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HONOR ROLL OF DONORS 2014-2015

The College of Staten Island Foundation gratefully acknowledges the contributions of our donors in the 2014-2015 academic year.

These generous gifts provide critical funding for students and faculty at the College and help us continue to provide exceptional educational programs.

Thank you!

 

$250,000 +

Estate of Kurt Lehmann Jr.*

Geraldo Rivera

 

$100,000 to $249,999

Con Edison of New York

Lorraine and Gordon Di Paolo

Rosemary O’Halloran

University of Miami

Watson Foundation

 

$40,000 to $99,999

ADA

Estate of Juritta Bellaragione*

Benchmark Capital Advisors, Inc.

CSI Auxiliary Services Corporation

Katherine McDonnell and Michael A. Nakao ’71

National Grid

The Carroll and Milton Petrie Foundation

 

$25,000 to $39,999

Robert and Rosemary Baffi Family Fund

Futurewei Corporation

The Alfred Harcourt Foundation

Jean G. Roland

Anonymous

 

$10,000 to $24,999

Barnes & Noble College Booksellers

Estate of Louise Colavito*

CSI Alumni Association

Judith and Frederick E. Curry III

Fulbright Scholar Program

Georgia State University

Anita and Fred Naider

 

$5,000 to $9,999

American Campus Community Services

Atlantic Salt, Inc.

Lisette and Samir A. Farag

Deborah Franzblau and Jerry D. Tersoff

Bonnie and William J. Fritz

Richenda Kramer ’74

MacKoul & Associates

MetLife Premier Client Group

Pearson Education

Ira S. Persky

Research Foundation of CUNY

Irving K. Robbins

The Staten Island Foundation

Susan and Martin Vegh

 

$2,500 to $4,999

ADCO Electrical Corporation

Athletes Careers Enhanced & Secured, Inc.

Richard Bodian

Cross Commerce Media, Inc.

CSI Association, Inc.

Matthew Goldstein

JVN Restoration, Inc.

Kohl’s Department Stores, Inc.

Melinda and Joseph Libassi

Liberty Mutual

Susan and Patrick McDermott

McDermott & Thomas Associates

Michael J. Miglino

Chancellor James B. Milliken and Nana Smith

The New York Community Trust

Northfield Bank

Nuttall Ornithological Club

NYSTAR

One On One Physical Therapy

Queens College

Staten Island University Hospital

Jeanine Tardy

Victory State Bank

Sally W. Williams

 

$1,000 to $2,499

Gerald Amerosi

Ronald Avis

Danielle and Jeremy Bassie

Frank Battaglia

BCB Community Bank

Nancy and Jeffrey Becker

Micheline Becker-Fluegel ’71

Sarah E. Benesch

Carol J. and Rocco Berardi

Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center

Marilyn and Matthew Caselli

Marie and Robert A. Catalano

Christine D. ’88 and Peter Cea

Lucille ’65 and Jay D. Chazanoff ’65

Claire ’94 and Harold Chesnoff

Jennifer and Robert S. Cutrona, Sr.

Irene and Jack Deitch, Esq.

Lisa Derienzo

Rita DiMartino ’76

Equity Valuation Associates

Olabisi and Oloruntoyin Falola

Barbara and Daniel A. Finn ’85

Ann Marie and Joseph A. Franzese ’88

Genesco

Gold Mine Jewelers

Rosalind and Frank Goodwin

John Harrington

Joan E. Hartman

Hillel at CSI

Susan Holak and William Havlena

HSBC Bank USA

Qiao-Sheng Hu and Hong-Bin Hu

Jimmy Max

Carol and Brian J. Laline

Lehman College

Alfred M. Levine

Liberty Mutual

Kevin Mannix

Kathleen ’98 and James McBratney ’05

Robert M. McGee ’72

Ann Merlino

Arthur J. Merola, DPM ’85

Miller’s Ale House, Inc.

Dolores Morris

Avi Naider and the Naider Family

New Start Development, LLC

New York Community Bank

Joseph Niciforo

Laurie A. O’Byrne ’88 and Mr. Andreas Ohl

Mary and James M. O’Donnell

Yvonne Payne ’82 and Edward Spitzer

Mary Beth Reilly

Henry A. Salmon

Peter J. Salvatore

Miriam ’79 and William M. Schreiber

Linda Sharib ’02

Small Business of CSI

Barbara L. Solan ’62

Staten Island Chamber of Commerce

Stephen Siller Tunnel To Towers Foundation

Randi and Jack Stern

Stop & Stor

Nan M. Sussman and Jerald Rosenbloom

Joyce Taylor

Christina Tortora and John Shean

Loretta M. Ucelli

Marla R. Ucelli-Kashyap and Arun Kashyap

UPS

UPS Foundation

Verizon

Lisa R. Volpe and Paul Fisher

Waldman Development of NY LLC

Weiqing Wang and Shifeng Liu

Camille and Hugh White, Sr.

Chu-Biao Xue

York College

Phyllis and Melvin Zachter

Shuiqin Zhou and Zujun Lu

 

$500 to $999

AJA Staten Island LLC

Kumar Alagramam

Alejandra D. Alonso

Marie E. ’03 and George H. Anderson

Maria B. Montes and Neophytos Antoniades

Jacqueline Armani, OD ’06

AT&T United Way

AVT Enterprises Engineer & Consultants

Bruce G. Behrins, Esq.

Susan Bender

Judith I. ’85 and Joel J. Berger

Hope Berte

Olga and Michael Breslav

Brighton Heights Reformed Church

Guy Caldwell

Ronald Carroccio

Classic Recycling New York, Corp.

Jane Purcell Coffee and John C. Coffee

Margaret K. ’65 and Richard Currie

Marietta M. DeLuca ’85

Portia and Harold E. Diamond

Barbara B. ’92 and Matthew Edwards

Donal Farley

Arlene T. Farren

Razel ’80 and Seymour Fertig

Edward Finkelstein

Kathryn Finnegan

Kathryn Friedman

Marguerite ’09 and Andrew Fuller+

Kathleen E. ’87 and Arnold E. Galvez

Jane E. and Romaine L. Gardner

Eileen and Thomas Gigliotti

Anna E. Domenech and Charles D. Gomes

Thomas Granello Insurance Agency, Inc.

Frances ’72 and Joseph Harris

Nick Harris

Val and Philip Harris

William Higgins

Francis and Chris Hirschy

Russell Hodge

Hopper Diving

Hostos Community College

Frank Illiano

Susan and Steven Imberman ’89

Karen and Lawrence J. Karam

Kingsborough Community College

Arline and Robert Klein

Bernadette and Michael E. Kress ’75

Sanford Krueger

Meirav Liv-Ari

Brian Maher

Lillian and Rory V. McGinn

MetLife

Mendy Mirocznik

Alan and Molly Naider

North Shore-LIJ Health System

Laura Nowak

Oakwood Fitness, Inc.

Linda S. and Robert D. O’Mara ’70

Virginia ’94 and Gene A. Ozgar

Deanna and Ted Parnese

Karen and Mitchell Parver

Theodore Perednia

Diane Peruggia

Linda A. ’81 and Robert Peters

Josephine and Kenneth R. Pierce ’67

The Rotary Club of Staten Island NY, Inc.

Brenda Ruello

Savino for New York

Janine Scaff

Scaran Oil Service Co., Inc.

William Serrao ’10

Timothy W. Shanahan

Ponniah Shenbagamurthi

Barnett Shepherd

Chelsey and Peter Soloway, MD

Staten Island Museum

Ira H. Sweet

Sweetbrook Nursery & Garden Center

Robert T. Taranto

Thomas P. Tellefsen ’77

Temple Israel Reform Congregation of SI

Barbara and Alan Tepper

Chaya Trenk

Barbara and Ralph Tufano

Vanguard

Manuel P. Vara ’73

Wagner College

Kenneth Warner ’02

Roberta and Allan Weissglass

Roberta and Allan Weissglass Foundation

Miriam and Alfred Yarkony

Judith Zakarin-Averick and Rauvan Averick

Alan Zimmerman

Anonymous

 

$250 to $499

2500 65th Street Realty LLC

A N C A Optical Corp.

A+ Towel & Linen Supply

Carlton J. Abbott ’65

ACC SC Management LLC – Dolphin Cove

Amalgamated Transit Union – Division No. 726

Enrique Arevalo

Arrochar Pharmacy, Inc.

Daniel J. Beaton ’89

Margaret Berci

Holly Block

Sebastian Borriello

Barbara and George E. Bouquio ’85

Marcy and Stephen Brennan

A. Ramona Brown

Rosita ’89 and Carlos Cam-Chung

Capital One Services, LLC

Pamela J. Carlton

Nancy and Sean Casey

John Charitis

Chefs Diet National LLC

City Elevator

The Clinic at Country Estate, Inc.

Susan L. and Henry W. Cohen

Nancy Correra ’00

Jennifer A. Coughlan

Eunice and Roy Crombie

Margaret J. Crooks ’69

Margaret K. ’65 and Richard Currie

Lisa Daino

Leonard V. Dalessandro

Stacey and Tony D’Alessandro ’02

Delphi Plumbing and Heating

Melissa DelPrete ’05

Joanne and Daniel M. Destefano ’63

Frank J. Dito, Jr.

Mary Ellen Dito-Evensen ’83 and Martin Evensen

Rita E. and Michael J. Duenas ’85

Paula and Donald A. Eismann ’69

Erlan H. Feria

Fertig Family Foundation

Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund

Financial Planning Concepts of America

Maureen Foppiano ’04

Aviva and Menachem Fuller

Cheryl and Joseph Gobin

Kenneth M. Gold

Rimma and Anshel Gorokhovsky

Susan ’75 and Michael Gottlieb

Viktoriya and Sergey Guberman

Francis Hillery

Maria Hodge

Doreen M. Inserra

Kim and Jerry L. ’78 Jackson

Jetro Cash & Carry Restaurant Depot

Wilma P. Jones

Patricia Kahn

Kayliam LLC

Edward Kennelly

Anonymous

Ruth an Robert Kurtz

Mark Lauria Associates, Inc.

Lihong Li

James Long

Alan M. Lyons

Sandy and Michael Maffattone ’83

Linda C. Marino ’80

Anthony Mellina

Catherine and Holt Meyer

Muhamet Mjeshtri ’09

Modell’s II, Inc.

Walter J. O’Brien ’74

Judith and Thomas Oleary

Dibyendu S. Pandey ’00

Michael Patalano

Paul A. Mezzo & Co. PC

Anthony D. Petosa ’93

Joel H. Pinsker ’78

Vincent Puccio

Joseph M. Scandaglia ’65

Leba and Rivie Schwebel

SI Baseball Oldtimers

Reize and Howard Sipzner

Elizabeth A. Sisti ’69

Lana and Lev Slootsky

Lorraine C. Smith ’70 and Joseph M. Tenga

Richard E. Smith

Snug Harbor Cultural Center

Carol A. ’71 and Richard E. Sorensen

Bruce I. Spender ’67

Staten Island Audiological Services PC

Staten Island Children’s Museum

Staten Island United Soccer Club

Tina and Anthony Storz

Jennifer E. ’75 and Philip S. Straniere

Helen and Abe Sultanik

Subramanyam Tantry

John Tardy

Ellen and Paul Tharp

Todres & Company LLP

Vinay Vaishampayan

Petros Vlitas

Anna Williams

Thomasina ’82 and Charles Williams

 

$100 to $249

Karen Accardi

Michael Ackalitis

Zaghloul Ahmed

Morris O. Ailey ’77

Champ Albano

Karmen Alejandro-White

Diane P. Amodeo ’91

Tricia Anastasio

Douglas W. Anderson

Emily and John Antonopoulos

Apple-Metro, Inc

Susan E. ’02 and Stephen A. Ascolese

AT&T Foundation

Anthony Avena ’01

Kimberly A. ’90 and Victor P. Avis, DDS

Jaclyn A. Badagliacco ’04

Judith Baron

Raffaela L. Bartone

Marlene and Irwin Bash

Jack Battaglia

Iris D. Baum ’86

Anonymous

Maureen Becker ’97

Abdulla Begai

Brenda L. Bell ’71

Terence E. Bellew, Jr. ’92

Valeria Belmonti ’05

Alan I. Benimoff ’67

Roseann and Jeffrey K. Benjamin ’90

Diane and Thomas O. Bergendale ’85

Debra and Alfred Berkovits

Veronica Bianchi

Teris W. and Frederick M. Binder

Jason Bishop

Constance and Willie F. Black III ’83

Dorothy and Paul Blyskal

Helen Bolton

Clare M. ’87 and Vincent Bonafede

Lisa Bonet

Patricia A. ’72 and George Y. Bramwell

Deana and Irving Brenner

Bristol-Myers Squibb Foundation, Inc.

Joseph Britton

Lorraine ’13 and Frank Brocato

Shirley ’74 and Herman Brownstein

Begai Bukurije

Bumblebees S12 LLC

BumbleBeesRus, Inc.

Florence Burrus ’85

Nannie ’90 and Clad Byrd

Patricia C. Byrne ’88

C.B.C. Tran, Inc.

Linda J. Calarco ’70

Call It A Wrap

Laraine and John C. Caminiti ’67

Awilda and Craig Campbell

Mark F. Cannizzaro ’90

Joseph A. Cantalupo ’86

Lewis Carbonaro ’00

Alisa and John M. Carbone ’89

Care For Seniors LLC

Tracey Carlson ’98

Patricia A. Carroll ’85

Anna Carter ’89

Salvatore Caruso

Lorayne and Thomas Castiglione

Celeste Cernera

Wa H. Chan ’90

Sarah and Judah Chasky

Gia J. Cheeks ’89

Christine Ducey and Michael Chiacchiero ’90

Karen K. Choi Wong ’86

Blaise Chow

Enrica Chretien

Catherine and Kenneth Christman

Derek G. Chung, MD ’79

Church & Dwight Co., Inc.

Michael J. Clark

Carol ’86 and James M. Cline ’74

Tracy Grunsfeld and Brian Coakley

Sandy and John Codd ’85

Cohen’s Fashion Optical

Marie H. Cole

Mary A. Cole ’81

Phyllis B. Collins ’72

Linda ’87 and Richard Collyer

Commissary Account Engine 330 Ladder 172

Salvatore J. Conforti ’87

Sandra and Andrew* Conti, MD ’69

Salvatore Conti ’61 and Susan Dudley

Dana Corallo

Linda L. Coull ’81

Diane and Wilfredo Court

Laura ’80 and Edward H. Craig

Maryanna P. ’94 and David G. Crawford

John C. Criso ’80

Dina and Brian Crombie

Crown Trophy

Catherine M. Curatolo ’01

Joan K. Curran ’83

Annamarie and Matthew Cutroneo ’95

Rozalia Czaban

Richard Dammer ’67

Danielle and Christopher D’Antuono, Esq. ’96

Alfred D’Auge ’80

Renee R. David ’74

Theresa C. and Anthony J. DeFazio

Anne Demarzo ’06

Susan and Louis DeMuth

Irene J. and Frank DeNave

Mary E. DeRosa ’77

Linda C. ’74 and Nicholas L. Dianto ’01

Marie and Salvatore DiDato

Rhea K. and Stephen G. Dignam ’76

Elizabeth Dimartino

Frank J. Dito

Eileen P. Doherty ’76

Annemarie Dooling and Craig Gellerman ’05

Walter T. Dornfest

Rita and Michael Duenas ’85

Eleanor Dugan ’75

Kathleen Dunn ’05

Angela Durso

Diane G. and Robert Edelman

Patrick C. Emery ’97

Stacey and Louis Emmer

Robert L. Epstein ’72

Barbara R. and Robert P. Eshoo

Emmanuel Esperance, Jr.

Marilyn and Marcelino Estrada

Dorothy H. Evensen ’71

Evolution Cheer, Inc.

Diane and Joseph Fabozzi

Fang Realty Corp.

Zelda and Israel Farkas

Nicholas Farkouh ’71

Fran Fassman

Jimmie Fata

Rebecca Faulds

Carol and John A. Fausto ’89

Lorraine and Thomas L. Ferramosca ’78

Mark Feuer

Cathleen and William Figuccio ’71

Finest Process Service, Inc.

Fire Edcon Associates, Inc.

Richard M. Flanagan

Donna and Robert Flecker

Michele A. ’92 and John J. Foder, Jr. ’91

Irene ’82 and Stanley Fogel

Stanley M. Fogel

Mary M. Fontana

Forest Pizza Restaurant, Inc.

Thomas Fricke ’99

Elinoir and Samuel Fried

Natalie and Carl Friedman

Sylvia and Itchy Friedman

Donnamarie Fulco ’77

Cristine and Anthony Gaggi

Carolyn Gaites ’91

Angelita ’86 and Antonio Gallego ’95

Aileen A. Dito-Gallinaro and Frank T. Gallinaro

Dena and Kevin Galvin

Donna L. Garambone and Kevin Whorton, PE

Joel Garbow

Maria Garcia Bulkley and Peter Bulkley

Beth A. Gargiulo ’95 and Josh Kanner

Garibaldi-Meucci Museum

Anne ’75 and Edward Garvey

Eudelia D. Gassaway-Price ’83

Marilyn and Jay Gelbein

Gerald Peters, Inc.

Carole M. ’02 and Michael V. Gervasi

Mark Geschwind

Sandra Gibbs

Jill and Russell J. Gilkeson ’69

Going Places Travel, Inc.

Jan Goldberg

Marianne and Ronald C. Goldfarb, Esq. ’71

Myron Goldman

Ellen Goldner

Flora Goldston ’91

Rosane and Marc L. Golin

Minerva and Manuel Gonzalez ’05

Katharine Goodland

Thelma ’87 and Robert Graber

David Granato

Judith K. and Robert W. Greene

Helen R. ’97 and William Gretz

Wayne J. Grofik ’85

Nine and Andrew Grosso

Laura and John A. Grzeskowiak, Jr. ’71

Mary Vansevicius Guagliardo and John Guagliardo, Jr.

Patricia and Eric F. Guerrino ’71

Edward J. Gugliucci ’79

Paula Gural ’81

Habit Rest, Inc.

Michael M. Hahn ’75

Frances M. ’76 and Paul Halamandaris

Sarah E. ’81 and William Hall

Hall of Frames

Linda and Lawrence Hanibal

Gary J. Harasink ’77

Gregory J. Harden ’78

Frances ’72 and Joseph Harris

Laura Harris-Chwastyk ’71 and Thomas F. Chwastyk

Peter D. Haugk ’67

Evelyn M. Henry ’72

Charles Hexter

Valerie A. ’88 and Barlow G. Hill

Jerrold Hirsch, EdD

Dana Hirschy

Jason Hirschy

Robert Hirschy

Frederick J. Hodge ’79

John Hodge

Barbara A. ’75 and Steven Hoffman

Jennie C. and Richard R. Hoffmann

Claudette D. Holton ’80

Esther ’06 and Allen Hymowitz

Alisa Ibragimova

Taube and Michael Import

Alicia Isasi-Endress ’12

Joanne B. and Kenichi Iwama, Esq.

J.T.A.E. Corp dba Who’s Next?

Carol and Chaim Jacobowitz

Deanna Jacobs ’76

Barbara and David Jacobson

Cheryl and Kenneth Jacobson

Linda A. Jelicks ’83

Xin Jiang

Maryann ’05 and Thomas Johnston ’80

Edward C. Josey ’64

Daniel Jost

K. John Holding Corp.

Barbara ’74 and Frederick Kaestel

Carol J. and Robert J. Kanowicz ’76

Dean Kapetanakis ’97

Helen and Louis Kaplan

Kimberly Karpeles ’89

Marie and Vincent Karpeles

Merle S. and Alexander Katimbang ’87

Paul Kelleher, MD ’89

Cheryl and Irwin Keller

Laura and Henry J. Kennedy, Esq.

Amanda Klein ’03

Jennifer Klein

Sara and Simon Klein

Roberta and Edwin Klibaner

Pearl Knittle

Vullnet Kolari, Esq. ’98

Carla Kostandy ’12 and Gamil Kostandy

Sasha and Joan B. Koulish

Tom Kryskowski

Judith Kuppersmith

Grace Y. Kwong ’79

Barbara H. and Anthony J. LaMarca ’65

Laura Lamonte

Garry E. Laquinte ’05

Larry Daly Home Improvement Contractors

Ruth and Myron Lasser

Maryann Lauria and Nick Popolo

Law Offices of Frank J. Dito Jr.

Daryl ’97 and Paul Lebowitz

Lee’s Tavern

Vincent Leone ’95

Lynda K. LeSuer ’73

Rosanne Leverone

Robert Levine ’75

Faye Lewis

Joyce D. Li ’98

Suzette Lippa ’99

Linda G. Lipscomb ’79

Melanie and Michael Lipson

Little Dreams Day Care Corp

Phyllis A. Litwinka

HuiYu Liu and ChengGuo Dong

Theresa M. Lobritto ’89

Esther and Jonah Loewenthal

Phyllis and John Logan

Frank Lombardo

William Lonergan ’93

Ednita Lorenzo ’10

Frances Lowney ’86

Ann and Gerard Lubrano

John Lugo ’03

Margaret Lunney Lewis ’73 and John H. Lunney

Irina Lyublinskaya

Evelyn E. MacDonald ’77

Ann Mackey ’12

Macmanz, Inc.

Frank Madalone

Patricia R. Mahoney ’63

Majeski Athletic Consulting, LLC

Major League Screen Printing

Lyudmila Malikova

Elizabeth A. ’80 and Edward Malone

Michael Mandell

Susan Mannino ’90

Joan Marchi Migliori

Donna Marinacci

Mia Marinaccio ’91

Sheri Marotta

Luann Martin ’82

Sandra and John Mastropietro

Lyndell M. Matteo

Esther and George Mayer

Anthony McSherry ’92

Conrad H. Meibauer ’74

Phyllis Meiner and Sheldon Meiner

Maria ’04 and Byron Meister

Metro Pizza

Miriam ’77 and Harry Mezei

Paula E. Milazzo, Esq. ’82

John Minogue

Michael Miserendino

Frances Mitilieri ’11

Stephanie and Joseph Mizrahi

Anne and Frank Mondello

Marie I. ’73 and Robert P. Mone ’74

Rosemary J. Monroe ’73 and Albert Cohen

Mary Ellen A. Montalvo ’74

Maureen ’04 and Frank Morisano ’91

Laura and Russ J. Morisi ’92

Miriam and Howard Moses

Roy Moskowitz

Joyce S. ’76 and Joel Motechin

Teresa and Louis E. Mugnano, Jr. ’90

Grace M. Murphy

Mary Murphy

Network for Good

New Dorp High School Parents Baseball Club

Nino’s Unisex Hair Salon, Inc.

Novartis

George G. Odian

Debra A. Olsen ’93

Clifford R. Olson ’65

One Three Sports

Orthopedic and Sports Associates of Long Island, P.C.

Ralph A. Pacchiano, Jr. ’90

Lisa Hellow-Pagliaro and Steven Pagliaro

Pampered Chef

Sarah A. and Paul B. Passero ’77

James E. Patella ’79

Jennifer ’95 and John Peruggia

Joan S. Peters ’84

Nancy and Jonathan R. Peters ’86

Mary Ann and Mark A. Peters ’76

Patricia and Anthony Petrosini

Fran and Milton Pfeiffer

Photograve Corp.

Marian and Evan Pickman

Jean-Marie Pierre ’88

Robert Pinto

David Pizzuto ’03

Ann and Vincent Polimeni ’87

Deborah E. Popper

Freya and Alan Poritz

Stella ’91 and Paul Porto

Richard M. Potter ’74

Maria and Michael Premus

Paula Presutti ’73

Leo V. Priola ’12

Cecilia T. Proscia ’96

Kathleen M. Quilty-Bussey ’93

Heather Quinlan

R.M.P Enterprises of NY, Inc.

Rab’s Country Lanes

Maria and Imad Rahawi ’86

Carolyn B. and Stanley K. Ramsdal ’72

Glenn Rand ’97

Joan B. Rannie ’71

Charlotte L. Reed ’72 and Twain M. Peebles

Linda E. Reese

Marilyn ’94 and Irving Reich

Victor Reich ’90

Raymond M. Reilly ’96

Regina Ricci

Margaret Ricciardi ’86

Emily Rice

Richmond Road Ravioli, Inc.

Ridge Physical Therapy

River Edge Title Agency, LLC

William M. Roane ’87

Mary Roddy

Kathleen M. ’90 and William M. Rode

Francine M. Roesch ’85

Robert J. Roesch, Jr. ’89

Anthony V. Romano

Iphigenia Romanos ’14

Nancy F. ’87 and Edward F. Ronckovitz ’70

Samuel D. Rosa ’95

Vera and Mark Rosenblum

Judy Rosner

Lisa and Joseph Rothman, MD

Amanda Rotondo

Candace Ruisi ’83

Robert Russo

Safe World Alarm Co.

Ilene and Raphael Safier

Sak & Rampulla LLP

David Salas

Margaret A. ’87 and Jerry Salzano

Thomas Scarangello

Jeffrey Schajer ’76

Barbara A. Schiano ’11

Malka Schwartz

Sharon and Heshy Schwebel

Mariam and Shea Schwebel

Monica E. Scott ’92

Michael Scotto

Brenda and Greg Seals

Anonymous

Gina Shanley

SI Jewish Heritage Network

Jodi and Alan J. Siegel ’78

Sabina ’74 and Sheldon Silbiger

Sydell and Israel Sipzner

Robert Sipzner, MD

Terry Small-Njac

Sharon and Julian Smith

Helene Sokal ’74

Dina M. ’77 and John L. Soldini ’77

Sorensen Park View Terrace

Michael Sormani

Carmen Sorrentino-Higgins and Martin Higgins

Edward Sosa

Joyce Schaer-Spamer and Kenneth J. Spamer ’80

Spare Pair II Vision Center

Alberta Spence ’73

Frieda and Steven Spiro

Marlene Springer

Elizabeth Starcevic

Staten Island Bagpipers

Eileen Stieglitz

Danielle Stiles

Sundog Theatre, Inc.

Geraldine Swanson ’75

Mary Symes-Leith ’79

Ciro R. Taddeo ’69

Phu Tang ’15

Deborah A. and Thomas M. Terracino ’82

The Design Loft

The Feder Family Rodef Chesed Charitable Foundation

The Kindur LLC

The Staten Island LGBT Community Center, Inc.

The Walt Disney Company Foundation

Thomas Tierney, Jr. ’93

Lorraine Tobin ’11

Eleni Tournaki

Trifaro Physical Therapy PC

Truist

Judith and Isidore Tuchinsky

Eileen Tucker ’89

Kuklov Tumasova

Irene M. ’70 and Richard Tyler, MD

Phyllis A. ’77 and Harold Valvik

Victorystar Ltd.

John Villa

Village Realty of SI, Ltd.

Yves Vilus ’77

Larry P. Walker ’75

Lynne and Donald Walsh

Thomas Weber

Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Weiden

Helene ’82 and Zev Weinstein

Fern and Gerald Weiss

Shari and Michael Weiss

Barbara Westfall

Lorraine ’72 and Gary Wilbur ’78

Seweryn Wojciechowski

Bayrei Wong ’93

Charles Wonsowicz

Nancy and John C. Woodman ’73

Cheryl C. Wu ’90 and Steve Wu

Judy Xiao ’04

Ashely and Adam Yannotta ’02

Anonymous

Sheila ’76 and Albert Zachter

Karen L. Zanelli ’90

Karen Zboinski

Susan and Bernard Zimmerman

Eleanor Zorfas

Margaret Zwiren ’01

* = Deceased

BOLD =  CSI Foundation Board member

 

 

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[video, gallery] Seventh Annual Celestial Ball Celebrates and Supports CSI

Celestial Ball 2016

The Seventh Annual CSI Foundation Celestial Ball, in celebration of the College’s 60th Anniversary, raised record-breaking funds through generous donations from guests and sponsors, and matched last year’s record-breaking attendance. The money raised will be used to strengthen student support and advance faculty research, as well as help ensure that CSI’s greatest needs are met.

The black-tie optional event, chaired by CSI Foundation Board Secretary Marilyn Caselli, was held at the beautiful Richmond County Country Club.

View the CSI Today Photo Gallery>

As in past years, the Ball committee honored members of the CSI and Staten Island communities who have affected positive change. Each were awarded the President’s Medal by Gary Reichard, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affair.  Recipients included Dr. Michael Kress ’69, ’75; Patrick McDermott; and Beatrice Victor. In addition, the Friends of CSI, represented by Carol Berardi, Norma D’Arrigo, and Anthony DeFazio, celebrated their 40th Anniversary of service to students and student support, and were awarded a proclamation from the President and Provost in recognition of their hard work and dedication.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Ai38Ipew4M[/youtube]Khatmeh Osseiran-Hanna began the evening’s program by acknowledging the event’s sponsors and the individuals who worked tirelessly to make the Ball a success. She also noted the contributions of the board members of the CSI Foundation and CSI Alumni Association, and underscored the importance of the College’s partnerships with the Island’s not-for-profit organizations. She concluded by summing up a main focus of the Ball, “The evening is all about you, our donors and you our honorees. Grounded in your generosity, we reach new heights.”

CSI Foundation President Sam Farag emphasized the CSI Foundation’s critical role in securing philanthropic support for the College and built upon Osseiran-Hanna’s words to the donors by thanking the Ball’s attendees, emphasizing that the success of CSI and its students is dependent upon their generosity, now more than ever.

CSI President Dr. William Fritz began his remarks by discussing the legacy of the Celestial Ball, stating that the event “builds upon the legacy of the Starlight Ball, founded as the College’s premiere fundraising event by the Friends of CSI in 1978, which then morphed into the Starlight Cabaret. So in reality, we have been celebrating for at least 38 years!”

Dr. Fritz recognized past honorees and honorary degree recipients in the audience, as well as the hard work of the members of the College community, which helped to make the Ball a reality. He briefly discussed the upward trajectory of the College since its inception as Staten Island Community College in 1956, highlighting the many local and national accolades that CSI has received for the excellence and value of its programs, and the transformation effect on the student body.

The significance of academic excellence was a focal point of the comments provided by student speaker Steven Arriaga, a Linguistics and Spanish major with minors in French and Latin American Studies. A senior with the Verrazano School Honors Program, Steven compared his time in high school, from which, he admitted, he “barely graduated,” to his amazing success at CSI. Now, he is deeply involved in a number of organizations, is a Fulbright candidate, and plans attend graduate school upon graduation.

Steven, who is a recipient of the Clara & Arleigh B. Williamson and the Academy of Retired Professors scholarships, also expressed his gratitude to the College’s supporters, saying that they are responsible for his success. “You are part of the reason that there is no better university system in the country than the CUNY system. I repeat: there is NO better university system in this country than the CUNY system; the ambitions of CSI scholarship recipients are a testament to this truth. Thank you for allowing us to shine, for being the catalyst that allows us to endlessly achieve excellence.”

This year’s Ball included a silent auction, where attendees competed for prizes such as a whale and dolphin watching excursion for two onboard the American Princess or two tickets to see Kanye West at the Prudential Center, among many other exciting items and activities.

HONOREES

Michael Kress, PhD '69, '75

 President’s Medal recipient Michael E. Kress, PhD, ’69, ’75

Dr. Michael E. Kress is the former Vice President for Information Technology and Economic Development at the College of Staten Island and former Executive Director of The City University of New York Interdisciplinary High-Performance Computing Center (IHPCC). He received his Doctorate from New York University. He is an alumnus of the College of Staten Island, holding an MA and BS from Richmond College.

His prominent CUNY career spans more than 45 years. As Vice President for Information Technology, he was responsible for developing campus technology strategies and providing leadership and direction with respect to the operation of campus technology systems, core business applications, voice and data networks, IT Security, and data center operations. He was also a member of the CUNY IT Steering Committee, and is a distinguished member of the CUNY Doctoral Faculty in Computer Science.

In his capacity as Executive Director of the CUNY IHPCC, he had oversight of the facility that provides the computational resources required by CUNY faculty, students, researchers, and their collaborators. Dr. Kress developed synergistic collaborations among researchers to bring together computational scientists and discipline experts to solve problems which rely on high speed computing and massive data sets.  Some recent contributions include scientific visualization of real world and simulated data, including storm surge research in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, and traffic and transportation system modeling. In addition, Dr. Kress developed special techniques for teaching mathematics to blind students and instituted a system for text transcription for deaf students at CUNY.

Dr. Kress is the recipient of many National Science Foundation and other grants and has published extensively in the field of computational science, numerical analysis, educational technology, and transportation systems. In July 2014, with his leadership as principal investigator, a consortium of six CUNY institutions received a $15 million gubernatorial grant to launch a CUNY Center for Big Data Analytics and Visualization to develop big data analysis resources at multiple sites and workforce certificate programs that will capitalize on New York City’s growing strength as a national hub for technology-focused innovation.

Recently, he led The Willowbrook Mile collaboration among CSI, the Staten Island Developmental Disabilities Council, the Institute for Basic Research in Developmental Disabilities, and the Elizabeth Connelly Resource Center/Office for People with Developmental Disabilities.

 

President’s Medal recipient Patrick F. McDermott

Patrick F. McDermott is the Managing Partner and co-founder of McDermott & Thomas Associates LLC, a firm specializing in employee benefit planning and insurance, financial planning, and estate planning. McDermott and Thomas Associates LLC has offices on Staten Island and Princeton, NJ. The firm is a Founding Partner of United Benefit Advisors, one of the nation’s largest privately held employee benefits advisory organizations with more than 1,300 experienced benefits professionals located in 140 offices across the country. UBA Members provide employee benefits consulting and brokerage services, and best-in-class products to more than 24,000 private corporations and public employers, managing nearly $10 billion annually in Employee Benefit expenditures on behalf of 1.6 million+ employees and their families.

Pat is a Director and Past President of the College of Staten Island Foundation, Trustee of the Northwell Health System (North Shore-LIJ Health System), Past Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Staten Island University Hospital, Chairman of the National Board of the American Parkinson Disease Association, a Trustee of Catholic Charities Community Services of the Archdiocese of New York, and a Director of the Staten Island Rotary Foundation.

As a member of the CSI Foundation Board, Pat has served the College of Staten Island community since 2000. His contributions, both financial and in service, have been invaluable to the advancement of both institutions. He has received numerous awards for service to the community including the United Hospital Fund Distinguished Trustee Award, the Meals on Wheels Louis R. Miller Community Service Award, the Staten Island CYO Community Service Award, CYO Archdiocesan Shining Stars Award, YMCA Distinguished Community Service Award, and is a Paul Harris Fellow of Rotary International.

Pat and his wife Susan have three children and five grandchildren and reside on Lighthouse Hill.

 

President’s Medal recipient Beatrice Victor

For most of her life, Beatrice Victor has dedicated herself to community service.

Born Beatrice Goldsmith in Worcester, MA, she became a Registered Nurse after graduating from high school, and immediately joined the U.S. Army Nurse Corp., serving in Bethesda, MD as an ensign. Most of her patients fought at Iwo Jima, and the ward for which she was responsible was inspected by President Truman.

After the war, she worked in a physician’s office, and attended evening classes at NYU to bolster her skills. She subsequently met and married her husband, Dr. Melvin Victor, and worked with him in his office until his death in 1977. She then served as a representative for Staten Island HIP.

Beyond her professional life, Ms. Victor became an advocate for people on Staten Island with brain damage, having a child of her own who experienced brain damage at birth. As a result of her efforts, one of the Island’s first group homes opened and she served as Executive Director for eight years. It is still providing excellent service to this population. In addition, she was instrumental in the creation of a diagnostic center at the Mental Health Society for the brain injured, which still provides services in the Borough as the Elizabeth Pouch Center for Special People. Ms. Victor also attended numerous rallies and took many trips to Albany to advocate on behalf of people with brain injuries.

Ms. Victor has also been a champion for seniors on the Island, working to establish SeniorNet to teach computer skills to seniors. She worked to open a classroom for this project at the Jewish Community Center of Staten Island, serving as a teacher for ten years. She has also written the “As We Are” column in the Staten Island Advance, which addresses issues that are important to seniors.

 

The Friends of CSI

Celebrating 40 Years of Dedication and Service: The Friends of CSI

The Friends of CSI are celebrating their 40th anniversary, this year. The organization began in 1976 as a group of community members who support the College’s Mission and who promote and execute programs to involve the community in the educational and cultural activities of CSI. Most significantly, their efforts have assisted generations of students with scholarship support, making their dreams of a college degree accessible and affordable.

Over its four-decade existence the Friends have hosted an impressive list of fundraising events. They established the Starlight Ball, which was the predecessor to today’s Celestial Ball. Other events include dinner theaters, the International Festivals at the Sunnyside Campus, various musical events, and a trip to Sicily and Rome with the CSI Alumni Association.

In recent years, the Friends have sponsored an annual Literary Brunch event, which spotlights prominent authors and theirs works. This year’s Brunch featured CSI Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Gray Reichard, who discussed his latest published book, Deadlock and Disillusionment: American Politics since 1968.

Dr. Reichard’s presentation was followed by an audience discussion moderated by Professor Richard Flanagan, which included Tom Wrobleski from the Staten Island Advance, and Francis Barry, columnist on politics and U.S. domestic policy for Bloomberg View. It was a timely event, as it occurred shortly before the 2016 U.S. Presidential election.

 

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[video] Deadlock and Disillusionment Delivers at Friends of CSI 40th Anniversary Literary Brunch

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdGMShaSAJU[/youtube]More than 100 members of the College of Staten Island (CSI) and local communities attended The Friends of CSI 40th Anniversary Literary Brunch featuring CSI Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Gary Reichard, who offered his observations on politics in a presentation titled “Paralysis and Polarization.”

The signature event is the organization’s annual fundraiser, and drew members of the Friends from the past 40 years, including past Presidents Norma D’Arrigo and Christine Cea, and current acting President Carol Berardi.

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Dr. Reichard utilized his recently published book, Deadlock and Disillusionment: American Politics since 1968, as a springboard for the discussion. The book is part of Wiley Blackwell’s American History Series, in which Reichard has already published a volume on the Truman and Eisenhower presidencies.

Beginning with a brief outline of the afternoon agenda, Dr. Reichard noted that he would not be commenting on the specifics of current campaigns, but rather discussing political history in general to lay the groundwork for panelists to discuss more current events.

“Our downhill slide to where we find ourselves in 2016 has been marked by accumulating dysfunctions over the whole period, the whole course of the administrations of the past five presidents,” he stated, as he introduced the what he believes are the five most important mileposts: Nixon: The Southern Strategy in Watergate; Reagan: Culture Wars and Iran Contra; Clinton: Government Shutdowns and Perpetual Scandals; Bush: Election by Supreme Court and WMDs; and Obama: The Party of “No” and the Revival of Race Issues.

“The current campaign between our two unprecedentedly unpopular major party candidates has introduced new issues into the mix, but essentially we are living through the same battle between red America and blue America that these recent elections battles have reflected,” noted Dr. Reichard as he discussed the challenges in the U.S. political system today.

The presentation was followed by an audience discussion moderated by Professor Rich Flanagan, which included Tom Wrobleski from the Staten Island Advance, and Francis Barry, columnist on politics and U.S. domestic policy for Bloomberg View.

“In a lecture informed by a mastery of contemporary American politics, Dr. Reichard provided a superb account of the failure of Washington politics to deliver policies informed by a sense of compromise and the common good,” noted Flanagan.  “The academics and journalists on the panel tangled over the role of social media as a driver of contemporary campaigns. The audience asked great questions. If only the current campaign season could match the quality and thoughtfulness of the luncheon brunch.”

More information on Deadlock and Disillusionment: American Politics since 1968 is available on the Wiley Website.

The Friends of CSI began in 1976 as a group of community members who support the College’s Mission and who promote and execute programs to involve the community in the educational and cultural activities of CSI. Most significantly, their efforts have assisted generations of students with scholarship support, making their dreams of a college degree accessible and affordable.

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Foster Children Benefit from First Star/CSI Partnership

The First Star CSI Academy is an ambitious new program funded by the College of Staten Island (CSI) Foundation that will directly support youth in foster care. CSI has been chosen by First Star, Inc. as the first institution in CUNY and New York State to house the breakthrough program.

Beginning in October, approximately 30 high school students from Brooklyn and Staten Island will visit the CSI campus one Saturday each month to participate in academic and life skills development programs. The first year of the four year long program will culminate in July 2017 when the group experiences college life for an entire month while living in Dolphin Cove, the college’s apartment-style luxury residence halls, deepening their involvement in the academic and life skills programs.

“We are exceptionally proud of our partnership with the Administration for Children’s Services and the College of Staten Island,” said Paige Chan, National Director of First Star Academies and a native Staten Islander. “Approximately 50% of foster children nationwide graduate from high school by the age of 18, and less than 10% going on to achieve their baccalaureate. With this partnership, we will improve those outcomes here at home. I look forward to launching this profoundly impactful program in New York, working with our ninth-graders, telling them you are not foster children, you are First Star students, you are not your past, you are the future, and you have a home at the College of Staten Island.”

Senemeht Olatunji, Director of the First Star CSI Academy.

The newly appointed Director of the First Star CSI Academy, Senemeht Olatunji, has joined the College’s Division of Student and Enrollment Services. She previously worked with Child and Family Services in Washington, DC, where she worked in the social service field with a variety of populations, including youth in foster care, homeless women and families, and domestic violence and sexual assault survivors. In this role, she provided group and individual therapeutic and psycho-education interventions. Additionally, Olatunji spent six years as an English language arts teacher and instructional coach, having received her Master’s degree in Social Work from Howard University and a bachelor’s degree from Marymount Manhattan College.

“The First Star CSI Academy is in a unique position to ensure that college and career pathways are created for youth in foster care in New York. It is truly an exciting time to launch the Academy through the collaborative efforts of several vested stakeholders,” said Olatunji. “The First Star CSI Academy will serve as a critical and innovative step in addressing the educational needs of the youth involved in a holistic way.”

“We are proud that First Star has chosen the College of Staten Island to be the first college in New York State to launch this vital project,” noted Khatmeh Osseiran-Hanna, Vice President for Institutional Advancement and External Affairs and Executive Director of the CSI Foundation. “We are fully committed to further earn their trust by developing a program that will continue First Star’s national track record of success.”

“We are deeply grateful to the CSI Foundation, First Star Inc., the Hilton Foundation, and the Administration for Children’s Services for supporting this vital new initiative to ensure success for all students,” commented Jennifer S. Borrero, JD, Vice President for Student and Enrollment Services. “We are thrilled and humbled to launch a program that is so fully engrained in the College’s Mission, Vision, and Values. We are very excited to welcome our future students to campus!”

“All children have potential, but not all children have opportunities to realize and achieve that potential,” noted Ken Bach, Communications and Marketing Director at CSI.  “This important program will seek to change that imbalance, and is especially resonant with the college’s motto “Opportunity and Challenge.” It also reinforces CSI’s placement in recent national rankings, which include: sixth in the country on CollegeNet’s Social Mobility Index; 18th in the Northeast for “America’s Best-Bang-for-the-Buck Colleges” according to Washington Monthly; in the top 15% nationwide on PayScale’s College Salary Report for Alumni Salary Potential; and a Top Military Friendly School by GI Jobs magazine for seven consecutive years.”

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Newly Renovated Lorraine and Gordon Di Paolo Board Room Will Serve as State-of-the-Art Meeting Space

Lorraine and Gordon Di Paolo at the 2014 Celestial Ball

It was originally referred to as the President’s Board Room, but thanks to a generous endowment to the CSI Foundation from Lorraine and Gordon Di Paolo, PhD, a popular Associate Professor of Management who has taught at the College of Staten Island since 1971 (starting at Staten Island Community College), the meeting space in Building 1A, Room 406 will be a modern meeting facility that will better serve the needs of the College community.

Renovations to what is now the Gordon and Lorraine Di Paolo Board Room will include furniture upgrades from the “performance environment” company Herman Miller, including Everywhere Tables, which offer a modular approach that can be arranged in multiple configurations based upon the needs of the specific events. The fine lines and refined aesthetic of the tables are complimented by the sleek silhouettes of 32 Eames Aluminum Management Chairs, a multipurpose chair with trim lines originally designed in 1958 that continues to complement interiors today.

State-of-the-art technological enhancements are also planned, including a new sound amplifier and speaker array, a wireless microphone system, and enhanced high-definition telecommunications functionality, all tied in to a powerful and unified AV processor unit controlled by a wall-mounted touch panel.

Beyond their support for this project, the Di Paolos have been major financial supporters of the College and its students for years, having established a number of scholarships and funds for School of Business, disabled students, the College, in general, and other critical initiatives. For their enormous contributions, they were honored in 2009 at the First Annual Celestial Ball with President’s Medals. Dr. Di Paolo also received a Dolphin Award this year for Outstanding Service and Contribution to the College by a Member of the Full-Time Faculty.

Speaking of the much-needed makeover and the Di Paolos’ generosity, CSI Vice President for Institutional Advancement and External Affairs Khatmeh Osseiran-Hanna said, “The campus community and the CSI Foundation are grateful for the incredible support that Gordon and Lorraine Di Paolo have provided over the years to the College and the School of Business. Now, thanks to their generosity, the President’s Board Room will be a state-of-the-art space where all College stakeholders can work together to propel the College forward.”

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CSI Mascot Dives Into NY Wheel Time Capsule

Danny the Dolphin has made a splash as he plunged into history this weekend as part of Staten Island’s first-ever 21st Century time capsule buried in the concrete foundation of the New York Wheel.

Danny was joined by a small grouping of other iconic symbols of the borough and placed in the capsule by Rich Marin, president and CEO of the New York Wheel and newly-appointed College of Staten Island (CSI) board member.  The capsule was placed into the final pour of the foundation at a ceremony this weekend.

“The New York Wheel will certainly prove to be an economic stimulator for Staten Island and New York City,” commented Khatmeh Osseiran-Hanna, Vice President for Institutional Advancement and External Affairs at CSI. “Having the College mascot, Danny the Dolphin, being a part of such an historic event is an outstanding testament to the College’s 60th anniversary celebration of excellence in education since 1956.”

CSI’s ever-so-cute and smiling mascot will see the light of day again in the year 2646 when the capsule is unearthed.

In 630 years, one year for every foot in height of the Wheel, onlookers will also discover additional items such as Saturday’s copy of the Staten Island Advance; a New York Wheel shaped USB drive containing a video of how the Wheel was built; a jar of honey, one of the few foods that never decomposes, which was produced on site at the URBY residential/commercial complex in Stapleton as part of the North Shore renaissance; and a $10,000 gift certificate from Empire Outlets, New York City’s first outlet center, for a lucky future shopper at the complex being built in conjunction with the Wheel.

The year 2016 seems to belong to Danny as he found his way into hundreds of photos from around the world sent in by CSI students, alumni, and friends for the Where’s Danny? Photo Competition on instagram.com, #csidannythedolphin.

“Every aspect of this project is a big undertaking” noted Marin in the Staten Island Advance, “and we think it’s fitting to commemorate with both the men and women on the ground and the many members of the community who have supported this project and continue to help make it possible.”

To learn more about the time capsule, read the article at: silive.com/news/index.ssf/2016/06/iconic_staten_island_symbols_f.html

 

 

 

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Lehmann Scholarship Endowment to Fuel Graduate Studies in the Humanities

The Kurt and Marjorie Lehmann Scholarship has been established with an endowment of $415,000 to provide financial support to graduate students in the humanities and social sciences at the College of Staten Island. This is among the largest scholarship gifts to the College and the first devoted exclusively to Master’s-level students.

“Scholarships for students at the graduate level are especially helpful, since many of these students do not fall within the parameters for public support,” explained Dr. Nan Sussman, Dean of the Humanities and Social Sciences. “This type of private scholarship funding will greatly increase their ability to continue their studies and grow into tomorrow’s leaders.”  These future leaders include students pursuing Master’s degrees in Cinema and Media Studies, English, History, Liberal Studies, Mental Health Counseling, and Social Work, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Autism.

As the cost of living continues to rise, the Lehmann endowment will provide financial support to ensure the academic success of graduate students by alleviating the need to work additional hours.  Among CSI’s 14,000 undergraduates, even those receiving financial aid often take full- or part-time jobs to help pay for their education. In this student population, 35% represent the first generation of their family to attend college, 22% work for more than 20 hours per week, and 48% report working for pay to make ends meet.

“We are delighted and deeply grateful for the Kurt and Marjorie Lehmann endowed scholarship fund,” said Dr. William J. Fritz, President of the College of Staten Island. “It is through their generosity that our students will be able to achieve a higher level of education and training in order to enhance their desirability in the job market and be better positioned to make meaningful contributions to our community, nation, and the world.”

The Kurt and Marjorie Lehmann Scholarship is administered by the CSI Foundation, whose mission is to secure philanthropic support for the College to provide the assistance necessary for students to reach their highest level of academic excellence. To learn more about the many benefits of joining the CSI Honor Roll of Donors, please call Khatmeh Osseiran-Hanna, Vice President for Institutional Advancement and External Affairs and Executive Director of the CSI Foundation, at 718.982.2365, email foundation@csi.cuny.edu, or visit the Foundation Website.

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[gallery] Sixth Annual Celestial Ball Raises Much-Needed Funds to Support CSI

Enthusiasm was in the air as faculty, staff, students, alumni, and friends of the College of Staten Island broke attendance and contribution records, last December, at the Sixth Annual Celestial Ball. The gala event, which took place at the Richmond County Country Club, was hosted by the CSI Foundation.

This year’s Ball honored with the President’s Medal notable citizens who have made significant contributions to CSI and our community. The honorees were Edward Burke, Dr. Christine D. Cea ’88, Cesar J. Claro, and Dr. Wilma L. Jones. After he received his award, Mr. Claro graciously presented a $250,000 check to the College on behalf of the Richmond County Saving Foundation.

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As state funding for higher education in New York State continues to decrease, Khatmeh Osseiran-Hanna, CSI Vice President for Institutional Advancement and External Affairs, emphasized the goal of the evening to the record number of attendees when she began the festivities by comparing the Ball to the new life that comes each spring. “The Celestial Ball is much like that waking spring in providing crucial renewal of programs and scholarships for our students, dollars for faculty research, and funds for improvement of our campus.”

View the many gracious sponsors who made this event possible>

CSI Foundation President Sam Farag explained the vital role that the Foundation plays at the College and expressed his gratitude to the Ball’s attendees. “Our mission at the CSI Foundation is to secure philanthropic support for CSI to reach its highest level of academic excellence as one of CUNY’s senior colleges and the institution of public higher education in the Borough. As the success of the CSI Foundation, and the College, is rooted in the generosity of the College family and the Staten Island community, I’m grateful that you are all here tonight.”

CSI President Dr. William Fritz highlighted the College’s vast achievements, its growing national recognition, and its increasing reach. “The College has always served its students and its community, but today, that potential is limitless, thanks to recent advancements to our academic programs, our extraordinary faculty, and our beautiful, 204-acre campus. This potential drives the success of our students who are making the College of Staten Island a destination campus. Our student body is comprised not only of people from the Island, but from the other boroughs of New York City, from states across the U.S., and from countries around the world.”

That impact was further underscored by student speaker RinZhi Larocque who compared her metamorphosis at CSI to the College’s mascot, the dolphin. “Like dolphins nurture their young, CSI has nurtured me by giving me opportunities to improve my English through the CUNY Language Immersion Program, and allowing me to do research in the biology lab, as well as be part of the prestigious Verrazano School honors program at CSI, which has prepared me, very successfully, to apply for dental schools.”

This year’s Ball, which raised more than $100,000 in student support included a live and a silent auction, where attendees competed for prizes such as a painting donated by 101-year-old alumna Margaret Ricciardi and a guitar signed by Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi, among many other wonderful items and exotic getaways.

SAVE THE DATE– 2016 Celestial Ball—CELEBRATING OUR 60th ANNIVERSARY–December 3, 2016!