Italian Studies Portale Multimediale established at Chapman University

As part of the Columbus Day Festivities of October 12, 2009, the Italian Studies Program of the Department of Languages, Wilkinson College of Humanities and Social Sciences at Chapman University inaugurated the Portale Multimediale, a gateway to furthering international scholarly and social connections with similarminded institutions and associations that promote the pursuit of knowledge and understanding toward the formation of global citizenship. Students and Faculty will enjoy enhanced learning and networking experiences through our global portal right from campus.

The Portale Multimediale is the project of the Section Head of Italian Studies, Dr. Robert Buranello, the Paul & Marybelle Musco Professor of Italian Studies. This project was realized with the close collaboration of the Office of Chancellor Daniele Struppa and that of Dean Patrick Quinn of Wilkinson College. The inauguration also marked the first Italo Mixer, a social gathering of local friends of Italian and Italian Studies.

We had the honor of hosting a number of important guests at this event. Among the many Chapman University friends were Trustee Paul Musco and his wife Marybelle, President Jim Doti, Dean Patrick Quinn, Chair of the Department of Languages, Walter Tschacher, Director of Development of Wilkinson College, Steve Harvath, and Executive VP for University Advancement, Sheryl Bourgeois.

We were particularly pleased with the turnout of our many community friends who attended. Primary among them are Deputy Director of the Italian Cultural Institute of Los Angeles and official representative of the Italian Consulate General, Dr. Michela Magrì, Orange County American Italian Renaissance Foundation President Emeritus Frank DeSantis, OCAIRF Budget and Finance Chair, John Russo, and Fondazione Italia President Paolo Miliozzi and Nadia Bozzetti, Vic President OCICA.

The Portale Multimediale is also home to a collection of original paintings by Santa Ana-based Italian American artist Dick Marconi, who graciously donated nine original works and to whom we are very grateful. These are provisionally introduced to the pulbic by Prof. Eric Chimenti’s beautiful poster that also provides background to the artist. Hence, the Portale Multimediale is also a gallery.

This beautiful and appropriate multimedia venue was also the setting for the unveiling of big plans for Italian and Italian Studies in 2011 at Chapman University spearheaded by Dr. Buranello and his colleagues, Dr. Liliana Leopardi and Dr. Angela Tumini. This lovely gathering segued beautifully to Chapman University’s Piazza Attallah for the University’s very first Columbus Day celebration, graciously organized by Paul Musco and Jim Doti, which was enjoyed by hundreds of people. You are invited to connect with us via the Portale Multimediale at the earliest opportunity and to certainly join us next year for another Italo Mixer and Columbus Day celebration.

Consult the following links to find out more about Italian Studies, www.chapman.edu/wilkinson/languages/Italian/; the Portale Multimediale: www.chapman.edu/wilkinson/languages/Italian/PortaleMultimediale.

Paul & Marybelle Musco
Professor of Italian Studies Chapman University