FRIENDS Sets New Fundraising Record

On October 30, the School of Architecture and Design celebrated its 17th Annual Alumni and FRIENDS Reception, raising a record-breaking $556,000 in support of student scholarships, technology upgrades, lectures, study abroad, and new initiatives.

The milestone brings the support raised through the FRIENDS of the School of Architecture and Design to more than $2.7 million. More than 270 alumni, faculty, staff, students, and friends gathered at the New York City landmark, Guastavino’s, to honor two alumni and an industry partner who have made significant impacts in architecture, design, and construction. The evening also celebrated the achievements of faculty and students.

“The FRIENDS annual celebration is always a joyful moment to connect, reflect, and honor the spirit of community that defines us,” said Maria Perbellini, M.Arch., dean of the School of Architecture and Design. “This year marks 17 years of meaningful legacy, mentorship, and vision. A heartfelt thank you to Tom Scerbo for his exemplary leadership as chair of the FRIENDS executive committee. The passion and inspiration alumni bring to our students’ education are extraordinary. Our deepest gratitude goes to Domenick Chieco for his spirit of giving, energy, and exceptional dedication to New York Tech and its mission.”

In his remarks, President Jerry Balentine, D.O., thanked attendees for their sponsorship. “New York Tech is the home of doers, makers, healers, and innovators—a place where we invent the future. The School of Architecture and Design truly embodies this mindset through the outstanding creative work of its students, faculty, and alumni.”

The event also highlighted student projects, providing an opportunity for them to share the stories behind their work and build professional networks, as well as the 2025 FRIENDS Scholarship recipients. Guy Page (B.Arch. ’88), chair of the FRIENDS Scholarship committee and senior vice president and discipline director for education and learning at H2M architects + engineers, recognized the scholarships winners:

• Latoya Deleon, fourth-year interior design student
• Jack Bogdan, fourth-year architectural technology student
• Deborah Seyilnen Parradang, fifth-year architecture student
• Katrina Deicmane, fifth-year architecture student (FRIENDS Edward J. Fulford Scholarship)

Representing the students, Bodgan said, “On behalf of my fellow scholarship recipients, I want to extend a heartfelt thanks to all the FRIENDS of New York Tech for helping keep this great school at the forefront of academic endeavor and, through these scholarships, helping to fuel our academic journeys, keeping us going places.”

The FRIENDS of the School of Architecture and Design, chaired by Tom Scerbo, AIA (B.Arch. ’98), presented Christina Toscano (B.Arch. ’15) with the Emerging Alumni Award, Turner Construction with the Industry Partner of the Year Award, and FRIENDS chair emeritus and New York Tech Board of Trustee Domenick Chieco (B.S. ’89) with the Distinguished Alumni Award.

Toscano, an associate principal at TVS Architecture and Design in Atlanta, specializes in renovation projects and interior architecture across both the private and public sectors in small and large firms, gaining a diverse and well-rounded perspective. She combines her design expertise with a strong understanding of facilities management and business strategy. Her background in architecture and business administration allows her to approach each project with a comprehensive, strategic mindset, ensuring both aesthetic and functional success.

In her remarks, Toscano reflected on the importance of her New York Tech education.

“As a legacy student, following in my father’s footsteps in the architecture program, I take great pride in my New York Tech roots,” said Toscano. “The curriculum was challenging, the projects pushed the boundaries of my creativity and technical skills, and my professors were immensely influential, instilling in me a deep appreciation for design history, environmental considerations, and the importance of client relationships. This well-rounded approach proved invaluable as I launched my career. The comprehensive education the School of Architecture and Design provides is becoming increasingly rare, yet vital for producing versatile professionals like me.”

Turner Construction is a North American-based, international construction services company that has earned recognition for undertaking large, complex projects, fostering innovation, embracing emerging technologies, and making a difference for its clients, employees, and community. In New York, Turner is proud to count 17 New York Tech graduates among its employees, including Sal Diana (B.T. ’07), who is currently serving as project manager of the renovation of the Rockefeller library and atrium and who led the team that brought the Biomedical Research, Innovation, and Imaging Center (BRIIC) to life.

“This recognition is a testament to the power of collaboration between academia and industry,” said Brouck Amerga, vice president of operations, who accepted the award on behalf of Turner. “At Turner Construction, we believe that innovation thrives when we invest in the next generation of thinkers and doers. Partnering with New York Tech and the School of Architecture and Design has been one of the most rewarding experiences, allowing us to support talented students and contribute to shaping the future of our field.”

Chieco is chairman of the board at Milrose Consultants, chair emeritus of the FRIENDS, and a member of the  New York Tech Board of Trustees. His professional journey is defined by vision, grit, and an unwavering belief in building a better future—one relationship, one project, and one opportunity at a time.

“While Milrose was growing, I noticed that New York Tech alumni were shaping the profession, driving architecture and development everywhere,” said Chieco. “What if I could leverage the critical mass the alumni had already built and channel that energy into creating something bigger and even more impactful? That’s when the FRIENDS initiative presented itself. United by a simple but powerful idea: to cultivate a spirit of philanthropy. What happened next was nothing short of extraordinary. That tiny spark fueled a roaring flame.”

The roaring flame that has become the FRIENDS of the School of Architecture and Design has kept thousands of alumni connected and committed to the growth and success of their alma mater, fostered countless professional and personal relationships, and transformed the student experience.

“To the students and recent graduates: I see you. I was you. I remember being in your shoes—driven by ambition yet navigating uncertainty. The tools have changed but one thing hasn’t: The human spirit’s capacity to rise, to adapt, and to exceed imagined barriers. No matter the era or the technology, it’s that inner fire—the hunger to grow, to build, to lead—that defines the fabric of New York Tech’s School of Architecture and Design alumni.”