Celebrating the anniversary with distinguished guests
The anniversary was celebrated in the presence of faculty members, graduates, and students of the Faculty of Psychology in Sopot. The event was also attended by eminent representatives of the authorities and the academic community of SWPS University. The guests of honor included local government officials and members of the social and business community.
Celebration attendees. Photo: Łukasz Wajszczyk
The main ceremony began with a speech by Prof. Romana Kadzikowska-Wrzosek, Dean of the Faculty of Psychology in Sopot. She thanked the University authorities, especially the first rector, Prof. Andrzej Eliasz, and Prof. Alina Kolańczyk, the founder and first dean of the Sopot branch. She also gave a comprehensive overview of the Faculty's two-decade journey, highlighting significant milestones and noteworthy achievements, as well as presenting plans for future development.
In our inaugural enrollment we welcomed 350 students. Currently, we have approximately 1,500 students across all academic years. By 2023, 3,019 students have graduated from our faculty. We offer over 20 different postgraduate programs, with 570 students enrolled this year and nearly 4,000 graduates to date. Over the past 20 years, the SWPS University’s Faculty of Psychology in Sopot has established numerous partnerships with the socio-economic landscape. We have organized lectures, conferences, and collaborated with NGOs, local authorities, schools, universities, and other institutions in the Tri-City area. Through our work, we aim to contribute to the advancement of psychology as both a science and a practical discipline. We are truly grateful to be part of this remarkable project.
Prof. Romana Kadzikowska-Wrzosek
Dean of the Faculty of Psychology in Sopot, SWPS University
Dean of the Faculty of Psychology in Sopot gives her speech. Photo. Łukasz Wajszczyk
Over the past two decades, our researchers have achieved remarkable success, as evidenced by the growing number of grants secured through international collaborations, highly acclaimed publications, organized symposia, active participation in global conferences and internships, and numerous awards. These achievements have played a crucial role in enhancing the academic reputation of our faculty and in granting us the authority to confer academic degrees. They also contribute significantly to the overall academic prestige of SWPS University, which is reflected in our excellent evaluation results. While the anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on the past and present, it is also a time to outline our plans for the future. With 20 years of experience, we recognize our strengths and the challenges that lie ahead. We are ready to take the steps necessary to support the growth and continued success of our university.
Prof. Romana Kadzikowska-Wrzosek
Dean of the Faculty of Psychology in Sopot, SWPS University
Heartfelt congratulations and exceptional gifts
Professor Aleksandra Cisłak-Wójcik, Vice-Rector for Research, read a letter of congratulations from Professor Roman Cieślak, Rector of SWPS University. On behalf of the university authorities, she presented the Dean with a unique gift — a commemorative document marking the establishment of the Faculty in 2002.
Prof. Aleksandra Cisłak-Wójcik gives her speech. Photo: Łukasz Wajszczyk
Vice-Rector for Research presents the Dean with the document marking the establishment of the Faculty. Photo: Łukasz Wajszczyk
Magdalena Czarzyńska-Jachim, the Deputy Mayor of Sopot, then took the floor and emphasized the important role of SWPS University’s Sopot branch in developing the academic character of the city. She highlighted the successful cooperation between the City and the University and expressed hope for future joint initiatives. On behalf of the Sopot authorities, she presented the Dean with a gift — a painting of the Sopot Pier.
Deputy Mayor of Sopot displaying her gift for the Dean during the ceremony. Photo: Łukasz Wajszczyk
Deputy Mayor of Sopot presents the Dean with a gift. Photo: Łukasz Wajszczyk
The ceremony also featured a recorded speech by Professor Alina Kolańczyk, the first dean of the Faculty of Sopot, who shared insights into the early days of the Faculty.
Congratulations from the first rector of SWPS University
Two letters of congratulations from Professor Andrzej Eliasz, who served as the first rector of SWPS University from 1996 to 2016, were read during the anniversary celebration.
The first letter was addressed to the Dean of the Faculty of Psychology in Sopot and included the following excerpt:
I have been delighted to witness the enthusiasm and energy of the many people who have laid the strong foundation for the early and continuing successes of the Faculty. As one of the co-founders of the Warsaw School of Social Psychology, I emphasized our primary goal: to create a university that would make us proud. From the very beginning, I underlined the importance of creating a friendly atmosphere conducive to creativity and satisfaction in work and study. In particular, people such as Prof. Janusz Reykowski, the co-founder and chairman of the academic program committee, and the then-Vice-Rectors, Dr. Renata Karwowska and Dr. Zuzanna Smoleńska, played an important role in the establishment and development of the Faculty. I congratulate all those involved in these remarkable achievements and express my deep admiration and gratitude to each and every one of them.
Prof. Andrzej Eliasz
First Rector of SWPS University
The professor also conveyed written congratulations to Prof. Alina Kolańczyk, the First Dean of the Faculty, stating:
Thanks to your professional competence and personal skills, which include attracting exceptional staff and fostering a cooperative atmosphere, a faculty has been established of which you can be proud. Others might have tried and perhaps created a great research and education center, but the result would have been a different faculty, with different people initially invited to collaborate, and a different organizational culture. I am personally grateful to you for building the Faculty in Sopot from scratch and for our cooperation, which I have always highly valued. In my letter to the Dean, I have already acknowledged the significant contributions and support of individuals from Warsaw. I would like to pay special tribute to Bogdan Wojciszke, Krystyna Drat-Ruszczak, Wiesław Łukaszewski, Tomasz Maruszewski, Sylwiusz Retowski, and later Dorota Kalka and Joanna Walczak. I would like to express my personal gratitude to all of them, as well as to those who were inadvertently forgotten.
Prof. Andrzej Eliasz
First Rector of SWPS University
Recognition of outstanding contribution to SWPS University
Professor Krystyna Drat-Ruszczak and Professor Aleksandra Szymków-Sudziarska were awarded “Medals of SWPS University” in recognition of their contribution to the University and its community. The medals were presented by Professor Aleksandra Cisłak-Wójcik and Professor Romana Kadzikowska-Wrzosek.
Presentation of commemorative medals. Photo: Łukasz Wajszczyk
Prof. Krystyna Drat-Ruszczak receives the "Medal of SWPS University". Photo: Łukasz Wajszczyk
Discussion with distinguished graduates
The celebration included a panel discussion with distinguished graduates of the Faculty: Magdalena Dietrich, Marta Roczniewska, Aleksandra Bolda, Stanislaw Borawski, and Natalia Frankowska, Ph.D. They shared fond memories of their student days, discussed their current professional endeavors, and emphasized how their studies influenced their career paths. The discussion was moderated by Julita Chachaj, a member of the SWPS University’s Student Government in Sopot.
Panel discussion with graduates. Photo: Łukasz Wajszczyk
Celebrating the milestone of Professor Krystyna Drat-Ruszczak
During the Faculty’s anniversary celebrations, Prof. Krystyna Drat-Ruszczak was honored for her remarkable milestone of 50 years of teaching. Prof. Bogdan Wojciszke presented her biography and highlighted her professional achievements and contributions to education. Colleagues offered their congratulations and gifts, and Prof. Krystyna Drat-Ruszczak gave a jubilee lecture entitled "Hand or Tortoise? Wonder, Astonishment and Fascination on the Scientific and Teaching Journey."
Prof. Krystyna Drat-Ruszczak conducts a jubilee lecture. Photo: Łukasz Wajszczyk
Opening of the "Memento Vulgari" exhibition
As part of the anniversary celebrations, the exhibition "Memento Vulgari" by Ewa Lowżył and Kobas Laksa was unveiled. These works, which deconstruct famous European paintings and highlight humanity's inexorable march toward ecological disaster, were first exhibited in 2008 during the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Poznań. Four photomontages from the series, donated by Piotr Voelkel, the founder of SWPS University, will be permanently displayed at the SWPS University’s Faculty of Psychology in Sopot.
Photomontage inspired by Pieter Bruegel's painting "The Blind Leading the Blind." Photo: Łukasz Wajszczyk
Explore photos of the ceremony
You will find more photos in in our gallery on Flickr