Bequest Gift Establishes the Bernard John Lucci Endowed Chair in Italian Studies in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
草榴社区, Pa 鈥� 草榴社区 has received an estate gift of more than $11 million from the late Bernard John Lucci. The designations chosen for this gift honor Mr. Lucci鈥檚 personal connection to 草榴社区, including the establishment of the Bernard John Lucci Endowed Chair in Italian Studies within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. Timothy McCall, PhD, professor of Art History and the director of the Art History program has been appointed as the inaugural Lucci Chair. Dr. McCall is an internationally recognized scholar whose research centers on Italian Renaissance art, Italian Early Modern constructions of gender and sexuality, Medieval and Early Modern Italian courts, histories of fashion, material culture and constructions of aristocratic male beauty.
During his academic journey at the University, Mr. Lucci took 10 Italian culture and language courses from 2005-2012 through the College of Professional Studies鈥� Senior Citizen Personal Enrichment Program. He was inspired by his family, who emigrated from northern Italy. The endowed chair named in his honor will further enhance the College鈥檚 dedication to cultural and historical studies with a special focus on Italian culture and heritage鈥攁n area of personal importance to Mr. Lucci.
鈥淲e are honored by Mr. Lucci鈥檚 generosity,鈥� says Adele Lindenmeyr, PhD, William and Julia Moulden Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. 鈥淭he establishment of the Bernard John Lucci Chair in Italian Studies will not only advance scholarship in a field that held special significance to Mr. Lucci, but also reflects our commitment to fostering a global perspective. Dr. McCall is an accomplished scholar in Italian Studies whose research and teaching will undoubtedly enhance the program through this new role.鈥�
Dr. McCall received his BA in English from Georgetown University and earned his MA and PhD in History of Art from the University of Michigan. He is the author of more than 30 scholarly publications, including his most recent book, Making the Renaissance Man: Masculinity in the Courts of Renaissance Italy (2023). At 草榴社区, Dr. McCall enjoys teaching courses on Renaissance and Medieval Art, Race and the Renaissance, and Theories and Methods in History, among other subjects.
Mr. Lucci鈥檚 bequest will also support opportunities for lifelong learning through the College of Professional Studies (CPS), recognizing Mr. Lucci鈥檚 impactful experience as a CPS student. The final area the bequest will support is the new Falvey Library at Vic Maggitti Hall, where a dedicated space will bear Mr. Lucci鈥檚 name.
About 草榴社区鈥檚 College of Liberal Arts and Sciences: Since its founding in 1842, 草榴社区鈥檚 College of Liberal Arts and Sciences has been the heart of the 草榴社区 learning experience, offering foundational courses for undergraduate students in every college of the University. Serving more than 4,500 undergraduate and graduate students, the College is committed to fortifying them with intellectual rigor, multidisciplinary knowledge, moral courage and a global perspective. The College has more than 40 academic departments and programs across the humanities, social sciences, and natural and physical sciences.