Prairie State Wire

For the Spring 2023 Semester, the Lasallian Universities Center for Education in Rome, Italy will serve a record 22 college students; the most students since the program began five years ago. Most students are from Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois while three students are from Manhattan College in Riverdale, New York. 

The students live in the Generalate, the motherhouse of the De La Salle Christian Brothers in Rome, Italy. Its extensive grounds and facilities provide a safe and ideal place to study and explore the city. Students will use Rome as their classroom as well as travel to Assisi and other sites. 

Students will take courses that draw on the rich culture and history of Rome. Italian faculty will teach Italian, Italy Today, and Art Appreciation. All three credit-hour courses can be taken to fulfill the General Education requirements. 

Dr. Dennis Cremin, history professor and director of Lewis University History Center, will again fill the role of academic director. Dr. Joanne Kuttner, director of Engaging Stories, returns as the student services coordinator.  

Cremin and Kuttner will teach two courses in the program. Cremin will teach Interpreting the Modern World, a Civic Engagement General Education required course and Christians as the Roman Saw Them, an interdisciplinary seminar co-taught with Dr. Clare Rothschild, theology professor. Kuttner is teaching Theology 100 level Search for Faith as well as the Theology 200 level Christian Faith and the Arts.   

Lewis University students studying in the LUCE program in Spring 2023 include 

• David Abrutis, Computer Science 
• Laila Albazzor, Psychology 
• Destiny Belzey, Early Childhood Special Edu 
• Kacper Buga, Aviation Flight Technology 
• Jenna Cheop, Undecided 
• Marco Cruz, History 
• Kyle Downar-Clark, Cybersecurity 
• Drew Haas, Finance 
• Tina Imanlihen, Air Traffic Control Mgmt 
• Selene Lazcano, Business Administration 
• Christian Malagon-Bravo, Aviation Flight Technology 
• Miguel Moreno Lopez, Aviation Flight Technology 
• Octavio Ortiz, Biology 
• Joshua Ouellette, Aviation Flight Technology 
• Molly Paez, Aviation Flight Technology 
• Sabrina Perera, Criminal Justice 
• Daniela Ulloa, Psychology 
• Mason Wilson, History

Tyler Samaras, a business administration student, also be serving as a resident assistant while the students reside in the Generalate, the motherhouse of the De La Salle Christian Brothers in Rome, Italy. The RA role is a new addition to the program this semester. 

Three students enrolled in the program from Manhattan College are Louise Franchini, Economics; Grace Holodak, Adolescent Education; and Samantha Pavlick, Political Science. 

LUCE offers full-semester programs for Lasallian students from around the world. Its programs are designed to develop specifically Lasallian international study abroad experiences and to enrich the sense of belonging in the worldwide Lasallian community. For more information on the Rome Program at LUCE, please contact Chris Swanson at swansoch@lewisu.edu. 

Lewis University is an innovative Catholic university offering market-relevant undergraduate and graduate programs to 6,500 students. Sponsored by the De La Salle Christian Brothers, Lewis University is nationally recognized for preparing intellectually engaged, ethically grounded, and globally-connected graduates who impact the world for the better. Visit www.lewisu.edu for further information.

Original source can be found here.