The Unissued Diplomas Exhibit opened on campus last week beginning Mon., Feb. 24th, 2025. The exhibit is a worldwide project that has extended across 24 countries with 110 locations and has been translated into 7 languages. The Exhibit will be up in the Gustavus Library Associates Reading Room in the Folke Bernadotte Library until March 22nd. Students are encouraged to come view it, remembering and contemplating the three year anniversary of the war in Ukraine.
“The Unissued Diplomas Exhibit tells the stories of Ukrainian students whose dreams were shattered and whose lives were cut short by Russian invasion,” Assistant Professor of Economics and Finance Dr. Vita Faychuk explained. “Why? To remind us that when truth is drowned out by propaganda, and injustice is ignored, real people pay the price.”
The exhibit honors 18 students, many of whom were the same age as current Gustavus students, on poster boards. Each bio includes a picture, their name, age, school, a summary of their passions, involvements or hopes for the future, and a description of how or when they were killed; written both in English and Ukrainian. The campus exhibit honors Olha Lysenko, Leah Krylova, Andriy Kozhemiak, Volodymyr Ivashchenko, Yevheniia Babakova, Dmytro Yevdokymov, Oleksandra Borivska, Maksym Vashlyshyn, Hlib Ivanov, Serhiy Domantsevych, Emir Bilyalov, Ivan Pokidko, Lidiia Duminika, Vladyslav Lisniak, Hennadiy Havrashenko, Tetiana Kotlubei, Polina Zheldak, and Iryna Dashko. Gustavus students can find more information and view the 22 other students on the Unissued Diplomas website.
According to an article by Ukrainska Pravda, published Feb. 16th, 2025, Ukrainian president Zelenskyy reported that 46,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed and around 19,500 Ukrainian children have been deported to Russia. An article published by CNN on Feb. 23rd, 2025 reported that over 12,000 civilians in Ukraine have been killed since the Russian invasion.
The official opening of the exhibit was preceded by several events, including an opening reception and community panel on Mon., Feb. 24th, a Morning Praise service during Chapel Break on Tuesday, and a social justice in action service during Chapel Break on Thursday.
The Morning Praise service on Tues. featured a message given by the Director of Eastern European & Eurasian Studies, Dr. Annalise Rivas, and songs “Prayer for Ukraine”, sung in Ukrainian, and “Be the Change” sung by the Gustavus Justice choir. Following the service, there were Ukrainian treats provided and community time to view the exhibit, which was stationed around the chapel.
Rivas’ message centered around the uncertainty following not just the initial Russian invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, but the continued uncertainty three years later. Rivas, who had lived in Russia for times in her life, explained that the situation can be described as complicated.
“..For me, as well as many others…on this campus, the job of informing and remembering and advocating…is personal and it’s complicated,” Rivas said. “War is always complicated, but suddenly I felt like I didn’t know anything about this country I had spent most of my life in.”
Growing up Lutheran, Rivas’ tradition informed her decision to come to Gustavus, as well as her deeply held beliefs and truths.
“So why Gustavus? I choose to be in a community that isn’t afraid to start with, ‘It’s complicated’ then diving deeper. Embracing paradox, figuring out how two things that seem in opposition can coexist,” Rivas said.
Rivas ended her message, not with an answer, but with a continued acknowledgment of the complicated nature of the situation and the personal action one can take.
“Today I am focusing on finding compassion for those who think differently, act differently, live differently,” Rivas said. “I invite you to join me by considering the stories of the 18 Ukrainian students featured in our exhibit, knowing there are 18 Russian students whose names we are not honoring and sometimes saying ‘it’s complicated’ is just what we need.”
While the war is not happening in America, the impacts are felt by people living in America, Minnesota, and on the Gustavus campus.
“…Our campus has many people who are personally and directly affected by the war, whose stories we want to share and who we wish to support,” Rivas said. “Secondly, this exhibit in particular felt very relevant for our campus community, because it focuses very specifically on students and young people who had the same kinds of dreams and plans as Gustavus students.”
Students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity to view the exhibit while it is on campus. Furthermore, students are encouraged to take the time to educate themselves and reflect on what they learn.
“Reading these students’ stories forces us to confront uncomfortable truths and ask ourselves: ‘What am I doing with my time? What impact am I making?’ When future generations look back, what will our answer be to ‘What were you doing when…?’,” Faychuk said.
Co-President of Eastern European Club and Sophomore, Dasha Shyroka, was integral in the planning of the events for the Exhibit, and is, herself, an international student from Ukraine. Shyroka explained that there are a multitude of ways that people can aid and help support Ukraine, besides just donating money.
“Not everyone has the ability to donate, but everyone has the ability to spread awareness and volunteer…it’s so important for people to be able to identify what disinformation is. So, I think spreading the truthful information is so impactful and appreciated,” Shyroka said.
Faychuk explained that while a major concern of the United States supporting the war is the financial cost, an economic analysis lends itself to actually being beneficial.
“By giving Ukraine these weapons, the U.S. avoids the cost of getting rid of them. Plus, it actually helps the U.S. economy. When the U.S. gives away older weapons, it needs to make new ones, which creates jobs in 37 states. Finally, every dollar spent on Ukraine is closely scrutinized by multiple government agencies, such as GAO,” Faychuk said. “What is cheaper, helping Ukraine now with a fraction of the Pentagon’s budget, or waiting and sending American soldiers to fight in Europe again? What is cheaper, sending weapons or paying in American lives? Therefore, this isn’t charity; it’s about our own security. Think of it as an investment in preventing a larger, more devastating conflict.”
Becoming informed and dispelling misinformation, explained by both Shyroka and Faychuk, is crucial. Faychuk argued that critical thinking is “our greatest weapon” and that misinformation continues to weaken democracy and justice.
To aid in the spread of truth, Eastern European & Eurasian Studies maintains and updates a document that has links to resources for information and ways to contribute to relief efforts. The document is open and available to all students, accessible through the QR code posted alongside this article.
Faychuk asserted that not only processing information, but also taking action is not just welcome, but necessary.
“To understand why action is vital, consider this: Evil thrives on ignorance and indifference. We have a moral obligation to be informed and to act. If we do not stand against evil, it will spread. We are already seeing a surge in violence around the world. History provides a chilling lesson: appeasement never stops aggression; it only invites more,” Faychuk said.
Faychuk suggested that students contact their representatives and support reputable organizations that are working towards relief in Ukraine. Faychuk explained that “silence enables aggression” and that holding leaders accountable is key. Above all, Faychuk highlighted that people must challenge apathy.
Gustavus’ core values are excellence, community, justice, service, and faith. All of these are challenged when history and people are forgotten. To honor the students—the victims—of the Russian invasion, when “Ukraine woke up from explosions,” as Rivas described, students are welcomed and urged to visit the exhibit from now until March 22.
“Now as much as ever, it is vital that we promote respect and understanding for those throughout the world whose lives are disrupted or lost in conflict,” Rivas said. “Finding ways to learn more, share more, and act more to bring about justice and peace is an important part of being a global citizen and this exhibit can provide a step toward those goals.”