Sabina Kutolowski Scholarship

Dr. John Kutolowski and Dr. Kathleen Kutolowski, professors emeriti from the Department of History at SUNY Brockport, established the Sabina Kutolowski Scholarship in memory of his mother to recognize an outstanding incoming student at the College who exhibits a strong academic potential.

Sabina Ostrowska immigrated to Lynn, MA, from Poland in the early 1900s, and soon married Boleslaw Kutolowski. Mrs. Kutolowski attended night school to learn English and become a citizen, determined to create the best life possible for her children. She had to leave home to work in a sweatshop during the depths of the Depression, but all six of her children finished high school, a rarity in the 1930s and 1940s. She was always a caring, concerned, and committed mother, and she possessed an extraordinary desire to learn and promote the education of her children.

Her youngest child, John, completed his mother’s education dream by graduating from the University of Massachusetts, and then earning his PhD in history from the University of Chicago. He married Kathleen Smith Kutolowski who also earned her PhD in history.

The couple taught at Brockport for more than 30 years. Dr. John Kutolowski taught European and World History at Brockport from 1966 to 1996 when he retired. He received the Chancellor’s Award for Teaching in 1995. He continued to teach one course a semester through 2002.

Dr. Kathleen Kutolowski, who taught American History, particularly the early republic and New York State, was a member of the History faculty from 1970 to 2007 when she retired. She received the Chancellor’s Award for Teaching in 1977.

Qualified applicants for the Sabina Kutolowski Scholarship must be incoming, full-time freshman students who demonstrate strong academic potential. Applicants also must demonstrate pressing financial need as confirmed by the Office of Financial Aid. Preference will go to a woman student of Polish descent, who meets the academic and financial criteria. If there is no student with a Polish-American background, the scholarship review committee will consider any student who meets the academic and financial criteria.