The Friends of the College of Staten Island (CSI) and the CSI Foundation present a spring luncheon featuring Mario Buatta, “The Prince of Chintz,” on Wednesday, May 17 at the Hilton Garden Inn.
Mario Buatta is one of America’s foremost designers. He was born on Staten Island, studied architecture at The Cooper Union and attended Parsons School of Design. His impressive list of past and current private clients includes Mariah Carey, Henry Ford II, Malcolm Forbes, Barbara Walters, Nelson Doubleday, Mr. and Mrs. D.E. Newhouse, Charlotte Ford, and Billy Joel.
The event honors native Staten Islander Sally W. Williams. Ms. Williams has enjoyed a 35-year career with the federal Government serving posts in various parts of the country. She retired as the Chief of the Staffing Services Division of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Philadelphia Region. She was formerly the president of the New York Chapter of the International Personnel Management Association and the New York Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), and national chair for the Section for Personnel and Labor Relations for ASPA.
Ms. Williams is the immediate past president of the Greenbelt Conservancy on Staten Island. A highlight of her tenure was the opening of the Greenbelt Nature Center on Rockland Avenue. She also serves on the Citizen Advisory Committee of the Fresh Kills Landfill and is a board member of the Staten Island Botanical Garden, where she has also served as vice president and treasurer.
She is a founding member of the CSI Foundation Board of Directors and past president. She currently serves on the Finance and Investment Committee and is chairperson of the Nominating Committee of the CSI Foundation Board. She has long been a community activist carrying on the tradition of her late father, Dr. Arleigh B. Williamson, who was the driving force in the establishment of the College of Staten Island. She is honored for her commitment to the environment and to CSI.
Honorary Event Co-Chairs include Alice Diamond and Norma D’Arrigo. Event Committee members include: Christine Cea, PhD; Anthony DeFazio; Beverly Garcia-Anderson; Laura Kennedy; Donna Lindsey; Eileen Pryor; and Maribel Sansone.
The luncheon event takes place on Wednesday, May 17, from Noon to 2:30 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn at 1100 South Avenue. Reservations are required by May 10, at a cost of $75 per person. Please call the CSI Advancement office at (718) 982-2365 to reserve your place. All proceeds will benefit student scholarships and undergraduate research opportunities at CSI.
