The Maria Kott Endowed Professorship of Polish Studies at the University of Washington has been established thanks to a generous gift from Ryszard Kott. In a special celebration on April 12, 2022, Mr. Kott and College of Arts & Sciences leadership gathered to toast the momentous occasion. This professorship, named in honor of Mr. Kott’s late wife Maria, will be the first and only endowed professorship in Polish Studies on the West Coast.
Always interested in arts and culture, the Kotts organized the first exhibition of Polish poster art at the Seattle Polish Film Festival and several other art exhibitions in Seattle and Pacific Northwest. Maria was an active community member in the Seattle Polish Community including co-founding the UW Polish Studies Endowment Committee. Through this endowment, we honor her love of Polish art, music, theater, history and literature and guarantee that Polish language and culture are present at UW in perpetuity.
We invite you to read more about the impact of this gift, and Maria Kott’s legacy, at the UW Polish Studies Endowment Committee website.
Support the Maria Kott Endowed Professorship of Polish Studies here and help us fund a future chair in Polish Studies.