More than Ever Before, It Makes Sense to Major in Italian

Upper Montclair, NJ
April 2009

To conclude another academic year by recognizing deserving Italian majors and minors continues to be a highlight for the Department of Spanish and Italian. Fortuitously, the Italian program has continued to prosper this year despite the current economic climate. Together with the steadfast support of the Joseph and Elda Coccia Institute for the Italian Experience in America in conjunction with the District 7 and Saddle Brook Chapters of UNICO, other generous organizations—the Passaic Valley Chapter of UNICO, the Associazione Nazionale Marinai d'Italia (a national Italian seamen’s association), and il Circolo Shardana (an association dedicated to Sardinian culture)—are contributing to what has translated to dollars and cents to majors in Italian language and culture at Montclair State. As a result, this year the Italian program is excited to be able to award an unprecedented number of students, fifteen in total, who will share in over $8000 being awarded for achievement, excellence and merit.

The “Maria Manzetti Memorial Scholarship” for $1000 each will go to Valeria Ruggeri and Rosa Russo, both Italian majors and teacher candidates. Professor Del Principe appreciates that Valeria Ruggeri has been an integral part of the Italian program since she came to Montclair. Her reach has extended from a serious and passionate interest in Italian literature, culture, and language to her work with the AMICI Club and participation in the Teacher Certification Program. Rosa Russo too has demonstrated skills that have impressed faculty, as noted by Professor Miele. Rosa exhibits great potential for scholarship and an even more impressive natural ability to instruct. Her teaching record for a one so young is notable and includes a seven year run as a CCD Instructor, an Assistant Teaching position at a weekly Italian program organized by a local Italian American Association, and a long-standing role as our departmental Italian. Rosa Russo will make a noble teacher and scholar.

Buono studio e buon divertimento! Professor Del Principe expresses he is particularly proud of three of our students, Gregory Merendino, Ileana Moyano, and Jenna Zambrano, who will be the first participants in the Italian Program's brand-new, study-abroad program, Montclair in Florence, in the Summer of 2009. The program, run in conjunction with Arizona State University, offers students the opportunity to study not only Italian language, culture, and literature, but to take courses in Art History, British Literature, Justice Studies, and in other disciplines.

Gregory Merendino, recipient of the “Coccia Foundation Summer Study Abroad Award” of $1000, is, as described by Professor Dini, an intelligent, motivated, hard working student in Italian who has devoted himself tirelessly to his major (Italian/Education) to become an excellent teacher. In his coursework, he has always worked to the best of his capacity and he has never felt discouraged by any criticism—always wanting to improve and be at his best. Ileana Moyano, also a recipient of the “Coccia Foundation Summer Study Abroad Award,” is a Communication Studies major, and also an Italian minor. Professor Trubiano observes that Ileana has been pursuing the varied courses for her minor, and is most excited about putting into practice—in the piazze of unforgettable Florence—everything she has learned in the classroom so far. To study in Italy is one of her dreams come true! Jenna Zambrano, recipient of the “Passaic Valley UNICO Italian Studies Achievement and Study-Abroad Award,” also in the amount of $1000, is our AMICI Club treasurer, and has dreamed about studying in Italy. Growing up in an area where Italian is rarely heard, she particularly relishes the idea of a full immersion experience to fine-tune her knowledge of the Italian language and culture. Prof. Trubiano points out this opportunity will certainly stand her in good stead as she continues along the path of an exciting career in education.

Kelly Cocuzza and Daniela Peluso are the recipients of the “District 7 UNICO Achievement and Study-Abroad Award” of $500 each. Intelligent and capable is how Professor Miele describes Kelly Cocuzza, who inspired other students to fully experience the joy of mastering a foreign language and of learning about Italian culture and they, in turn, gravitated toward her and looked to her for guidance and motivation. She ranks among Prof. Miele’s very best students. Daniela Peluso, who Professor Dini ranks in the top tier in maturity and intellectual potential, is a very bright, dedicated and responsible student, who has distinguished herself in her courses, and has proved to be one of the best of our Italian majors.

“The Saddlebrook Unico Chapter Scholarships for Excellence in Italian Language” for $250 each, will be awarded to Victoria Stasia Buchner, the secretary of the AMICI Club, Rosanna Caggiano, an Italian major and teacher candidate, Marta DeCandia, an Italian major and Lauren Schoch, an Italian major and Religious Studies minor. These students have distinguished themselves not only for their superior work in the classroom, but also for their special individual talents.

The Department of Spanish and Italian is proud to grant four additional awards, “The Italian Program Merit Award for Excellence in Italian and Study Abroad” for $250 each, to three Italian majors: Jessica M. Bautista, Robert Campana and Stephanie Ozuna; and one new Italian minor: Joanna De Los Santos.

Professor Del Principe considers this year’s group of majors and minors in Italian to be one of the brightest and most dedicated groups we have had in his twelve years at Montclair State University. Not only are they smart, critical thinkers and devotees of Italian culture, language, and literature, but several are pursuing Teacher Certification in Italian and planning to make Italian their life’s work. Furthermore, we have never see such, ardent interest in Italian cultural events and extracurricular activities, especially as sponsored by the AMICI Club. This year we are truly moved by the interest our Italian Majors and Minors have cultivated for all things Italian both in and out of the classroom.