DLS in June 2024

On June 17, we celebrated the retirement of Professors Michael Lettieri and Salvatore Bancheri at a reception hosted by Professor Ian Orchard, Acting Vice-President (UofT) & Principal (UTM) and Nader Boutros, Director of HR (UTM). Members of the department and family members of Michael and Sal were in attendance as Professor Teresa Lobalsamo and Rosa Ciantar, Academic Advisor & Undergraduate Program Administrator, shared words on behalf of the department. Michael and Sal also took the podium to give their remarks.

It would be impossible to capture the myriad of ways that Michael and Sal have touched the lives of students and colleagues who entered the Department of Language Studies. Michael, who officially retired last July, was the founding Chair of our department, and Sal served as Interim Chair up until his retirement this past January. 

Rosa shared, "Both of you leave an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of our community. Your dedication, passion, and commitment to our students, staff, and the Department of Language Studies is a well-lit path for many to follow."

Teresa noted, "Professionally, Michael Lettieri and Salvatore Bancheri's commitments to teaching, research, Italian Studies, UofT and higher education, on the whole, are unparalleled; their service in so many roles, as undergraduate and graduate coordinators, chairs, Dean, editors and presidents of major academic journals, are immense and significant; yet, all of those achievements are outdone by who they are as human beings, family men, and mentors."

Thank you, and best wishes, Michael and Sal, in your retirement!

Photos courtesy of Alison Dias