2020's
Congratulations to the Italian Class of 2020!
Annaliese Tucci. The Italian Department has unconditionally supported and uplifted me throughout my time at Dickinson. From Carlisle to Bologna, all of my Italian professors have deepened my love for Italian language and culture. I’m proud that I’ve grown more confident in my reading, writing, and speaking capabilities. I’m proud that I am now able to understand and communicate in the language spoken by those who came before me. These past four years have been a journey of linguistic & academic growth but also of personal growth as I’ve been able to reflect on my family’s origins. I’m especially grateful that I took a course on Italian migration as it allowed me the space to reflect on the many sacrifices my grandparents made for my family when they immigrated to the U.S. My favorite Italian class, “The Discourse of Love”, guided me through a world of beautifully thought-provoking literature. From reading and analyzing the works of writers such as Dante, Petrarca, and Boccaccio, Professor McMenamin’s course was extremely challenging but one of the most rewarding courses that I’ve ever taken. Thank you to ALL of my professors and mentors for guiding me throughout my academic journey, challenging me, and deepening my understanding of Italian literature and culture.
Odalis Almendarez Pina. Once accepted to Dickinson, I knew that I wanted to study abroad in Italy. This is why in my first semester of college I decided to take my first Italian course with Professor Lanzilotta. Professor Lanzilotta’s excitement for teaching Italian made me think about minoring, which is how it all started, and later on, I major in it. Learning Italian was challenging at first because I’m a native Spanish speaker, everything was confusing me. However, my professors continue to support and help me throughout the years while I continue to take Italian courses. During my sophomore year with the help of Professor Lanzilotta, I decided to apply to study abroad for my entire junior year, which made me part of the first Italian Studies Program group in Bologna. My experience abroad was more than amazing. My confidence with myself and the language grew, and by the end of it, I was able to speak with many people who only spoke Italian. It has been one of my proudest accomplishment during my time in college. I couldn't have done all of this without the wonderful professors who always treated me like family. One thing I can say about the Italian Department is that they are very welcoming, very outgoing, and very excited to share their culture. I found a new home, that I never thought I needed within the Italian community. After graduation, and this pandemic I hope to have the opportunity to return to Italy to continue traveling and embracing the culture. Once again Grazie mille a tutti!!
Elizabeth Krause. I have loved immersing myself in Italian culture during my four years at Dickinson. Having access to a community that shared my interests and appreciation of Italy thoroughly enhanced my college experience. From making pizzas in Stern kitchen to exploring the streets of Bologna, my time with the Italian Department has always been exciting! After graduation I will continue finding ways to incorporate Italian culture into my everyday life as I pursue a Ph.D. in economics. Grazie per tutto!
Teressa Healy. Growing up as a part of a big, Italian family, I always wanted to learn to speak the language. My time at Dickinson was the perfect opportunity. The department as a whole is outstanding, particularly Professor Lanzilotta, Professor McMenamin and Professor Grazioli, who were extremely engaging, knowledgeable, and supportive throughout my time at Dickinson. I was fortunate enough to study in Bologna my junior year, and gained invaluable experience practicing the language and building relationships with the other students in the Italian Studies program. I will carry these skills with me as I embark on my life after Dickinson, hopefully including a trip to Italy after the pandemic!
Riccardo Millar. Since my first semester at college, I have valued my classes and all the time spent in the Italian Department. When I first came to Dickinson I only knew a little bit of the language , but during my time here I have been able to drastically improve my confidence and ability to read, write, and communicate in Italian. More importantly, I was able to learn so much about the culture that my mother grew up in and traditions that my grandparents still follow. What brought the whole experience together for me was how the Italian Department, both students and faculty, are a very close knit family who support each other and share a space to teach and learn about the beauties and wonders of Italy. Grazie Mille Per Tutto!!!
Julia Thulander. I have loved all of my time within the Italian Department. From Italian 101 with Professor Lucchi to The Discourse of Love with Professor McMenamin, it has been a pleasure learning about the culture and language. One of my favorite experiences during my time at Dickinson was my semester in Bologna and this is largely due to the amazing students and professors that the Italian Department attracts. The Italian Department has been critical to my growth as a student and person and for that I will be forever grateful. Grazie mille per tutto!
Calvin Bader. I started learning Italian at a young age, inspired by my Italian heritage, but I was always shy and afraid to speak in class. It was not until I came to Dickinson that my confidence grew in my abilities to communicate, read, and write in Italian. Every professor in the Italian Department was supportive, allowed everyone to grow at their own pace, and were always there when anyone needed help. One of the reasons I went to Dickinson is because of its renowned study abroad programs. Once in Bologna, I felt a little overwhelmed, but I am deeply grateful to Professor McMenamin for encouraging me to take as many classes in Italian as possible. I took a class at the University of Bologna on Celtic Archaeology which was very difficult, but ultimately I learned about a topic I never would in America, and my language abilities grew tenfold. I also would like to shout out Professor Grazioli for keeping his office door open so I could stop in and bother him basically every day in Bologna. My time in the Italian Department has been wonderful, and has given me a platform to grow as a person. I have gained skills that will be useful for the rest of my life, and I will always have fond memories of my Italian classes. I can’t wait to go back to Italy soon!
Natura Sant Foster. I’ve been taking Italian since sixth grade, and it has become something I can’t imagine life without. I came into Italian at Dickinson at the 200 level and was a bit overwhelmed at being the youngest person in the class. I soon felt comfortable among the kind and friendly members of the Italian Department, students and faculty included, and began to feel a strong connection to this amazing part of the Dickinson community. I always looked forward to department dinners and la Tavola Italiana that brought all of us together around food, conversation, and connection. I found that amongst the Italian Department, my passions were supported and encouraged to flourish. I studied abroad for the entirety of my Junior year, first in Florence, then in Bologna. Being able to utilize the Italian I had been learning for over 10 years was such an exciting and gratifying experience and allowed me to connect so much more deeply with Italian people, culture, and history. It definitely also made me seem like much less of a tourist! Being able to feel comfortable and confident navigating a new country thanks to my Italian education made the experience truly unforgettable and one that I want to continue into the future. The Italian faculty in Bologna, like Bruno Grazioli and Elisabetta Cunsolo, allowed me to pursue more challenging and exciting pathways that would bring me to a deeper and more personal knowledge of Italian art and culture. Upon returning to Dickinson, I was able to start an independent study with Nicoletta Marini-Maio that would challenge me to read three novels over the course of the semester and ultimately write an honors thesis on my research. Apart from being academically challenging, it was a personally enlightening and enriching experience. Being able to form such a meaningful connection with my professor also attests to the value of a Italian Studies education at Dickinson. I want to thank every single member of the Dickinson faculty who has pushed me to incorporate Italian into my life more and more, and to see its value and beauty as something I can’t live without. I have been accepted as an intern for the SITE Program in Lombardy, meaning that my return to Italy (pending any outstanding interruptions from the coronavirus!) will be in a few short months. I am deeply thankful for such an excellent department and their continual support of our achievement and passion.
Max Barrett. Italian was not something that I planned on studying when I started at Dickinson, but throughout my classes in my first couple years I enjoyed learning the language and about the culture so much I knew I had to study abroad in Italy and continue learning as much as I could. Living and studying in Italy was one of the most amazing experiences I’ve ever had, from taking class trips to see the art we were learning about to hanging out in the Giardini Margherita with some friends on a sunny day. As a computer science major my studies in Italian have challenged me in completely different ways and as a result I have been able to expand how I think and grow as a student. I’m extremely grateful for the professors, classmates, and experiences I’ve had during my time with the Italian Department and I hope to continue to learn and develop my Italian. Grazie mille a tutti!
Sean Dowd. When I arrived at Dickinson, I couldn't speak a single sentence in Italian. Now I am graduating as an Italian major, all thanks to the fantastic Italian Department. All of the teachers really cared about our learning, and connecting us to the language and culture. And now I feel so much appreciation for Italian culture, and having the opportunity to have learned here at Dickinson from such a supportive department. I also grew as a person thanks to the department, who encouraged me to go abroad in Bologna for as long as possible. I spent a whole year in Italy learning everything I could, from being with a host family, to studying at Bologna's University, to volunteering at a local high school, I felt I was offered so many wonderful opportunities. A special thank you to Professor Grazioli who helped me a ton while abroad with all these activities. All the classes, events, and just everyday interactions with the department have been some of my favorite memories at Dickinson, and I hope to continue my connection with Italy in some way in the future thanks to them. A thank you to Professors Lanzilotta, McMenamin, Trazzi, Pagano, and Marini-Maio for all the guidance and fun classes. Grazie mille!
Susie Fitts. As a first-year, I never expected I would have become a part of the Italian Studies Department. I planned on taking my required language courses and then moving on. However, the Italian Studies Department really taught me how to appreciate the Italian language and culture. I stuck with the courses, and I've loved every part of my journey. From Italian dinners on campus to studying abroad in Bologna, Italy, I've become confident in myself to speak, read, and write Italian, while also having fun! The professors are so full of energy and work hard to help us succeed. I couldn't imagine my Dickinson career without this department! Grazie mille!
Sophia Scorcia. My time with the Italian Department has been one of the most memorable parts of my Dickinson experience! Learning Italian and studying abroad in Italy has been a lifelong goal of mine, and with the guidance, support, and encouragement of the wonderful Italian professors I was able to fulfil that goal. Studying abroad in Bologna was one of the best experiences of my life and I am eternally grateful that I had the opportunity to live and study in such a beautiful city for an entire year. I made such lasting memories, forged amazing friendships, and became comfortable and confident in my knowledge of the Italian language as a result of my time in Bologna, but also as a result of my time on campus through my academic study and participation in the Italian Club. After taking courses about Italian literature, migration, history, and even about the intricacies and nuances of the Italian identity itself, I not only grew immensely as a student, but I also arrived at a more comprehensive understanding of and appreciation for my own Italian heritage. Furthermore, I was finally able to create stronger bonds with Italian-speaking members of my family because of my language acquisition, something that is incredibly special to me. Although I don’t know what the future holds, I know that I will always hold on to what I have learned at Dickinson and that my life has been changed for the better because of my involvement with this amazing department!
