The John Hrycko Family Endowed Collection in French Studies was established in 1991 by John P. Hrycko, a Notre Dame parent. Two of his daughters are graduates of the University: Noelle (’89) and Elizabeth (‘91). His youngest, Robin, is a graduate of Saint Mary’s College. John’s parents, Peter and Sophie Hrycko, are of Ukrainian and Polish descent. They moved to France in 1938. Then in 1949, after John was born, the family came to America.  Today, John is president of Dowagiac Commercial Press Inc. At Notre Dame, he is a member of the Sorin Society.

The Hrycko French Studies Endowment has allowed for the purchase of hundreds of books and currently published French literature materials. A recent addition to the collection included a special purchase of contemporary French fiction, which was matched by a grant from a central library fund. The support of this endowment helps fill in gaps in much-needed retrospective material, and expands the existing Libraries’ collections in French culture and history.

John also established the John Hyrcko Family Endowment Fund and the John Hrycko Family Endowed Collection in Eastern European Studies.