UNICO National, the largest Italian-American service organization in the United States, will join with Montclair State in raising $1.25 million to establish an endowed chair in Italian and Italian-American Studies.
"Montclair State is honored by this distinction and is uniquely positioned to support an endowed chair in Italian and Italian-American Studies," said President Susan A. Cole. "The University already offers a major, minor and teaching certification in Italian, and 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.
"Thanks to the wonderful support offered by UNICO National, the addition of an endowed chair will support the continued growth in scholarship, education and community outreach," Cole added.
Joseph Coccia Jr., past national president of UNICO National and head of Italian Studies Chairs and Fellowships for the organization, said the endowed chair is an important factor in preserving an illustrious national heritage.
"By co-sponsoring Italian Studies chairs and fellowships throughout the United States, we believe UNICO National is continually renewing the spirit vital to maintaining the legacy of our rich heritage and culture," Coccia said.
Richard Gigliotti, dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, outlined to delegates at UNICO National's annual convention in St. Louis the importance of such a chair for New Jersey higher education.
"UNICO National's decision to endow this chair in Italian-American Studies at Montclair State is indeed wonderful news," he said. "UNICO's support will enable the occupant of the endowed chair to fully integrate cutting-edge scholarship and top-level teaching in Italian-American Studies. Of equal importance, the professorship also will help to establish and maintain a public program of Italian-American Studies that will strengthen and solidify Montclair State's position as a center of dynamic programs in issues related to Italian-American culture.
"Through their generosity, the organization's leaders have again shown that UNICO indeed stands for Unity, Neighborliness, Integrity, Charity and Opportunity to serve," Gigliotti added.
UNICO National, founded in 1922, numbers 6,000 members nationwide who work to support charitable, educational, scientific and literary projects while promoting Italian heritage and combating negative stereotyping.