Director Emeritus, Harding University-Florence (HUF) (1990-2024)

Masters in Education with Art Emphasis Harding University (1982)

 

Robbie spent his youth in Italy, and moved back to the U.S. in 1969 when he was 12 years old. He returned frequently to Italy with groups of students from Harding University during the summers (1970-1987). 

 

Harding University in Florence (HUF) was founded in 1980. The HUF program, located outside of Florence in the town of Scandicci, hosts three groups of students each academic year for semester and summer study abroad programs. The curriculum includes onsite classes in Humanities that take place in Sicily, Naples and the Region of Campania, Rome, and various cities and sites throughout Tuscany, including Florence, Siena, Lucca, Pisa, San Gimignano and the Casentino area. 

 

Many cultural and educational exchange events such as language exchange with Italian students, cooking classes, sporting events, and volunteer service-oriented projects are highlights of the program.

 

Robbie was also an active member of AACUPI (American Association of College and University Programs in Italy) where he served as Secretary (2001-2016). He is also a board member of the Tuscan American Association which organizes the “Welcome Day” and the “4th of July” activities, in Florence.

 

Robert Shackelford

www.robbieshackelford.com