An ambassador and two retired judges pop in (4 photos)
Monday, October 15, 2012 by: Connie Carello
On Saturday afternoon, Sault Ste. Marie welcomed some very special guests to the community to celebrate the Marconi Club’s 100th Anniversary.
Mr. Andrea Meloni, the Italian ambassador, and two retired Supreme Court of Canada judges, Honourable Frank Iacobucci and Ray Stortini, were asked to be guest speakers at the club’s anniversary banquet last evening.
Prior to the banquet, they were invited by Algoma University and Sault College to tour the new facilities and discuss the new programs available for students.
Vice president, academic of Sault College, Leo Tiberi, was happy to play host to them at Sault College and raised the prospect of exchanging students and staff with Italy.
“We are honoured to be part of their tour in Sault Ste. Marie," he said. "Ambassador Meloni, Mr. Iacobucci and Mr. Stortini can really be called the ‘salt of the earth.’ We look forward to working with the ambassador on initiatives in Italy in all aspects, including the possibility of exchange programs for both students and staff.”
The progress Sault College has undergone, especially in regards to the new Essar Hall, did not go unnoticed as Iacobucci congratulated all those involved.
“I would like to congratulate Sault College on the magnificent planning that went on behind the design," said Iacobucci. "These advancements appear to me to be state of the art making this an exquisite place to study. I look forward to coming back to visit.”
While walking through the hallways and stopping to talk to students Stortini added, “This is my first visit to the new addition and it is amazing to see that they have these types of facilities available in Northern Ontario. I am especially impressed with the technology in both nursing and aviation programs.”
The three honoured guests were thoroughly impressed with the advanced educational equipment students have access to in the college including a flight simulator and medical mannequins for nursing students to perform their developing skills.
Bianca Paradiso, office manager of the Italian Patronato in Sault Ste. Marie along with Marcello Campagna, owner and operator of Routledge’s Florist, were happy to escort them on their tour.
Stopping to regard an Italian flag signed by students who attend Sault College, Ambassador Meloni proudly admired the existence of his cultural heritage in a city so far away from his own hometown.
