Kohan, Mark A.

Kohan, Mark Anthony

Editor, folk artist

Born March 3, 1960, Buffalo (NY), U.S.; son of Jon and Mary (Winkowski): married Kyle (Stamer).

Education: Master of Arts (M.A.), Canisius College, Buffalo, 1982.

Career: in Buffalo - salesman, Polonia Reporter, 1981-82, joumalist, Polish - American Voice, 1982-83, associate editor, 1983-85, managing editor, 1985-88, editor-in-chief, 1988 -, Polish - American Journal.

Author: folk art (recording) editor, Through the Looking Glass, 1985, Polkas For Children, 1987, Kolberg Sampler, 1989; The Immigrant Story, 1992; numerous articles in journals and magazines.

Member of: Polish Students League, Canisius College (vice president 1980-81); active member, Polish Community Center (board member, 1981-83, project coordinator, 1984, 1987), Buffalo; presiudent's council member, New Alliance College, Ambridge (PA); Professionals' & Businessmen's Association; elector, International Polka Association; Polish American Congress (P.A.C.); Polish American Historical Association (P.A.H.A.) (treasurer, 1992-94).

Honors: grants, New York State Council on Arts, 1985, 1987,1991; National Endowment for the Arts, 1991, 1992; honoree, Polish American Arts Festival, Cheektowaga (NY), 1993; Citizen of the Year, American - Polish Eagle.

Affiliation: Democrat. Roman Catholic.

Languages: English, Polish, Latin.

Hobbies: woodworking, model railroading, photography.

Office: Polish-American Journal, 1275 Harlem Road, Cheektowaga, NY 14206.

From: "Who's Who in Polish America" 1st Edition 1996-1997, Boleslaw Wierzbianski editor; Bicentennial Publishing Corporation, New York, NY, 1996

Kohan, Mark A.
journalist, editor, publisher of the Polish-American Journal
Newspaper readers across the U.S. looking for information on the role being played by Polish soldiers in Iraq, visa problems for Poles trying to enter America, or even polka news, turn to the Polish American Journal.

Editor Mark Kohan has held a steady course for the monthly publication since becoming editor m 1989.
His insight and knowledge of Polonia is respected by other members of the media and has earned him the Citizen of the Year honors in Media.
An example of the esteem others have for Kohan was evident when he was interviewed live on BBC's Five Live "Up All Night" about Polish American reaction to Pope John Paul II's passing in April of 2005.
Also he was called upon in April 2003 by National Public Radio's "All Things Considered," one of the most-listened to radio shows in the country, to discuss the custom of "Smigus-Dyngus," the Easter Monday holiday also known as "Wet Monday."
"I always say that just as the Am-Pol Eagle is sort of like the Buffalo News for WNY Polish-American people, we are like the USA Today," said Kohan. "Just as the Am-Pol does an excellent job of covering local , news of interest to Poles while also covering national and international news too, we take the broader role of covering the national and international news of interest to Poles on a monthly basis. We try to work hard today to make a better tomorrow for all Polish people."
It used to be that the Polish population of America was centered mainly in several cities such as Buffalo, Chicago; Milwaukee and a few others. These days Poles have spread their wings into suburbs, smaller towns, and even rural areas, creating a greater need for a publication like the Polish American Journal.
"Our circulation is concentrated around the metropolitan areas of several cities such as New York City, Chicago, and Buffalo," editor Kohan points out. "But, of course through subscriptions, we reach Poles no matter where they are with news that is of interest to them related to both Poland and Polonia."
"There are many stories of special interest to us," Kohan said. "Many may want to visit Poland for the first time or make return visits, so we want to know about conditions there, including how the economy is progressing. We may have relatives who want to visit America, so we have special interest in visa problems for Poles who want to spend some time here. I could go on and on. Our mission is to serve the needs of the Polish-American community, a responsibility we take very seriously."
Raised in Lackawanna, Kohan is a 1978 graduate of Lackawanna High School who went on to pick up a business degree from Canisius College in 1982. Only a few years later, he became editor of the Polish-American Journal, a position which he describes as "a great pleasure and an honor which is only enhanced by my being given this award."
Among the honors he has received Kohan was named "Distinguished Polonian of the Year" by the Kopernik Memorial Association of Utica, NY, was honored by the Polish American Historical Association for his work within Polonia and was inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame for his work as a Polish American musician, folk artist and historian.
Kohan resides in the southtowns with his wife Kyle, a music teacher at Frontier Middle School, and son, Justin.
From: Media Citizen of the Year, "Am-Pol Eagle," Buffalo, March 22, 2007