Tom Dreesen explains the need for including Italian American studies in the university curriculum. Memory of the Italian immigrant experience is fading fast and the only way to capture that slice of Italian and American history is serious study and teaching university level teaching, research and writing about the epic struggles and the remarkable success of Italians in America in the 20th Century. Dreesen explains Loyola Pres. Fr. Michael Garanzini ‘s generous offer of a $500,000 match to create a permanent, endowed position at Loyola devoted to Italian Americana. As Dreesen concludes, “once the money is raised, it will stay raised, providing a permanent seat of learning at a major university that will preserve OUR story.”
Chicago Catholic Immigrants Conference
