On September 30, 2024, Collegium Civitas officially opened the 2024/2025 Academic Year with a hybrid event held at the 6th Floor Theatre in the Palace of Culture and Science, streamed live on You Tube and Facebook.

The ceremony was hosted by Karolina Lewicka, a long-time lecturer at Collegium Civitas and recent recipient of the Freedom of Speech Medal from the Grand Press Foundation. Special guests included Dr. Rafał Trzaskowski, Mayor of Warsaw and a lecturer at Collegium Civitas for over 20 years, as well as State Secretary Arkadiusz Myrcha and Undersecretary of State Maria Ejchart. The event also welcomed new students and members of the Collegium Civitas academic community.

In his address, the Rector of Collegium Civitas, Professor Stanisław Mocek highlighted a significant milestone: Collegium Civitas joining the Merito Group, Poland’s largest private university network. He reassured attendees that the university would retain its distinct identity, brand, and leadership while benefiting from the resources and academic standards guaranteed by the WSB-DSW Merito Scientific Federation. Prof. Mocek also encouraged students and staff to embrace innovation, collaboration, and the university’s tradition of fostering skills to build a bright future.

In recognition of outstanding achievements and contributions, several awards were presented during the ceremony. The special “WNUK” award, named in honor of Prof. Edmund Wnuk-Lipiński, was given to Concilium Civitas for its five years of excellence in academia. Dr. Juliusz Braun was honored for 25 years of collaboration with the university. Additionally, faculty members whose research and teaching have had a significant impact on the development of Collegium Civitas were recognized.

The honorees included Dr. Monika Nowicka, Dr. Przemysław Witkowski, Prof. Michał Szostak, Prof. Michał Komar, Katarzyna Skiert-Andrzejuk, Dr. Anna Kuczyńska, and Dr. Andrzej Kondej, for their contributions to sociology, political science, and management.

The ceremony included the traditional first-year students’ oath, during which new students pledged to pursue knowledge, respect academic values, and uphold the reputation of Collegium Civitas.

The CIVITAS prizes were awarded to students who made significant contributions to university life, including Yaryna Ivnytska (Artistic Soul), Aleksandra Jeglińska (Born Olympian), Alina Palamarchuk (Activist Student and Life of the Party), Szymon Olszak (Helping Hand), Katsiaryna Bohdan (Scientific Talent), and the Buddy Program student organization (Student Initiative).

The ceremony concluded with the inaugural lecture titled “Life is What You Make of It,” delivered by Prof. Tomasz Siemiątkowski, a professor of law and economics, attorney, and lecturer at the Warsaw School of Economics.

Following the official program, attendees enjoyed refreshments and networking, fostering further integration within the academic community.

Photos courtesy of Krystian Szczęsny.