College of Arts and Sciences Newsroom
In Memoriam: Jaro Bilocerkowycz
Jaro Bilocerkowycz, a beloved political science faculty member for nearly 40 years, died Sept. 5 at age 72. Affectionately called “Dr. Bilo” by his students, he is remembered as a passionate teacher, generous colleague and invaluable scholar.
“His passion and care for students was evident by the popularity of his courses and the number of students who chose his class not because of the topic but because Bilo was teaching it,” said Nancy Martorano Miller, professor and UD Department of Political Science chair.
Bilocerkowycz, who began at UD in 1985, regularly taught courses on international relations; European politics and society; U.S. national security; and Russia, Ukraine and Eurasia; and worked closely with the honors program and international studies. He was a very valuable part of the International Studies program from some of its earliest years, contributing to the establishment of the initial Center for International Studies in the late 1980s. He was part of the early efforts to develop a human rights program at UD that grew out of the series of "Voices of Democracy" programs the center organized in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Through it all, he was known for his support for students and his desire to see them succeed.
“It never fails to amaze me how many times I hear, ‘Dr. Bilo and his classes were my favorite’ or ‘My fondest memories were of Dr. Bilo’ in a room of alumni and current students that inspires a round of enthusiastic agreement by all, ‘Yes, he’s the best!,’” said Susan Weaver, a former student and now UD political science lecturer who noted the support Bilocerkowycz gave her when she had a baby midway through the semester during her undergraduate class with him.
“He is so loved,” Weaver added. “His steadiness, stability, humor, investment and interest in everyone he met has left lifelong, lasting impressions. I hope to be a fraction of the educator he is, and look up to him in so many ways. He will be greatly missed.”
Along with his reputation as a compassionate and supportive instructor, he was known by his colleagues for being reliable, thoughtful and hardworking too, said Natalie Hudson, political science professor and executive director of the UD Human Rights Center.
“He loved our department and never missed a social opportunity to share a meal not just as colleagues but as friends. His presence in St. Joes will be deeply missed by many,” she said.
A distinguished scholar on Russia, Ukraine and Poland, he wrote a book, numerous Encyclopedia entries, scholarly journal articles and was frequently sought out by news media, especially to explain the war in Ukraine. He held a doctorate in political science from the University of Washington.
“Jaro's generosity and expertise in Ukrainian and Russian politics have been invaluable over the last few years,” said Danielle Poe, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “I looked forward to his interviews on Russia's war against Ukraine. He helped to decipher the erratic reasoning of Putin and to explicate how Ukrainian people have been persevering. I also appreciate that he was a dedicated teacher; I was never surprised that his classes filled quickly and students found him rigorous and supportive.”
Bilocerkowycz was born Dec. 2, 1951, in Chicago. He held a bachelor’s degree Eastern Illinois University and his master’s and doctoral degrees in political science from the University of Washington. He was appointed as visiting assistant professor at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville before finding his academic home at the University of Dayton.
He is survived by his daughter Sonya Bilocerkowycz and son-in-law Chris Stevens; by his brother Bohdan “Bob” Bilocerkowycz and sister-in-law Linda Bilocerkowycz; by nephews Ryan Bilocerkowycz (Mandy Begley) and Rory Bilocerkowycz (Lindsey Waters) and grand-niece Marley Bilocerkowycz; by his aunt Marika Fiszer; and by numerous beloved cousins, extended family members and dear friends.
Visitation hours are 3-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, at Cumberland Chapels, 8300 W. Lawrence Ave., Norridge, Illinois. Funeral services will start at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 13, at the funeral home, and with a procession and service at noon at St. Joseph Ukrainian Catholic Church 5000 N. Cumberland Ave., Chicago. The interment will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in River Grove, Illinois. The family intends to hold a memorial service later this fall in Dayton, with details to be announced.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider making a memorial donation in Bilocerkowycz’s name to the Ukrainian Catholic University Foundation or to the charity organization Razom for Ukraine.