Le Moyne College’s 2025 Young Alumni Ignatian Award for Journalism on Ukraine and Eurasia

Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen

Publication (Outlet/Website): A Further Inquiry

Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2025/05/14

Mark Temnycky is a Ukrainian-American journalist and nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center. He has reported extensively on Russia’s war in Ukraine and broader international affairs, with bylines in The New York Times, Forbes, The Hill, and Newsweek. His work has been cited by institutions such as NATO, the U.S. Army, and the European Parliament. He earned his undergraduate degree in history, with departmental honors, from Le Moyne College, he earned a certificate in international relations from Georgetown University, and he later completed dual master’s degrees in public administration and international relations from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. In recognition of his contributions to journalism and his commitment to Jesuit values, he received Le Moyne College’s 2025 Young Alumni Ignatian Award.

Scott Douglas Jacobsen: Today, we are with Mark Temnycky. He is a Ukrainian-American journalist and a nonresident fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Eurasia Center. He has reported extensively on Russia’s war in Ukraine and broader international affairs, with bylines in The New York Times, Forbes, The Hill, and Newsweek. His work has been cited by institutions such as NATO, the U.S. Army, and the European Parliament. He earned his undergraduate degree in history, with departmental honors, from Le Moyne College, he earned a certificate in international relations from Georgetown University, and he later completed dual master’s degrees in public administration and international relations from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. In recognition of his contributions to journalism and his commitment to Jesuit values, he received Le Moyne College’s 2025 Young Alumni Ignatian Award. First, who is Ignatius? Second, how do you see the connections between Jesuit values and journalism that matters? Third, what did the award mean to you?

Mark Temnycky: To answer your question, it is Ignatius, as in Saint Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus. That is the Jesuit order within the Catholic Church. As for my background, I attended Le Moyne College for my undergraduate studies. It’s one of the 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States. Other institutions include Loyola University Chicago and Georgetown University.

Jesuit education is distinct in its emphasis on cura personalis—care for the whole person—and service to others. It’s not just about academic excellence or earning a science, math, or social sciences degree. The Jesuit philosophy encourages students to engage with their communities, reflect on their values, and serve others meaningfully.

For example, during our freshman year at Le Moyne, we were encouraged to volunteer in the local community, whether helping out in under-resourced schools or supporting food pantries and shelters. I volunteered at a local school where we worked with young children, providing classroom support and mentorship. We also participated in community service projects through campus ministries, distributing food or clothing to members of the Syracuse community.

That commitment to service and justice has stayed with me and continues to shape how I approach journalism: with responsibility, empathy, and a focus on truth and integrity. I’m sure plenty of universities without any Jesuit or Christian tradition or affiliation do many of the same things. The difference is that Jesuit institutions place an extra emphasis on service and moral responsibility. Professors often challenge students to think about earning a degree and what they will do with that degree to make the world a better place.

There are so many wars and conflicts around the world. Poverty persists. Food scarcity continues to affect millions. Many countries face limited access to education, job prospects, and economic opportunities. Of course, no single individual can solve all the world’s problems. But it is about adopting a different worldview: recognizing that if you have an education and a certain level of privilege, you have a responsibility–not only to yourself, to ensure stability and support your family and loved ones—but also to help those less fortunate.

It’s about giving back to your community, using your skills and background to uplift others. This mindset is rooted in the idea of noblesse oblige, the old French expression meaning that those who have the means and the opportunities are obliged to help those who do not. That’s a compelling way of seeing the world—community-based and value-driven, rather than living solely for oneself.

So I was very honoured to receive this award from my undergraduate alma mater. During my undergraduate and graduate school years, I often felt that, as someone of Ukrainian descent, not many people knew much about Ukraine. There was little awareness or concern for Ukraine and Eastern Europe.

That started to change around 2013, when I was still in school. That was the time of the Euromaidan protests—also known as the Revolution of Dignity. Ukrainians were upset that then-President Viktor Yanukovych had refused to sign an association agreement with the European Union. This was in November 2013.

To clarify, this agreement was not about EU membership or formal integration. It was intended to strengthen economic and trade ties with the EU and improve everyday life in Ukraine. At the time—and even now—Ukraine was, and still is, one of the poorest countries in Europe.

For context, the average monthly salary in the EU is between €2,000 and €3,000. In Ukraine, it is closer to €250, a significant disparity. So, how can people build sustainable lives under those conditions, especially when neighbouring countries like Poland or the Baltic States—Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania—are EU members and have far greater economic stability?

It is hard for Ukrainians to move forward when those economic and structural disparities persist. So, when the Euromaidan movement began, I saw it as an opportunity, being based in the United States, to educate and inform people: What is this movement? Why does it matter? What is happening?

Later, while pursuing my graduate studies at the Maxwell School at Syracuse University, I worked for the Ukrainian Parliament during the summer of 2016. I also interned at the NATO office at the Pentagon for a fall semester in 2016. Combined, these internships lasted about seven months. They allowed me to observe how governments function, how public policy is crafted, and how different and yet similar political systems can be.

During graduate school, I wrote my first published piece for Forbes, titled “Why Ukraine is Ukraine, Not ‘the’ Ukraine“. It focused on the significance of dropping the definite article “the” when referring to Ukraine, a symbolic and political shift reflecting national sovereignty. Since then, I’ve continued to write for news outlets and think tanks. More recently, especially following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, I’ve participated in interviews like this one, podcasts, and media panels to talk about the war and its global significance.

I’ve been writing for nearly a decade on Ukraine and countries across Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. I focus on why the United States, NATO, and the European Union should care about these regions—not only from the standpoint of national security, foreign policy, or energy security—but also from a human perspective: what can wealthier countries do to help individuals in these areas have access to opportunities similar to those in the U.S. or Western Europe?

That does not mean those individuals must choose the same path or system. People should always have the freedom to shape their own lives. But having more options—economic, educational, and professional—can dramatically improve their standard of living.

The motivation has always been to inform and educate, not to seek awards or recognition. I do these interviews and write these pieces because I believe it’s the right thing to do. In recent years, I’ve also had the privilege of speaking at universities across the United States about the war in Ukraine and why it matters.

So I’m deeply honored and thankful to have been acknowledged with this award. It motivates me even more to continue this work—however modest it may be—to try to improve the situation for people impacted by the war.

Jacobsen: Jesuit education—beyond being rigorous and intellectually grounded in theology—also has an ethical component, often centred on forming “persons for others.” Your earlier responses already reflected that emphasis. How do you see this Jesuit value system’s role in other areas of your life and work?

Temnycky: I think it’s important to remember that you never really know what people are going through. Many individuals do not publicly share their challenges or hardships. Life is complex, and the world can be very overwhelming. So, by taking things one day at a time and trying, even in small, modest ways, to make life better for others, you contribute to creating a more compassionate and supportive world.

Living kindly—being helpful and supportive toward others—makes life more enjoyable for yourself and those around you. That’s where the value of being a person for othersbecomes meaningful. It encourages us to consider not just ourselves but those around us.

And it’s very easy to become overwhelmed by all the suffering and tragedy we see in the news. Whether it’s war, natural disasters, or other crises, there’s no shortage of pain and loss. These are all very real concerns. But if someone becomes entirely consumed by the negativity, it can lead to a very pessimistic outlook on life.

Everyone only lives once. And it’s a sad way to live, constantly burdened by the world’s hardships without recognizing the beauty and kindness that still exist. Sometimes, it’s as simple as smiling at someone or saying hello. Other times, it’s more impactful, like individuals who have the means to donate millions to causes like cancer research or humanitarian aid.

Every act of kindness matters. You have two choices: you can be a bystander, feeling helpless and consumed by all the negativity, or you can try, however modestly, to make a positive impact. Not for recognition, not to build a legacy, but simply to do the right thing. To help others. To strengthen your community. Because life is already challenging, and if everyone has to fight for themselves alone, it only gets harder. But if people unite—if communities work together—life becomes more manageable and meaningful.

Jacobsen: And there’s only one award per year, right?

Temnycky: Yes, for this specific category. There are a few others as well. Тhere is the Distinguished Alumni Award, the Ignatian Award for Professional Achievement, the Ignatian Award for Community Service, the Ignatian Award for Service to Le Moyne College, the Ignatian Spirit Award, the Ignatian Veterans Service Award, the Ignatian Award for Young Alumni, which I received, and the Ignatian Award for Honorary Alumnus.

Jacobsen: Are there contemporary figures in Eurasia—in the areas you study, such as geopolitics, war, and humanitarian work—whom you look to as a beacon of the kind of greater good that Saint Ignatius emphasized?

Temnycky: Yes. One individual who comes to mind is a family friend whom I know very well: Metropolitan Archbishop Borys Gudziak. He heads the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church in the United States.

He’s also originally from Syracuse. One of the things he’s done through his work is establish the Ukrainian Catholic University in western Ukraine, in Lviv. The university provides higher education opportunities within Ukraine and has been referred to by some as the “Harvard of Ukraine.”

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, Bishop Borys Gudziak worked with the Church to purchase a large plot of land in Lviv, where they began with a small chapel. From that humble beginning, they built the university. Since then, hundreds—if not thousands—of Ukrainians have studied there. Many are now volunteering or fighting on the front lines, giving back to Ukraine with their lives and sacrifices because they understand the importance of freedom, democracy, and national values.

And all of that began with a vision rooted in service, making Ukraine a better place, building community. He’s someone I respect deeply and who has been an influence in my own life. His example has shaped my motivation to pursue selfless work, to do whatever I can—even in small ways—to try to make the world a better place.

Jacobsen: Thank you, Mark. I appreciate it. Have a great evening, and we’ll talk soon.

Temnycky: Thank you, Scott. І appreciate the opportunity to speak with you.

Last updated May 3, 2025. These terms govern all In Sight Publishing content—past, present, and future—and supersede any prior notices. In Sight Publishing by Scott Douglas Jacobsen is licensed under a Creative Commons BY‑NC‑ND 4.0; © In Sight Publishing by Scott Douglas Jacobsen 2012–Present. All trademarks, performances, databases & branding are owned by their rights holders; no use without permission. Unauthorized copying, modification, framing or public communication is prohibited. External links are not endorsed. Cookies & tracking require consent, and data processing complies with PIPEDA & GDPR; no data from children < 13 (COPPA). Content meets WCAG 2.1 AA under the Accessible Canada Act & is preserved in open archival formats with backups. Excerpts & links require full credit & hyperlink; limited quoting under fair-dealing & fair-use. All content is informational; no liability for errors or omissions: Feedback welcome, and verified errors corrected promptly. For permissions or DMCA notices, email: scott.jacobsen2025@gmail.com. Site use is governed by BC laws; content is “as‑is,” liability limited, users indemnify us; moral, performers’ & database sui generis rights reserved.