Date: Aug 21, 2008

Joseph D. Monticciolo to be Honored at 1776 Opening Night Student Scholarship Benefit

Support Our Scholarships Fundraiser to Be Held September 12

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY – Joseph D. Monticciolo, president of The Monticciolo Company in Woodbury, New York, will be honored at the opening night performance of the musical 1776 at Hofstra on September 12, 2008 to support Hofstra student scholarships.

The benefit begins with a cocktail reception at 6:30 p.m. followed by the performance at 8 p.m. at the John Cranford Adams Playhouse, South Campus. For more information or to make a reservation please contact Kristen Ehrling at (516) 463-5339 or Kristen.Ehrling@hofstra.edu.

Featuring music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards, book by Peter Stone, direction by Sal Salerno and musical direction by William W. Williams, 1776 brings to life such figures as John Adams (Sayville's Bob Spiotto, who is also Hofstra’s artistic director of Hofstra Community Arts Programs and executive producer for Hofstra Entertainment), Benjamin Franklin (East Northport's Doug Vandewickel) and Thomas Jefferson (Seaford's Ryan Nolin), who – along with members of the Second Continental Congress – argued about, voted on and ultimately signed the Declaration of Independence.

Mr. Monticciolo has been a member of the Hofstra Pride Club and Hofstra University Advisory Board since 1977, including serving as its chair for the past 10 years. Under his leadership, Support Our Scholarships efforts have raised more than $1 million for student scholarships at Hofstra University.

Mr. Monticello's career as an architect began in 1960 with the USAF-Continental Air Command in Warner Robins, Georgia. From 1967 to 1987, he progressed from program manager for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to New York area director to Regional Housing FHA commissioner and, finally, to regional administrator for Region II. In 1988 he became president and chairman of the board of Eagle Capital Group Ltd., a housing and commercial real estate organization in New York City.

A lifetime fellow of the American Institute of Architects (AIA), Mr. Monticciolo has received numerous awards, including the AIA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2001 and the Edward C. Kemper Medal in 1987. The NYS Association of Architects awarded him the Del Gaudio Award in 1977, Kideney Medal in 1981, and President’s Award in 1986. He is president emeritus of the Italian Board of Guardians, Inc., a nonprofit organization that provides comprehensive social services to individuals in Brooklyn, New York, and member of the Order Sons of Italy in America and Columbus Citizens Foundation in New York City.

Mr. Monticciolo and his wife, Mary Ann, have been generous and active supporters of Hofstra University since 1977, including establishing the Joseph and Mary Ann Monticciolo Endowed Scholarship. The Hofstra University Alumni Organization honored his years of philanthropic support by making him an honorary alumnus of Hofstra in 2006. Mr. Monticciolo also received an Honorary Doctor of Laws from The Graduate Center, The City University of New York.

Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution where students can choose from about 140 undergraduate and 155 graduate programs in liberal arts and sciences, business, communication, education and allied human services, and honors studies, as well as a School of Law. With a student-faculty ratio of 14-to-1, our professors teach small classes averaging 22 students that emphasize interaction, critical thinking and analysis. Hofstra offers a faculty whose highest priority is teaching excellence. The University also provides excellent facilities with state-of-the-art technology, extensive library resources and internship programs that match students’ interests and abilities with appropriate companies and organizations.  The Hofstra community is driven, dynamic and energetic, helping students find and focus their strengths to prepare them for a successful future.