Manor College President Dr. Jonathan Peri recently received the Alexander B. Chernyk Award for Leadership by the Ukrainian Federation of America.
Peri was honored for his vision, leadership and commitment to education.
“When one receives an award, it doesn’t happen in a silo,” Peri said. “It happens because of a group or community of people.”
The organization particularly cited his leadership at Manor when Russia’s war on Ukraine began in February. Under Peri’s leadership, Manor began a campaign to showcase its support.
The institution raised thousands of dollars for the Ukrainian Federation of America and created a scholarship designed for students escaping conflict in Ukraine. In the spring, Manor partnered with The Galman Group to raise nearly $40,000 for the Ukrainian Federation of America.
Project Resilience, another effort, acquires and digitizes materials of significant and cultural value to Ukrainian Diaspora stories for global access to preserve, enrich and inspire future generations.
Manor’s veterinary technology program ran a dog wash to raise funds to benefit the animals of Ukraine, and student life held several fundraising events.
“We’re very proud of our efforts to help Ukraine and Ukrainians,” Peri said. “The commitment to justice in our work at Manor College, and in our world, is one that we have lived and will continue to live through our daily activities. If America is to be free, if education is to have freedom, we cannot stand idly by while cruel despots and dictators crush their own nations and neighbors. Our job is to champion freedom, to champion justice. We do it at Manor through education and humanitarianism.” ••
