Photographs by Francesco Guazzelli
On October 19, 2023 Syracuse Florence alumnus Daniel D’Aniello, who donated $10 million to the program in May 2022, was presented with the keys to the city of Florence by Mayor Dario Nardella. Syracuse Chancellor Kent Syverud also made the trip from the US for the special occasion.
Mayor Nardella showed D’Aniello and guests around the Palazzo Vecchio, the fortress-like building that has been home to Florence’s government since the Middle Ages.
Members of the Syracuse Florence community attended the ceremony, which was solemnly marked by trumpet players in traditional costume. Speeches were made by Director Sasha Perugini, Chancellor Syverud, Town Councilor Elisabetta Meucci, and Mayor Nardella, who spoke in both Italian and English. Everyone touched on Syracuse’s extraordinary relationship with the city of Florence.
Philanthropist and business man D’Aniello gave an especially moving speech, all in Italian, in which he said that of all his accomplishments, he is most proud of having been a Mud Angel, one of the students who helped Florence clean up after its devastating flood in 1966.
This semester, four veteran students were awarded full scholarships to attend the Syracuse Florence program, thanks to D’Aniello’s generous donation. Our program has since been renamed in his honor.
