In Memoriam: Anna Wyczalkowski

With profound sadness, we announce the sudden passing of Anna Wyczalkowski on December 30, 2021. She was 61 years old.

Known affectionately as “Ania,” she was born in Warsaw, Poland on December 29, 1960, as an only child to a distinguished family, well known for their academic achievements. Her mother, Irena Kostrowicka was a professor of Warsaw School of Economics and Jerzy Kostrowicki, was a professor at the Polish Academy of Science.

Ania began her academic endeavors at Warsaw University, later transferring to the University of Maryland where she acquired her PhD in Physics. She joined the Department of Physics and Astronomy at George Mason University in 2001 and was promoted to Associate Professor in 2015.

Ania is best remembered by the department and her students for her unique blend of warmth, creativity, empathy, flexibility, and reliability. Well regarded for her ability to connect to students and effortlessly navigate remote learning, she provided an uncompromising focus and dedication to helping her students learn physics and astronomy.

This is a tremendous loss not only to the department, but to her many students and her friends and family. She will be greatly missed. She is survived by her husband of 36 years, Andrew, and son, Marek.

In commemoration, Ania’s long-time childhood friend from Poland shared, “Wspominamy długie lata naszej pięknej i ważnej przyjaźni. Byłaś zawsze z nami, chociaż daleko. Bez Ciebie już nic nigdy nie będzie tak samo.” (Translation: “We remember long years of our beautiful and important friendship. Although far away, you were always in our hearts. Without you, nothing will ever be the same.”)

As Marie Curie once said, “I am among those who think that science has great beauty.” We are so fortunate that Ania's love of science prompted her to move from Poland to the US and into our lives. She will always be among us.

The department is also planning the following events and activities to commemorate the passing of Dr. Wyczalkowski.  A Remembrance gathering is planned for Friday, February 4, 2022 from noon to 1p.m. in Exploratory Hall, Rm 3301. For those who cannot attend the gathering in-person, please email the department to request the zoom link.

There is also an electronic memorial wall set up on Kudoboard for anyone who want to share their memories about Ania.

"Ania cared deeply about her teaching and also worked closely with our group of Learning Assistants (LAs) who assisted many of our instructors in our introductory physics and astronomy classes," shared Department Chair, Paul So. "The department is also planning to set up a special scholarship for our wonderful Physics and Astronomy Learning Assistants in Dr. Anna Wyczalkowski’ honor."

The department Awards Selection Committee will select the best LA from the current AY to be awarded with the scholarship at the end of the spring 2022 semester. For those who want to support this effort, please help to contribute to the “Physics and Astronomy Scholarship” fund through the GMU Foundation link.