The Futey Family Foundation, founded by U.S. Federal Claims Court Judge Bohdan Futey, has recognized two master’s students at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy for their outstanding academic achievements and civic engagement. The recipients were given the opportunity to focus on research and professional development during the war.
This was reported by the Faculty of Law of the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy (NaUKMA).
This year’s Futey Family Foundation student scholarship winners are Maksym Popelchuk and Yuriy Vanin, students of the Law Master’s Program. They demonstrated high academic performance, scientific interest, and active civic engagement.
One of the recipients, Maksym Popelchuk, emphasized that the support he received allows him to focus on his studies and legal research.
“For me, this support opens up the opportunity to focus on my studies and work on legal research, which I hope will someday benefit the development of legal science. I am also convinced that I will be able to devote more time to personal development and becoming a practicing lawyer,” Maksym Popelchuk noted.
“For me, receiving this scholarship is a great honor, because it confirms the recognition of my achievements both in education and in social activities. It is extremely valuable that in such a difficult time, the Futey Family Foundation supports young people in Ukraine. This support inspires not to stop, but to continue to develop for the benefit of the future of Ukraine,” the scholarship recipient Yuriy Vanin emphasized the symbolic meaning of this award in the conditions of war.
The faculty also emphasizes that such an initiative is of particular importance now, when Ukrainian youth are receiving education in conditions of war and constant instability. According to students, the scholarship not only reduces the financial burden, but also creates a sense of trust and support from authoritative representatives of the legal community.
The Faculty of Law of NaUKMA expressed sincere gratitude to Bohdan Futey and the Futey family for their consistent support of students and contribution to the development of Ukrainian legal education, calling this assistance an important investment in the future of the legal system of Ukraine.
Background
Bohdan Futey is a judge of the Federal Court of Claims of the United States of America, an honorary doctor of the National University "Kyiv-Mohyla Academy", a visiting professor at NaUKMA and a professor of constitutional law at the Ukrainian Free University in Munich. He was born on June 28, 1939 in Ukraine. After emigrating to the United States in 1957, Futey graduated from Western Reserve University (bachelor's and master's degrees, 1962), and later from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (doctor of law, 1968). He worked in the Cleveland Prosecutor's Office, was an executive assistant to the mayor, and headed the US International Claims Commission (1984-1987).
In 1987, he became a judge of the Court of Federal Claims, which hears claims against the US federal government. At various times, he worked as a partner in law firms, as a chief deputy prosecutor for the city of Cleveland, and as an executive assistant to the mayor of Cleveland. He is licensed to practice law in the state of Ohio, the District of Columbia, and the US Supreme Court. He has taught at leading universities in Ukraine, Germany, and the US. He is a member of a number of professional legal associations, as well as a member of the National Commission on Strengthening Democracy and Establishing the Rule of Law and the Constitutional Commission of Ukraine. He has been awarded state and public awards of Ukraine, the US, and the Ukrainian diaspora, including the Order of Merit, 2nd degree, and the St. Volodymyr Medal "For Merit".
The scholarship fund was established in 2020. Its goal is to support talented law students who demonstrate high potential for shaping the future of Ukrainian law. Laureates receive charitable assistance in hryvnias in the amount equivalent to 1,000 US dollars (at the official exchange rate of the NBU on the day of the decision).
Photo: NaUKMA
Author: Inna Mikhno