March 28, 2018

Mr. Inserra Renews His Gift to Italian and Italian American Studies

Posted in: Inserra

From right: Mr. Lawrence R. Inserra Jr., President Cole, Ms. Lindsay Inserra, Dr. Teresa Fiore

Mr. Lawrence R. Inserra Jr., one of the most established business people in New Jersey and a major supporter of education, research, and community engagement, has pledged an additional gift for the Theresa and Lawrence R. Inserra Endowed Chair in Italian and Italian American Studies on campus. Created in 2009, the Endowed Chair is named after his parents. The holder of the Chair has been Dr. Teresa Fiore since 2011.

In Fall 2017, Mr. Inserra was officially thanked in the course of a beautiful dinner organized by the University Advancement office, hosted in the state-of-the-art kitchen of University Hall, and prepared by MSU students under the guidance of faculty. Attendees included President Cole; members of the Board of Trustees (Mr. Inserra himself is one of them) such as Rose Cali; officers from the University Advancement unit such as Jack Shannon; distinguished campus leaders such as Dennis Bone (Feliciano Center for Entrepreneurship); as well as professors from the Italian Program and the College of Education, among others.

CHSS Dean Friedman highlighted the impact of the Inserras’ gift to the College, and select students who have been assigned Inserra scholarships (Emma Rush and Rosanna Coviello) were also present.

The dinner celebrated Mr. Inserra and his daughter Lindsey for being so committed to education and service on our campus in different capacities (from food donations to the campus pantry to general scholarships) but primarily in the fields of Italian and Italian American Studies, as illustrated in the formal presentation given that evening by Dr. Fiore about the activities made possible by the Inserra Endowment. It is for the further growth and promotion of these fields that the Inserra family renewed their pledge by adding $540,000 and $30,000 in scholarships for internships to the existing endowment. This is a clear sign of further commitment to disciplines that are dear to Mr. Inserra in connection to the Italian origin of his parents. The regular activities offered through the Endowed Chair – from cultural events to academic projects, educational initiatives, and student internships – have ensured that their legacy and the Inserra family’s admirable generosity and accomplishments are acknowledged at the national and international levels.