Giovanni Pinto papers, 1962-2008 (Bulk:1974-1997)

Collection

Identifier: Mss 0123

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection comprises materials dating from 1962 to 2008 relating to the activities of Giovanni Pinto, a journalist, teacher, and advocate for Italian-American communities in New Jersey. The bulk of the materials pertain to work on his newspaper, L’Italico, including subject files, photographs, and paste-up newspaper layouts. In addition, there are subject files relating to VITA, the Italian teaching organization that Pinto founded. Business cards, postcards, and commemorative books and booklets illustrate the many contacts and connections made through L’Italico and show Pinto’s involvement in the Italian-American community.

Dates

1962-2008
Majority of material found in 1974-1997

Language of Materials

English and Italian

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research use.

Conditions Governing Use

All materials available in this collection (unless otherwise noted) are the property of the Monsignor William Noé Field Archives & Special Collections Center and Seton Hall University, which reserves the right to limit access to or reproduction of these materials. Reproduction of materials or content is subject to United States copyright restrictions and may be subject to federal or state privacy regulations. Permission to publish exact reproductions must be obtained from the Director of the Archives and Special Collections Center.

Biographical / Historical

Giovanni Pinto was born in Pescopagano, Potenza, Italy, on September 30, 1945. At the age of 16 he moved to East Orange, New Jersey, where he attended East Orange High School. He earned BA and MA degrees in modern languages from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Pinto also completed advanced language courses at a number of institutions abroad, including the University of Perugia, the Sorbonne in Paris, and the National Autonomous University of Mexico. He received certification to teach Italian, French, and Spanish from Montclair University, and proceeded to teach languages in NJ public schools for many years. He also worked as an associate professor of Italian language and culture at Seton Hall University. In 1982 he founded Voice of Italian Teachers in America (VITA), a professional association dedicated to furthering the teaching of the Italian language in the United States.

Pinto’s interest in journalism began with newsletters and magazines such as Il Pensiero, New Jersey Soccer, Porta Sibilla, and MTEA Newsletter. In 1974 he founded L’Italico: The Italian-American Times News. L’Italico was a bilingual periodical (English and Italian) dedicated to the history of Italian communities in America. In addition to news about current events in the Italian-American communities of northern New Jersey and New York, L’Italico also published personal stories of Italian-Americans in those communities. Pinto also directed the radio program Tuesday Italian on WSOU 89.5 FM for the Archdiocese of Newark.

In addition to his journalistic and teaching activities, Giovanni Pinto was also involved in advocating for Italian-American communities on a political level. In 1991 he was elected to the Circoscrizione consolare New York e Connecticut Comitato Delgi Italiani All'estero (COM.IT.ES.), a committee that represents Italians abroad. Within COM.IT.ES. he was elected president of the Italian School and Language Commission.

Sources:

Chi e’ Giovanni Pinto?, undated, in the Giovanni Pinto papers, 1962-2008, Mss 0123, Monsignor William Noé Field Archives & Special Collections Center, Seton Hall University

Extent

5.79 Linear Feet

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection consists of materials documenting the activities of Giovanni Pinto, a journalist, teacher, and advocate for the New Jersey Italian-American community. It contains subject files and printing layouts from Mr. Pinto’s work on his newspaper, L’Italico: the Italian-American Times News, as well as his involvement with VITA, an Italian teaching organization he founded. In addition, business cards, postcards, and commemorative books and booklets reflect his involvement with the Italian-American community in northern New Jersey and New York.