Polish Studies Program at Central Connecticut State University

"It is impossible to overestimate the significance of the Program’s efforts in spreading Polish culture" declared H.E. Ambassador of the Republic of Poland to the United States Ryszard Schnepf during his keynote remarks at the gala. He also mentioned that his “presence (…) is a symbol of the gratitude of the Polish Government to everyone who played a part in the starting of this program, its continuation, and its constant development." On behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Ambassador Schnepf presented the Bene Merito Awards to Michael A. Peszke, Nicholas Pettinico, Jr. and Alexander and Regina Rudewicz in recognition of their merits in promoting Poland abroad. 

Moreover, Waldemar S. Kostrzewa, Chairman, Polish Studies Advisory Board accepted the Amicus Poloniae Award for the Polish Studies Program for “outstanding efforts to promote the development and cooperation between the Republic of Poland and the United States”. 

Thanks to the generosity of Connecticut\'s Polish Americans and their friends who have been supporting The Stanislaus A. Blejwas Endowed Chair in Polish and Polish American Studies for many years, Dr. Mieczyslaw B. Biskupski presented the Polish Medal of Merit to Alexander and Patricia Koproski, Kosciuszko Foundation Trustee, Dr. John S. Micgiel, Kosciuszko Foundation President and Executive Director and Carolyn C. Topor, Kosciuszko Foundation New England Chapter President. 

The Stanislaus A. Blejwas Endowed Chair in Polish and Polish American Studies was inaugurated in 1997 at CCSU. The chair is named in honor of the late Dr. Stanislaus A. Blejwas, founder of CCSU\'s Polish Studies Program and the first person to be designated a CSU Professor by the Connecticut State University System. In 2002, Dr. M.B. Biskupski, an eminent Polish American scholar, was appointed to the endowed chair. 

As professor Blejwas was committed to supporting student success, Dr. Stanislaus A. Blejwas Scholarship has been awarded to Kenneth D. Kaminski, whereas his brothers received the scholarship of Stanley A. Lotko. This scholarship recognizes students of Polish ancestry who are children or grandchildren of CCSU Alumni.

The Polish Studies Program has served CCSU students and the central Connecticut community by offering perspectives on historic developments that reshaped global politics and human rights during the fourth quarter of the 20th century. It is worth mentioning  the election of Pope John Paul II in 1978, the creation of the Solidarity movement in 1980, the collapse of the Soviet empire in 1989, and Poland\'s regained sovereignty and admission as an American ally into NATO in April 1998. 

The congratulation letters were sent by Barbara Mikulski, U.S. Senator for Maryland, Democratic party, Christopher Murphy, U.S. Senator for Connecticut, Democratic party and Ewa Junczyk – Ziomecka, Consul General of the Republic of Poland in New York.

To learn more about the Polish Studies Program please visit: www.ccsu.edu/polishstudies