One Way to Say Thank You: Renaming an AMHS Scholarship

The AMHS was founded in the year 2000. Since that time, many loyal members have made significant contributions to sustain the Society and help it grow. As the AMHS approaches the 25th anniversary of its founding, the officers and Board want to begin acknowledging the many efforts and dedication of some of its longtime members, starting with the D’Andrea family. Most of us know that Lucio D’Andrea was a key figure in founding our organization. He was its first President and continues to serve on the Executive Committee as President Emeritus. In addition, he has represented the Society in numerous fora and has been an important point of contact for the AMHS in both the local Italian-American community and even abroad in Italy. In addition, his wife Edvige has provided him with steady assistance and support over the years. Moreover, their daughter, Maria D’Andrea-Yothers, has been a strong AMHS leader and advocate from the very start of the Society. She served as its President for five years and has played a leading role in nearly every possible capacity: fundraising; hospitality; web management and social media; nominating committee chair; Programs; Publications and Publicity; and more. Maria has likely worn more hats and carried out more functions effectively than any other member.
In considering how best to acknowledge these many contributions of the D’Andrea family, the AMHS looked to the scholarship program as perhaps the ideal vehicle for conveying its recognition and gratitude. The scholarships provide an annual and lasting means of acknowledging, both internally and outside the organization, the D’Andrea family’s numerous contributions to virtually every aspect of the AMHS. Accordingly, the Society will add the D’Andrea name to one of its two annual scholarships. With this gesture, we take the first step in recognizing those longtime members whose commitment and work built the Society and then supported it for close to 25 years.

January/February 2025