KF Trustees Mark a Century of Advancing Polish-American Educational and Cultural Exchange

The visit underscored the Foundation’s century-long mission to strengthen Polish-American educational, cultural, and scientific cooperation, reaffirming its role as the oldest and most active Polish-American organization in the United States.

Economic Conference:  Poland–USA: Economic Partnership in the Era of Trade Tensions and Geopolitical Shifts – Opportunities and Challenges for Business and Societies

The centennial week began on October 21 with the international conference “Poland–USA: Economic Partnership in an Era of Trade Tensions and Geopolitical Shifts,” held at the SGH Warsaw School of Economics. Organized in partnership with SGH and ING Bank Śląski, the conference brought together academic, business, and nonprofit leaders.

Panel discussions examined the future of transatlantic cooperation, global economic trends, Poland’s long-term growth prospects, and new areas of U.S.–Polish collaboration, including innovation and artificial intelligence.

Lectures, Business Engagement, and Board Meetings

On October 22, Chairman Alex Storozynski delivered a public lecture at the University of Warsaw to students, faculty, and members of the academic community. His talk, “You Can’t Outsmart Your Genes: A Polish Family’s Fight Against the Nazis and Communists and the Future of Polish-American Relations,” connected personal family history with the broader events of twentieth-century Poland and reflected on the evolving future of Polish-American relations.

The delegation then attended a luncheon with the Polish Business Roundtable, where Foundation leadership met with executives from major Polish companies to explore future cooperation. Later that day, the Foundation held its Finance Committee Meeting and the annual Board of Trustees Meeting at the historic Palace of the Commonwealth, where several individuals were recognized for their service to the Foundation’s mission in Poland.

Centennial Gala in Warsaw: National Recognition and Historic Presentation

The centerpiece of the centennial celebrations was the Kosciuszko Foundation Centennial Gala at the Palace of the Commonwealth. Distinguished guests included the Speaker of the Senate Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, former Presidents Aleksander Kwaśniewski and Bronisław Komorowski, as well as representatives of academia, culture, and the media.

During the ceremony, several of Poland’s highest honors were presented to the Foundation and its leadership.

Alex Storozynski, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees was awarded the Commander’s Cross of the Order of Merit of the Republic of Poland, one of the nation’s top state honors, recognizing his outstanding service to Polish-American relations.

The Senate of the Republic of Poland Medal, presented by Małgorzata Kidawa-Błońska, Marshal of the Senate of the Republic of Poland, honored the Kosciuszko Foundation’s century-long contributions to building mutual understanding and cultural exchange.

The Gold Medal for Merit to Culture – Gloria Artis, presented by Deputy Minister of Culture and National Heritage Marek Krawczyk, recognized the Foundation’s extraordinary role in promoting Polish culture abroad.

The Foundation was also awarded the University of Warsaw Medal for exceptional contributions to the academic community.

A major highlight was the presentation of a rare manuscript by Nobel laureate Władysław Reymont. As part of the Foundation’s centennial and the Year of Władysław Reymont, President Marek Skulimowski formally transferred the manuscript “From the Terrible Years 1914–1918. Memoirs” to National Library Director Tomasz Makowski. The manuscript, preserved in the Foundation’s New York archives, documents Reymont’s 1919 visit to the United States and his lectures to Polish-American communities.

A standout moment was the presentation of the new Pro Arte, Scientia et Communi Bono awards to the Foundation’s friends: Dr. Mark Brzezinski, Dr. Piotr Chomczyński, Dr. Judith Heiny, Jerzy Koźmiński, Prof. Mirosław Wielgoś, Prof. Piotr Wilczek, and Dr. Mateusz Zawistowski.

Celebrations in Kraków: Academic Partnerships and Cultural Heritage

The centennial program continued in Kraków on October 27, when a ceremony was held at the Collegium Maius Libraria in Kraków, during which Jagiellonian University awarded the Kosciuszko Foundation the Silver Medal Plus Ratio Quam Vis. The motto, “Plus ratio quam vis” (Latin for “Reason over force”), is inscribed above the portal leading from the Aula to the Copernicus Hall in Collegium Maius and is taken from the Elegies of the 6th-century poet Maximianus.

The award recognized the Kosciuszko Foundation’s more than a century of work in fostering academic, cultural, and educational exchange between the United States and Poland. The Foundation has had a significant impact on research and education and has served as an ambassador of Polish science and culture in the U.S., contributing to the global recognition of Jagiellonian University.

Prior to the ceremony, UJ Rector Prof. Piotr Jedynak and the Kosciuszko Foundation’s President and Executive Director, Marek Skulimowski, signed an agreement to further develop cooperation between the two institutions.

The delegation also visited the SOLARIS National Synchrotron Radiation Center and attended a cultural program at Wawel Royal Castle, where Dr. Andrzej Betlej, Director of the Wawel Royal Castle National Art Collection and a KF scholarship alumnus, led a private tour. The visit concluded with a tribute at the Crypt of Tadeusz Kościuszko in Wawel Cathedral.

A Century of Service — A Future of New Opportunities

The centennial celebrations in Poland highlighted the Foundation’s profound impact over the past 100 years: supporting scholars and artists, fostering educational exchange, and strengthening ties between Poland and the United States. Under the leadership of President Marek Skulimowski and Chairman Alex Storozynski, the Foundation continues to expand its mission and deepen partnerships on both sides of the Atlantic.

Extensive media coverage further amplified the Foundation’s achievements and legacy. As the Kosciuszko Foundation enters its second century, the events in Poland serve as both a celebration of its historic accomplishments and a commitment to future opportunities for the next generation of Polish and American scholars.

One of the largest news television channels, TVN24, extensively covered the Centennial Gala featuring the President and Executive Director, Marek Skulimowski.

KF Vice President and Director of Cultural Affairs Ewa Zadworna was a guest on the Dziennik Gazeta Prawna podcast in an episode titled “A Hundred Years of Building Bridges Between Poland and America – The Kosciuszko Foundation.”