L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, APRIL 4, 2024 www.italoamericano.org 28 L'Italo-Americano H eld in the luxu- rious rooms of t h e M u s c o Center for the Arts, the Ital- ian Perspective series has established itself as both a beloved tradition at Chap- m a n U n i v e r s i t y i n Orange and a key event for celebrating and exploring the wealth of Italian culture. Initi- ated in response to the local community's sincere wish to strengthen ties and create opportunities for Italy enthu- siasts, the series also aims to examine the many facets of Italy across different areas and disciplines. As the series evolved, it skillfully integrated a range of interdisciplinary activities, shedding light on Italy's end- less possibilities in arts, sci- ences, and business. Orga- n i z e d i n p a r t n e r s h i p w i t h C h a p m a n ' s d i s t i n g u i s h e d School of Performing Arts, the renowned Schmid College of Science and Technology, and the esteemed Argyros School o f B u s i n e s s , a l o n g w i t h notable Italian institutions like the Italian Cultural Insti- tute of Los Angeles and the Consulate General of Italy in LA, this series exemplifies the s t r e n g t h o f c r o s s - c u l t u r a l exchange and cooperation. Raffaella Valentini, the Consul General of Italy in Los Angeles, commented, "Chap- man University is an academ- ic center of excellence for the study of Italian language and culture in Orange County. Alongside the Italian Cultural Institute, we are fully commit- ted to backing initiatives like the Italian Perspective series, h i g h l i g h t i n g t h e b e s t o u r country has to offer in various artistic domains and encour- aging young generations." T h e I t a l i a n P e r s p e c t i v e series achieved more than just fostering the study of Italian at Chapman University, it has also been instrumental in establishing the Ferrucci Institute, further enhancing its role in promoting Italian intellectual and cultural rich- ness. "The establishment of the Ferrucci Institute deeply connects with the legacy of migrants, representing the efforts of generations to cre- ate a unique place within a new society. It is a reflection of individual determination and a strong commitment to education," explains Profes- sor Federico Pacchioni, the founding director of the Institute. "This initiative, which led to the founding of the Institute and now drives i t t o w a r d s n e w f r o n t i e r s , unites us in celebrating Ital- ian heritage and tradition, while also increasing global awareness and encouraging the pursuit of new knowl- edge." Since 2012, under Profes- s o r F e d e r i c o P a c c h i o n i ' s g u i d a n c e , t h e M u s c o C h a i r h a s s i g n i f i c a n t l y broadened the reach of Ital- ian Studies on campus and within the broader communi- ty. The Chapman Italian Studies program became a key player in showcasing Ital- ian culture through various artistic and academic events, drawing the attention of local Italian-Americans and enthu- s i a s t s . T h i s c o l l a b o r a t i v e endeavor resulted in the cre- ation of the Italian Studies Council, led by community leader Vicky Carabini, who was later honored by the Ital- ian government for her com- mitment. We of L'Italo-Ameri- cano had the opportunity to talk with Dr. Federico Pac- chioni. Hailing from Emilia- Romagna, Pacchioni graduat- ed from the Istituto Magis- trale Immacolata in Cesena in 1998 and completed his h i g h e r e d u c a t i o n a t L a Sapienza University in Rome and Prescott College in Ari- zona. He followed a unique academic path focused on developing a pedagogy that is humanistic, intercultural, and experiential. At Chapman University, he teaches inter- disciplinary courses within Italian Studies, Dodge Col- lege of Film and Media Arts, and the University Honors Program, including several travel courses to Italy. From 2012 to 2023, he led the Italian Studies program, enhancing its curriculum and programming and contribut- ing to the establishment of new scholarships for studying the Italian language and cul- ture. These efforts culminat- ed in the creation of the Fer- rucci Institute for Italian Experience and Research, of which he became the found- i n g d i r e c t o r i n 2 0 2 3 , t h e same year he was appointed as a Full Professor. Professor Pacchioni, how did the project that was to lead to the estab- lishment of the Ferrucci Institute begin? In 2017, the Italian Studies program launched a series of travel courses in collabora- tion with Italian academic institutions, providing stu- dents with immersive cultur- al experiences and network- ing opportunities in Italy. Recognizing the impact of the program, in 2018, the Mus- cos established a second fund of $500,000 to support stu- dent participation in Chap- man's courses in Italy. This ensured access for deserving students and sparked new academic initiatives focused on Italy. Inspired by the Mus- cos' philanthropy, President Daniele C. Struppa, an Italian immigrant himself, donated $1 million in 2021 to estab- lish the Bernardino Telesio Professorship in Italian Stud- ies. This endowment, named a f t e r t h e 1 6 t h - c e n t u r y philosopher Bernardino Tele- sio, known for his empirical approach to knowledge, sig- nifies the program's dedica- tion to thorough and interdis- ciplinary education beyond conventional limits. This series of contribu- tions led to the launch of the Ferrucci Institute last year. How did Gabriele F e r r u c c i , a s u c c e s s f u l e n t r e p r e n e u r n o w retired and a respected c o m m u n i t y l e a d e r , become involved? Previously made philan- thropic efforts caught the attention of Gabriele Ferruc- ci, who recognized the value of Italy's intellectual and cul- tural heritage. The Ferrucci family embraced the vision of founding a new institute at Chapman University with a generous donation of $1.5 million, further solidifying the program's ambitious mis- sion. The collaborative spirit a n d i n t e r d i s c i p l i n a r y approach inherent to the Ital- ian ethos are now leading the way at the Ferrucci Institute, steering Italian Studies in a novel direction. While Italian language and culture stay at t h e h e a r t , t h e I n s t i t u t e ' s endeavors exceed disciplinary limits, encouraging ground- breaking academic research. W h a t h a s b e e n t h e Institute's role so far? The Ferrucci Institute is becoming a central hub for the entire university. We have a team of professors from various programs and depart- ments who are engaged with Italy—whether they're teach- i n g i n I t a l y , c o n d u c t i n g research about Italy, or sim- ply passionate about Italian culture. They come from a w i d e a r r a y o f d i s c i p l i n e s across the campus, including art, literature, social sciences, f i l m s t u d i e s , p h i l o s o p h y , mathematics, environmental sciences, music, and more. T h e F e r r u c c i I n s t i t u t e uniquely serves as a natural focal point within the univer- sity, acting as a bridge to Italy. There are countless treasures that Italy offers to a university, from historical, artistic, and intellectual per- spectives. What was the focus of the eighth Italian Per- spective series event held o n A p r i l 6 , " S o n g a n d Culture"? We presented a series of original keynote lectures and live performances that pro- vided intellectual insights, cultural depth, and an aes- thetic experience—a com- pelling journey that stimu- l a t e s b o t h t h e m i n d a n d h e a r t . T h e p r e s e n t a t i o n s looked into the complex evo- lution of Italy's singing tradi- tions' historical origins and their significance, including folk songs, art songs, and o p e r a a r i a s . T h i s e v e n t offered a unique opportunity to explore the influence of Italian song culture across different periods, styles, and genres. SILVIA NITTOLI From right: Professors Federico Pacchioni, Matt Parlow and Daniele Struppa, Gabriele Ferrucci and his children, Rina, Anna and Joseph (Photo Courtesy of Ferrucci Institute) The Ferrucci Institute, through its Italian Perspective series, brings the best of Italy to the forefront LOS ANGELES ITALIAN COMMUNITY

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