Adelphi University will hold its fifth annual President's Gala, an evening to benefit student scholarships, on Saturday April 2, 2005 at the Garden City Hotel, Garden City, NY. During the evening, the University will honor three Long Island leaders for their commitment to the region and the University.

About the honorees:

The University will honor Russell C. Albanese, president of the Albanese Organization as the 2005 Outstanding Long Island Executive. The Albanese Organization, a Garden City based real estate development and management services firm, was founded over 50 years ago. Mr. Albanese has over 25 years experience in real estate planning, design, and the development and management of the residential, commercial, educational, and hospitality sectors. Under Mr. Albanese's leadership, the Albanese Organization has earned special distinction for its pioneering accomplishments in urban sustainable development exemplified by The Solaire, America's first environmentally responsible residential tower located in downtown Manhattan. In addition to numerous other projects, the Albanese Organization is also leading the redevelopment effort revitalizing Garden City's central business district, including the adaptive reuse and extensive renovation of several buildings along Franklin Avenue.

Sharon G. Grosser '83, Executive Director of the Roslyn Savings Foundation, will be honored with the 2005 Outstanding Service to Adelphi Award. Ms. Grosser joined the Roslyn Savings Foundation in 1997 as that organization's first Executive Director. Prior to that, Ms. Grosser worked at Northrop Grumman (formerly Grumman Corporation) for a total of thirty years and was the manager of Community Affairs for eighteen years out of those thirty. A graduate of Adelphi University, Ms. Grosser possesses many years of civic and philanthropic experience and has received many prestigious awards including: the John Gilligan Award from the Theodore Roosevelt Council of the Boy Scouts; the Patron of the Arts-Community Service Awards from the New York Institute of Technology; the Advocate of the Year from the Long Island Women's Agenda; and the Long Island Association Top 50 Women on Long Island Award. Ms. Grosser currently serves on the Adelphi University President's Advisory Council.

Jean Marie Salvatico '97, a Garden City resident, will be honored as the 2005 Outstanding Alumna. Over the years, Ms. Salvatico has remained a constant support to her family and their business, Jaral Properties, Inc., a Garden City hotel and restaurant development firm. A graduate of Adelphi with a B.S. in Social Work, Ms. Salvatico has exemplified her commitment to civic responsibility as a Minister of Care at St. Joseph's Church in Garden City. In this role, Ms. Salvatico gives back to the community by coordinating food drives, distributing holiday meals, and arranging for home visits to families who have recently lost loved ones. She also devotes a great deal of time to volunteer work at Hospice Care of Long Island in Plainview, New York.

This year's black-tie gala will begin with a cocktail hour at 7:00 p.m. followed by dinner and dancing. Gala Co-Chairs are Adelphi's President Robert A. Scott, Marian Conway of the Roslyn Savings Foundation, Russell Matthews of the Albanese Organization, Albert Salvatico of Jaral Properties, Inc., and Robert Salvatico of the Wingate Inn, Garden City. They are joined by a distinguished committee of business and community leaders.