Italian student awarded $3000 scholarship for study abroad

The Italian program is pleased to announce that the recipient of this year’s Gloria Friedgen Scholarship is our distinguished student Marcella Finelli. Marcella is a junior double majoring in Italian Studies and Education.

The Italian program is pleased to announce that the recipient of this year’s Gloria Friedgen Scholarship is our distinguished student Marcella Finelli. Marcella is a junior double majoring in Italian Studies and Education. The Gloria Friedgen Scholarship is a great contribution for students pursuing a career in education to deepen their knowledge of the language through a full-immersion training abroad. The award is dedicated in particular to those students planning to become teachers of Italian.

The Italian program, in collaboration with the College of Education, has an ongoing partnership with the Università per Stranieri in Perugia, Italy. Perugia is a flourishing Italian town with a stunning medieval city center, art museums, and a cosmopolitan community of international students. Marcella will spend there the Spring semester 2022. The scholarship will serve as a contribution to her time abroad. In Marcella’s words: “I am very grateful to have received this award as it will allow me to pursue my passion for teaching Italian through my study abroad experience.” 

Mrs. Friedgen, wife of former University of Maryland’s football coach Ralph Friedgen, established this scholarship to honor her Italian heritage. Previously, two recent graduates of the Italian program, Maria LaVerghetta and Ruth Santiago, who are currently teaching Italian in the State of Maryland, were recipients of the scholarship that helped them to fulfill their dream to study in Italy. 

The faculty in the Italian program are thrilled for Marcella and invite you all to join them in congratulating her for this important achievement, which marks the beginning of an unforgettable experience.

Photo caption: Marcella Finelli, ’23, double major in Italian and Education