Providence Association - Scholarship Recipients for 2023-2024

Providence Association is honored to present four scholarships this year, to recipients who are striving to make our world a better place.

This year, as a nation, as humanity, we have experienced and unsettled era and the future, more than ever, is a complete mystery. So, it is comforting to know that there are bright and motivated young minds aiming to be our future as doctors, engineers, IT professionals and medical researchers.

Not only are these students exceptionally talented, they are from our very own Ukrainian Communities. Their understanding and respect for the Ukrainian heritage is shown in their lifestyles with Ukrainian clubs, sports teams and Ukrainian language schools.

They have accomplished significant goals, early in their lives, and we hope that our scholarship helps them achieve the next steps in their success.

Bishop Soter Ortynsky Scholarship

The Ortynsy Scholarship is in honor of Bishop Soter Ortynsky, who established the Providence Organization to help our Ukrainian Community. Througout his life, he believed that children and their education should be a priority for the Ukrainian people.

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.

This scholarship is awarded each year to a worthy recipient who shows their appreciation for their Ukrainian heritage, but also shows their strong belief in God by being a positive member of the church community.

We are honored to offer this year’s scholarship to Andrew B. Stelmach, attending Northeastern University, majoring in Computer Science.

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.

The recipients of the Kotur Scholarship are:

Sofia Bolonna attending University of Toronto

Maria Kulchyckyj attending Harvard Kennedy University

Christian Nonemaker attending Purdue University

Best Wishes for a Bright Future!

To all our recipients:

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Matthew 5:14-16

May God Bless you on your journey to success.

Your roots are your foundation, and they are strong.

You will have challenges ahead, but with prayer and perseverance, you will reach your goals and do good in the world.