A new chapter in Italian American cultural and educational cooperation began on October 25, 2026, with the opening of the Ferrucci Institute House at Chapman University in Orange, California. The ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrated an important milestone for the Ferrucci Institute for Italian Experience and Research, strengthening its mission to promote Italian culture, creativity, and intellectual heritage in the United States.
The inauguration coincided with the Week of the Italian Language in the World, highlighting the university’s commitment to international education and cultural exchange.
The Institute owes much of its development to the generosity of the Italian American community. The Ferrucci family contributed $1.5 million to establish the Institute, inspired by Gabriele Ferrucci, an Italian immigrant whose successful career in the automotive and aerospace industries reflected his dedication to education and opportunity.
This philanthropic tradition began in 2007, when Paul and Marybelle Musco supported Italian Studies with a $1 million endowment. Another $500,000 followed in 2018 to expand educational opportunities in Italy. In 2021, Chapman University President Daniele Struppa contributed $1 million to establish the Bernardino Telesio Professorship in Italian Studies.
Under the leadership of Professor Federico Pacchioni, the Ferrucci Institute has developed interdisciplinary programs connecting Italian language, history, science, art, and innovation.
The new House provides a dedicated setting for conversations, research, and collaboration among students, scholars, artists, and community leaders.
More than a university facility, it represents the enduring contribution of Italian Americans to education and the growing cultural partnership between Italy and the United States.
