When in Rome: College hosts 4th Annual Gelatto Tasting

By Kathryn Severance

“Can we go up for seconds, a nervous sophomore asked her friend, as she sat in the Testa atrium, holding her now-empty gelato cup.

The College hosted its third annual gelato tasting, sponsored by the Assumption Rome Campus, on Tuesday, September 22 at 7 p.m. They had a variety of different flavors of gelato, including vanilla, strawberry and lemon. Quite a few students actually slipped out of the event right after grabbing their gelato, before the introduction, which began at 7:30 p.m.

The Rome campus coordinator, Richard Bonanno introduced the event. Several students who attended the Rome campus last semester spoke, including “I discovered my strengths and weaknesses and broke out of the average routine.  I’ve been completely fascinated by Europe. […] Take a risk and study abroad.

Waffles made by Rome’s professional chef.

Junior, Zach Symkowitz, spoke to the audience, saying, “My biggest worry was the financial cost of the trip, but luckily, all of my financial aid carried over and I was able to attend for the same price as a semester at Assumption. Rome and especially Florence, truly become your classroom. You get to be there, looking right at lots of major works of art in person. I can’t say enough about how much the city in Italy actually becomes a part of the curriculum. [Among other things] there’s also a personal Italian chef who cooks three times a day for you.”

Bonano said, “[it is important that you all] talk to your advisors. Be sure that you see Dean Knowlton tonight. Be sure to get the ball rolling.

Knowlton commented, saying, “there are a few things that you need to make sure that you have done before you go. You must have taken the first course of philosophy, literature and theology. You must also have a 2.75 GPA.

Then the raffle winners were chosen and announced. There were quite a few items.  A few of the winners included Macy Buckley, Joe Raffa and Amanda Seperati.

However, a small group of students stayed in the Testa building until 8 p.m., speaking with the students who studied at the Rome campus last semester.

To contact someone about learning more about whether or not you may qualify to apply to stay on the Rome campus, contact Dean of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Eloise Knowlton by phone at 508-767-7487, or via email, at eknowlton@assumption.edu. Her office can be located in La Maison Francise, room 202. Applications to spend a semester on the Rome campus in spring 2016 are due October 15, 2015.