At the Italian House of Representatives, four American B.A. students from JCU were awarded for their exceptional academic careers in Italy by the prestigious Foundation Italy-USA. 

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By Vittoria Caroli / Matthew staff and Lily Hearn / Matthew staff || Edited by Sara Segat

The Matthew got the immense opportunity to witness the award ceremony for the 23^rd edition of the Premio America, as four John Cabot University students were awarded medals of the Italian House of Representatives (Camera dei Deputati) among renowned personalities at its latest edition in Rome on Friday, Oct. 6. 

The honorarium these four JCU students received represents an essential gain and historical recognition for the JCU community. They prove how significant and appreciated the commitment of the university has been. Indeed, John Cabot University’s mission is “to provide an educational experience firmly rooted in the American tradition of the liberal arts and solidly international in orientation,” and it does it in the heart of Italy, which automatically leads to the bonding of the two countries. 

The medals of the House of Representatives received by the JCU delegation are promoted by the Foundation Italy-USA. Every year, the Foundation and JCU itself select four American citizens studying in Italy and award them for their hard work and dedication to their studies and academic careers. This year, the accomplished JCU students were Ellie Rose Branson, B.A. Economics and Finance; Lorenzo Emmanuel Di Franco-Cascone, B.A. International Affairs; Christopher James Schwarten, B.A. Italian Studies; and Elizabeth Thorpe, B.A. Art History. The American students honored were accompanied by JCU Dean of Academic Affairs Stefano Arnone. Whilst receiving the silver awards at the front of the House of Representatives auditorium, all four students regarded being thrilled and thankful to be recipients of such an auspicious occasion. 

The Foundation Italy-USA’s Premio America yearly ceremony not only awards the medals of the House of Representatives to four deserving current American students but also several prestigious American Awards (Premi America). These American Awards represent recognition for the most prestigious international personalities and the most exceptional graduates selected from a number of Italian Universities. Most of these graduates will also achieve a full scholarship to access the online exclusive Master in “Leadership for International Relations and the Made in Italy” promoted by the Foundation Italy-USA. This grant pursues the objective of helping thousands of students facilitate their international career paths, trying to introduce them to the workplace in the best way possible.

Following the Italian students, many prestigious personalities were awarded the American Awards for their contributions to the alliance between the United States of America and Italy. The first figure who received the recognition was Portuguese politician, lobbyist, and university professor Josuè Manuel Barroso. He has been Prime Minister of Portugal, President of the European Commission from 2004 to 2014, and now the non-executive chairman and advisor of Goldman Sachs. During the acceptance speech, he underlined the importance of reinforcing cooperation in NATO. Moreover, the politician emphasized the need to defend our values in order to achieve respect for each other’s rights. To conclude, he explained that “relations between states are not exclusively based on governments, but also on society.”  

The next prominent character under the spotlight was Angelica Krystle Donati, Head of Business Development of Donati S.p.A. and CEO of Donati Immobiliare Group. Donati is a young entrepreneur in the construction industry and the President of ANCE Giovani, the Italian association of young building contractors and real estate developers focusing on sustainability. Yet, as she explained, the association’s sustainable goals are not only environmental but also economic, and consequently, she intends to help the youth build their path in the greenest and smartest way possible. She is also a member of the Corporate Advisory Board for the Executive MBA program organized by POLIMI’s Graduate School of Management in collaboration with John Cabot University. 

The following figure awarded was Francesca Fagnani, who started as a journalist in New York City. After witnessing the 9/11 tragedy, Fagnani recounted finding herself “in the middle of history.” She remembered the solidarity that radiated throughout the United States and the world and called it “a lesson of love.” This resilience inspired her to pursue a career in journalism, and she is now a renowned Italian television presenter. 

Next was the infamous American actor, Ronn Moss. Known internationally for his interpretation of Ridge Forrester in Beautiful, this celebrity has also obtained many other successes, such as seven nominations to the Soap Opera Digest Awards. The Californian actor dedicated various years of his life to music and gained several recognitions in that field as well. His profound connection to the country of Italy has induced him to record the notorious Sergio Endrigo’s song “Io Che Amo Solo Te” and to move to Apulia, in the southern part of the Italian peninsula.  

Proceeding with the nominees, the following figure who received an award was dedicated an asteroid – 37627 Lucaparmitano – and boasts the record of extravehicular permanency in space, with 6 hours and 7 minutes of spacewalk. He is Luca Parmitano. He is colonel of the Italian Aviation, with 2000 flight hours in his pockets. His bond with the United States dates back to his high school years, as he has been an exchange student in California for a year.  

Shifting to a distinct field, another remarkable personality who deserved the 2023 American Award was Stefano Pontecorvo, NATO’s Senior Civilian Representative in Afghanistan. While being awarded, he explained that during the strenuous operation in Afghanistan, the help of the United States was precious and fundamental to overcome such a tremendous situation, which he narrated in his book “The Last Airplane from Kabul.” Pontecorvo has been Diplomatic Advisor to the Defense Minister from 2013 to 2015, and until 2020, he worked as an Italian ambassador in Afghanistan.  

Afterwards, it was the turn of Jean Todt, a remarkable personality in the world of cars. He has been manager of the Scuderia Ferrari in Formula 1 and CEO of the Ferrari SpA. Since 2015, Todt has held the role of ONU Special Correspondent for road security. 

Another figure recognized as a valid awardee was the female Italian orchestra director Beatrice Venezi. Her passion for music drives her work’s objective: making people fall in love with classical music. Her attachment to the United States is explained by the fact that her major inspiration is the American compositor and orchestra director Leonard Bernstein and that she directed a series of shows in the States back in 2019. In 2024, a few US cities will host her musical ensemble for the centenary of Giacomo Puccini’s death.  

Following, a memorial award was given to the late Carlo Rambaldi, an Oscar-winning Italian special effects artist. Rambaldi paved the way for an artistic, cultural, and cinematic connection between the United States and Italy. 

Last but certainly not least to be honored was the cook, restaurateur, and entrepreneur, Davide Oldani, who received the last American Award of the evening. He is most recognized for creating “pop” cuisine and his starred restaurant D’O. He explained that food is the only culture that everyone across the world shares and even described working in a kitchen as a “human responsibility.” It is valuable to upkeep these human connections, as Oldani expressed, in order for culture to withstand.

As the ceremony concluded, the four award-winning John Cabot University students were asked questions regarding their hopes for the future of the connection between Italy and the USA, as well as the rest of the world. Honored guests Ellie Rose Branson and Lorenzo Emmanuel Di Franco-Cascone both remarked their hopes for “increased and strong allyship” between Italy and the United States. In addition, Ellie Rose Branson and Christopher James Swartzen underlined how much John Cabot University, in the heart of the capital of Italy, contributed to making them the people they are today, thanks to the tight relationship between the two countries that represents one of the significant strengths of the university.