Paolo Giordano (April 15, 1948–November 24, 2025)

It was the summer of 2002, and I had just been awarded a Fulbright fellowship to pursue my PhD in the US. I was set to meet the professor who had accepted me into the comparative studies program at Florida Atlantic University, Anthony Tamburri, at a conference at the Università di Messina. That day, Anthony introduced me to his good friend and colleague, Paolo Giordano. At the time, I had no idea how significant that introduction would become in my professional and personal life.Exactly five years later, in 2007, with my PhD in hand, I met Paolo again, this time in Orlando, where I had landed a one-year visiting position at the University of Central Florida (UCF). It was early August, the kind of oppressive Florida heat that makes you question your life choices. And there was Paolo, in dress pants, a long-sleeve shirt, and a tie! He had a full beard then and was scratching it as he explained the expectations for the position. I remember thinking, mamma mia, who's gonna save me from this department chair? I couldn't have been more wrong.As chair, Paolo was fair but firm. He never shied away from addressing uncomfortable topics with faculty, often turning department meetings into entertaining affairs! From him, I learned one of the most valuable lessons of my career: To truly serve a university, one must understand its inner workings. “Learn the ropes of administration and how the sausage is made,” he used to say, and I took that advice to heart. I will always be grateful for his mentorship.As a professor, Paolo was deeply beloved by his students. His lectures on the Renaissance left an indelible mark on those fortunate enough to sit in his classroom. His passion for teaching and profound knowledge of the field made him an unforgettable presence at UCF.But to me, Paolo was more than a former chair and colleague. He was a dear friend. Long after his retirement whenever something particularly amusing or downright absurd happened at UCF, in Florida, or anywhere in the world, my first instinct was to call him from my car on the drive home.Some colleagues drift apart over time, especially after retirement, but true friendships endure and memories last. Paolo's passing is a reminder that the best part of academia isn't just what we teach, read, or write, but the people we meet along the way. Paolo was one of those people for many of us and he will be greatly missed

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