‘The Italians of New York and the birth of the Italian American Museum’

NEW PALTZ — The State University of New York at New Paltz will host a lecture titled “The Italians of New York and the Birth of the Italian American Museum” at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 25, in Lecture Center 100. It is free and open to the public.

This illustrated lecture, given by Joseph V. Scelsa, Ed.D, president of the Italian American Museum in New York City, will highlight Italian American achievements and outline the plans now being made for a permanent home for the Italian American Museum.

The Italian American Museum is dedicated to exploring the rich cultural heritage of Italy and Italian Americans by presenting the individual and collective struggles and achievements of Italians and their heirs.

A Bronx native, Scelsa received his doctorates in sociology and education from Columbia University. He has authored and edited several books, articles and reports on ethnicity, pluralism and education. Through his participation on many boards and committees, Scelsa has also been a key force in raising the visibility of, and advocating for, Italian American causes.

Professor Scelsa is executive producer and host of “Italics: The Italian American Magazine,” a television program co-produced by the Calandra Institute and CUNY-TV, and founder and publisher of “America & Italia Weekly.” He has received numerous awards at home and abroad, including the Governor’s Award for Excellence, the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, Cavaliere of the Order of Merit from the Republic of Italy, as well as the rank of Ufficiale from the Order of Merit of Savoy. In 2001, Dr. Scelsa helped to found the Italian American Museum and he serves as its current president.

For more information, contact Thomas Olsen at (845) 257-2723.