ABOUT PETRO JACYK

"Ukraine is a nation that has often been at the crossroads of history and has faced many difficult, sometimes extreme challenges. But despite the hardships often endured by its people, their spirit is warm and friendly. This is a vibrant culture with a fascinating history and great prospects for the future."

Petro Jacyk was born 7 July 1921 in Verkhnie Syniovydne, Ukraine. After immigrating to Canada in 1949, he established a successful building and land development firm. He generously supported Ukrainian Encyclopedia project, and was instrumental in the establishment of the Harvard Ukrainian Research Institute. He financed the Jacyk Collection of Ukrainian Serials, the Central and East European Resource Centre, the Endowment for Ukrainian Periodicals, and other projects at the University of Toronto Library. In 1989, the Jacyk Centre for Ukrainian Historical Research was established at the University of Alberta based on Jacyk's one-million-dollar donation. The Centre's projects include the English-language publication of Mykhailo Hrushevsky's History of Ukraine-Rus', two publications series in Ukraine and in the West, and archival projects. Through the Petro Jacyk Educational Foundation he has supported many other initiatives, including the endowment of the Jacyk Ukrainian Studies Program at Columbia University in New York (1994) and the Jacyk Lectureship in Ukrainian Studies at the University of London (1991).

In 1995, Petro Jacyk received honorary Doctorate of Laws from the University of Alberta. President Leonid Kuchma of Ukraine honoured Petro Jacyk with the Presidential Prize of Ukraine for his patronage of Ukrainian culture, education, and scholarship in 1996. In 2000, honouring his philanthropy, Petro Jacyk was awarded with the Yaroslav the Wise Order, Ukraine's highest distinction presented to civilians in service to Ukraine.

In 2001, a 1-million gift from a Ukrainian-Canadian businessman established a graduate program and graduate scholarships in the study of Ukraine at University of Toronto. Since then, Petro Jacyk Program for the Study of Ukraine promotes understanding of developments in contemporary Ukraine and the study of Ukrainian history and culture.