Wierzewski, Wojciech A. Ph.D.
June 19, 1941 - December 4, 2008
Journalist, Editor-in-Chief of "Zgoda," a publication of the Polish National AllianceBorn in Krakow in 1941, is a graduate of the University of Warsaw in Polish Philology. In 1974 he received a doctorate in studies on the overlap of Polish literature and film. His journalistic career started in Krakow during his studies at the Jagiellonian University with a job at "Dziennik Polski" [Polish Journal]. In 1962, after moving to Warsaw, he became a reviewer for the weekly "Ekran" [Screen] and the author of many film outlines. After that he took up work as a lecturer at the University of Warsaw specializing in issues of literature and film. He published 8 books about film culture, film theory and new trends in world cinema. In 1979 he started a career in the United States at the famous Polish Center at Indiana University, then he lectured at a university in Minneapolis. He authored programs on Polish Radio in Chicago. He received many state awards including one from the Governor of Illinois. In 2002 he published two books "Polish Chicago -- 1980s and 90s" and "Pegasus Beyond the Ocean" which were well received and recognized by the World Council for Polonia Studies. In recognition of his literary activities he was awarded the Karol Irzykowski Prize, First Class, by the Polish Society of Journalists. He is the organizer of many Polonia cultural events and author's meetings. He also held many organizational posts including President of the Chicago Chapter of the Kosciuszko Foundation, and Chicago Chapter of the Polish Institute of Arts and Sciences. In recognition of his work on behalf Polonia he was awarded in 1999 the Cavaliers' Cross of the Order of Merit by the Republic of Poland.
From: Resume
Wierzewski, WojciechChicago (PMN) -- Wojciech A. Wierzewski, Editor of Zgoda [Harmony] a publication of the Polish National Alliance (PNA), died after a brief illness on December 4, 2008.
An unconfirmed report by an associate indicated that he had suffered from back troubles and was on leave from his editorial position for a month prior to his decease. Prescribed medication apparently led to kidney problems, culminating in a heart attack.
Wierzewski was born on June 19, 1941, in Krakow, Poland. After graduating high school [gymnazium] he attended Jagiellonian University in Krakow (1958), then studied at Warsaw University (1963) where he received a Master Degree in Polish Language. In 1974 he received a Ph.D. degree in Literature and film.
In 1979, Wierzewski emigrated to the United States, where he taught Polish, Polish culture and film at Indiana University at Bloomington, Indiana and Governor's State University in Chicago, Loyola University in Chicago, Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, Minnesota State University in Minneapolis, Minnesota, DePaul University in Chicago and Illinois State University in Chicago. He taught university-level Polish culture courses in Rome, Italy, during the summers of 1990-1993.
In 1985, Wierzewski was hired by President Aloysius Mazewski as Editor-in-Chief of Zgoda, an official PNA publication for its members. The last issue he completed was dated December 15, 2008.
Wierzewski was a columnist for many Polish language newspapers, including Gwiazda Polarna [North Star] in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, Nowy Dziennik [Daily News] in New York, Tygodnik Nowojorski [New York Weekly] in New York, Dziennik Zwiazkowy [Daily Alliance] in Chicago and Relax Magazine in Chicago. He was the author of two Polish language books in 2002, Pegaz Za Oceanem [Pegasus Beyond the Ocean] and Polskie Chicago [Polish Chicago]. He hosted a program on WPNA Radio called Kalejdoskop [Kaleidoscope].
In 2008 he published Polskie Tropy w Ameryce [Polish Tracks in America]. He was active in many Polish organizations, and had been President and Vice President of the Kosciuszko Foundation Chapter in Chicago. He was recognized with many awards for his work and activities with organizations in both the United States and Poland.
Wojciech Wierzewski was married to Ellen (Abramczyk) Wierzewski and the father of Katherine (Ron) Keith. He was grandfather of Ammar Anthony and Jordan Patrick Keith, and brother of Malgorzata (Kazimierz) Wilk and Krzysztof (Anna) Wierzewski.
From: PNA Obituary (2008)
Wojciech A. Wierzewski
Editor, educator, author
Born Jun. 19, 1941, Cracow, Poland; came to U.S., 1979; son of Waclaw and Maria (Debski); married Ellen (Abramczyk); child: Kathy.
Education: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Jagiellonian University, Cracow (Poland); Master of Arts (M.A.), 1963, Ph.D., 1973, University of Warsaw (Poland).
Career: assistant prof., University of Warsaw, 1963-79; visiting prof., Indiana University, Bloomington, 1979-82, Governors State University, University Park (IL), 1983, Loyola University, Chicago (IL), 1984, University of Minnesota, 1984-85, DePaul University, Chicago, 1987 -, University of Illinois, Chicago, 1992 -; editor-in-chief, Kultura Filmowa (monthly), Warsaw, 1969-71, Zgoda, Chicago, 1985-.
Author, i.a.: Kultura filmowa, 1972; Modele kultury filmowej, 1979; Miedzy klasyka a nowym kinem, 1981; Film i literatura, 1983; co-author, Polanad's Solidarity Movement, 1984; editor, Polska Mysl Filmowa, 1898-1939 (anthology), 1971, and E. Eisenstein - artysta i mysliciel, 1982; numerous articles in: Film, Kino, Przeglad Humanistyczny (Poland), and Tygodnik Nowojorski, Relax, Gwiazda Polarna, Nowy Dziennik - Przeglad Polski, Kalejdoskop - Dziennik Zwiazkowy (U.S.); director, producer, Z wizyta w domu Jana Pawla II w Rzymie, Sprawiedliwi w Jerozolimie, Wyznania Ojca Daniela, Ziemia Swieta - studnia dziejow (videos).
Member of: Polish University Abroad (dean, Chicago chapter, 1985-87); Polish Institute of Arts and Sciences of America (P.I.A.S.A.) (secretary, president, Chicago, 1989-95); Kosciuszko Foundation (vice president, 1987-90, president, 1990-92, Chicago chapter); PEN-Club, American Center.
Honors: i.a.: Meritorious for Polish Culture, 1970, Silver Cross of Merit, 1975, Polish Ministry of Culture & Art; K. Irzykowski Critics' Prize, Polish Journalists Association - Stowarzyszenie Dziennikarzy Polskich (SDP), 1979.
Affiliation: Republican. Roman Catholic.
Languages: Polish, English, Russian.
Hobbies: video, classical and jazz music, travel.
Home: 1700 Stewart Avenue, Park Ridge, IL 60068.
From: "Who's Who in Polish America" 1st Edition 1996-1997, Boleslaw Wierzbianski editor; Bicentennial Publishing Corporation, New York, NY, 1996.