Co-chair Anthony Fornelli, publisher of Fra Noi, and I have been spearheading this new Committee ever since Loyola President and CEO Fr. Michael Garanzini offered to provide a 100 percent match if the Chicago Italian community could raise $500,000.  The objective is to endow a professorship dedicated to teaching, researching, publishing, and conducting community outreach focused on the history and culture of Italians in America.  This opportunity will create a seat at the academic table at a major international university focused for the epic story of our immigrant forebears, and for us. 

We’re halfway there! We started about a year ago; and the first nine months were really challenging, but year-end donations in 2013 brought us within striking distance of our $500,000 goal.   Counting both gifts received and solid pledges, the committee has raised a little more than $300,000.  Said Fornelli, “When we get the next $200,000, that will leverage the University’s $500,000----We can’t afford NOT to do this!”

Endowments at universities typically support teaching and research specialties that might not ordinarily be funded through the university’s budget.  The funds to pay the professor in the designated discipline accrue from the investment of the endowment. The principle is never spent, and the endowed professorship lasts in perpetuity.

The project has already attracted some high-level attention: the Committee was lucky to get stand-up comedian Tom Dreesen to record a 3 minute You Tube video explaining the project (www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmBT3vDfXv0).  Emilio Morrone, a recent Loyola alumnus, produced the clip, which has been seen on the Internet thousands of times.

The biggest surprise came when an anonymous couple contacted the Committee in December, 2013.  He was immigrant boy from Puglia to Chicago in the late 1940s who received a Jesuit education before serving in Vietnam.  His wife is a professional and also a writer.  Together they donated $100,000 and signed a pledge for an equal donation in 2014. He quoted his mother, who only had a 4th grade education: "Education is the most important, son, it's for your future."  The memory of her wise words led him to invest in the project. Another anonymous donor of $10,000 is also of Pugliese origin and came to Chicago as a teenager in the 1950s.

The committee pitched in by identifying donors and soliciting contributions.  A few of the most outstanding examples include:  Anthony Fornelli, who pledged $25,000 for 2014; Leonard Amari publicized the project in the Justinian Newsletter, in addition to making a personal donation; Ron Lucarini (President), and Rick and Randall Doggett of the Marchigiana Society in Chicago Heights, brought in a $5,000 donation. The Amaseno Society of Chicago Heights made a similar pledge. The Chicago Heights OSIA #1430 contributed $1,000 as did SACA---the Sicilian American Cultural Association.   The donor list includes a number of the most prestigious people and corporations in Chicago.

Thomas Volini, descendant of the distinguished Chicago family of doctors, teachers, and leaders going back to the 1890s, has been rallying his family and friends for donations large and small. Senatore Renato Turano posted letters to dozens of his contacts.  Committee members generated thousands of web messages, stressing the need to preserve Italian American culture, that no gift was too small or too large and, that we owed it to our ancestors.  Said one volunteer, “I really believe in this project.”

What’s next?  Consultants from the East Coast and from Unico National who have conducted similar campaigns predict that having a major donor will lend credibility to the campaign, and that those who have been waiting on the sidelines will jump on the bandwagon---and unite to help the campaign reach its goal of raising $500,000.  As one Committee member added, “If everyone in the Italian Community will contribute a little, we will raise a lot and reach our goal by the Fourth of July!”

For donations and information contact Stephanie Tomakowski, LUC Annual Giving, 820 N. Michigan Ave. Suite 1612, Chicago, IL 60611.  Call Stephanie at 312.915.7361; email[email protected].  Checks should be written to Loyola University Chicago with “Italian American Studies” in the memo line.  Online donations with credit card can be made atwww.LUC.edu/italianamerican/ .  You can visit the Facebook page entitled “Campaign for Italian American Studies at Loyola.”  Candeloro may be reached at [email protected] 847-951-9109.nthony Fornelli, publisher of Fra Noi, have been spearheading this new Committee ever since Loyola President and CEO Fr. Michael Garanzini offered to provide a 100 percent match if the Chicago Italian community could raise $500,000.  The objective is to endow a professorship dedicated to teaching, researching, publishing, and conducting community outreach focused on the history and culture of Italians in America.  This opportunity will create a seat at the academic table at a major international university focused for the epic story of our immigrant forebears, and for us. 

“We’re halfway there!” exclaimed Candeloro.  “We started about a year ago; and the first nine months were really challenging, but year-end donations in 2013 brought us within striking distance of our $500,000 goal. “   Counting both gifts received and solid pledges, the committee has raised a little more than $300,000.  Said Fornelli, “When we get the next $200,000, that will leverage the University’s $500,000----We can’t afford NOT to do this!” 

Endowments at universities typically support teaching and research specialties that might not ordinarily be funded through the university’s budget.  The funds to pay the professor in the designated discipline accrue from the investment of the endowment. The principle is never spent, and the endowed professorship lasts in perpetuity.

The project has already attracted some high-level attention: the Committee was lucky to get stand-up comedian Tom Dreesen to record a 3 minute You Tube video explaining the project (www.youtube.com/watch?v=HmBT3vDfXv0).  Emilio Morrone, a recent Loyola alumnus, produced the clip, which has been seen on the Internet thousands of times.

The biggest surprise came when an anonymous couple contacted the Committee in December, 2013.  He was immigrant boy from Puglia to Chicago in the late 1940s who received a Jesuit education before serving in Vietnam.  His wife is a professional and also a writer.  Together they donated $100,000 and signed a pledge for an equal donation in 2014. He quoted his mother, who only had a 4th grade education: "Education is the most important, son, it's for your future."  The memory of her wise words led him to invest in the project. Another anonymous donor of $10,000 is also of Pugliese origin and came to Chicago as a teenager in the 1950s.

The committee pitched in by identifying donors and soliciting contributions.  A few of the most outstanding examples include:  Anthony Fornelli, who pledged $25,000 for 2014; Leonard Amari publicized the project in the Justinian Newsletter, in addition to making a personal donation; Ron Lucarini (President), and Rick and Randall Doggett of the Marchigiana Society in Chicago Heights, brought in a $5,000 donation. The Amaseno Society of Chicago Heights made a similar pledge. The Chicago Heights OSIA #1430 contributed $1,000 as did SACA---the Sicilian American Cultural Association.   The donor list includes a number of the most prestigious people and corporations in Chicago.

Thomas Volini, descendant of the distinguished Chicago family of doctors, teachers, and leaders going back to the 1890s, has been rallying his family and friends for donations large and small. Senatore Renato Turano posted letters to dozens of his contacts.  Committee members generated thousands of web messages, stressing the need to preserve Italian American culture, that no gift was too small or too large and, that we owed it to our ancestors.  Said one volunteer, “I really believe in this project.”

What’s next?  Consultants from the East Coast and from Unico National who have conducted similar campaigns predict that having a major donor will lend credibility to the campaign, and that those who have been waiting on the sidelines will jump on the bandwagon---and unite to help the campaign reach its goal of raising $500,000.  As one Committee member added, “If everyone in the Italian Community will contribute a little, we will raise a lot and reach our goal by the Fourth of July!”

For donations and information contact Stephanie Tomakowski, LUC Annual Giving, 820 N. Michigan Ave. Suite 1612, Chicago, IL 60611.  Call Stephanie at 312.915.7361; email [email protected].  Checks should be written to Loyola University Chicago with “Italian American Studies” in the memo line.  Online donations with credit card can be made at www.LUC.edu/italianamerican/ .  You can visit the Facebook page entitled “Campaign for Italian American Studies at Loyola.”  Candeloro may be reached at [email protected] 847-951-9109.