Memories of Janusz Wojnar - student of professor Marszał

Mr Marszał was very tidy and humble teacher. He liked harmony and order - everything had to be precisely arranged on his desk. He was famous for pencils! The best pencil for him was one about two or three centimeters long - it couldn’t be seen in his hand but professor used to say that he will be using it for a long time. It had to be very important circumstance to see him being happy - he was an introvert. He wasn't smiling all the time although he wasn't sad. During school parties for example “Andrzejki” or New Year's Eve he was at school but he wasn't interested in dancing. More probably he was solving some problems or correcting tests. During the matura exam he was always very kind and smiling. He was hard to surprise, as he knew his students very well. When someone won a competition he congratulated in person. Professor Marszał was one of the few teachers to be absolutely impartial and equitable. Event those who didn't do well in math were satisfied by his marking. Students appreciated him. He liked playing chess - having found a student interested in chess he often challenged him to play. I suppose that he was solving some chess problems while going to school. Sometimes when somebody said to him “good morning“ he replied with “checkmate“ - it wasn't a coincidence! During one of the parties he asked one of the students if he want to play chess with him. I don't remember him being sick. He was often wearing a thin coat - it was obvious that he got cold but he was never ill.

There were a lot of short tests. Professor was dividing students in three groups in the way that none of them was able to cheat - his division was perfect. Sometimes when he was in a good mood he used to say: “those who weren’t listening, you are group D”. The worst mark was an “F on the black list”, then “F without recording” and the next was just F. The most often mark was D and sometimes he was giving an A or B. We had a lot of marks during the school year so there was an vocal exam every lesson. When he asked someone to go to the greenboard it took about 20 minutes. After all students always respected him.

Professor’s name was known on universities of Cracow - sometimes if person was student of prof. Marszał he wasn't examined on the entrance exams. Moreover he was role model for a lot of Łańcut citizens.

Memories of B. Płużyńska

“Prof. Jan Marszał was a wonderful person. Comprehensively educated and very talented in what he did and humble. Not only immensely demanding but also very fair in marking. He was widely known in Polish scientific world and invited to many secondary and high schools. He also brought up a lot of winners of mathematical contests.

He was reticent, but everything what he said was accurate. His most characteristic, often imitated by students catchphrase was: “Oh, yes? Therefore, F - sit down!”. He discouraged cheating by making lightening quick turns during tests. When he caught somebody cheating he punished either delinquents and their helpers. He knew how to teach. I experienced it after changing school when I had to complete the lessons I had missed out on. It was hard but in the end assured my good position in mathematics and geometry during my studies at Tadeusz Kościuszko University of Technology. The name of prof. Jan Marszał was known and respected at my university.”  (Gimnazjum i Liceum im. Henryka Sienkiewicza w Łańcucie 1907 – 2007, page 436)

Memories of Tadeusz Michno

“Mathematics and biology were taught by prof. Jan Marszał known as “Jasio” who was slim, short, reticent and speaking in a laconic manner. He intimidated and gained respect of others easily. Mathematics lessons with him were quite an experience. He made use of every minute, exhausting the subject and never lengthening the lesson at the expense of the break (...). Lesson started from checking previously discussed subject. Everyone focused and in silence waited to see who will be chosen to daily vocal exam. There was no rule. Even if someone was examined the day before he couldn’t be calm. Prof. Marszał frequently examined the same students day after day. By using this method he did not allowed anyone to indulge (...). If the student couldn’t answer the questions prof. Marszał being little upset would say: ”Therefore sit down! F” and noted it in school register with a short pencil, which he always kept in right pocket of his blazer (...).”  (Gimnazjum i Liceum im. Henryka Sienkiewicza w Łańcucie 1907 – 2007, page 450)