On Nov. 20, before the final performance of “Le Nozze di Figaro” in Pfleeger Concert Hall, General of the Italian Consulate Andrea Canepari formally knighted Rowan President Ali Houshmand into “Order of the Star of Italy,” formerly known as the Order of the Star of Italian Solidarity.

Knighthood in “The Order of the Star of Italy” is bestowed to those who serve Italy in outstanding ways.

According to President’s Chief of Staff Bob Zazzali, Houshmand received the award on behalf of Rowan University for its international outreach through research in fields such as engineering and mathematics.

After accepting the award, Houshmand said to all in attendance in the hall that he was overwhelmed.

“This particularly relates to me, because of who I was and where I came from and where I am today,” Houshmand said. “Who would have thought a kid from the shanty towns of the Tehran would eventually be a United States citizen, get a great education and end up being the president of a great university?”

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