L'Italo-Americano

THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014 L'Italo-Americano THURSDAY, MAY 8, 2014 www.italoamericano.com 6 A Slice into the Life of Jim Doti: Chapman President, Economist and Italian-American President Doti has no qualms about admitting how his Italian heritage has served him well as a children book author, economics professor and current president of Chapman University; in fact, he is emphatic about it. Born in Chicago, Illinois, the third of four children to two Italian immi- grants from Southern Italy, he fondly remembers visiting his nonna in Little Italy and making biscotti and ravioli. Recollections of his nonna and Italian family are captured on the pages of his two published chil- dren's books: A Christmas Adventure in Little Italy and Jimmy Finds His Voice. He even has plans to write a third, inspired by the passing away of his nonna at the age of seven, and he retains a passion for Italian cuisine culti- vated by his nonna in their few years together. "I love cooking," says Doti. His favorite snack is cuccidati, a cookie filled with fig, almonds and walnuts. "I'm the best cuccidati maker," he adds. Food, however, was not the only thing that Doti discovered in Little Italy. When he returned years later to live as an under- graduate student during college, he came across many valuable lessons about economics and the open market. He would go on to use Little Italy as a backdrop for teaching economics and compile what he learned into a book and articles on the topic. When speaking with president Doti about his Italian heritage, his appreciation and pride of the cul- ture are unquestionable. "(My heritage) has probably been the most important thing in my lead- ership skills. I think I am a better president than I otherwise would be because of a heritage that real- ly stresses respect for other peo- ple and love of other people." Doti also seeks to spread his love of Italian culture to both Chapman University and the sur- rounding community. The Italian Studies Program on campus holds events throughout the year which are open and free to the commu- nity, including guest lectures, special performances, film screenings, and culture days. Doti had Attalah piazza on campus modeled after piazzas in Italy (such as Piazza Navona in Rome) with the idea that they are the hearts of a community, and Chapman currently holds an Italian-American archive at the Leatherby Libraries. He also explains how several donors and leaders on the Board of Trustees of the university share his Italian heritage. Paul and Marybelle Musco, some of Doti's friends and donors to the univer- sity, are sponsoring a new state- of-the-art performing arts center because of his love of opera, which both they and Doti share. "Paul is similar to me in that growing up in Italian households, we were both required to stay in on Sunday afternoons and listen to the Metropolitan Opera on the radio. When you do that you develop an ear for music." The Chapman opera program will be one of the productions held on the new stage, projected to be com- plete by 2016. Finally, Doti wants the community to be more edu- cated about Italians and Italian- American culture. "I sometimes feel that people's perception of Italians are heavily weighted towards thinking about the mafia, communism, and the bad ele- ments, and there are those. But that's a very small part of Italian heritage when you think of Italian history. From the Romans to Michelangelo, from Dante to Da Vinci, you realize what a great heritage we have, and I take much pride in being an Italian American." MELISSA MARINO Jim Doti Orange County's Italian Renaissance Lodge and Foundation an Ongoing Contributor to UCI Birth Defects Library and Genetics Program FRANK J. DESANTIS On Monday, April 28, 2014, members of the Order Sons of Italy Renaissance Lodge #2259 and Orange County American Italian Renaissance Foundation met at the UCI Department of Pediatrics to give a donation in support of the Birth Defects Library and Genetics Program. This Library was established in November, 1981. Funds were raised from community activities by the Lodge and Foundation such as the Italian Street booth fundraiser at the city of Orange Street Fair. Contributions to the library now total over $50,000. These contributions have been vital to the success of the pro- gram which is serving a need in the community. In addition to funds donated a beautiful oak book case which covers one entire wall of the library was built and donated by a Sons of Italy Lodge members Josephine and Luigi Pierotti thanks to efforts of Chris Lotito of the Pugliese Lodge. A collection of fifteen recent books on genetics diseases was donated by Lodge member Bernadine Neil for the library at the meeting. The Pediatrics Department is housed in the City Tower locat- ed at 333 W. City Drive in Orange. The faculty is headed by Dr. Maureen Bocian, a pro- fessor of pediatrics, who also conducts a training program for students. Dr. Bocian reported on the recent activities of the depart- ment, its changes and needs, of which the funds will greatly assist. Dr. Bocian thanked the Renaissance Lodge for its gen- erosity to the department today and over the years. (L-R) Al Schalappy, Bernadine Neil, secretary. Dr. Maureen Bocian (center) is holding the donation. Also present and pictured next to Dr. Bocian is Past National President OSIA Frank DeSantis and Trustee Mary Lou Jeffries

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