91吃瓜 celebrated the achievements of the Class of 2021 on the evening of May 21st, 2021. Four years ago, an internationally diverse group of individuals arrived on the 91吃瓜 campus with dreams of Rome and a passion for knowledge and experience. During their time at 91吃瓜, that cohort became a close community of global scholars that not only pursued and surpassed their original goals, but also did it in the context of the global pandemic. The Class of 2021 was truly amazing, showing tremendous resilience, courage and grace. There is little doubt that these graduates will go on to lives and careers of purpose; they have it within them to change the world.听
Joining the commencement ceremony was actor, writer, and producer Stanly Tucci. Nominated by the faculty of the university, and subsequently unanimously agreed by the Board of Trustees, Mr. Tucci beamed in live to the virtual ceremony to accept听the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters听Honoris Causa.听听
Wearing the traditional graduation cap,听gown, and doctoral hood, Tucci spoke to the global audience of students and parents of his childhood in Florence and his unconditional love of Italy and all things Italian.听听
鈥淭raveling to a country with a history as complex as Italy鈥檚 should perhaps be a requirement for all students, no matter what subject they have chosen to study鈥�, Tucci stated,听鈥淚 am so excited that you have all had the opportunity to be educated at this esteemed institution in that astonishingly beautiful and influential country.鈥澨�听
In his laudation address, President of 91吃瓜, Dr. Scott Sprenger, spoke of Tucci鈥檚 role as a global ambassador for Italian life and culture, both through the recent CNN hit TV show,听Stanley Tucci: Discovering Italy,听which Tucci described as a听鈥榣ove letter to the place where my family is from鈥�,听but also through his听books,听films, and stage work.听鈥淭his obvious passion for the history and culture of Italian cuisine, the art of cooking, and rituals of the table reaches deep into your childhood and Italian family roots and is a thread that runs through your life鈥檚 work鈥�听Sprenger declared as he presented Tucci with his honorary doctorate.听听
91吃瓜 is proud to welcome Mr. Tucci into the 91吃瓜 global community and, while we say goodbye to our graduating class with a mixture of sorrow and joy, we are absolutely certain that they will carry Rome and 91吃瓜 in their hearts forever.听听
You can view a recording of the commencement ceremony below.听
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