AIAE 22nd Anniversary (1997-2019) Awards and Scholarships Ceremony

May 04, 2019 1950

BY: Josephine Maietta

On May 3, 2019 the Italian Consulate in New York has hosted the Association of Italian American Educators Awards and Scholarships for student awardees to study in Pisa, Italy and experience the Italian Language and Culture. The student scholarship awardees have been honored by outstanding Italian American leaders who have demonstrated their individual contributions to the multi-cultural American society.

The honoree include Joseph Piscopo Former SNL Star, Comedian, Actor, Musician, Writer & Radio talk show host of Welcome to New York; Cav. Letizia Airos, Founder & Editor in Chief of the Multimedia Network "i-Italy"; Prof. Massimo Zordan, Theater department Director & master teacher at Scuola d’Italia,: Cav. Giulio Picolli Founder & President of the the Italian Association "Ieri Oggi Domani" President of the Association Cavalieri - NJ, and Representative Famiglie Italiane. "and Prof. Massimiliano Verde President of Accademia Napoletana - Napoli, Italy.

The Programma Ponte, now in its 22nd year, is a collaborative initiative, sponsored by the Association of Italian American Educators (AIAE) and the Istituto Linguistico Mediterraneo of Pisa , Italy . Programma Ponte at the Pisa Institute is a language program, it is of paramount importance that each student be willing and able to immerse themselves and utilize their time in Pisa by conversing in Italian with their peers, professors, host families, and with Italians in general. The Programma Ponte scholarship will cover all course and registration fees as well as room and board. AIAE Programma Ponte has provided over 310 scholarships to college students from various universities throughout the United States . These past two years, AIAE has included Senior HS students studying Italian.

The AIAE was organized by Italian American teachers and professors to enhance the Italian American image and presence in academia. The AIAE promotes discussion of educational issues impacting Italian Americans; supports formal and pertinent education; facilitates professional development for teachers; sponsors the Programma Ponte Scholarship Program (a course of study in Pisa on Contemporary Italy, designed for Italian American college and senior high school students); and recognizes, and presents awards to, outstanding Italian American educators and leaders of the community for their achievements in their professions.

Over time, the AIAE has developed into a vital multi-disciplinary association from the humanities to the sciences, poised for expansion on a national scale outreaching to over 630,000 Italian American educators from elementary to post-secondary studies.

AIAE now located at Hofstra University was founded in 1997. It is a 501(3) (c) not-for-profit association with the objective of enhancing the Italian American image and presence in education. Several years ago, AIAE received the Silver Medal from the President of Italy for the its outstanding service and the promotion of Italian language and culture.

SOURCE: AIAE

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