Summary |
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| Creator: | Torelli, Virginia. |
| Title: | Virginia Torelli Papers |
| Dates: | 1989 |
| Size: | 1 box (1.5 linear feet) |
| Abstract: | The Virginia Torelli Papers contain materials related to her retirement from Syracuse University. |
| Language: | English |
| Repository: |
University Archives, Special Collections Research Center Syracuse University Libraries 222 Waverly Ave., Suite 600 Syracuse, NY 13244-2010 https://library.syracuse.edu/special-collections-research-center/university-archives |
Biography
Virginia Torelli (1923-2003) was an alumnae of Syracuse University and the Director of Syracuse University’s International Student Office until 1989.
Virginia Torelli, often referred to as “Geege,” graduated from Syracuse University in 1944. She majored in Secretarial Science and was a member of the Alpha Phi Sorority, the Women’s Athletic Association, and the Panhellenic Council.
Torelli began working at Syracuse University in 1957 in the Human Resources Department. When the Foreign Student Office formed in 1961, Torelli proposed herself for the job of Foreign Student Advisor. By 1979 she had earned the title of Director of the International Student Office. In her work, she advised students about immigration, insurance, employment, taxes, travel, and even personal, academic, social, and financial affairs. Torelli promoted personal relationships with the international students, often hosting them in her home with her husband Alexander John Torelli. She retired from the office in 1989.
Beyond the International Student Office, Torelli was an active member in multiple communities. She served as a member for the board of directors for the National Association for Foreign Student Affairs, the Thornfield Episcopal Conference, the Central New York Girl Scout Council, and the Junior League of Syracuse. She was also the chairman of the New York State region of the National Association for Foreign Students. Torelli also involved herself in the English Speaking Union, the World Affair Council, and the International Center of Syracuse.
The plethora of work Virginia Torelli did for her communities did not go unnoticed. In 1976 she was name the Post-Standard Woman of Achievement in International Friendship. She was also the first to receive a Chancellor’s Citation for distinguished service in 1981. In 1987 she received the Goodwill Ambassador of the Year award from the International Center of Syracuse.
Virginia Torelli died in March of 2003 in Manlius, New York.
Scope and Content
The Virginia Torelli Papers include retirement recognition letters, correspondence, and a scrapbook. The recognition letters are from friends, students, and colleagues. The correspondence is primarily thank you notes from Virginia Torelli to attendees of her retirement party. The scrapbook contains notes of thanks and farewell regrading her retirement.
Restrictions
Access Restrictions
Please note that the collection is housed off-site, and advance notice is required to allow time to have the materials brought to the Reading Room on campus.
Use Restrictions
Written permission must be obtained from the Syracuse University Archives and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.
Related Material
The Syracuse University Archives holds a Cilipping File and a Portrait File for Virginia Torelli.
Selected Search Terms
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Administrative Information
Preferred Citation
Preferred citation for this material is as follows:
Virginia Torelli Papers,
University Archives,
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries
Acquisition Information
The Virginia Torelli Papers were donated to the Syracuse University Archives by Marjorie Torelli in 2016.
Processing Information
Materials were rehoused in acid-free folders.
Finding Aid Information
Created by: Maggie Teschler
Date: 2016
Revision history: