An Honor I Am Pleased to Accept

But let's be sure we give recognition to the brave ones

“Dr. Ed, we want to induct you into The Rhode Italian/American Hall of Fame (RIIAHF).” I paused for longer than usual when Joe Rocco, its President, called.

“You must be kidding, Joe. My initial reaction is to say No. And for several reasons, not the least of which is that I have had enough recognition. And your inductees, from what I have seen from past events, are intimidating.”

“Give it some thought. Let’s have lunch.” Joe told me of the accomplishments of his organization on behalf of students. They were impressive.

I gave it much thought, even experiencing a few nights of fitful sleep.  Needing to learn more about the organization. I went to their rather robust website that oozed accomplishment and pride.

The Rhode Island Italian American Hall of Fame is a nonprofit organization that honors prominent and accomplished individuals who have succeeded at the highest levels in their respective fields. In addition, they help young people.

Become a member of RIIAHF

Since 1987, over $500,000 in scholarship money has been awarded to deserving young Rhode Islanders from all ethnic backgrounds who further their education as a result of the largess of faithful supporters.

They award scholarships on academic merit, athletic achievements, extracurricular involvement, community service, and financial need to high school seniors entering the first year of college. The scholarships are awarded regardless of race, color or creed.

Furthermore, their goal is to inform and educate our youth regarding the importance of academics, athletics, and the field of artistic expression and community leadership. As a longtime educator, I appreciated this.

I looked at the logo of the organization.

It is a reproduction of a rendering that is part of the Redwood Library; a depiction in the 1569 Venetian treatise on architecture by Sebastiano Serlio: De Architectura Libri Quinque.

Sebastiano Serlio was born in 1475 in Bologna and died in 1554 in Fontainebleau, France. He was an Italian Mannerist architect, painter, and theorist who wrote the influential architecture treatise “Tutte l'opere d'architettura, et prospetiva 1537–75; Complete Works on Architecture and Perspective.”

The logo depicts some of the column types one might choose when designing a building according to the 16th-century Italian style, one employed in several Newport buildings.

The objective of the RIIAHF logo was to accent the nexus between some of the most identifiable visual cultural works from Italy seen in everyday life and of some of the most renowned architecture in the United States, located here in our state. How thoughtful.

And here is something particularly important to me and many others with strong ethnic backgrounds. They acknowledge the universal cultural nourishment realized via our Italian American roots.

Also important was the number of scholarships they have given over the years to top-notch students; recognizing them with due credit at the award ceremony. I liked that.

I thought a bit more and concluded that I was not the one worthy of such an award. In addition to those for whom we look to the future, I believe the worthiest ones were those who made it possible for me; my humble, proud hard-working immigrant grandparents who took an enormous chance by coming to America, and my parents who sustained the tradition. They gave me the opportunity.

“Joe, OK, I’ll accept for them.” His treating me to lunch at The Old Canteen, a Federal Hill institution, may have helped my decision, but not by much.

So, the event is on Saturday, November 2^nd at The Vets in Providence. I am being honored with Joe Andruzzi and Admiral Lisa Franchetti. How very fortunate I am.

To say I am a bit intimidated and nervous would be an understatement.

Come along. It will be an exciting evening.

LINK FOR TICKETS