Helen and John Ivanco Memorial Scholarship & Research Bursary

Award created thanks to the generosity of John Jr., Anne and Michael in memory of their parents, Helen and John Ivančo

Award Overview

Value of the award:
Variable
Number of awards:
Variable
Award frequency:
Annual
Level or program of study:
Undergraduate and Graduate
Application Type:
Online Scholarship and Bursaries portal, accessible via uoZone.
Application Deadline:
November 2
Renewable:
No

Purpose of this Award

To provide financial assistance to:

1. Graduate and undergraduate students in the Department of History who wish to study Slovak history and culture at the University of Ottawa

2. Scholars who wish to do research in the Slovak Archives at the University of Ottawa.

Preference will be given to University of Ottawa scholars over independent scholars

Eligibility Criteria

The candidate must:

  1. be registered in the Department of History of the Faculty of Arts at the University of Ottawa, for the purpose of studying Slovak history and culture, or Slovak Archives
  2. demonstrate academic excellence
External Scholars must demonstrate professional interest in the use of the Slovak archives at the University. It is an open deadline for external applicants.

How to Apply

Submitted in the Online Scholarship and Bursaries portal, accessible via uoZone, and must include:

  1. an unofficial copy of the applicant's academic transcript
  2. the Curriculum Vitae on Online Scholarships and Bursaries
External scholars must submit a letter of intent to the Chairholder, Chair in Slovak History and Culture, a copy of their resume, and a detailed research proposal specifically outlining the anticipated benefit of access to the University of Ottawa Slovak Archives, and the financial request to complete their research.


About this Award

The fund was established in 2004 in memory of Helen (25.VIII.1922--19.II.2005) and John Ivančo (5.X.1918- 27.I.2004) by their children John Jr., Anne and Michael. John was born in the village of Matiaška and Helen in the neighbouring village of Kobylnice, Šariš County, Slovakia, into poor peasant families and both lost a parent at an early age. They were married in 1943 and had three children, one in Slovakia, one in the refugee camp of Ludwigsburg, West Germany, where they had fled the Communists in 1949, and the third in Canada. They started over in Canada as sponsored farm labourers in Ajax, Ontario. John eventually found employment in a foundry in Oshawa and Helen took in boarders and raised organic strawberries to supplement the family income. Both were Slovak patriots who strongly supported St. Mary's Greek Catholic Parish in Oshawa, as well as Branch 6 of the Canadian Slovak League and the General Milan Rastislav Štefánik Hall and Circle. They also saw to the education of their children and grandchildren and were strong supporters of the Chair in Slovak History and Culture at the University of Ottawa.