On its path of development and growth, American University Kyiv is privileged to be supported by great partners and business communities who believe in the power of education.
At AUK Master's Graduation Ceremony 2025, we were pleased to welcome a big supporter of Ukraine, the voice for Ukrainian, American, and international businesses in Ukraine, the President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine – Andy Hunder.
He was with AUK at the AUK Operational Opening ceremony 3 weeks before the full scale invasion, keeping optimism and high spirit, motivating AUK in the hardest moment in AUK and Ukraine’s history.
At AUK Graduation Ceremony Andy Hunder congratulated the graduates with such inspiring words,
«Three years ago, in February, we were here. Three years ago, they said Kyiv would fall in three days. It didn't happen. We are here today. Kyiv stands, Ukraine stands, and business stands together with these great students of American University Kyiv.
In Ivan Franko's poem's words, be ready for the big moments. And remember the words of Nelson Mandela, "Sometimes it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that great generation.”
The future of Ukraine and the future of countries is being decided now. Be that great generation. Thank you and Слава Україні!".
We also thank Andy Hunder for the great words of Ukrainian poet Ivan Franko, which he quoted at the ceremony,
"Everyone should think that the fate of millions rests on you,
That you must give an account for the fate of millions.
Everyone should think: here, in that place, Where I stand in the fire,
The whole fate of the Great War now weighs.
If I cannot stand and I stagger like a shadow, —
The bloody work of many, many generations will be lost"
(random translation of the poem)