Over 1,300 alumni have studied through the Dickinson in Italy program in Bologna. Throughout its 60-year history, this program has changed the lives of students who have walked beneath the porticos, experienced the culture, and had lives enriched by travel and all it provides. Throughout the years Dickinsonians have helped to establish philanthropic programs to ensure the continued quality of the program in Bologna, expand access to the program, and enrich cultural opportunities through the program.
Every gift—no matter the size—has the power to make an impact. By investing in Dickinson’s oldest education-abroad program you strengthen the future of the Bologna program for generations to come.
Dickinsonians interested in establishing new funds for Dickinson in Bologna or contributing to the program as part of their estate plans should contact Rob Beckelheimer ’82, Associate Vice President of College Advancement, at beckelhr@dickinson.edu or 717-245-1917.
SUPPORT DICKINSON IN ITALY
To support any of these funds, make a gift online and type the name of the fund in "Comments" field.
Bologna Experiential Learning Fund
The faculty and staff of the Bologna program organize a variety of group trips and activities to help students explore the rich history and culture of Italy, both within and beyond the ancient walls of Bologna. These excursions, whether overnight or day trips, are closely tied to the academic program and are designed to enhance students' understanding of the connections between culture, history, art, and politics. They also provide opportunities for students to bond and enjoy traveling with their classmates, offering fun and fulfilling experiences for all students, including those with limited financial means.
However, these activities are limited by the program budget. In a time when budgets are tight and travel is expensive, a dedicated fund to provide both overnight and local cultural excursions would allow the program to expand and enhance these opportunities. This fund would ensure that these enriching and rewarding trips can be offered every semester to all students, fostering a deeper understanding of Italian culture and a more immersive educational experience.
Bologna Fund
Gifts to this fund will enhance the student experience at Dickinson College’s K. Robert Nilsson Center for European Studies in Bologna, Italy. This fund will provide resources to address the most significant opportunities and needs each year, ensuring the continued high quality and impact of the study-abroad experience in Bologna.
The K. Robert Nilsson Scholarship Fund
This fund provides funding for a student or students studying on the Bologna program to ensure that they can take full advantage of their time in Italy. The scholarship helps students cover the additional costs incurred by their study-abroad experience in Bologna. It does not replace a student’s financial aid, which he or she receives from the College. The preferred recipient will spend the entire year in Bologna.
The Francesco Guccini Scholarship Fund
This fund provides a student or students demonstrating financial need with a scholarship while they are studying at a Dickinson study-abroad program. It was established by Dickinson alumni to honor Francesco Guccini, their Italian instructor, and a renowned Italian folk singer in the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
The Marco Biagi Fund
The Biagi Scholarship was established to honor Marco Biagi, who was a professor, legal counsel, and good friend of Dickinson’s Bologna program. Biagi, a native of Bologna, was a University professor and consultant to the Italian Ministry of Labour. For over twenty years, he taught for the Dickinson Center in Bologna as Adjunct Professor of European Labour Law and Politics and Comparative Industrial Relations. He was also a member of the Academic Council at the Johns Hopkins University of Bologna Center. The scholarship in his name was established in 2003, a year after Biagi's tragic passing.
The scholarship is awarded to a student who best exemplifies the spirit and purpose of the Bologna Program - not only in terms of their academic performance, but also taking into account the extent to which the student takes advantage of the full range of opportunities available to them, demonstrating commitment to global engagement, and the positive contributions that they make to the program.