News and events
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Ernesto Virgulti recognized for his many contributions
Click here to download to full Brock News article by Gillian Minaker.
Retired prof’s legacy inspires renaissance lecture series
Monday, November 11, 2024 | by Gillian Minaker
A mere mention of Ernesto Virgulti’s name brings an instant smile to those on campus who know him.The recently retired Associate Professor of Italian Studies is being celebrated for his many contributions to Brock, and particularly the Faculty of Humanities, with the launch of a new lecture series named in his honour.
The inaugural Ernesto Virgulti Lecture took place Nov. 6 at Brock’s Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts. The event welcomed guest lecturer Laura Ingallinella, Assistant Professor of Italian Studies at the University of Toronto, to deliver a talk on gender and literary forgery in Renaissance Italy.
Virgulti played a critical role in co-creating and designing the Faculty of Humanities’ Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies (MARS), including teaching many courses and acting as Chair. He taught a variety of courses in MARS and in the Department of Modern Languages, Literatures and Cultures (MLLC).
“The faculty in Medieval and Renaissance Studies are so passionate and dedicated to their students. It was an honour to be part of its inception during my time at Brock, and a pleasure to see how the centre continues to flourish,” Virgulti said.
Renée-Claude Breitenstein, Associate Professor of French and MARS Director, said students lined up to take Virgulti’s classes, particularly those related to Dante and Boccaccio — major Italian authors who drove much of his interdisciplinary research.
“Ernesto is a natural educator; he is knowledgeable and friendly and has been a mentor for many students who look up to him,” Breitenstein said.
Associate Professor and Chair of MLLC Carmela Colella worked closely with Virgulti in Italian Studies and said he played a pivotal role shaping the Italian studies program while making significant contributions to the program more generally.
“Ernesto was instrumental in shaping our modern languages at Brock as Chair for nine years, but he didn’t limit himself to one area; he believed in making connections across the University to the benefit of our students,” Colella said.
Retired Brock University Associate Professor Ernesto Virgulti.
Virgulti is known for championing the value of experiential education. In 1991, he designed a hugely successful interdisciplinary studies abroad program for Humanities taking students to Italy to immerse themselves in the language, arts and culture.
“It doesn’t matter how many lectures students hear in a classroom; experiencing art or visiting historic sites — being there and seeing it— there isn’t a more immersive way to understand a culture,” he said.
Virgulti, who came to Canada from Italy when he was a child, said his career and life’s work was inspired by time spent in Italy in his formative years learning the language and experiencing arts and culture.
In addition to his contributions to Brock, Virgulti has been actively involved in community work both in Niagara and in Hamilton over the past 40 years. His volunteerism includes organizing Italian classes for children and adults, lectures, art exhibits, concerts and numerous film nights.
“Where would we be without language and the arts? The fulfillment we get from cinema, literature, theatre, visual arts and music is a key part of being human,” Virgulti said
Breitenstein and Colella said the lecture series was created to continue Virgulti’s work of cultivating meaningful educational experiences for all.
“The lecture series will welcome scholars like Ernesto, who love teaching and researching in the areas of medieval and Renaissance Italy and can broaden specialized topics to engage a wide audience,” she said.
Virgulti said he is honoured to be recognized by my colleagues in this way.
“I look forward to future conversations spurred by the lecture series,” he said.
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Come out and hear from students about their recent travel study experience
Click here to download event poster
The study abroad course to the Isle of Man was also highlighted in a recent Brock News article. Click here to read.
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2024 Conference of the Canadian Society for Renaissance Studies
The Canadian Society for Renaissance Studies recently held their 2024 conference from June 13 to 15. For more information and to view the conference program, please click here. -
Professor Andrew McDonald and students to visit the ‘Kingdom of Man’
The Manx Museum, Douglas
Students in MARS/HIST 3F51 are now departing for the Isle of Man to participate in a 10-Day study trip to learn about the island’s Viking and medieval history, led by Professor Andrew McDonald.
The students just finished their on campus course work and are prepared for their travels.
The group are already receiving media coverage. Click here to read the latest article in the Isle of Man Today!
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Please join us for an alumni event – Andrew the Fool and Basil the Younger: Eschatology and Mental Illness in Middle Byzantium
Brought to you by the Department of Classics and Archaeology and the Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, with support from the Faculty of HumanitiesAndrew the Fool and Basil the Younger: Eschatology and Mental Illness in Middle Byzantium
Wednesday March 6, 2024
10:30 to 11:30 a.m. ET
On campus in RFP214 and OnlineGuest Speaker – Julian Yang, Assistant Professor, Kangwon National University
Julian Yang completed his BA degree at Brock University, and his MA and PhD at Queen’s. He is an assistant professor of Ancient and Medieval History of the West at Kangwon National University, South Korea with expertise in Byzantium, Religious History, and Hagiography. Professor Yang is currently researching the creation and transmission of medieval popular literature from the Islamic world to Byzantium.ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST REGISTER
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You’re invited to a free Trivia and Snacks event hosted by BUMARS and BUHS
Register before March 8 by clicking here.
A mere mention of Ernesto Virgulti’s name brings an instant smile to those on campus who know him.
The Canadian Society for Renaissance Studies recently held their 2024 conference from June 13 to 15. For more information and to view the conference program, please click 
Brought to you by the Department of Classics and Archaeology and the Centre for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, with support from the Faculty of Humanities
