Alfred J. Sokolnicki
Speech educator, Polish community leader
Born May 21, 1918, Milwaukee (WI), U.S.; son of Ignacy and Zofia (Brodaczynska); married Mildred (Downer).
Education: Bachelor of Philosophy (B.Ph.), School of Speech, 1943, Master of Arts (M.A.), Graduate School, 1947, Marquette University, Milwaukee; postgraduate, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, 1947, University of Wisconsin, Madison, 1949-50; Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D.), Alliance College, Cambridge Springs (PA), 1961.
Career: teaching assistant, 1945-47, instructor and supervisor, Speech Clinic, 1947-53, assistant prof., 1953-58, associate prof., 1958-62, prof., 1962-88, dean, College of Speech, 1969-81, dean and prof. emeritus, 1988 -, Marquette University; visiting prof. (summers only), Catholic University of America, Washington (DC), 1956, and DePaul University, Chicago (IL), 1958.
Author: various articles in state and national journals on Polish history, customs, culture and contributions of Polish priests and nuns to education in U.S.; over 80 articles on speech and hearing in: Catholic School Journal, Catholic Educator, and for National Catholic Education Association.
Member of: founder, executive director, The Mazur Polish Dancers of Milwaukee, 1940-79; secretary and board member, Slavic Institute, Marquette University, 1949-67; scholarship committee president, Federal Life Insurance of America, since 1962; chairman, Poland's Millennium Achievement Award, 1966-88, and Polish Heritage Achievement Award, Pulaski Council, since 1981; board directors member, St. Mary's Academy, 1981-84; fellow, American Speech & Hearing Association; Speech Communication Association; Wisconsin Communication Association; Marquette University Alumni Association; Polish American Historical Association (P.A.H.A.) (president, 1952); Kosciuszko Found.
Honors: Alpha Sigma Nu; Outstanding American of Poilish Ancestry, 1967; Polish - American of the Year, 1967; Outstanding University Teacher, Wisconsin Communication Association, 1970; Order of Polonia Restituta, Polish Government in Exile, London (U .K.), 1973; Polish Heritage Award, 1981; Outstanding Alumnus in Speech, 1988; listed in Who's Who in American Education, since 1951.
Served with: U.S. Army, Corps of Engineers, sergeant major, 1943-47.
Affiliation: Roman Catholic.
Languages: English, Polish.
Hobbies: Polish history, customs, culture and folk dances, Polish contributions to world culture.
Office: Marquette University, Speech Clinic, 619 North 16th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53233.
From: "Who's Who in Polish America" 1st Edition 1996-1997, Boleslaw Wierzbianski editor; Bicentennial Publishing Corporation, New York, NY, 1996.