Mr. Alcorn served twice as visiting professor at the University of Palermo and was the first American historian to gain full access to the town archives in Corleone.

Mr. Alcorn has published ground-breaking essays on the poetry of renowned Italian writer and philosopher Giacomo Leopardi, and his extensive research into Sicily has uncovered decisive new evidence about such contentious topics as peasant unrest, the Mafia and emigration.

Mr. Sergi served from 1994 to 2003 as Connecticut's Commissioner of Education, highlighting 38-years of service in public education. During his tenure as commissioner, Mr. Sergi made raising expectations for all students his educational priority.

He presently serves on the Boards of the MetroHartford Alliance, the American School for the Deaf, the Connecticut Academy for Education, and the Hartford Foundation.

Mr. Sergi will be the president and CEO of the Connecticut Science Center when it opens in 2008 on the shores of the Connecticut River in Hartford.

The $150 million public and private enterprise will be a place for families, children and school groups to get educated and excited about science.

Sen. David J. Cappiello, R-24, and Sen. Donald DeFronzo, D-6, presented two $10,000 checks to the Italian Studies programs at Central Connecticut State University and Trinity College.

The Italian-American Legislative Caucus is composed of Connecticut state legislators of Italian decent.

The caucus holds two annual events to raise money for its scholarship fund, which provides students in Trinity College and Central Connecticut State University's Italian Studies program with the opportunity to study in Italy.