Wiesław Stec – czterdzieści lat w służbie białostockiej polonistyki

The article is an attempt to describe over forty years of professional career of one of the most distinguished employees of the Institute of Polish Philology at the University of Bialystok, PhD Wiesław Stec. The text describes the most important scientific achievements of the researcher, his publications and editorial output. It also presents a detailed discussion on his organizational activity as deputy director of the Institute, a function he held in the 1990s, i.e. a key period for Bialystok’s Polish Philology. The final part of the article includes the author’s personal reflections on the unique character of the didactic work of PhD Wiesław Stec.