The Eduard Adam Skendzel Polonian Historical Collection was established in 1999, when through his estate, Eduard contributed his personal collection of books and writings to the University, along with an endowment for its maintenance and development. Eduard was a celebrated historian, linguist, teacher, writer, and leader in the Polish community of Grand Rapids, Michigan. He taught high school and college in Dearborn. He authored numerous publications and is believed to have coined the term “Polonian” which refers to a person whose ethnic roots are in Poland but who resides in another country.

The Polish studies collection is an integral part of collections in East European studies. It is composed of books and archival materials dealing with Poles in the Midwest, specifically with Polonian church history in Michigan. Recently, due to funding from the endowment, there have been significant additions to the Polish history books and media collections, including the purchase of many contemporary Polish films. The Polish and East European studies faculty has been working on identifying relevant manuscript collections, expanding Polish history acquisitions, and purchasing literature books by contemporary Polish writers in Polish and in English.