President Franco Pavoncello Presents Honorary Degree to Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte
From left: President Pavoncello, P.M. Conte, Chairman Salibello
On September 21, 2019, John Cabot University President Franco Pavoncello presented Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte with the degree of Doctor of Public Service, honoris causa. The conferral of the degree took place in a private ceremony in Rome at Palazzo Chigi, seat of the Italian government, in the presence of the JCU Board of Trustees and Vice President and Dean of Academics Mary Merva.
In presenting the honorary degree, President Pavoncello read the following motivation: “Giuseppe Conte, distinguished scholar and academic, renowned student of the Law, prominent statesman and head of government, cherished friend of Cabot University. You have made an important contribution to the democratic life of Italy, and to the promotion of international collaboration and friendship among peoples.”
President Conte said he was honored and grateful for the Doctor honoris causa, and in his remarks he underlined the importance of educating younger generations to international dialogue and to the values of democracy and social responsibility.
After the conferring of the degree, Chairman Salibello presented Prime Minister Conte the John Cabot University Leadership Medal.
Prime Minister Conte with President Pavoncello and JCU Trustees
“This touching ceremony was a special moment in the history of our University, symbolizing the important role our institution has in promoting international dialogue and the friendship between the United States and Italy,” added President Pavoncello.
Before becoming Prime Minister, Giuseppe Conte, who served on the JCU Board of Trustees from 2006 to 2018, was a Professor of Law at the University of Florence. He had been invited to give the Commencement Address to the Class of 2019 last May, but was unable to participate in the ceremony due to unforeseen institutional commitments.
Representing the JCU Board of Trustees at Palazzo Chigi were Chairman Sal Salibello, Vice Chair Frank J. Desiderio, Esq., Vice Chair Dr. Portia Prebys, and Trustees Rosemary Alito, Esq., Comm. Vivian Cardia, Salvatore Davino, Frà John T. Dunlap, Esq., Angelo J. Genova, Esq., Regina A. Lee, Hon. William J. Martini, Carol Maurer, John Meditz, Robert Robotti, Frà Richard Joseph Wolff, and Hon. Frederick Vreeland.
