WASHINGTON, D.C. – Cav. Anthony Julian Tamburri, Ph.D., Dean of the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute at Queens College, CUNY, and Distinguished Professor of European Languages and Literatures, will be honored with the Award for Leadership in Italian American Studies at the Sons of Italy Foundation’s 37th Annual National Education & Leadership Awards (NELA) Gala on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at the Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center in Washington, D.C.
Dr. Tamburri is a leading scholar and internationally recognized voice in Italian and Italian American studies. As Dean of the John D. Calandra Italian American Institute at Queens College, CUNY, he has played a pivotal role in advancing research and cultural dialogue surrounding the Italian American experience.
With an academic career spanning decades, Dr. Tamburri has taught at institutions including Smith College, Middlebury College, Auburn University, Purdue University, Florida Atlantic University, and Queen’s College, where he has held professorial titles ranging from assistant to full, and served in key leadership roles. His extensive academic background includes degrees from Southern Connecticut State University, Middlebury College, and the University of California, Berkeley.
An author and editor, Dr. Tamburri has written 23 books and over 140 essays and book chapters, contributing significantly to the fields of literature, cultural studies, and Italian American studies. His work has helped shape contemporary understanding of identity, language, and cultural representation.
In addition to his scholarship, he has been an active leader within major academic organizations, including the Modern Language Association, the Italian American Studies Association, and the American Association of Teachers of Italian.
Dr. Tamburri’s lifelong dedication to education, scholarship, and the preservation and advancement of Italian American culture makes him a distinguished recipient of this year’s Award for Leadership in Italian American Studies.
The NELA Gala is the Foundation’s premier annual event, honoring leaders whose achievements, service, and commitment to excellence have made a lasting impact on their professions and communities, while supporting SIF’s mission of philanthropy, education, and cultural preservation.
This year’s Gala will also celebrate Umbria as the 2026 Region of Celebration, bringing national attention to the rich culture, history, and traditions of Italy’s “Green Heart.”
For more information about the 2026 NELA Gala and this year’s honorees and special guests, visit nelagala.org.
About the Sons of Italy Foundation®
The Sons of Italy Foundation® (SIF) is the philanthropic arm of the Order Sons and Daughters of Italy in America (OSDIA), supporting scholarships, medical research, disaster relief, cultural preservation, and veterans’ initiatives nationwide. Since its founding, SIF has contributed tens of millions of dollars to charitable causes, including awarding more than $600,000 in scholarships over the past four years to outstanding students across the country.
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