Providence offers College Scholarships
Providence offers two scholarships each year for students who meet specific criteria.
In 1909, Bishop Ortynsky established “Prosvita” – an educational-cultural organization for Ukrainians. He invited the Basilian sisters from Galicia, Austria, to help with the education of children, and especially orphans. He also encouraged parishes to establish evening schools. He purchased a building to provide housing for over 200 orphans, and in 1914 he purchased land in Chesapeake City, MD, where these orphans would spend their summers.
Bishop Soter Ortynsky, established the Providence Association to help our Ukrainian Community find financial stability for the future. Throughout his life, he believed that children, and their education, should be a priority for the Ukrainian people.
The Bishop Soter Ortynsky Scholarship Program awards up to five catholic scholarships of $1,000 on an annual basis.
Ortynsky Scholarship
The Ortynsky Scholarship is in honor of Bishop Ortynsky. This scholarship is awarded each year to a worthy recipients who show their appreciation for their Ukrainian heritage, but also their strong belief in God, by being a positive member of the church community.
Kotur Scholarship
The Kotur Scholarship Fund was established by Eugene and Elinor Kotur.
Eugene was born in Lviv, Ukraine on February 12, 1912. His father emigrated to America, hoping to unite his family at a later date.
At a very early age, Eugene suffered the inevitable privations as the war intensified. Eventually, family was reunited and settled in Elmira, New York. Eugene began to attend public schools and eventually enrolled in college through the availability of a scholarship grant.
Eugene concentrated his public service career in Departments of Public Welfare. After his wife’s death, Eugene retired in and spent his time traveling and reading, but he also stayed active in civic organizations, especially those that focused on senior citizens.
During a serious illness in his seventies, Mr. Kotur lost most of his vision and part of his hearing, but despite this impairment, he faced his daily challenges as he had many times before. He used the Library of Congress Talking Book System to communicate with people and friends.
It was during this period that Eugene Kotur established a $250,000.00 Scholarship Trust Fund and empowered the Ukrainian Fraternal Association as administrator of this generous endowment.
The Scholarship Trust Fund is designed to service Ukrainian students currently enrolled in certain colleges and universities. The acquired initial grant of $250,000.00 by the Kotur family has accrued interest, which is being used for the annual scholarship distribution.