Manor College will be conferring an honorary degree on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at its May commencement ceremony. It is the first honorary degree that Manor has granted in its 75-year history. Manor and 15 other colleges and universities are in solidarity in collectively granting honorary degrees upon Zelenskyy.
“Manor’s Board of Trustees, Manor’s colleague institutions and I, along with the rest of the civilized world, have been watching the depth, compassion and courage of President Zelenskyy’s leadership during this needless war by Russian authoritarianism,” Manor College President Dr. Jonathan Peri said. “President Zelenskyy’s humanitarianism and care for Ukraine’s people is unparalleled in the contemporary world.”
Peri and the 15 college and university presidents are inviting additional colleges and universities to join them.
Manor is the only accredited college in America founded by Ukrainian religious women. The college has released a call for prayer, a statement denouncing the war, created numerous pathways to humanitarian aid for Ukraine [collecting $50,000 to date] and started a scholarship line to help Ukrainian refugee students. It has been holding a weekly support group for students dealing with anxiety over the war in Ukraine.
Due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Honorary Consulate of Ukraine to Philadelphia Iryna Mazur will accept the degree on behalf of Zelenskyy.
Mazur said, “This is an incredible honor to accept this award on behalf of President Zelenskyy, a world hero who became a symbol of unity against Russian aggression, strength and preservation of democracy.”
Manor has a Ukrainian Heritage Studies Museum on campus that continues to preserve, promote and perpetuate Ukrainian culture and traditions through educational and cultural programs.
Manor will hold its commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 12, at 1 p.m. at 700 Fox Chase Road in Jenkintown. ••
