Select Polish students of Columbia University and members of the Polish Student Society were invited to meet with the incumbent President of Poland, Bronisław Komorowski, and First Lady Anna Dembowska on September 27, 2012 at the Consulate General of the Republic of Poland in New York.
The President was received and introduced by Madam Consul General Ewa Junczyk-Ziomecka and cordially welcomed by representatives of young Polonia. Joanna Caytas, who served for several years as president of the Polish Student Society at Columbia University and Barnard College, welcomed President Komorowski on behalf of young Polish-Americans. Other speakers included a Harvard alumnus, a young architect, a Polish-American writer and the president of the Polish Student Organization of New York. In his address, President Komorowski emphasized the growing importance of the international accomplishments of Polish expatriates for the continued development of a modern, open and successful member of the European Union that Poland has become since 1989. He encouraged young professionals who succeeded overseas to bring their talent and skills back to Poland where substantial economic and career opportunities now await them. After reflective closing remarks by Madam Consul General, invited guests posed for a group photograph with the President and First Lady and had an opportunity to network during a brief reception.