On February 19 a farewell dinner was held in honor of outgoing Italian Consul in Detroit, Dr. Maria Luisa Lapresa. 

Organized by the Dante Alighieri Society of Michigan, the Federazione Abruzzese del Michigan, the Italian American Cultural Society, the Italian American Club of Livonia, the Italian American Club of Livonia Charitable Foundation, the N.O.I. (Nuovi Orizzonti Italiani) Foundation, and the Venetian Club of Mutual Aid, the event was attended by members of the Italian and Italian American communities who wanted to express their appreciation to Dr. Lapresa for her contributions during her tenure in Detroit.

Among the accomplishments cited were:

- Institution of Italian language classes in the L’Anse Creuse School District, with five courses being taught in the two high schools, and in the Lake Shore School District, with three courses in the elementary schools.
- Establishment of negotiations with the Birmingham School District for the addition of Italian classes beginning at the elementary school level.
- Worked consistently for the promotion of teaching of the Italian language, promoting the conference “Language and Italian Culture: A Tool for Integration in Italy and In the World”
- Participated in and supported all initiatives aimed at promoting the Italian language both in Michigan and in Ohio.
- Organized and presented a conference/exhibition at Wayne State University “Italian Technological Excellence in the U.S.” with Leonardo International
- Sponsored the establishment of the Michigan Industrial Chamber, an association of Italian businesses in Michigan.
- Created synergies for the commemoration of the victims of the train crash of 1901 in Adrian, Michigan, promoting the collaboration of Italian and Italian-American communities to raise funds for a memorial.
- Signing of Memorandum of Understanding with the State of Michigan, which will allow individuals with a degree from an Italian University to teach in K-12 schools in Michigan by receiving a temporary teaching permit from the Office of Certification in Lansing.

Visibly moved by the outpouring of affection, Dr. Lapresa expressed her gratitude to the Italian and Italian American communities for their support. We wish her well in her new assignment in Bucharest, Romania!