The graduation ceremony took place at the Ukrainian Humanitarian Institute on June 7 and 8. This year’s graduation was marked by the fact that the students showed great resilience to receive their coveted diplomas. After all, they entered the first year at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. Then there was quarantine, as well as the transition to distance learning. However, the most challenging was the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by the Russian Federation and the occupation of many cities, including Bucha. Because of this, students were forced to leave for different places. Some of them are still abroad.

The graduation ceremony began with a traditional procession of the faculty, representatives of the Board of Founders and graduates. And even the vagaries of the weather did not spoil the impressions of the long-awaited holiday. Smiling, the graduates solemnly entered the hall, where their relatives, friends and acquaintances were already waiting for them.

Then the sounds of the National Anthem and the student anthem were played. All those present also honored the memory of those killed in the Russian invasion with a minute of silence. After all, we owe the opportunity to spend this day at UGI to God and our defenders.

Andriy Shevchuk, president of the educational complex, addressed the audience with a welcoming speech. He emphasized that this year the dream of restoring everything that was before the outbreak of a full-scale war had come true. “I would like to thank you, dear graduates, for making this choice. After all, you have faced many challenges,” – Mr. Shevchuk said in his address.

Lyudmyla Shtanko, acting rector of the Ukrainian Humanitarian Institute, called this graduation the “Graduation of Restoration” because, according to her: “The campus has been restored, and students were able to graduate not in a virtual mode, as, unfortunately, they had to study before. It is very joyful. I had one case when a student came up to me to congratulate me and I did not recognize her. But as soon as she started talking, I realized who she was. Because she was in my class at Zuma. I would like to emphasize the resilience of this year’s graduates, because they did not stop and continued to see their future.”

The graduates were also greeted by Stanislav Nosov, chairman of the Board of Founders and leader of the Adventist Church in Ukraine: “I wish you to put the knowledge you have gained into practice. May the Lord help you to have peace in your hearts and love. We believe that God will lead you further.”

For their special contribution to the development and activities of the educational institution, the teachers were recognized in the following nominations:

• Performer of the Year – Marina Arovina
• For dedication to education – Fedir Prodaniuk
• Innovator of the Year – Irina Vakulova
• Laboratory Assistant of the Year – Alyona Bilyk
• Discovery of the Year – Irina Steshits
• Scientist of the Year – Valentina Kurilyak
• Organizer of the Year – Andriy Steshits
• Representative of the Year – Hnat Meryenkov
• Stakeholder of the Year – Alla Litkevych

The students’ achievements were also noted, as they managed to participate in social projects, sports competitions, and work in the Student Council of the educational institution in addition to their studies. Valentyna Kostenko received an award for the highest average score (96.42 out of 100). Bohdan Shafarenko, in addition to keeping up with his studies, was also elected to the Student Council of the institute three times. Vitaliy Kostenko received an award for sports achievements and the highest score among boys (93.36). Viktor Chumakov was particularly active in social projects.
Ivan Mayer received a commendation for taking care of the spiritual life of the students, and Taras Gurdish was recognized for his leadership skills. Maksym Karpenko was named the campus manager.

At the bachelor’s degree ceremony, graduates of the following specialties received their degrees: “Philology, Journalism, Economic Cybernetics, Finance, Banking and Insurance, Management, Design, Primary Education, Theology, Philosophy, Psychology, Physical Education, Rehabilitation and Massage. In addition, 32 graduates were awarded a master’s degree in Practical Theology. In total, about two hundred students left the walls of their native UGI and rushed into adulthood.

On Saturday, a solemn service was held, where representatives of the Board of Founders once again emphasized the importance of making the right choice in everything we do.

In the evening, a charity concert was held where the student choir performed the cantata “In the Footsteps of Christ”. The goal was to raise funds to re-equip an evacuation vehicle for medics who perform dangerous tasks on the front line every day. In total, they managed to raise forty-two thousand hryvnias, which were handed over to the volunteers of The Desperate Ones team.

Photos by Tetyana Filippova, Valentyn Zagreba