The Matthew Online

Rome hosts a festival for beautiful minds

By Sara Patterson

ROME, March 14—If you thought mathematical puzzles were nothing more than the preferred torture weapons of overzealous high school Algebra teachers, one festival happening in Rome this weekend may change your mind.

The second annual Festival of Mathematics at the Auditorium Parco della Musica kicked off yesterday morning with a day full of mathematics games, shows, and lectures. Bright minds of all ages crowded around staff members who engaged the audience with riddles and demonstrations.

The festival will continue through Sunday when John Nash, Nobel Memorial Prize winner and subject of the academy award winning film “A Beautiful Mind” will speak on game theory and living with schizophrenia. Each day, topics ranging from “math with superheroes” to “math and magic” will present a new way to look at the subject.

 

JCU's best photographers exhibit their skills

By Ruthie Kasnett

ROME, May 8 - Tonight at 9 p.m., John Cabot University is hosting an exhibition of both the beginning and advanced photography classes’ work in the Aula Magna hall, highlighting the students' experiences of Rome, as seen through a camera lens.

JCU prof and students head to Romania for historic dig

By Jennifer Duggan

ROME, May 1 – Shortly after spring semester classes wind up, a few John Cabot University students will embark on one of the university's first international archaeological explorations, to excavate the ancient Roman province of Dacia in Romania, one of the most fascinating archaeological sites in the world. 

“It’s a part of the world that’s just starting to get attention. It’s very exciting because it’s one of the first American projects in Romania. We’re kind of on the forefront over there,” says Eric De Sena, adjunct assistant professor of art history and classical studies.

De Sena is the co-director of the Porolissum Forum Project alongside archaeologist Alexandru Matei. He is joined by JCU students Jessica Stallings and Maria Giangiulio. There will be a total of 13 undergraduate and graduate students mainly from the United States and Canada working at the location.

JCU recognizes its outstanding achievers

By Kim Bogachuk

ROME, May 1 – A dozen John Cabot University students were recognized on Monday, April 23 for their outstanding achievement in both academics and leadership.

Academic award recipients (pictured here) were as follows:

• Art History – Flavia Frigeri;
• Business Administration – Kristina Valerieva Kirilova
• Economics – Nermina Šljivo
• English Literature – Alanna Cavaricci White and Leslie Anne Jones
• Finance and Accounting – Aureliana Andrea Popa
• International Affairs – Valentina Savioli and Nermina Šljivo
• Marketing – Kristina Valerieva Kirilova
• Mathematics – Marius Stefanescu;
• Political Science – Claudio Uberti.

Outstanding service award recipients were:

• Presidential Award for Outstanding Service to John Cabot University - Nermina Šljivo
• Student Leadership Award – Luca Casabella;
• Service to the John Cabot University Community – Nermina Šljivo;
• Student Worker Award – Solaleh Tazraee and Kristina Valerieva Kirilova.
  

So, how do students qualify for such an award? According to Carmen Scarpati, JCU’s Registrar, students are nominated by individual departments based on overall progress and achievement.

Congratulations to all award recipients! 

Thinking of grad school? Prepare yourself

By Jennifer Duggan

ROME, April 12 - Graduate school is not just for students with a 4.0 G.P.A, it’s for students who do their research, make preparations, and are committed, Professor Mary Merva told a group of John Cabot University students attending JCU's Career Services Graduate School Workshop.

Each year, Professor Merva, chair of JCU's Political and Social Sciences Department, writes recommendations for JCU's degree-seeking and study-abroad students.  “I look at applications of past successful students to see what students today should do,” says Merva.  She proudly mentions that former JCU students have gone on to graduate programs at prestigious universities like Columbia University, McGill University, and the University of Iowa.