once lost. We chose to remain together and build this country. When I enrolled, everyone told me to go abroad, that anything Ukrainian must be worse. But I am happy that not once did UCU give me reason to regret this.”

She added that the last four years she can’t shake the thought that Russia is taking away not only our past and our memories but also our future.

“The university and the country have given us much. UCU became a home for us all, and gave me a home in place of the one Russia took away in Mariupol. UCU gave us values: Perhaps not all of us will become top business analysts or political scientists, but each of us now knows who he or she is and who he or she is not. It gave us people who have become our family. This university made us the people who today are sitting in this hall,” emphasized Anna Syvkova. “And it’s our choice what we do with this. Remain and build here, work in Ukrainian companies, speak Ukrainian. Help the army and support those who have suffered loss. And remember those whom we have lost. Know their names and keep telling their stories.”

Graduation ceremonies, 2026

Daryna Kolmyk, this year’s valedictorian, previously earned a bachelor’s in sociology at UCU (2023). While a student, she ran for student council, sang in the choir, headed the student Podcast organization, called Podcatch, and actively participated in building the community and university life. She was director of projects and programs at UCU’s Development Department and was involved with the Donatsia scholarship fund.

Daryna is now curator of the Believe in Yourself Space, an intellectual and cultural project of the Believe in Yourself foundation in Kyiv’s Podil neighborhood, which develops the themes of the culture of reading, the creation of communities, and social responsibility. In parallel, she works with projects at the Institute of Religion and Society, engaging in work to make active Ukraine’s Crimean Tatar legacy and the theme of the religious factor in war.

Daryna Kolmyk, valedictorian

“For each of us, the university became a trainer in safe conditions, where it was possible to ‘develop the muscles’ of research, diminish the feeling of low self-worth, and outline in a new way your achievements and knowledge. We learned much, discussed, created, and made and corrected mistakes. And now the time has come to bring this forward, accepting the fate of a kind of endless marathon runner,” emphasized Daryna Kolmyk in her speech.

Addressing the graduates, she said: “At this moment, when today we are receiving our diplomas and tossing our caps, our education is not finished. To acquire knowledge is only half of the matter. Now the hard part begins: to convince others of their value and ask them to join. Because single tracks leave barely noticeable marks. But when we go with someone else, we can build whole roads. At a moment when something is not working out, when they don’t hear us or reject us, let us hold inside the thought about our place of strength, the community, which has become for each an alma mater and which is always waiting to accept us as we are.”

Graduation ceremonies, 2026

She added that the world is big, unexpected, and sometimes treacherous, but UCU has armed its students well with knowledge, helped reveal their talents, find their community, and helped some and confirmed them in faith.

“Look around. These are your best allies, who will give advice and share your successes, and in sad times come to help, wherever you may be. The greatest value which we now have is the ability to share. You and I have so much in our hands, and now we need simply to take the first step forward, and the road itself will appear under our legs,” emphasized Daryna Kolmyk.

Hlib Bityukov spoke for the alumni association. He’s a civic activist, a graduate of UCU’s Public Administration School, a veteran, military medic, and expert in medical management. He now heads the UCU Center in Kyiv.

“The diplomas you received with some difficulty are not a reward. They’re a beginning, an advance. You received diplomas, but remember that, really, our country doesn’t need people with diplomas. It needs those who won’t allow the environment to change them, those who will change the environment around them. Remember that you are part of the UCU community. This is very important in your life. Don’t forget that your university time ends today, but your service is only beginning,” stated Hlib Bityukov.