On 8 June 2026, the University of Rzeszów community celebrated the institution’s 25th anniversary in style. The highlight of the celebrations was the Anniversary Gala, which brought together representatives from the academic world, central and local government, civil society, and the University’s partners from Poland and abroad. The event was also attended by rectors and representatives of Polish academic institutions affiliated with the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland, thereby highlighting the significance of the University of Rzeszów within the national higher education system.

The celebrations began with a ceremonial procession of the academic community, which set off from the building of the Faculty of Law and Administration of the University of Rzeszów on Grunwaldzka Street. The Rector of the University of Rzeszów, Deputy Minister of State Assets Grzegorz Wrona, and the Vice-Rector for Cooperation with the Social and Director of the Rev. Stanisław Konarski High School No. 1 in Rzeszów, Piotr Wanat, laid flowers at the Stanisław Konarski Monument, paying tribute to one of the most outstanding reformers of Polish education, after which they marched through the streets of Rzeszów to the Podkarpackie Philharmonic. The procession was accompanied by the Military Band, the ‘Resovia Saltans’ Song and Dance Ensemble, and a large gathering of representatives from the University’s academic community.

The gala ceremony began with the presentation of the University of Rzeszów’s banner and the entrance of the academic procession. After the national anthem had been sung, His Magnificence the Rector of the University of Rzeszów welcomed the attendees, emphasising the significance of the anniversary as a moment to reflect on a quarter of a century of the university’s development and an opportunity to express gratitude to all the individuals and institutions that have contributed to its history. A key element of the gala was a retrospective of the journey the University of Rzeszów has undertaken since its establishment in 2001. Specially prepared multimedia presentations showcased the university’s founding, its dynamic growth, its academic and teaching achievements, and the place it now occupies on the map of Polish academia.

Silver Medals marking the 25th anniversary of the University of Rzeszów

During the ceremony, individuals who had made a significant contribution to the establishment of the University of Rzeszów were honoured. Commemorative Certificates and Silver Medals marking the 25th anniversary of the University of Rzeszów were awarded to:

• Aleksander Bentkowski
• Mieczysław Janowski
• His Excellency Bishop Kazimierz Górny

These honours were an expression of gratitude for their contribution to the establishment and strengthening of the University of Rzeszów.

The Silver Medals of the 25th Anniversary of the University of Rzeszów were also awarded to former rectors of the university:

• prof. Tadeusz Lulek
• prof. Stanisław Uliasz
• prof. Aleksander Bobko
• prof. Sylwester Czopek

The ceremony also paid tribute to the memory of the first rector of the University of Rzeszów, the late Prof. Włodzimierz Bonusiak, whose contribution to laying the foundations of the university remains an enduring part of its heritage.

The ceremony was attended by representatives of the region’s public authorities, including Deputy Minister of State Assets Grzegorz Wrona, Podkarpackie Province Governor Teresa Kubas-Hul, Deputy Marshal of the Podkarpackie Province Małgorzata Jarosińska-Jedynak, and Mayor of Rzeszów Konrad Fijołek, who in their speeches emphasised the importance of the University of Rzeszów for the social, economic and cultural development of the Podkarpacie region. The Chair of the Conference of Rectors of Academic Schools in Poland, Prof. Bogumiła Kaniewska, also took the floor, highlighting the role of the University of Rzeszów in building the potential of Polish science and higher education.

Grand Medal of the University of Rzeszów

One of the highlights of the anniversary gala was the presentation of the University of Rzeszów’s Grand Medal, the ‘Universitati Resoviensi Merito’, to Professor Grzegorz W. Telega from Milwaukee in the United States. This distinction, the highest honour awarded by the University of Rzeszów, was conferred in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the development of academic cooperation and his support for the university’s activities on the international stage. The laudation was delivered by the Vice-Rector for the Collegium Medicum, Prof. Artur Mazur.

Ambassadors of the University of Rzeszów

During the gala, the titles of Ambassadors of the University of Rzeszów were also awarded.

The following joined this group:

• Monika Szela
• Nadia Harris-Kosior
• Tomasz Szczepanik

The ceremony was also accompanied by messages from the current University Ambassadors and an artistic performance that highlighted the unique nature of the anniversary. A highlight of the artistic programme was the performance by Tomasz Szczepanik – frontman of the band Pectus and the newly appointed Ambassador of the University of Rzeszów – who performed the song “To, co chciałbym Ci dać” (What I Would Like to Give You). The performance was warmly received by the gala attendees and provided a beautiful conclusion to the anniversary celebrations.

To round off the gala marking the 25th anniversary of the University of Rzeszów, a special musical surprise awaited the attendees. The Gospel Choir and the Choir of the Faculty of Music at the University of Rzeszów, conducted by Prof. Grzegorz Oliwa, gave the premiere of a piece composed especially for our University’s anniversary. The lyrics were written by Monika Partyk, whilst the music was composed by Włodzimierz Korcz, an outstanding composer, pianist, arranger and creator of film and theatre music, who has been associated with the University of Rzeszów for many years and holds the University in particular esteem.