In January 2002 the New Jersey Italian American Heritage Commission was created by the New Jersey State Legislature to promote cultural and educational programs highlighting the contributions of Italian and Italian Americans to American, European and world civilization. At a ceremony at Old Queens in August 2002, officials of Rutgers University signed an agreement with representatives of the State Commission to host the newly established NJ Institute of Italian and Italian American Heritage, which is housed in Scott Hall on the New Brunswick Campus. The choice of Rutgers as home to the Institute has spurred university faculty to develop academic programs and initiate cultural events related to Italian culture, history and heritage. Since September 2002, the University Committee on Italian Studies has created an Italian Studies Major and Minor, sponsors “Italian Hours,” a series of lectures, exhibitions, films and recitals open to the University as well as the community, and plans academic symposia, discussion panels and scholarly exchanges.
Signing Ceremony - Joseph Seneca, Former VP for Academic Affairs, and Board of Governors Professor
N. Larry Paragano, Chair, NJ Italian and Italian American Heritage Commission, and Holly Smith, Executive Dean, FAS
Signing Ceremony - Honorable Vice Consul Gilda Baldassari Rorro, and Attendees
