Ten students of Ukrainian Catholic University received scholarships from the Ihnatowycz Family Foundation. Scholarships are given to young people who have demonstrated leadership qualities and gotten involved in socially important projects in various parts of Ukraine.

Scholarships from the Ihnatowycz Family Foundation are presented. Photo: Yuliya Oleksyn

The goal of the award and the grant program of the Ihnatowycz Family Fund for Young Leaders is to help develop leadership skills among youth.

Andrii Gubar, assistant head of the Development Department, explained that Ukrainian Catholic University is notable because it does not receive government financing. It exists and grows thanks to fundraising and the support of generous benefactors throughout the world. Ihor (Ian) Ihnatowycz is a great, longtime friend of UCU.

Andrii Gubar. Photo: Yulia Oleksyn

Speaking about Ian Ihnatowycz, Andriy Rozhdestvenskyi, executive director of the UCU Leadership Center and professor at the Business School, emphasized that he is an example of a real leader and also a person with a big heart. The Ihnatowycz family helps talented youth not only in Ukraine. In Canada, many musicians have studied thanks to their support. In addition, the Ian O. Ihnatowycz Institute for Leadership operates at Ivey Business School, which is a partner of UCU’s Center for Leadership.

Ian Ihnatowycz. Source: Ukrinform

“Mr. Ihnatowycz has reached some heights. But he is simple and pleasant to speak with. This person does very much, especially for the development of leadership. We understand that he has great trust, so we have no right to let him down,” emphasized Andriy Rozhdestvenskyi, speaking to the students.

Andriy Rozhdestvenskyi. Photo: Yuliya Oleksyn

Sophia Opatska, founding dean and head of the Advisory Council of the UCU Business School and UCU’s Vice-Rector for Strategic Development, during her talk stated that, in recent years, Ukraine has made significant progress in its development and presenting itself to the world. Ukrainians have begun not only to quickly develop their country but to defend the whole world from evil.

“This has changed relations with our partners. This strengthens the world’s acceptance of Ukrainians as a nation. So our task now is to speak about leadership and resilience in Ukraine as an example,” stated Sophia Opatska.

Sophia Opatska. Photo: Yuliya Oleksyn

Addressing the scholarship recipients, she emphasized: “For us it is important that, in your surroundings, you become examples of a leadership which is based not only on competencies but also on character and sacrifice. Many people who are now defending us exhibit these qualities.”

Taras Oleksyn, manager of research projects at UCU’s Center for Leadership, in addressing the scholarship recipients emphasized that they have all demonstrated the virtues of leadership in their areas of activity. He also explained the 11 virtues of a true leader and how you can develop them in yourself.

Taras Oleksyn. Photo: Yuliya Oleksyn

The scholarship recipients also said what leadership means to them. Marharyta Kupinska said: “Leadership is service and management which is grounded in Christian values. A leader should encourage the growth of others and create positive changes with humility and determination. Leadership is not authoritarianism but knowing how to listen to one’s team, to inspire it and make the group stronger. It also demands sensitivity, knowing how to support a friendly and encouraging atmosphere, how to delegate responsibilities and trust people,” she explained.

Karina Manzhay shared: “Leadership is knowing how to inspire, unite, build trust, and encourage the formation of a common vision. Leadership is not only the achievement of personal goals but also helping others.”

Dmytro Bratashchuk stated that for him leadership is a calling. “To be a leader is to be someone who makes changes, who creates, who starts something new and is always ready to take responsibility for the future. To be a leader means not to fear challenges or to go into the darkness, to make a mistake and to look for a solution. To be different from others and to do good,” he emphasized.

Scholarships from the Ihnatowycz Family Foundation are presented. Photo: Yuliya Oleksyn

This year’s scholarship recipients from the Ihnatowycz Family Foundation are:

Dmytro Bratashchuk, 2nd year student in the Social Work program
Karina Manzhay, 1st year student in the Non-Profit Management master’s program
Marharyta Kulinska, 4th-year student in the Culture Studies program
Yelyzaveta Tkach, 4th-year student in the Ethics.Politics.Economics program
Sofiya Kashuba, 3rd-year student in the Ethics.Politics.Economics program
Dariya Porytska, 3rd-year student in the Ethics.Politics.Economics program
Solomiya Novoseletska, 5th-year student in the Law program
Andriy Hlushko, 1st-year student in the Theology program
Solomiya-Anna Kuchma, 5th-year student in the Media Communications program
Maksym Danyliv, 3rd-year student in the Law program

Scholarships from the Ihnatowycz Family Foundation are presented. Photo: Yuliya Oleksyn

We sincerely congratulate all the scholarship recipients and hope that they successfully carry out their projects!

Addendum:

Ian Ihnatowycz is President and CEO of First Generation Capital Inc. He is a Canadian of Ukrainian descent, well-known in the Ukrainian diaspora in Canada, and a graduate of the Richard Ivey Business School. Ian Ihnatowycz has been a benefactor of UCU’s Center for Leadership since its beginning.