Cavaliere Joseph Coccia to be Guest Speaker at Annual Scholarship and Awards Dinner

Joseph Coccia and his wife Elda are the founders of The Coccia Institute for the Italian Experience in America at Montclair State University. The Institute partners with the National Italian Association Foundation and the New Jersey Italian Heritage Commission on mutually beneficial programs.
The Coccia Foundation has provided a wide range of philanthropic aid to an ever-expanding list of worthy recipients. Many colleges in New Jersey, New York, California and Pennsylvania and their Student Italian Clubs have benefited. Italian Studies Chairs in New Jersey, New York and California have been established. Numerous Italian Culture Organizations and Foundations have been supported

Among the many honors he has personally received include:
• “LO STIVALE D’ORO AWARD’’ – Associazoni Italiana “IERI OGGI DOMANI”
• Lifetime Silver honorary membership in the New Jersey State Police Benevolent Association, the only civilian to receive such an honor in 70 years of its existence
• Initiator of symbolically naming Route 80 – Christopher Columbus Highway
• UNICO NATIONAL - President
• Decorated with the medal of Cavaliere in the Legion of Merit presented by the Republic of Italy for extraordinary fundraising in the earthquakes of 1976 and 1980
• The Dr. Anthony P. Vastola Medal – UNICO NATIONAL highest award to a member.
• Honorary Citizen – Boys’ and Girls’ Town of Italy
• Initiator of Italian Chair at Montclair State University
• Receiving of the Doctor of Letters Degree from Montclair State University

Joseph and Elda realize that Italian culture is in the hands of today’s children. Because of that, they continue to seek to establish and encourage Italian Student Clubs and promote the teaching of Italian language, culture and heritage in as many universities and colleges as possible.