2018-19 Columbian Foundation Scholarship Awarded to Francesca Oliveri

The Inserra Chair in Italian and Italian American Studies, along with the Italian Program at Montclair State University and the MSU Foundation, is pleased to announce that Francesca Anna Oliveri, an Italian major at Montclair State University, was selected as the winner of the 2018-19 scholarship offered by the Columbian Foundation to a new major in the Italian Program.

With a father from Sicily and a mother from the Philippines, Francesca grew up hearing both Italian and Tagalog, but focused on learning Italian, along with English. In High School she thus skipped Italian 1 and was able to take the AP exam as a Junior. She travels to Italy every other year and tries to implement the Italian language as much as she can in her daily routine. Although Francesca is not sure about her exact career path, she is considering teaching. Only less than two semesters into her experience on campus, she claims that “enrolling in the Italian program at Montclair State University has been an excellent step towards her future”. With her passion for languages and traveling, she is determined to study and work abroad. For the summer 2019 she is trying to secure an internship in Italy in the field of teaching.

“It is a pleasure to see the continuous support of the Columbian Foundation, especially for a scholarship that encourages students to choose Italian as a major and to take advantage of the great opportunities offered to our students. The Columbian Foundation understands the importance of defraying the rising costs of education and thus helping students in their complex and exciting endeavors in today’s society,” stated Dr. Teresa Fiore, Inserra Chair. “Francesca Oliveri’s trajectory as a transfer student from Bergen Community College in her first year on campus is a reminder of how inclusive and rewarding the Italian program can be towards well-prepared and committed students. This is a much deserved recognition that will help Francesca support her study and experience in Italy.”

For the sixth year in a row, the Columbian Foundation has renewed a generous $2,000 donation via the Inserra Chair in Italian and Italian American Studies (see articles about previous donations: 2017-18, 2016-17, 2015-16, 2014-15 and 2013-14).