In continuing down memory lane, the professional life and accomplishments of one of our prestigious leaders of The New York Academy is Dr. Paul Patanè who was inducted as Life Member of the NYAPE in October 2010.
Dr. Patanè has served the New York City educational community in numerous capacities for well over fifty years. He was first appointed to the staff of Columbia University in 1950 where he subsequently earned his BA, MA and Doctorate degrees in Art History and Archaeology. He was appointed to the Art Department at Brooklyn College working with legendary artist-educators such as Jimmy Ernst, Ad Rinehardt, Burgoyne Diller, and Mark Rothko.
Paul served on the N.Y.C. Bureau of Art as Education Liaison to the Metropolitan Museum of Art where he initiated the first programs for the blind and physically challenged. He was featured in a documentary film in which he demonstrates classroom strategies and techniques in teaching learners with special needs. The educational focus is to encourage among teachers the pedagogical utilization of an interdisciplinary approach to teaching, relating the humanities to the visual arts.
Dr. Patanè was Professor of Art History and Archaeology at Fordham University for well over thirty-seven years. He was a recipient of many awards and citations of honor for professional excellence from political leads, academic and professional organizations, Phi Beta Kappa National gold medal and Fordham University’s “Bene Merenti” Award. In 2000 he was invested by Cardinal O’Connor as a Knight of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and elevated to Commander with Star in 2002 and to the rank of Knight of the Grand Cross by Cardinal Egan in 2005. The Italian Government gave Dr. Patanè the honor of “Cavaliere of Merit” in 2004.
Dr. Patanè continues to serve our schools as a member of the Chancellor’s Advisory Board and the Board of Education’s Patanè Center for the Arts and Education named in his honor.
Dr. Patanè serves on the Board of Trustees of The School Art League of New York and the executive boards of numerous colleges and Universities. He has been elected to serve on the Advisory Board of the Academy and the Italian Cultural Center at St. John’s University.
The NYAPE is honored to have Dr. Paul Patanè as a long-life member who has contributed greatly to the richness of our heritage.
Ci quguriamo il nostro caro Paolo Patanè buona salute, felicita e la dolce vita.
(We wish our dear Paul Patanè good health, happiness and the sweet life).