April 24, 2008
Queens, N.Y. -
Italian’s Renaissance at St. John’s
University
On April 4, nearly 200 people composed of students, parents, and
faculty members gathered in Council Hall on St. John’s University’s
Queens Campus to celebrate excellence in the study of Italian
language and culture. The event, sponsored collaboratively by the
Italian Section of the Languages and Literatures Department, Gamma
Kappa Alpha (GKA) - the National Italian Honor Society, and the
Italian Cultural Society, was intended to reward those students who
have excelled in the study of Italian. This year 43 students were
honored.
The highlight of the program was the induction ceremony of the
National Italian Honor Society (GKA), a highly selective society
that requires a 3.50 overall GPA and a GPA of 3.50 or better in
Italian to become eligible. Students inducted into the Society are
juniors and seniors who have taken at least two advanced courses in
Italian.
The evening program was presented by Dr. Gaetano Cipolla, a
senior Italian Professor who acted as the master of ceremony. Dr.
Annalisa Saccà, the Coordinator of the Italian Section, and Italian
Professors D’Arista, Buck, DePaola-Calandrella, Iuliano, Perrone,
Rakas, Rocco, Scala, Serpagli, and Totino presented all the
candidates for the Philip Perfetti Award, given to an outstanding
student in memory of the former St. John’s professor for whom the
award is named.
Following the presentation, Prof. Saccà announced a special
surprise award: the Outstanding Student Leadership Award, which was
bestowed upon Joseph Sciortino, the President of the Italian
Cultural Society who has been an inspiration and a model to the
students of Italian.
Professor Fiorentina Russo, who was announced as the new faculty
adviser to the society, presented the new board of GKA: President
Stephanie Flory, Vice Presidents Cristina Fernandez and Emanuela
Mannino, Secretary Veronica Barducci, and Treasurer Luigi
Spiridigliozzi.
Following the academic part of the program, pianist Alba Mazza
and tenor Antonio Guarna entertained the 200 people with moving
renditions of a few Neapolitan songs that culminated with a sing
along.
The Italian program at St. John's University has over 400
students and offers opportunities for scholarships, internships,
and study abroad.