Have you ever wanted to travel to Italy to experience the culture, the beauty and absorb the ancient history of the city? The opportunity is now here, thanks to the Marybelle and Sebastian P. Musco Endowment for Travel Courses in Italian Studies.

Marybelle and Sebastian P. Musco

Marybelle and Sebastian P. Musco.

Marybelle and Sebastian P. Musco have been supporting Chapman programs, such as Dodge College of Film and Media Arts, Leatherby Libraries and The Rodgers Center for Holocaust Education, for many years. Their generosity and commitment to Italian Studies within the World Languages and Cultures Department of Wilkinson College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences will give students the opportunity to travel to Italy and explore and research some amazing cities, such as Rome, Florence and the Gulf at Naples. Travel courses are an integral part of a student’s college experience. The years spent in college, more than any other time in a person’s life, allow for the possibility to explore, learn, engage, and be adventurous.

“This new endowment will significantly reduce the cost of travel classes for Italian Studies at Chapman, and ensure that all deserving students can participate in our travel courses in Italy,” said Dr. Federico Pacchioni, the Sebastian Paul and Marybelle Musco Chair in Italian. “Because of this new level of support, our travel course program will grow in prestige and quality. Our already rich program, which currently includes language-immersion as well as research intensive courses in four different locations in Italy, will further expand in range and depth,” he said.

This generous endowment will potentially cover travel course fees, room and board, books, course materials, air fare, and travel expenses. Exact amounts are determined by the Chair of Italian Studies in collaboration with the Financial Aid Office. To receive these awards, students will have to apply through an application process that is underway, but for now, if students are interested in learning more, a simple email to Dr. Pacchioni is suggested.

“Thanks to their [Marybelle and Sebastian Musco] tremendous leadership and the hard work and dedication of Dr. Pacchioni, the Italian Studies program has gained regional and national prominence. Their newly established endowment of travel courses in Italian Studies will allow Dr. Pacchioni and his students to experience and to explore the linguistic and cultural diversity of Italy. The endowment will empower students to become inquiring, ethical and productive global citizens,” said Dr. John F. Boitano Chair of the Department of World Languages and Cultures.

Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, students will have to wait a little longer to fulfill their dreams of travel to Italy, but do not despair, the means have been established and the opportunities will soon become a reality.

“The establishment of this new endowment marks a historical moment for Italian Studies at Chapman. This endowment will have many ripple effects, benefiting immensely our students and their families, the Italian Studies program, the university as a whole, and facilitating the construction of the bridge with Italy,” said Dr. Pacchioni.