President Franco Pavoncello accepts the JCU award for 20 years of service.
On Saturday, September 20, 2025, over 110 members of the John Cabot University community gathered at the Hotel Hassler in Rome for the annual President’s Gala, celebrating President Franco Pavoncello’s 20 years of leadership. Trustees, faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends came together to honor his remarkable tenure and lasting impact.
The evening began with a rooftop cocktail hour at sunset, followed by dinner and a welcome from President Pavoncello. The highlight of the evening came with the remarks of Chairman of the JCU Board of Trustees, Salvatore Salibello. Referring to the significant expansion of the University’s campuses under President Pavoncello’s tenure, he said, “Each new building has been more than bricks and mortar. It has been a symbol of opportunity and a lasting home for our community. What stands out most is not only what he has built, but how he has led, with integrity, with vision, and with heart.”
In a heartfelt moment, Chairman Salibello, joined by the Trustees standing at his side, presented President Pavoncello with a JCU award in recognition of his service and announced that the newly inaugurated campus on Lungotevere Raffaello Sanzio 11 will be named the Franco Pavoncello Campus.
"This name will stand as a tribute to his dedication and as a reminder of the legacy he has created,” he declared. The announcement was met with sustained applause and a standing ovation, as the community rose to honor a President whose guidance has transformed the University and whose name will remain permanently tied to its future.
President Pavoncello reflected on the honor, saying, “I was deeply moved at this great honor. The warmth with which the announcement was received was unforgettable. The naming of the campus is not just a recognition of my work, but a celebration of all the faculty and staff of John Cabot University who have worked so hard for our students and the growth of our University.”
Distinguished Alumna Andrea Falconieri ’76
During the evening, the Distinguished Alumni Award was presented to Andrea Falconieri (Class of 1976) by Francesco Ruspoli (Class of 1994), President of the Alumni Association and Trustee. Ruspoli highlighted her pioneering career in Information Technology and Data Science, as well as her mentorship of young professionals, and her contributions to the arts. Falconieri, daughter of John Falconieri, the first President of John Cabot University, accepted the award and spoke about the profound significance the University holds for her and her family.
The 2025 President’s Gala will be remembered as a milestone in the history of John Cabot University. It celebrated 20 years of leadership and service and reaffirmed the strength of a community united by a shared mission. With the dedication of the Franco Pavoncello Campus, the University honors its longest-serving President and the faculty, staff, and students whose commitment continues to carry its vision forward.
