The IAMDC awards the first Dennis Santoli Museum Studies Fellowship 

In honor of the late Dennis R. Santoli, Esq.  esteemed Corporate Board Member of the IAMDC, and a long time supporter of the Casa Italiana community, the museum has established the Dennis Santoli Museum Studies Fellowship.   The fellowship will be awarded annually to a student enrolled in a museum studies program at a local university.  The 2026 Fellow is Veronica Vato, a junior at The Catholic University of America.  Veronica is pursuing a double major in World Politics and Cultural Anthropology, along with a minor in Global Studies.  Originally from Genova, Italy, Veronica moved to the United States with her family in 2017. The experience of adapting to a new country and immersing herself in a different culture sparked her interest in understanding how cultures, identities, and communities shape the way people experience and interpret the world.  As President of The Catholic University’s Italian Club, she enjoys creating opportunities for cultural exchange, fostering community, and celebrating Italian traditions on campus. Veronica is excited to join the Italian American Museum of DC team and contribute to its mission of preserving and sharing Italian American history and culture. She looks forward to learning from this experience while helping promote the stories, traditions, and achievements that have shaped the Italian American community.