Dr. Carla E. Lucente has been named by the Italian Heritage Society of America (IHSA) as its first-ever Woman of the Year. Lucente, professor and chair of modern languages and literatures at Duquesne University, is the honorary consul of Italy in Pittsburgh.
“I’m deeply honored to be the first-ever woman to receive this award,” said Lucente. “Italy has always been, and will always be, close to my heart. I am so fortunate to have had the wonderful opportunity to spend my career teaching students a language and a culture that I so dearly love.”
The IHSA presents the award annually to an outstanding Italian-American who has made significant contributions to the preservation and promotion of Italian culture. According to the IHSA, Lucente received the prestigious honor for “her commitment to education, her uncompromising support to Italian-Americans in Pittsburgh, and for her efficiency and professionalism in the handling of consular matters.”
Lucente has served as chair of modern languages and literatures for 10 years and was the first woman to receive Duquesne University’s President’s Award for Excellence. She is the only woman to be presented with the award more than once. She is co-founder and director of the Western Pennsylvania Symposium on World Literatures, and has chaired and lectured at several academic conferences throughout the world.
As honorary consul of Italy, a post in which she has served since November of 1999, Lucente represents the Italian government both in Western Pennsylvania and West Virginia. In this capacity, she assists Italian-Americans and Italian citizens with various issues from passports, work permits and citizenship to business and trade support. She is instrumental in fostering relationships between Italian companies and local and state community leaders.
“Dr. Lucente’s dedication to promote and preserve the Italian language and culture is matched only by her commitment to education,” said Sergio Vento, ambassador of Italy to the United States. “I applaud Dr. Lucente’s efforts to establish programs to teach and promote the Italian language, and for her capable direction and leadership of the Honorary Consulate of Pittsburgh.”
“I consider it a true privilege to be able to serve the local Italian community as honorary consul,” added Lucente, who has served as an official interpreter during visits by heads of state and in court proceedings. “I will continue to do my best to live up to this wonderful honor and to serve the Italian community to the best of my abilities.”
Lucente, who is a member of nearly every Italian-American organization, resides in Coraopolis, Pa.
Duquesne University
Duquesne is a private, coeducational university offering an extensive selection of undergraduate and graduate degree programs across 10 schools of study. Duquesne is consistently ranked among the nation's top Catholic universities for its award-winning faculty and 125-year tradition of academic excellence. |
