January 3 marks twenty-five years at the Calandra Institute for Director of Administration Rosaria Musco. Beginning as an assistant to the director in 1997, she rose swiftly through the ranks due to her organizational abilities, her wise and efficient administration skills, and her ability to respond capably in any situation. Rosaria earned her BA from Queens College and went on, while working full time at the Institute, to complete a Master's degree in Urban Studies. Auguri, Rosaria!

The Calandra Institute's Director for Community and International Programs Joan Migliori was given the Christopher Columbus Award by the Italian Charities of America October 24 at their eighty-fifth annual dinner dance. She was recognized for her years of service coordinating study abroad programs as well as her tireless efforts on behalf of the Italian Heritage and Culture Committee, Inc., among many other achievements. Also honored at the event were Giovanni P. Silvagni, Esq.; Mary Christine Modica; Tiziano Thomas Dossena; and Dr. Stanislao G. Pugliese of Hofstra University, who graciously thanked the Institute and particularly Dean Tamburri for having supported his research in Italian American Studies over the years.

Calandra's Dean Anthony Julian Tamburri and Director for Academic and Cultural Programs Joseph Sciorra were interviewed on New York radio WBAI wiith Paul DeRienzo talking about Christopher Columbus and Columbus Day, Indigenous Peoples Day, and imperialism. Click here to listen to the sound cloud conversation.

Calandra's dean, Anthony Julian Tamburri, has published two new books this summer. Signing Italian/American Cinema: A More Focused Look (Ovunque Siamo Press). "The essays in this book all share a common notion that a greater awareness of the potentiality of signification of sign functions is an indispensable tool for a more extensive understanding of how a film might signify-indeed, about how any text might signify." (from the introduction) (You can buy the book here.) The Columbus Affair: Imperatives for an Italian American Agenda (Casa Lago Press). "The Columbus Affair engages in the intellectual, crisscrossing zigzag of a quagmire that is the Columbus Affair and demonstrates the major complexities of such argumentation. The goal, modest it may seem, is to examine aspects of each side, with the hopes of spurring on an even greater discussion among all parties within our Italian/American semiosphere." (from the introduction) (You can buy the book here.)

Click here to watch a video discussion among Calandra Dean Anthony Julian Tamburri, Queens College Distinguished Professor of Italian American Studies Dr. Fred Gardaphé, Calandra's Director of Academic and Cultural Programs Dr. Joseph Sciorra, and York College Professor Dr. Donna Chirico on new directions scholars are taking while exploring the historical and contemporary experiences and output of the world's Italian diaspora. To watch all Italics programs on YouTube, click here.