“The impetus that led to initiating the Italian-American Club was to focus on all of the contributions, legacy and leadership that the Italian American community has provided for over 150 years in our country,” said Stabile.

The club’s hope this year is to do just that. During October, students collaborated with Stabile to decorate a display case in the main corridor that commemorated the influence of numerous Italian Americans including Constantine Brumidi, the painter of the Capitol building’s rotunda; Mother Cabrini, founder of Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus; and Philip Mazzei, a contributor to the Declaration of Independence.