Inserra Endows Gift to Name Italian American Studies Chair at MSU

Lawrence R. Inserra, Jr. has made a commitment to support a major gift to name the endowed chair in Italian and Italian American Studies at Montclair State University. The chair will be named in honor of Mr. Inserra's parents, Theresa and Lawrence R. Inserra.

"All of us at Montclair State are grateful to Mr. Inserra for his gift, which will be a lasting tribute to his parents," said Thomas J. Haynes, Jr., MSU's vice president for University Advancement. "His significant contribution also will serve as a challenge gift that will be matched by other gifts to reach our goal of $1.25 million needed for the Italian American Studies chair. I would also like to thank the past presidents of UNICO National for all their hard work: Frank Tidona, John Alati, Frank Caperino, Joseph Coccia, Jr. and Michael Mariniello; and current president Anthony Braico," added Dr. Haynes. "They have supported our joint campaign for this Italian Studies chair in every possible way and the University is very grateful. They have all kept this campaign as a priority because they recognized the importance of supporting Italian language and culture." UNICO National, the largest Italian American service organization in the United States, has partnered with Montclair State University in raising $1.25 million to establish an endowed chair in Italian and Italian American studies at MSU.

"Montclair State University is uniquely positioned to support an endowed chair in Italian and Italian American Studies," said MSU President Susan A. Cole. "MSU already offers a major, minor and teacher certification in Italian. These programs have grown steadily and have been enriched by our programming, such as our Summer Institute at the University of Siena and our Italian Film Festival."

Lawrence R. Inserra, Jr. is President of Inserra Supermarkets, Inc., which was founded in 1954 by his grandfather, Patsy Inserra. Under the guidance of Inserra's father, Lawrence, Inserra Supermarkets, Inc. expanded to include eight stores. Today, Inserra Supermarkets owns and operates 22 ShopRite supermarkets in Bergen, Passaic, and Hudson counties in New Jersey and in Rockland County, N.Y.