Academic CentreZiņa
“I call to support the University of Latvia also in the future! We must continue to donate to Latvia’s largest university of science to perpetuate its rapid development. Thus, it can stand strong and further enhance its leading position amongst the largest universities in the Baltics, ever increasing its competitiveness in the field of innovation and higher education,” says Mārtiņš Andersons, “Friends of the University of Latvia” chair of the board. Several of his ancestors have studied at the University of Latvia, including his grandfather Aleksandrs Ūdris, a graduate of the UL Faculty of Law, while his great-grandfather, President of Latvia Gustavs Zemgals, was a UL Honorary Member.
The board of “Friends of the University of Latvia” in cooperation with the UL Foundation invites compatriots from all of America and the worldwide to donate to the University of Latvia, thereby furthering three definite causes:
- supporting outstanding students,
- helping to modernize the learning environment,
- aiding infrastructure development.
Every donation matters. Those patrons who faithfully make repeated donations and regularly contribute to higher education, truly shape the future of Latvia.
So far, there have been many different goals that patrons have donated to – support to professors and students for attending conferences and other international events, scholarships for students of all study levels, contributions to the construction of the UL Academic Centre and campus, support for ideas of outstanding UL researchers, and many more worthy causes. At present, the total amount of donations has reached almost 2.5 million US dollars.
The core of Latvian life
The core of the non-profit foundation’s board unites six compatriots from the largest Latvian centres in America. Their efforts to increase the quality and accessibility of Latvian students’ education have been successful. Mārtiņš Andersons, Deputy Chair of the American Latvian Association (ALA) and Andris Ramāns, a long-time ALA board member and scholarship patron, are involved in local Latvian Diaspora events and social activities in California. “I have been an enthusiastic member of American Latvian society all my life, volunteering, as well as donating to various cultural and educational projects. My fate has been beneficial. I support the University of Latvia because I have reached the level where I’m able to help others,” says A. Ramāns.
Roberts Blumbergs, a UL Honorary Member, who has been awarded the Order of the Three Stars, lives in Chicago and together with his parents supports projects of the UL Faculty of Law, as well as the development of cognitive sciences in the world. Both R. Blumbergs’ parents – Ināra and Gunārs Blumbergs – were born in Latvia, and three of his grandparents have graduated from the University of Latvia. He particularly remembers the stories of his grandmother’s youth, describing her life in Latvia and studies at the University of Latvia. “Latvia’s future is based on an educated nation that can make the right decisions. I think that students are the future of Latvia,” R. Blumbergs emphasizes.
Dr. med. Vaira I. Pelēķis-Christopher is the heart of the Seattle Latvian community, she works at the local church, takes care of the Latvian book readers’ club, and is very actively involved in the Baltic Studies Program at the University of Washington. This year, she founded a new scholarship for talented French philologists at the University of Latvia. Meanwhile, Peter A. Ragaušs, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Latvia in Texas, founder of the Latgales “Ceļamaize” scholarship, member of the board of the Baltic-American Freedom Foundation (BAFF), helps to uphold the Latvian and Latgalian spirit among Texas Latvians.
Selfless support to excellence
All “Friends of the University of Latvia” members of the board are true ambassadors of culture sustaining altruism and philanthropy. . All have provided a positive example of how a generous support to the University of Latvia, its students and projects can be a starting point on the path to a better higher education. The non-profit organization has a (501 (c)(3) charity) status, and the donations can be made by transfer or check. The biggest success stories and information about the donors can be found on the foundation’s website www.friendslu.com.
The Board of “Friends of the University of Latvia” will be happy to tell more about donation opportunities and invites other peers and compatriots who truly care about the future of their homeland to follow their example. Three of the board members – Vaira, Guna and Andris – were born in Latvia, and the academic roots of all board members are directly related to the University of Latvia. The UL is inseparable from establishment of the Republic of Latvia and is considered to be one of its main symbols in perpetuation of Latvian culture, education and science.
About “Friends of the University of Latvia”
Since 2012, the non-profit organization “Friends of the University of Latvia” has been uniting American citizens of Latvian origin – supporters of the University of Latvia. It is the partner organization of the UL Foundation, founded by the initiative of John J. Medveckis. By donating to this Foundation, US citizens can receive tax deduction. The main task of the foundation is to ensure a brighter future for Latvian education.
