Andriy Meleshevych - A. Meleshevych scholarship

A man who devoted his whole life to the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy

Andriy Meleshevych – Scientist, Lecturer, President of the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (2014-2019), Dean of the Faculty of Law of NaUKMA (2005-2014).

He had strong values and principles, never compromised with conscience. He did not stop believing in the victory of good and had a big heart. His contribution to the Academy, to students, graduates, teachers and staff is invaluable.

Among the changes and achievements of the university during the presidency of Andrii Meleshevych were the opening of new specialties and specializations (psychology, management, philology: English and Ukrainian), the creation of the Department of Psychology and Pedagogy, the Department of Public Relations and the Department of Strategic Development, several research and training centers, including the Center for Psychological Health and Psychosocial Support.

According to the students, it was Andriy Meleshevych who immensely improved the Faculty of Law of NaUKMA. He constantly supported student initiatives and self-government.

Andrii, despite all his regalia and rich life experience, was extremely easy to communicate with. On the sidelines after the lectures, Andrii could calmly, in an informal setting, in jeans and a T-shirt, discuss important issues of politics and law with students from different universities, listening to everyone’s opinion. For Andrii, everyone was equal, because equality and freedom were his basic principles of life, which he never tired of passing on to those who could hear him.

Vitaliy Datsyuk, PhD of Law, Student of I-IV Summer Schools of the OSCE on the Rule of Law and Constitutionalism

With his help, the restoration of the NaUKMA Old Academic Building began and the Kyiv-Mohyla Foundation was founded in Canada. And these are just a few examples of Andrii Meleshevych’s achievements.

Clear values and social position were manifested outside the Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. Andrii Meleshevych was a member of the Board of Transparency International Ukraine, a member of the Constitutional Commission of Ukraine, a member of the National Council on Anti-Corruption Policy of Ukraine, drafted the Law of Ukraine “On Higher Education”.

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Svitlana Kovalenko, wife of Andrii Meleshevych

One summer, for the first time, I heard Andriy call the entrants. Personally. “Good day. This is Andrii Meleshevych, the dean of the Mohyla Law Faculty. Congratulations, you have been admitted. ” And somewhere there, at the other end of the conversation, there was a loud girl’s squeak, a young man’s “Oh, thank you!”, Or “Mom! I passed. ” And then the agitation began. So that they have time to bring documents, so that parents do not drink calming medicine, so that after the first fun in the dormitory, both students and the dormitory remain intact))). Then there is the agitation that someone is slipping classese, someone is plagiarizing a diploma, and someone is suffering because of unrequited love.
When Andrii was elected president of the Academy, the calls, as well as the agitation, became much more frequent.
But all this was overcome by pride. Andrii was incredibly proud of Kyiv-Mohyla students. He always said that they are the smartest, the most creative and the best.
He sincerely believed that educated, active people could change the world for the better. Therefore, Andrii generously gave his knowledge, inexhaustible energy and soul to students.
Now is our time.
It’s time to support the best and give it a chance. Time to support the future.
It’s time to remember Andrii.

Andriy Fedoryshyn, former student of FEN

I hate snobbish events. I hate soviet-style events. And that is why I still remember Andrii’s speech at my university initiation 2017, because these were words that I will never forget, words that made me love Kyiv-Mohyla Academy from the first seconds in it. Thank you, Andrii, for your work, how you burned at the Academy. Those who have seen you at least once will never forget you.

Petrov Roman Arestovich, teacher of FPvN

I first met Andrii in 2006 at a conference. He immediately attracted attention with his undisguised personality and constant promotion of ideas and values of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. After the conversation, he invited me to join the Kyiv-Mohyla community. I refused because I felt very good at DonNU. In response, Andriy said that Kyiv-Mohyla Academy is always open to me and all the same, in time I will join her. And so it happened in 2009, when I left the positions of professor and deputy dean of DonNU and moved to associate professor in Kyiv-Mohyla Academy. I traveled for 4 years every month between Donetsk and Kyiv, but I did not regret it for a minute.

In fact, Andrii and my colleagues at the FPN saved me and my family from the war and troubles in Donetsk. Thank you very much for that. There was a moment in 2013 when I was left without a roof, on a street in Kyiv. I came to Andrii and he, without hesitation, invited me to his home. That time was one of the best in my life. I had the good fortune to meet Andriy’s wonderful parents, who welcomed me warmly and supported me during difficult times. Ith’s when I felt the power of goodness and humanity. It was from his wonderful parents that Andrii received infinite amounts of positive energy and kindness.

Kindness is eternal. The memory of Andrii is eternal!

Roman Nabozhnyak

We were not close acquaintances. I worked with Andrii Meleshevych as the dean of the FPvN while working in the PR department – in preparation for the open day and Dedication or Convocation – I can’t remember for sure. But what I remember is when Andrii and his wife came to our cafe in the first days or weeks after the opening. For me it was a super stressful period, and when I saw them visiting us, just for coffee, to ask how things were, and to support when we were just starting out – it was very strong and touching.

I couldn’t understand then, because obviously, as the President of the Academy, he definitely had a lot of more important things to do than come for coffee to a graduate who didn’t even study at his faculty and with whom he was minimally acquainted. But later, when our business started to get back on its feet, we survived the first quarantines, I realized that thanks to such support it all became possible. I understood the importance of support in the beginning, and I understood WHY they came to us then. And I kept mentioning this episode during the farewell, thinking that I myself pay so little attention to supporting people who are just starting their business, who are at the very beginning of the journey. I thought about how simple it really is, but how important it is. I can’t remember exactly what we talked about, but I will always remember this support for the rest of my life.

Yaroslav Yurchyshyn, People’s Deputy of Ukraine

When we were together on the board of Transparency International Ukraine, Andrii Meleshevych was an example of a sequence of advocacy.

When we, together with Andrii, Daria Kalenyuk, and Oksana Nesterenko, built the NAUKMA Anti-Corruption Research and Education Centre, he was an example of activity and systemic approach.

When I invited him to become a member of the commission for the selection of the head of the DBR and then it failed because the majority wanted to see their puppet representatives there – he simply said that such experience is necessary.

The last time we talked, he asked for one thing – do not let me down.

I will not fail, Teacher.
Rest in peace.

Dana Bilousova, student of FPvN MP-2

Andrii, you once thanked me for things that others could not stand me for.
For the fact that I do care.
And you told me to stay the same beautiful person. I then laughed at your words and said that everyone would do so.
So, Andrii, I can’t speak for everyone, but I still care.
You are much more than just the President of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.
You have shown that there is no need to be afraid.
It is worth being yourself and staying true to your own views, values and ideas.
You probably believed in me more than I ever believed in myself.
Two words will not be enough to express the gratefullness of all the students for your endless support.
But you can start small.
Thank you for changing my life.

Nadiya Haidak

You supported all of us, me not only morally, but also physically. During training I broke a leg and had to use crutches. When you saw my mother and I climbing the stairs with crutches to get to the 3rd floor where the law faculty was, without thinking, you just picked me up and took me to the room. You could not wish for better support! Your calm smile will never disappear from memory! Thank you for everything! Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and its people are unique and eternalі!

Dr Marek Porzycki, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland

I met Professor Andriy Meleshevych in 2006, about the time when I started my academic work at the Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland. One of my first tasks was to coordinate the student exchange program with the Law Faculty of the Kyiv-Mohyla University and Professor Meleshevych was its Dean at the time. I remember my first positive shock when I found a Dean willing to answer e-mails of a young unknown academic almost in real time, day or night, and solve any administrative issue that would trouble our program.

This initial contact developed into a long cooperation, countless meetings in Kyiv and Krakow, and – I dare say – a personal friendship. Professor Meleshevych was a true teacher and an inspiring leader while remaining a warm, friendly person. Many of his students told me they admired him. He had a big share in making Kyiv-Mohyla what it is – a community of smart, positive-minded people, making enormous contributions to reforming Ukraine, strengthening its institutions and moving it closer to the West. We had many conversations about the role of Kyiv-Mohyla and its values. For me Professor Meleshevych will always be the unique Kyiv-Mohyla spirit at its very best. It is now our task to make sure that his ideas live on.

Ken Pinnow, Professor of History, Allegheny College, USA

I met Andriy at Allegheny College, USA, in 1999. For me, as a Soviet historian, he was my guide to Ukraine, introducing me to life in Kyiv and, later on, helping me get into the state archives for my research. I will never forget his smile, bright eyes, and generous spirit. He was restless and constantly in motion. Forever the teacher, Andriy wanted to share his intellectual curiosity with everyone, whether it was about his country, politics, or current events. His keen insights pushed me to think more deeply or see things in a different way. While Andriy was serious about work and life, he also had a mischievous and playful side that would suddenly appear on bike rides, walks, and evenings over food and drink. I recall his many stories about the wonders of carp and his enthusiasm over a particular type of berry bush (a piece of home he once smuggled back to the USA from Ukraine to plant in his backyard). I am grateful to Andriy for everything that he did on behalf of the Allegheny College students who spent part of their summers at NaUKMA. I am thankful for his friendship and the many ways that he enriched my life, both professionally and personally. Andriy Meleshevych and his joie de vivre will be greatly missed.

Pavlo Bondarenko

One of the moments that stuck in my head was the evening when we discussed the draft regulations on student governance.

Andrii was then sitting with us in the auditorium in the first building until ten o’clock in the evening.

Imagine this picture, when the President of the Academy sits at a desk, eats pizza from Dominos with you, and discusses subtle moments with great interest, radiates warmth and the thoughtfullness.

This is the true leadership and the predominance of essence over form.

Rest in peace. Very sad…

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