Italian Program Celebrates $1.5M Gift, Names New Endowed Chair and Receives Honors

University of Arkansas’ Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences celebrated the creation of its new Professor Antonio Marinoni and Rosa Zagnoni Marinoni Endowed Chair in Italian at a campus luncheon earlier this month.

The Endowed Chair was made possible by a $1.5 million gift from the Marinoni family to the U of A to commemorate the profound and enduring legacy of its namesakes.

Few people have had as much positive impact on the state of Arkansas and the university as Antonio and Rosa, who each broke new ground in the studies of language and poetry at the state’s flagship land grant institution.

Now, they continue to have a positive impact through the endowed chair that bears their name.

That’s because endowed chairs are among the highest honors a university can bestow on faculty, and by creating one, the Marinoni family is helping the Italian program continue to attract the most distinguished scholars to teach the college’s students, while also advancing its research and public service mission.

During the October event, Italian professor Ryan Calabretta-Sajder was introduced as the inaugural holder of the chair.

Additionally, Mauro Lorenzini, Consul General of Italy in Houston, attended the event to commemorate this generational investment in Italian studies and the international cultural bonds it represents.

Fayetteville Mayor Molly Rawn read a proclamation recognizing the Marinoni family’s profound impact on the city and the state of Arkansas. Remarks followed by Mary Sue Marinoni Shaw on behalf of the family; Lia Uribe, Fulbright College’s associate dean for the arts and humanities; U of A Provost Indrajeet Chaubey; and inaugural chair holder Calabretta-Sajder.

During the luncheon, Consul General Lorenzini also presented Ryan Calabretta-Sajder with the Order of the Star of Italy – the second highest civic honor awarded by the Italian state – for his promotion of Italian language and culture in the United States.

This recognition, along with the new endowment, strengthens ties between Italy, the state of Arkansas and the U of A.

For more background on the gift, the endowed chair, and the impact of the Marinonis, see the full story online here.

Photos from the celebration event and the accompanying “Radici (Roots)” exhibit created by Calabretta-Sajder’s students are below.