Richard Bonanno: Finding Connection within Music, Film, and Kindness

Danielle Aiken

Editor in Chief

After 23 years at Assumption University, Italian Studies Professor Richard Bonanno still finds inspiration daily in the classroom. “I am these students. I am who they make me to be, and I learn so much from them all of the time,” he said. What surprises him most, even now, is the power of shared passions. “At first, I never realized how big of a community you can build your own passions, such as film and music.”

In his early years, Bonanno quickly developed a love for music, but most notably wished he pursued a career in music even earlier. “Thinking back, I would have loved to have pursued a career in music—but I am not a very good musician at all. I missed the boat on that; maybe I should have pursued that much earlier in life.”

Upon Bonanno’s reflection regarding his musical past, he also pondered about his time with music and mentorship in college. “One thing that I regret is not really having an artistic or academic mentor. I wish I had had that. I did okay, both without a mentor and attending a large research institution [UMass Amherst]. I had one professor in particular, but because it was such a large place, it was easy to get lost in the crowd and get lost through the cracks. I regret not having a mentor in that way,” he said.

However, Bonanno is viewed as a mentor himself for his students at Assumption University. Emily Brill, a senior Communications and Media student, has taken ITA 101 and ITA 102 with Bonanno. Describing him as a “passionate, curious and animated” professor, Brill recalled Bonanno’s care and mentorship towards his students. “Throughout my courses, Professor Bonanno gave us a piece of advice by saying ‘enjoy every sandwich’— which in his words may mean ‘enjoy every opportunity that is presented to you.’ Do not so much dwell on the negatives of life, but rather enjoy what is presented to you to its fullest,” Brill said.

Additionally, Bonanno most notably incorporates early life lessons from his mother towards his students and everyone he encounters. “My teachings are aimed to be rooted in kindness,” he explained. “If you have nothing good to say, do not say anything at all. It’s a powerful statement about being honest and kind; about reframing, considering what thoughts and opinions may be, and others. It’s important to take them into consideration. That strikes me and I think about that often.”

Aside from the kindness Bonanno is known for, he is also known amongst students and faculty for his love of playing guitar and singing with his students. Brill concluded that, while “Bonanno takes time to get to know his students and incorporates aspects of students’ lives into his lessons, it also helps that he plays guitar—which shows his passion for Italian further.”

Multiple musical performances of his can be heard amongst the halls of Founders in his office. “Even if they are not sure of who I am, they can at least hear me play—hopefully even enjoy it,” Bonanno stated while smiling. “It is something I have always enjoyed doing, writing and playing music for others. Why not share it?”

Bonanno is happy to have passed his love of music to his son, Antonio. “Although, he is way better than me,” he said, laughing. “He plays guitar, bass, trumpet, saxophone and drums. I can’t keep up.”

Bonanno also travels widely with his family and on solo trips. “I actually just came back from Hawaii after visiting an old friend. It just reminds me of how much I love seeing new things, how much there is to see.” He quickly added, “I suppose that is why I was driven to learning about language and cultures in the first place. I had such a curiosity to want to learn more, so I dove into the academics of it all. Here I am now, teaching what I have learned to others.”

Similarly, Bonanno maintains a collection of vintage cameras that resides in his office, in which he is constantly reminded of his passion for film, and his love of making some of his own. “I like to make small films, usually with my Italian students. It creates a different environment, and leaves them with hopefully a good experience in the end. We all get pretty close by the end of the course,” Bonanno said.

Bonanno personally runs a social media account, in which the small projects filmed with students mentioned above can be found. The videos range from promoting the benefits, content and experiences gained through learning with Bonanno, and amongst each other. Videos also include songs Bonanno writes himself, sometimes performs, alongside his students. “Italian Studies is more than just a language,” the Instagram page states. As Bonanno explained, “It’s a shared experience.”

As of the last decade, Bonanno has taken an active role when it comes to Assumption’s campus in Rome, Italy. “I have spent a good amount of time there— being a point person, teaching. But I also see new things every time I go. Italy is never boring for me, and you cannot ever see it all.”

Bonanno had recently spearheaded the SOPHIA Capstone trip for the sophomore (now senior) students in the summer of 2024. “I absolutely loved that trip. All of them wanted to see everything. I tried to shove an entire semester’s worth into eight days. It was a lot, but they made the best of it; it was a great group.”

Andrew McGaffigan, a senior Organizational Communications major, is a student who spent time with Bonanno on the trip. “I had the opportunity of getting to know Professor Bonanno on a more personal level last year.”

McGaffigan, who would have not had experience with Bonanno otherwise outside of the SOPHIA program, formed a bond with him by the end of the experience. “By the end of our trip, it felt like I had known him for years. He made our time extremely memorable for me and many other students in our group,” he said.

Originally, Professor Bonanno was not planned to be heavily involved with the SOPHIA program during that summer, but took on the mantle of leading the group of students throughout Italy.

“SOPHIA, for me, was about finding the common framework of wanting to be

kind to everyone. I try to teach the same thing to my students back home too; although, that is a mindset that must be learned, not solely taught,” Bonanno stated.

Bonanno continues to hone all of his learned and shared experiences—both at home and abroad. As he further enjoys his love of music and film with his students daily, he will also share to anyone who has the pleasure of getting to know his kindness beyond the classroom. He shared in finality, “Once you find a passion, the greatest blessing is to be able to teach it to others who will listen.”