Outstanding students and PhD students of the University of Silesia were awarded during this year’s Rector’s Distinctions Gala. In total, 24 people were awarded in this edition, including 5 people from the Open University (The Children’s University of Silesia, and the University of the Third Age), 10 students and 9 PhD students.
During the ceremony on 14 June 2022 at the Faculty of Humanities, the results of the contest for the Student and PhD Student of the Year was announced. The voting was carried out via the USOS system. Everyone could cast only one vote. Among all the winners of the 14th edition of the contest, our academic community chose people who deserved a particular distinction due to their activity or achievements.
Wojciech Wydmański (College of Individual Interdisciplinary) was chosen the Student of the Year, whereas Mariusz Wierzgoń was chosen the PhD Student of the Year (Faculty of Natural Sciences).
Commemorative photo of the Rector’s Distinctions winners | Photo by Matylda Klos
Student of the Year
Student of the Year – Wojciech Wydmański | Photo by Matylda Klos
Wojciech Wydmański is a student of the Individual Interdisciplinary Studies (Law and History). Author of scientific articles, book chapters, including a post-conference monograph published by Wydawnictwo Sejmowe [Sejm Publishing House], as well as reports from the 1st National Congress of Historical and Legal Sciences Clubs in the Czasopismo Prawno-Historyczne [Legal and Historical Journal]. He implemented his own scientific projects and took part on national and international scientific conferences. The winner of the “Wygraj Staż” in European Parliament in Brussles (2018) and the competition “Rola Senatu RP – w stronę przyszłości” (2019). Finalist of the National Competition for European Law 2019. Took 2nd place in the national competition “Moot Court Civils” (2021). In 2018–2019, he was responsible for coordinating the activities of the Youth Sejmik of the Silesian Voivodeship. He has been the Chair of the Science Club of the History of Law of the University of Silesia (since 2017), and was the Chair of the Scientific Club of Civil Law “Sapere Aude” (2020-2021) and the Scientific Club of Constitutional Law “Spiritus Constitutionis” (2020-2021). During remote classes, the initiator, originator and main organiser of the Academy of Civil Law and the Academy of the History of the System and Law (from December 2020 to May 2021). Initiator, originator, and main organiser of the Historical and Legal Sciences Forum, operating since November 2020. An active participant in three editions of the Silesian Science Festival KATOWICE.
PhD Student of the Year
Mariusz Wierzgoń is a PhD student at the Faculty of Natural Sciences. Author of scientific articles, as well as speeches and posters at international and national conferences. He was granted two international scholarships (PROM). Participant in scientific expeditions to King George Island (Antarctica) and Spitsbergen. For many years, he has been involved in activities for the sake of nature protection – he cooperates with other social activists, local and national organisations, incl. the Natural Forest Foundation. Since 2004, he has been an active member of the Volunteer Fire Department in Mikołów-Kamionka; since 2010, after completing basic training, he belongs to the Combat Section of this unit. Since 2021, he has been the Chair of the Audit Committee of the Volunteer Fire Department in Mikołów-Kamionka. Since 2009, he has been an active member of the Polish Tourist and Sightseeing Society; since 2021 of the Students’ Club of Beskid Guides in Katowice, involved in the statutory and organisational matters of these associations. In 2021, he was granted the qualifications of an III-grade Beskid guide. Since 2006, he has been a volunteer of the Great Orchestra of Christmas Charity. He is actively involved in the action of the Doctoral Student Government; in 2019–2021, he was the Deputy Chair of the University Council of the Student Government and represented the PhD students community on University committees. He supervised the content and organised the activities of students associated with the “Planeta” Interdisciplinary Scientific Club of Naturalists (2018-2022). He can boast with significant achievements in science communication and ecological education – throughout the entire period of his PhD studies, he was involved in various scientific events at the University, educational unis, and the Silesian Botanical Garden in Mikołów.
PhD Student of the Year – Mariusz Wierzgoń | Photo by Matylda Klos