The Piatti Dinners

Named in honor of AAI Senior Fellow Francesco “Chip” Piatti (1946–2020), the Piatti Dinners were established by the Abigail Adams Institute in 2021 to support meaningful engagement between students and professors at Harvard College. Through Piatti Dinners, groups of up to six undergraduates can invite a professor to share a fully-funded dinner in Harvard Square.

Guidelines and Application

Applications for Spring 2023 Piatti Dinners are now open. The deadline to apply is Friday, April 14th, at 11:59PM.

Any undergraduate currently enrolled at Harvard College may apply to host a Piatti Dinner with a professor and up to five classmates. We accept applications from all disciplines but, as we are a humanities institute, prefer humanities classes over others.

Only one student should apply on behalf of the group. Applicants are expected to propose the restaurant and 3 possible dates and times. Accepted student groups must hold their dinner during the Fall 2023 semester at a restaurant within walking distance of Harvard Square. The maximum budget is $30 per person. After holding the dinner, the student organizer must submit 2 photos and a 250 word recap or quotes from 3 student attendees.

Piatti Dinners Spring 2023

Applicant Name

First Name

Last Name

Applicant Graduation Year

Please select your academic class year, not social class year.

2023

2024

2025

2026

Applicant Email

Applicant Phone

(###)

###

####

Name, Email, and Graduation Year of Student Guest 1

Please include all 3 pieces of information. At least 2 other students must attend.

Name, Email, and Graduation Year of Student Guest 2

Please include all 3 pieces of information. At least 2 other guests must attend.

Name, Email, and Graduation Year of Student Guest 3

Please include all 3 pieces of information.

Name, Email, and Graduation Year of Student Guest 4

Please include all 3 pieces of information.

Name, Email, and Graduation Year of Student Guest 5

Professor Name

First Name

Last Name

Professor Email

Title of Class

First Choice Dinner Date, Time, and Location

Second Choice Dinner Date, Time, and Location

Third Choice Dinner Date, Time, and Location

Do you agree to host your dinner during the Spring 2023 semester and to submit 2 photos and a 250 word recap or quotes from 3 students?

I agree

Past Piatti Dinners

FALL 2021: Professor Sean Kelly and students from Philosophy 138: Heidegger’s Being and Time

“This dinner was an amazing opportunity to connect with my peers and Professor Kelly outside of class. We lingered over the meal for over two hours because the conversation was so rich and interesting. After the dinner, I felt more engaged in the course and with my class community.” Junior Philosophy Concentrator

SPRING 2022: Professor James Hankins and students from HIST 12S: Biography and Autobiography in Renaissance Italy

"The dinner with Dr. Hankins allowed me to explore a field outside of my comfort zone in the best way possible: hearing from an expert in the field who has devoted their life to studying it." Christina Gavazzi, Harvard College ‘22

"I really enjoyed the chance to get to know a professor as accomplished as Professor James Hankins." Soren Nyhus, Harvard College ‘22

"As someone who has taken a number of classes with Professor Hankins, I really appreciated the opportunity to get to know him in a less formal setting." Zelin Liu, Harvard College ‘22

Spring 2022: Professor Evridiki Georganteli and students from FRSEMR 641: Looking for Clues: Ancient & Medieval Art at Harvard

Francesco "Chip" Piatti had over twenty-six years teaching at the Boston Architectural College and an intimate knowledge of the convergence of architecture and history. Prior to his appointment at BAC, he also taught at Curry College, Fisher College and Bunker Hill Community College. Apart from the areas of history and architecture, Professor Piatti was also regarded as an expert in theatrical arts, having taught courses in the same at both Curry and Fisher College.

Professor Piatti was the Institute’s senior adviser on visual arts programming.