USCA scholarship covers study in Italy
Partners in Friendship (PIF), an Aiken organization dedicated to international cultural enrichment and appreciation, has announced the creation of a permanently endowed scholarship at USC Aiken to fund international study in Italy.
The Valentini/Partners In Friendship Endowed Scholarship Fund has been established "to honor the life, talents and contributions of world-renowned Italian artist Livio Orazio Valentini," said Dr. Robert Alexander, chair of the scholarship committee and a former USCA chancellor. "Valentini passed away in July 2008 at the age of 87 and was the heart and soul of the sister-city partnership between Aiken and Orvieto, Italy," Alexander said.
As part of the cities' relationship, Valentini visited Aiken several times and PIF members often visited Orvieto. During Alexander's tenure as chancellor, USCA hosted a major art exhibit of Valentini's and the artist served as a visiting professor on campus. Today, some of his pieces reside in the campus' Etherredge Center, including an abstract painting and sculpture titled "Galassia," which is interpreted as Italian for "galaxy." This was the largest piece ever created by Valentini and was commissioned by the university.
The Valentini/Partners In Friendship Endowed Scholarship is initially being funded by a $40,000 gift from PIF. Alexander said the organization hopes to encourage others to contribute to the fund, with the goal of achieving a $100,000 level.
Scholarship committee member Dr. Elizabeth Benton said, "We had a long-lasting friendship with Livio Valentini. He was instrumental in Aiken's establishment of the partnership with Orvieto. As members of Partners in Friendship, we are honored to contribute to a scholarship in his memory."
The scholarship will be awarded to students in their sophomore or junior year of study to fund a semester or summer of study at a college or university in Italy, preferably in the greater Orvieto/Umbria area.
"This scholarship will further the education of deserving USCA students," said PIF board Chairman Ernest Squarzini, "while recognizing the many and varied contributions of Livio Valentini to the USCA arts community. This is a natural extension of Partners in Friendship's long-time facilitation of high school student exchanges - between Aiken and Orvieto, Italy."
George Custodi, co-founder with Valentini of PIF and the partnership, further explained, "This scholarship is a culmination of many years of efforts. Valentini was a great influence in the artistic community of Aiken and at USC Aiken, and I'm so pleased that we're able to do this."
USCA Chancellor, Dr. Tom Hallman, said the scholarship will be most helpful by permitting students to experience a country and culture other than their own.
"Studying abroad gives students a tremendous opportunity to learn," Hallman said. "It will be wonderful for one of our students to study art in the same environment that inspired Mr. Valentini. Through this generous scholarship, his memory will also live through today's students," concluded Hallman.
According to Custodi, several Aiken-area residents developed friendships with Valentini over the years, and many have collected his art. In February, the university will host a reception in hopes of encouraging interested persons to contribute to the scholarship.