During the University Day of the University of Economics in Katowice, held on 12 January 2026 in the Józef Lisak Auditorium, the titles of Honorary Professor of the University of Economics in Katowice were ceremonially conferred on distinguished retired academic teachers. This distinction is an expression of the highest recognition for many years of scientific and teaching achievements, as well as commitment to the development of the Alma Mater.
By decision of the Senate of the University of Economics in Katowice, the title of Honorary Professor was awarded to:
- dr hab. Danuta Kisperska-Moroń
- dr hab. Krystian Pera
The ceremony was hosted by the Vice-Rector for Science and Academic Staff Development prof. dr hab. Maciej Nowak, while the formal presentation of diplomas was carried out by HM the Rector prof. dr hab. inż. Celina M. Olszak. During the decoration of the Honorary Professors, the ceremony was enhanced by the singing of the academic choir, performing the piece Canticorum Iubilo.
On behalf of the honored Honorary Professors, dr hab. Krystian Pera addressed the audience, thanking his loved ones and the University authorities for the distinction awarded, and emphasizing the importance of long-standing ties with the University and the opportunity to continue sharing experience and knowledge with subsequent generations of staff and students.
“I would like to define what this professional distinction means to me. Well, a year ago, when I decided to retire, at the same time - probably with a great deal of uncertainty, a certain inner sadness, and hesitation - I decided on the formal status of being a person from the University’s environment, ‘that former one’. On being someone who, if they teach here occasionally, it is a guest appearance, and that changes a lot. This title, however - and I want to emphasize this very strongly - I treat as a form of the University assuring me, which I would describe as: ‘you still are and will remain ours’. Please allow me to think of it in exactly this way. And this is what I value most in this distinction.
I would also like to briefly уточify, let’s call it, my private definition of the term honorary professor. (...) Well, this University - and as a result, this honorary title - what has it been to me? Very simply: everything. In terms of professional life - everything. But what does everything mean? So, in fact, what? Perhaps, to help myself in any way and to rein in my inner emotions, I will refer to a certain book (...) by Zbigniew Rokita entitled Aglo. Bankom po śląsku. (...) In this book, almost at the very beginning, the author writes about the tram stop Katowice-Zawodzie, Uniwersytet Ekonomiczny. This stop (...) has a smell. What kind? (...) The smell of this stop is dry. All right, I think to myself - let it be, after all, dry means noble. And now, please allow me, for the purposes of my speech, let us agree that we will treat this stop as the University’s gate. When we are at this stop or in the vicinity of this stop, it is as if we enter this University. And what is this, in quotation marks, stop to me? For me, it does not release a smell, but it released - and still releases - enormous inner emotions, my emotions, real, deep, and such a close promise of the same kind of passion. Quite similarly as in music. I always felt it, regardless of whether I was a trainee assistant in 1982, or a university professor retiring in 2025. This stop was for me a sign: ‘here you can act, give of yourself, teach, create.’ This University changed my perception of this world, changed my perception of reality. It simply shaped me professionally. If this process ends with such a distinction, you will understand how much I value it.
(...) The entire life story of being a researcher is about seeking that compromise between time for you <<for the family, whom the Professor thanks>>, and time here for us <<for the University>>. And as a rule, we do not find that compromise. And please notice, however one looks at it, one side always loses. Either the side of the family sphere, or the side of the professional sphere. In this sense, if I did not manage to find that compromise, then I want to thank my family for understanding it, for approving it. Of course, I am aware that being a retiree allows one to make up for these shortcomings only to a small extent, because time is shrinking. But I publicly promise that I will try very hard in this area. Meanwhile, with regard to my University, about which I could always say - and as it turns out, I still can say - my University, I will continue to feel like a modest, yet still a member of this noble community. Thank you very much.”
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