Sampoli Benitez Receives 2010 Cornaro Award

Benedetta Sampoli Benitez, Ph.D.

The award is presented annually to a woman of Italian heritage, who has demonstrated excellence in her field of expertise, made a significant contribution to advancing educational opportunities for students, and who herself has earned the Doctor of Philosophy degree. The award, which was established in 1978 by the New York State Grand Lodge, Order Sons of Italy in America, will be presented to Dr. Sampoli Benitez on June 27 at Rockland Community College. 

The Cornaro Award is given in honor of Elena Lucrezia Cornaro, a 17th century Venetian who was the first woman recorded as having been granted a doctorate. She earned this recognition from the University of Padua where she studied mathematics, philosophy and theology from 1672 – 1678. Born in 1646 to an aristocratic family, whose ancestry dated as far back as the Roman Empire, Cornaro was tutored throughout her early life in the arts, sciences, languages, rhetoric and logic; she was the first woman to apply to study theology at the University, where she presented her work before a panel of judges and scholars on June 25, 1678. Upon earning her degree, Cornaro was appointed to the faculty of the University in mathematics, a position she held until her premature death in 1684, at the age of 38. Her life of learning is commemorated by a statue in the Basilica of St. Anthony in Padua and by a stained glass window at the Frederick Ferris Thompson Memorial Library at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie. 

Dr. Sampoli Benitez was nominated for this award by Marymount Manhattan. She was chosen to receive it from among nominees submitted by institutions throughout the state of New York, for her outstanding research in the field of chemistry, her exemplary teaching and for her efforts to guide and advance the research capabilities of undergraduates in science. 

The award was established to commemorate the 300th anniversary of Cornaro’s defense of her thesis. The presentation of this honor is the highlight of an annual ceremony dedicated to the celebration of scholarship at all levels of higher education. Students poised to begin both undergraduate and graduate studies, including those with special needs, will also be honored as recipients of scholarship funds to support their continued education. All awards will be presented on June 27, 2010 at Rockland Community College. Past recipients of the Cornaro Award include Dr. Regina Peruggi, President Emeritus of Marymount Manhattan College. 

Marymount Manhattan College is an urban, independent, liberal arts college. The mission of the College is to educate a socially and economically diverse student body by fostering intellectual achievement and personal growth and by providing opportunities for career development.

Published: May 03, 2010