Tag Archives: National Italian American Foundation

The National Italian American Foundation (NIAF), the premier national organization for Italian Americans, celebrated the rich culture and heritage of Italian Americans during the Foundation’s 37th Anniversary. Dinner Chairman, John Scarpa welcomed thousands of guests from across the United States and Italy to the annual black-tie dinner at the Washington Hilton on October 13, 2012. As the evening’s emcee, Mike Piazza, 12-time MLB All-Star, opened the gala awards ceremony in Italian “Buona Serata” and introduced NIAF President Joseph V. Del Raso, Esq., and the Foundation’s Chief Operating Officer John M. Viola. Together at the podium, they reinforced NIAF’s mission to …

From the dais looking out into the audience of about 1,200 at the NIAF 38th Anniversary Gala in the Washington Hilton Hotel’s International Ballroom, masters of ceremonies Maria Bartiromo and Joe Piscopo told guests how “incredibly delighted” they were to be at the event where so many people were celebrating the heritage, legacy and rich culture of Italian Americans. Bartiromo, the Emmy Award-winning journalist and CNBC Anchor, told a brief story of her family starting with her grandfather coming to America in 1919, then added, “So that is my history and why I’m so proud to be with you because …

The National Italian American Foundation is pleased to announce today a $500,000 grant from the late Ernest L. Pellegri, one of the Foundation’s donors, to the University of Maryland’s Department of Classics. Their project entitled, “Between Washington and Ancient Rome: The NIAF Pellegri Program on Roman Antiquity and Its Legacy in America,” was selected to receive the NIAF Ernest Pellegri Grant to support the study of Latin, ancient Roman archeology, and ancient Roman civilization; and to offer opportunities for students to study abroad, conduct research, and pursue fellowships in the United States and Italy. “NIAF Chairman Joseph V. Del Raso, …