March 21, 2013
Surrounded by his family, friends, and colleagues, CUA Professor of Spanish Bruno M. Damiani was awarded the Official Cross of the Orden de Isabel la Católica (Order of Isabella the Catholic).
The royal order was bestowed on Damiani on behalf of King Juan Carlos of Spain at a ceremony on March 18 held at the Washington, D.C., residence of the Spanish ambassador to the United States.
In awarding the cross to Damiani at the ceremony, Ambassador Ramón Gil-Casares said, "I can think of no one more deserving of this honor. He has done so much to advance the image of Spain and our culture." Gil-Casares also noted that he majored in Spanish literature and can remember reading works of Damiani as a student.
"Having Professor Damiani receive the Orden de Isabel la Católica is a tremendous honor not only for him but for the entire University, especially his home department of modern languages and literatures," said Claudia Bornholdt, associate professor and chair of the department, who attended the ceremony.
"As an expert and prolific scholar of Golden Age Spain and as a teacher who has devoted his career to educating American students about the rich cultural heritage of Spain, Professor Damiani is truly deserving of this prestigious recognition," said Bronholdt.
The award is given to those who have demonstrated meritorious services, both foreign and domestic, that have contributed significantly to the advancement of Spain and its culture.
Damiani has been at Catholic University for more than 40 years. He has published more than 150 articles and book reviews on Spanish and Italian Renaissance and Golden Age literature and is the author of numerous books on the Spanish Golden Age. He has lectured extensively at more than 150 universities in the United States and abroad and has been a visiting professor at several universities.
Damiani has received many grants and honors, among them from the American Philosophical Society, the American Council of Learned Societies, and the Program for Cultural Cooperation between Spain's Ministry of Culture and United States universities. He received the Distinguished Professor Award from the Inter American University of Puerto Rico and the Papal Medal for Distinguished Service.
"This award is not given lightly," said James Greene, vice provost, dean of graduate studies, and professor of biology, who also attended the ceremony.
"Professor Damiani joins a small number of distinguished scholars, artists, diplomats, and others as a member of this order. Through his writings, teaching, and international lectures on the Spanish Renaissance, he has served as a scholar ambassador in engendering an appreciation of Spanish society," said Greene.
Visibly moved by the ceremonial pinning of the cross, Damiani thanked the ambassador for this "profound honor and recognition of my love for Spain and all things Spanish." In a lighthearted reference to Don Quixote, he added, "All I need now is a sword and a horse" to continue to champion the Spanish culture.