On 13 January 2026, a meeting of the Ambassadors of Nicolaus Copernicus University (NCU) was held at Collegium Maximum. The group consists of distinguished alumni who successfully represent the university in various fields of life. The event was initiated by the Rector of UMK, Prof. Andrzej Tretyn, for whom building strong ties with alumni is an important part of the university’s mission.

Among the participants was Wojciech B. Sobieszak, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Cereal Partners Poland Toruń Pacific, a biology graduate and long‑time friend of the university. It is worth noting that Monika Michniak, the current President of Cereal Partners Poland, is also one of the UMK Ambassadors. Since September 2024, she has been developing the company and actively supporting initiatives connected with UMK.

The title of UMK Ambassador has existed since 2015 and is awarded to graduates who have achieved significant success in science, culture, the arts, politics or the economy, and who promote the university in their everyday work—provided they are not employed by the university. Today, the prestigious group includes more than 50 people, among them NASA astronomer Krzysztof Górski, lawyer Piotr Hofmański, President of the International Criminal Court, and jazz pianist Bogdan Hołownia.

Although the programme included official elements, the atmosphere was exceptionally relaxed. After the main part of the event, Prof. Tretyn found a moment for reminiscing—especially since the wife of Wojciech Sobieszak, Grażyna Sobieszak, studied biology with him in the same year. As it turned out, shared classes and anecdotes from years past can return with surprising ease.

The UMK Ambassadors’ meeting once again demonstrated that the university thrives not only thanks to its students and staff, but also thanks to its alumni, who remain in close and warm contact with their alma mater—regardless of how far they have advanced in their professional lives.