For immediate release
September 4, 2013
KPU instructor to be inducted into Vancouver Italian Hall of Fame
Metro Vancouver, BC – KPU anthropology instructor Dr. Sam Migliore will be inducted into the Vancouver Italian Cultural Centre (ICC) Hall of Fame later this month for his contributions to both the Italian community, and the community-at-large in the field of Arts and Culture.
A medical and visual anthropologist, Migliore has worked extensively with community groups in Cape Breton, southern Ontario and BC’s Lower Mainland to explore and address issues related to the culture and well-being of Italian Canadians. His research in Nova Scotia led to the publication of his book Italian Lives, Cape Breton Memories (Cape Breton University Press, 1999), and he has produced several ethnographic films that deal with Italian and Italian Canadian religious feasts.
“I am indebted to the many Italian Canadians who have made my work possible over the years. Just being considered for the ICC Hall of Fame was a great honour for me. Actually being inducted into the Hall of Fame is not only a great honour, but an important acknowledgment that my work with groups across the country has been recognized as having value for the Italian Canadian community,” says Migliore, who was born in Italy before he came to Canada at an early age. “I have had a number of academic successes in my long career in anthropology, but recognition from the community groups one has worked with is extra special, something that my family and I could never forget.”
Throughout his career, Migliore – who holds a PhD in Anthropology from McMaster University – has had numerous articles published, and has presented his research and films at numerous cultural events organized by the Vancouver ICC, and Italian Canadian cultural groups in Cape Breton and southern Ontario. During his graduate work, he wrote a paper that won him a prestigious American Anthropological Association’s Society for Medical Anthropology prize – the W. H. R. Rivers Award.
Additionally, he served as a member of the research advisory committee for the community-based research project “Italian Canadians as Enemy Alien: Memories of World War II,” a project associated with the Columbus Centre of Toronto, and funded through Citizenship and Immigration Canada’s Community Historical Recognition Program (CHRP). He is currently a member of the Italian Canadian Archives Project group, a group that has cross-Canada membership, and links to the Mariano A. Elia Chair in Italian Canadian studies at York University.
From 2005-2009, Migliore was the principle investigator on a project funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) that explored Italian Canadian-related themes. The research was based out of KPU, where Migliore has taught courses about culture, health and well-being, anthropology and religion since August 2000.
“Dr. Migliore's research shines light on a little known aspect of Canadian history and provides insight into the Italian Canadian community's collective suffering during WWII,” says Dr. Diane Purvey, Dean, Faculty of Arts. “Being inducted into the Italian Cultural Centre Hall of Fame underlines the value of Dr. Migliore's research and its direct impact on the Italian Canadian community. Community connectivity is a hallmark of Kwantlen Polytechnic University, and we are proud of Dr. Migliore for receiving this external recognition.”
The Italian Cultural Centre Hall of Fame was created in 1981 with the scope of recognizing and celebrating the extraordinary accomplishments of individuals who have distinguished themselves in the Italian community and the community-at-large. For more information, visit: italianculturalcentre.ca.
Kwantlen Polytechnic University has been serving the Metro Vancouver region for 30 years, and has opened doors to success for more than 250,000 people. Four campuses—Richmond, Surrey, Cloverdale and Langley—offer a comprehensive range of sought-after programs, including business, liberal arts, science, design, health, trades and technology, apprenticeships, horticulture, and academic and career advancement. Over 18,000 students annually have a choice from over 200 programs, including bachelor’s degrees, associate degrees, diplomas, certificates and citations. Learn more at www.kpu.ca.
-30-
For more information about KPU, contact:
Hayley Woodin
Media Specialist
Tel: 604.599.2883
hayley.woodin@kpu.ca