In 1940, modern-languages student Lilian Markham (BA 1941 UC) was awarded the Italian Prize, a gift from Italy to a U of T student exhibiting a talent for this romantic language. The award, however, was never presented to her as the Second World War was underway, and she left for service duty with the federal government in Ottawa.
Fast-forward 61 years to Oct. 14. Lilian (now Lilian Salter), 82, is finally presented with a plaque from Dal Piaz, the associate to the consul general of Italy posted in Toronto. She is also awarded two books on Italy from the department of Italian Studies. “Lilian was bowled over when she found out we had arranged for her to finally receive her prize and really touched that Olga Pugliese, chair of Italian Studies, did so much to make sure this award finally found its way home to her,” says Anne Urbancic, senior lecturer in Italian Studies.
Lilian has been no stranger to U of T: after the war, she held several administrative jobs on campus. She retired in 1984 as supervisor of examinations at the Faculty of Arts and Science.
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