University Community Members Awarded
For the 21st time now, Nowa Trybuna Opolska [New Opole Tribune] has awarded outstanding Opole citizens with Golden Pins for their professional achievements, social attitude, and creativity. The gala was held at the Exhibition and Congress Centre in Opole.
Golden Pins were awarded to Professor Wiesława Piątkowska-Stepaniak, Vice-Rector of the UO and our student Grzegorz Haliczyn. The most valuable award, the Diamond Pin, was given to Bishop Andrzej Czaja, Grand Chancellor of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Opole.
Faith, work, medicine
The Golden Pin in the category of culture and science was awarded to Prof. Wiesława Piątkowska-Stepaniak, Vice-Rector for Development and Administration. Nowa Trybuna Opolska awarded her for her great efforts in coordinating activities aimed at establishing a medical school at the University of Opole. She convinced many people from the world of medicine, politics, business and local government to this, seemingly, unrealistic idea. A coalition was formed across divides, and the months of hard work and lobbying, with a huge support of the Minister of Science and Higher Education, brought great results.
'It is an honour to receive such an award,' - said Prof. Wiesława Piątkowska-Stepaniak. She added that she treated it as a recognition for the whole team she worked with. 'The team of dreamers, people with a great vision, people who joined the idea that we should have a medical school in Opole. I am thinking of those people who, with their modesty, sometimes only with a good word and gesture, said: 'yes, we will succed'. I am thinking of local authorities, mayors, and politicians. This Golden Pin pins people together,' emphasized Prof. Wiesława Piątkowska-Stepaniak.
In defence of values
Grzegorz Haliczyn from Nowy Browiec, student of our university, received a Golden Spin for his social attitude. Last year he defended Ukrainian students who had been attacked on racial hatred grounds. Gregorz Haliczyn, helping strangers, did not hesitate to endanger his own health and life and he incapacitated the attacker with a knife.
'I haven’t prepared any speech because I didn't expect to be honoured. I just want to say that you should always be guided by your values. I think that small things can change the reality around us', - said Grzegorz Haliczyn.
My duty - ministry of reconciliation
The highest award granted by the New Opole Tribune - Diamond Pin, which is granted to persons of exceptional merit for the region and enjoying universal recognition, was awarded to Bishop Andrzej Czaja, Grand Chancellor of the Faculty of Theology of the University of Opole.
'Thank you very much. First of all, I would like to congratulate all those honoured here. You really deserve it. I am a little embarrassed because I find myself in a rather strange situation; I have no merit, and I have been rewarded for fulfilling my duties. It is my duty to bring people together on a daily basis, and it is my duty to pursue the ministry of reconciliation. I do nothing more than what I have been told to do', - said Bishop Andrzej Czaja and appealed to pin people together rather than pin them down.
Photos: Sławomir Mielnik
