I first met Dr. Rudolph Masciantonio in 1974 when I began my career teaching Latin at Harriton High School in the Lower Merion School District.
In the early 1970s, Dr. Masciantonio led the remarkable and historic Foreign Languages in Elementary Schools (FLES) program for middle school students in Philadelphia’s public schools, in which students regularly studied Latin.
Through selected textbooks and teaching materials, each student was encouraged to learn about ancient Roman culture and the countless benefits of studying Latin to develop excellent English vocabulary and an understanding of grammar and syntax.
According to the September 23, 2016 article by Bonnie Cook of the Philadelphia Inquirer, beginning in 1963, Dr. Masciantonio rose through the ranks from professor of Latin, Spanish, French, and social studies to head of the Department of foreign languages in Philadelphia public schools. .
For several years he was also a specialist in foreign language programs. An expert in Greek and Latin languages, he has often been asked to coordinate interdisciplinary projects in the human sciences. He retired from his position with the Philadelphia school district in 1994.
Dr. Masciantonio was a member of various professional groups dedicated to the advancement of foreign language teaching and the cultivation of the humanities, including the Philadelphia Classical Society and the Classical Association of the Atlantic States.
Its additional memberships included the Classical Association of the Middle and Western States, the Latin Liturgy Association, Ascanius: The Youth Classics Institute, Penn Museum, and the Society for Classical Studies, formerly the American Philological Association.
A fixture at weekly symposia and lectures, he was a longtime supporter of the classical languages departments of Temple University and the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Masciantonio also wrote a column in Classical World, the journal of the Classical Association of the Atlantic States, entitled “IN THE SCHOOLS”, stating in his preface:
“Brief descriptions of programs, activities, and resources related to teaching grade-level Latin, Greek, and classical humanities for possible inclusion in this column are welcome and should be sent to Dr. Rudolph Masciantonio, Director of the teaching foreign languages. , Philadelphia School District, Philadelphia, PA 19103.”
Today, fifty years after my first meeting with Dr. Masciantonio, the Classical Association of the Atlantic States has established the Dr. Rudolph Masciantonio Grants Committee using the eponymous annual distributions received from the Philadelphia Foundation.
The mission of the Classical Association of the Atlantic States (CAAS), founded in 1907, is “to strengthen teaching and research, and to foster public support for the languages, civilizations, and cultures of ancient Greece and from Rome to the center of the Atlantic. region (Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania).
“As part of its mission, CAAS publishes a quarterly journal, Classical World.
“The Atlantic States Classical Association offers an annual fall meeting in the region, usually during Columbus Day weekend.
“In addition to papers and panels on many classical topics, these meetings are notable for their sessions on new directions in teaching and research and for their discussions and workshops on professional issues such as the state of the classics in other countries, preparation of professional summaries, etc.
“All members receive the association’s Journal, Classical World, which publishes articles and reviews for the ‘educated teacher and scholarly teacher.’
“Among the unique features of Classical World are regular surveys of textbooks and audiovisual materials in the classics.” (CAAS-CW website as of March 1, 2023)
Dr. Rudolph Masciantonio’s Philadelphia Foundation Designated Fund Agreement states:
“In accordance with Dr. Masciantonio’s wishes in establishing his trust fund, the purpose is to provide funds to support the teaching of Latin, ancient Greek and classical studies.
“Classical studies is defined as the study of the languages, literatures, civilizations, cultures, histories and legacies of ancient Greece and ancient Rome.
“Distributions will be paid annually in equal amounts to the designated entities. » (DFA signed by Dr. Masciantonio, November 13, 2008, Philadelphia Foundation (TPF))
Dr. Rudolph Masciantonio’s Grants Committee includes seven current ACÉA members who have known and worked with Rudy or who share his vision that the Latin and Greek languages should be widely available to all students, especially those from the underserved, including their cultures and reception.
Given the special professional connection with Dr. Masciantonio and the unique nature of this committee, in that it is the only CAAS committee that receives annual distributions from an outside entity, there will be renewable terms of three years depending on the particular professional relationship of the seven committee members, with the possibility of replacing a retired committee member.
Applicants will send the co-chairs a letter containing a detailed grant package answering the questions “who, what, when, where, why and how” the grant funds will be used, including a budget.
In addition, the candidate must identify other sources of financing, anticipated or realized. For large financing requests, complete financial statements, certified IRS Forms 990, and other information, as requested, will be submitted.
Priority will be given to programs “directly aimed at students”.
The seven-member committee, advised as necessary by William Torchia, attorney for Dr. Masciantonio, will deliberate accordingly and one or both of the co-chairs will notify the applicant of the committee’s decision.
After a grant is awarded, the applicant must acknowledge the support of CAAS and the Dr. Rudolph Masciantonio Grants Committee in various film or production credits, in social media, and in media outlets, and must submit an annual or quarterly report. , to the co-chairs confirming to the Committee how the grant funds were used.
In their semi-annual reports to the ACÉA Board of Directors, the co-chairs of the Masciantonio Committee will include a list of grants awarded, the amounts and the names of the recipients.
So far, in honor of Dr. Masciantonio, the Committee has awarded scholarships to high school students in Latin and Greek to attend regional and national conferences in the summer of 2023.
A monumental grant has been awarded to Darius A. Arya, CEO of the American Institute for Roman Culture to research and produce short introductory films for students to the archaeological and historical wonders of the ancient Roman Mediterranean world, a film d free access learning platform.
Professor Arya said: “Roman culture is at the heart of much contemporary culture across the world and represents an unprecedented example of physical and cultural sustainability, combining timeless art and architecture with one of the world’s most important archaeological heritages. richest in the world.
“The American Institute for Roman Culture (AIRC) works tirelessly to preserve and protect Rome’s extraordinary and unique cultural heritage through education, awareness and action.” https://romanculture.org/
For more information about grants, contact Mary Brown, president of the Philadelphia Classical Society and executive director of the Classical Association of the Atlantic States (mbrown@sju.edu).
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