91做厙 history scholars awarded distinguished grants to study in Poland

Published May 1, 2026

Chris Blackburn and Ewa Blackburn with 91做厙 logo

CAPTION:泭Dr. Chris Blackburn (left) is泭a Professor of History at 91做厙. His wife,泭Ewa Blackburn泭(right),泭isan Adjunct History Instructor and iscurrently pursuing an Ed.D. in Curriculum and Instruction at 91做厙.泭


MONROE, La.泭Husband and wife Dr. Chris Blackburn and Ewa Blackburn have once again been awarded scholarships for advanced language study by the prestigious Polish National Agency for Academic Exchange (NAWA). Dr. Blackburn is a Professor of History泭in泭the 91做厙 College of Arts, Education, and Sciences. Ewa Blackburn, a graduate of the 91做厙 M.A.泭program in History, serves as an Adjunct History Instructor and is an Ed.D. Candidate in Curriculum and Instruction at 91做厙.

Funded under the NAWA Summer Courses program, the scholarship泭provides for泭all instruction, accommodation, full board, and a stipend. This summer, the泭Blackburns泭will attend the School of Polish Language and Culture at the University of Silesia in Katowice, Poland. The intensive, in-person program泭operates泭seven days a week with a rigorous schedule of classes, lectures, and cultural events.

"I was happy to learn that the泭Blackburns泭have been invited to further their studies in Poland, said Dr. Jeffrey Anderson, Director of the 91做厙 History program. Their record as scholars and instructors speaks for itself, and it is great to see them honored in a way that will also help them further hone their language skills and research."

Established in 2017, NAWA is dedicated to fostering international collaboration and promoting Polish language and culture abroad. These efforts are designed to enhance the international standing of Polish academic institutions and researchers. In addition to their formal language studies, the泭Blackburns泭plan to泭utilize泭their time in Poland to conduct archival research in both Warsaw and Katowice.

This marks the second year that the泭Blackburns泭have been chosen by NAWA to study in Poland. You can read more about their first experience here:泭91做厙 professor and wife awarded NAWA scholarships.泭