The Tcharna Pesochina (1928 – 2026) and Serguei Ioffe (1922 – 2008) Scholarship honors two lives defined by resilience, service, and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of education. Born in 1928 in the Kherson region of Ukraine, Tcharna endured the hardships of World War II, surviving evacuation and displacement while continuing her studies and helping support her family from the age of twelve. Her perseverance led her to earn a degree in finance in 1954 and build a distinguished forty-year career in accounting. In 1955, she married Serguei Ioffe, a decorated World War II veteran who commanded an artillery unit during the Battle of Stalingrad. Following the war, Serguei pursued a career in civil engineering, leading large-scale regional construction and electrification projects that brought power and infrastructure to communities across Ukraine. Together, they built a life grounded in integrity, hard work, and an enduring commitment to education and family.
This scholarship seeks to carry forward the legacy of Tcharna Pesochina and Serguei Ioffe by supporting students who embody the qualities that defined their family: perseverance in the face of adversity, intellectual curiosity, and a desire to use knowledge in service of others. With a particular emphasis on students pursuing degrees and careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), the scholarship reflects the family's lifelong commitment to education, analytical thinking, and the advancement of society through knowledge and innovation. It is awarded in the belief that education creates opportunities not only for individual achievement, but also for strengthening families, communities, and future generations. Through the aspirations and accomplishments of its recipients, the memory and values of Tcharna and Serguei will continue to inspire for generations to come.