Although the Professor could no longer be physically present, he was very much alive in the words, photographs, and memories of the participants. The event carried a special, symbolic meaning—it was inspired by Professor Tomala himself, who during his 80th birthday celebration jokingly invited the guests… to celebrate his 100th birthday. Sadly, he did not live to see that day. He passed away on 3 December 2017 at the age of 91. Nevertheless, the anniversary gathering took place in full accordance with the spirit and wishes of the Jubilant—marked by kindness, reflection, and warm smiles. [umk.pl]

A Professor Who Co‑Created the Faculty

The event was initiated by Professor Włodzimierz Karaszewski, one of Professor Tomala’s first students. He opened the meeting by painting a vivid portrait of Professor Jerzy Tomala as a man of extraordinary energy, broad intellectual horizons, and intellectual courage—someone who played a key role in the early years of the Faculty of Economic Sciences at UMK. He recalled the Professor’s organizational and scholarly contributions, as well as the pioneering atmosphere of those formative years, when economics in Toruń was only beginning to build its academic foundations.

Professor Jerzy Tomala served, among others, as Vice‑Dean of the Faculty of Economic Sciences (1969–1972), Director of the Institute of General Economics (1976–1983), and for many years as Head of departments related to political economy and socio‑economic policy. He also held the position of Vice‑Rector of Nicolaus Copernicus University from 1978 to 1981, which testifies to the authority and trust he enjoyed across the entire university community.

Academic Legacy and Economic Thought

An important part of the meeting was the address by Professor Jerzy Boehlke, who highlighted the most significant publications of Professor Tomala and their importance for the development of economic thought. He emphasized the originality of the Professor’s approach, his ability to connect theory with economic reality, and his openness to international inspiration—a quality both rare and particularly valuable at the time when Professor Tomala began his academic career.

A Bridge Between University and Business

One of the most moving moments of the meeting were the recollections shared by Wojciech B. Sobieszak, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Cereal Partners Poland Toruń‑Pacific. He recalled that Professor Tomala’s contacts with the United States, including with the American business community, played an important role in establishing relationships with U.S. investors. These efforts ultimately led to the creation of the Toruń‑Pacific company in 1990.

Chairman Sobieszak emphasized the Professor’s personal contribution to this process, as well as his consistent support for the company’s development through the transfer of managerial knowledge and the building of bridges between academia and business—long before the concept of “science–industry cooperation” became a widely used term.

Memories of Students and the Human Dimension of Science

The meeting was further enriched by recollections of Professor Tomala’s former students—anecdotal, personal, and often full of humor. They portrayed him as a great educator, but also as an exceptionally kind mentor who inspired, provoked independent thinking, and left a lasting imprint on his students and colleagues.

The 100th anniversary of the birth of Professor Jerzy Tomala thus became not only an occasion for remembrance, but also a moving story about a man who connected eras, environments, and perspectives. A scholar who co‑created the Faculty, an academic open to the world, and a personality whose life story continues to inspire. The Professor remains—with us in photographs, publications, and above all, in the memory of those fortunate enough to have known him.