Mary Patrice Erdmans

Educator

Born Jun. 14, 1959, Grand Rapids (MI), U.S.; daughter of James and Angela (Grazinski).

Education: Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) (in sociology and psychology), St. Mary's College, Notre Dame (IN), 1981; Master of Arts (M.A.) (in sociology), 1987, Ph.D., 1992, Northwestern University, Evanston (IL).

Career: English as a 2nd language teacher, Peace Corps (Thailand), 1982-84; instructor, Northwestern University, 1986-92, Cracow Industrial Society (Poland), 1990 (summer); assistant prof., University of North Carolina, Greensboro, 1992 -.

Author: scholarly articles, 1989-92.

Member of: English teacher, Polish University Abroad, Chicago (IL), 1988-91; board directors member, Polish American Historical Association (P.A.H.A.); American Sociological Association; Polish Institute of Arts and Sciences of America (P.I.A.S.A.).

Honors: scholarship, St. Mary's College, 1977-81; fellowship, 1985-86, dissertation grant, 1990-91, Northwestern University; Pollack Research Award, Buehler Center on Aging, 1992.

Affiliation: Roman Catholic.

Languages: English, Polish, Thai

Hobbies: travel, hiking, painting

Home: 206 Adams St. #3, Greensboro, NC 27401.

From: "Who's Who in Polish America" 1st Edition 1996-1997, Boleslaw Wierzbianski editor; Bicentennial Publishing Corporation, New York, NY, 1996

by Marek Czarnecki

Dr. Erdmans is currently a Professor at the Central Connecticut State University, Department of Sociology. She received her undergraduate degree from Saint Mary's College in Illinois and her Masters Degree and doctorate from Northwestern University in 1992.

She was an Associate Professor at the College of the Holy Cross from 1998-2001 and Assistant Professor at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro.

Dr. Erdmans is the author of two books, "Opposite Poles: Immigrants and Ethnics in Polish Chicago, 1976-1990" (1998) and "The Grasinski Girls: The Choices They Had and the Choices They Made" (2004). For both of these books. Dr. Erdmans received awards from the Polish American Historical Association, the Humanist Sociology Book Award, and Polish Studies sponsored by Pennsylvania State University.

Dr. Erdmans has written numerous articles for journals and other published sources, many of them dealing with sociology - history issues. Dr. Erdmans has lectured throughout the country at many universities and appeared as a guest speaker before governmental bodies and private associations and clubs.

Her vast literary contributions to the understanding of many critical sociological factors involving Polish Americans and the sharing of her insights and knowledge is recognized by the Polish community nationally.

From: Polish Cultural Club of Greater Hartford, 2006

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