Two Italian students have been recently awarded scholarships from the Italian Language Foundation, a non-for-profit organization who's mission is to promote and sustain Italian language education in the United States and across the world. The Italian Language Foundation recognizes the value of learning Italian in a variety of cultural and economic areas, including international trade and banking, fashion, business and the arts, to mention a few. 

Elyse Cano, who studied abroad in Rome, graduated from the U of A and recently returned to add an Italian major, is the recipient of the Claire Gaudiani Memorial Fellowship. In order to be eligible for the Gaudini Fellowship, the student must be enrolled in a college Italian language course, together with other academic courses. The fellowship is $1,000, renewable for three years. 

Upon being selected, Cano said, "I am beyond grateful and excited to have received the Claire Gaudiani Memorial Fellowship. With this fellowship, I will not only be able to cover the financial investment for my classes, but I have also felt a new boost of confidence to continue my education in Italian studies. Throughout my time with the Italian program, I have fostered a great love and appreciation for the language and culture, so I am honored to have been recognized for this award. I would like to thank my professors throughout the years who have shown me endless support that I will forever be grateful for." 

Lilian "Lily" Crawford received the Fred Kuwornu Fellowship. Kuwornu, who has been a guest at the U of A twice, most recently this spring as a guest of the Department of Art History, Italian, and Medieval and Renaissance Studies, is a filmmaker and scholar on Black Italy. This fellowship is intended to promote the study of Italian to diverse student populations. Crawford has studied abroad at the U of A's Rome Center and is an Italian minor. The fellowship is $1,000 and is also renewable for three years. These fellowships are awarded at the national level. Students must have a letter of nomination by an Italian professor, have a letter of reference from a member of the Italian Language Foundation, have a letter from a volunteer organization, write a blog entry "describing [their] experience studying Italian, traveling to Italy, visiting Italian art exhibits, concerts, restaurants, specialty markets, etc.", provide a transcript and proof of enrollment in an Italian course.