Alumnus, philanthropist and Life Trustee Daniel D’Aniello ’68, H’20 was recently celebrated by the city of Florence, Italy, for his dedication to the city and his support of the Syracuse Abroad program in Florence. In a ceremony hosted by the mayor of Florence, D’Aniello was presented with the keys to the city. University leadership, students, faculty and staff and local dignitaries attended the ceremony on Oct. 19 in the city’s town hall, Palazzo Vecchio.
Life Trustee Daniel D’Aniello ’68, H’20 receives the keys to the city of Florence, Italy, from Mayor Dario Nardella.
“We are honored to open this ceremony in Palazzo Vecchio to give you the keys of the city, which is a sign of our friendship—our way to say to you thank you for your love and for your passion for our city, for our community,” Dario Nardella, the mayor of Florence, said.
“Many tens of thousands of Syracuse alumni have come to truly understand and to love this place, no one more so than Dan D’Aniello,” Chancellor Kent Syverud said at the ceremony. “I also need to say thank you for giving back both to Florence and Syracuse University and particularly to the next generation so the next generation of students can love this city as you do.”
D’Aniello, an alumnus of the Florence abroad program, has recalled his time in Florence as some of the most memorable of his college career and his recent support of the program and future generations of students reflects his deep connection.
In 2022, D’Aniello and his wife, Gayle, donated $10 million toward significantly enhancing the Syracuse Abroad Florence program. The gift will expand opportunities for students, attract exceptional faculty and improve facilities. It will also dramatically expand scholarship funding for whom study abroad programs have been out of reach, including student veterans, lower-income students and post-traditional students.