Mannella Endowed Funds Support Lecture Series and Collections: A Way to Honor Cherished Family Members
On October 27, Falvey Memorial Library will host the inaugural lecture in the “Alfred F. Mannella and Rose T. Lauria-Mannella Distinguished Speakers Series.” Richard Juliani, Ph.D., sociology department, will describe his four decades of research on the Italian experience in Philadelphia, highlighting both challenges and future opportunities. His talk will begin at 7 p.m.
In 1996, Falvey Memorial Library’s friend and supporter Alfred S. Mannella, ’58 VSB, established two endowed library funds to support the purchase of books and other research materials as memorials to family members.
Now one of those funds will also support a lecture series.
The Speakers series honors Mr. Mannella’s parents, Alfred F. and Rose T. Lauria-Mannella. His father, the son of immigrants, was born in Philadelphia in 1904 and established himself as a tailor. An avid sports fan, he developed an interest in Villanova football starting in the 1930s when Maurice J. “Clipper” Smith was the coach.
His mother was the grandchild of immigrants and grew up in south Philadelphia. (more…)