STEPHENVILLE, Texas \u2014 Ukraine-born George Yefymenko is no stranger to adversity and navigating unfamiliar territory. However, for this accounting major and student leader, learning to \u201cbe comfortable with being uncomfortable\u201d has propelled his academic and professional journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yefymenko will discuss his educational journey as the student commencement speaker at the Dr. Sam Pack College of Business ceremony Friday at 10 a.m.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Upon arriving to the United States in 2019 as a high school sophomore, Yefymenko immersed himself in North Central Texas Academy\u2019s basketball program. He found community in the experience, including meeting his now-wife Tara, a Tarleton State University mechanical engineering student. With the encouragement of his parents and his coaches, Bruce Ray and Kenny Yates, he excelled on and off the court, landing a full academic scholarship to Tarleton State in 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the war in Ukraine broke out, Yefymenko recalls he had feelings of desperation and fear as those he knew faced instability and loss. Coach Ray and his wife Judy Ray embraced him with open arms, hosting him over school breaks. He remains in close contact with his mother and father in Ukraine, who, despite the situation at home, provide support and encouragement at every turn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cDue to the war, I had no idea what was going to happen, and my parents could not fully cover the cost of my education,\u201d he said. \u201cThankfully, Tarleton State was there to support me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He has dedicated himself to giving back to the institution he now calls home. Across the Accounting Society, Beta Gamma Sigma and his time as Dr. Sam Pack College of Business Student Advisory Board President, Yefymenko has been actively involved on campus. In addition to organizational volunteer work, he regularly serves as a tutor and mentor to fellow students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Looking back on his success thus far, he credits his birth and found families, his Tarleton State academic advisors, and his faith for instilling his values and work ethic. Through his networking experiences with the Accounting Society, he began a corporate accounting internship with Progressive Insurance, where he plans to continue working full time upon graduation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In his commencement speech, he hopes to motivate others to rise above their circumstances and chart their own path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t get to choose our storms, but we do get to choose how we move through them,\u201d Yefymenko said. \u201cYou can either complain about the cards life has dealt or you can take initiative, start leading organizations, and start being involved on campus. You can be the hero of your own journey.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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