Join us for Preservation Alumni’s annual Spring Party on Thursday, May 10, 2018. We are pleased to be presenting the Fourth Annual Preservation Alumni Leadership Award to Kevin Lee Sarring (Class of 1978). Kevin held a distinguished career with the U.S. State Department, Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO), where he was involved in preservation projects at Rome,  Skopje, Tangiers, Tirana, Seoul, Prague, and most recently New Delhi, planning the renovations to the renowned embassy compound designed by modernist Edward Durell Stone.  Kevin has also been involved with archaeological excavations in Italy at Capalbaccio, Cosa, Pompeii, the Roman Forum, and Trajan’s Forum, and worked in Cambodia as a technical advisor and illustrator with the World Monuments Fund.

Now in it’s fourth year, the Preservation Alumni Leadership Award is intended to honor alumni of Columbia University’s Historic Preservation graduate program who have shown excellence and leadership in the field of preservation. Past recipients of the PA Leadership Award include Frank Sanchis, Andrew Dolkart, and Gunny Harboe. We will also be presenting the Cleo and James Marston Fitch Thesis Grant. The grant is awarded annually to a graduating Columbia University Historic Preservation student to cover expenses incurred in Master’s thesis research. 

This year’s Spring Party will be held at the Mount Vernon Hotel Museum & Garden on Thursday, May 10th from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Initially constructed in 1799 as a carriage house, the building was converted to a hotel operating from 1826 – 1833, and then served as a single family home for decades to follow. Now maintained by the Colonial Dames, the site is a hidden gem in the center of Midtown East.

Please join us in recognizing the achievements of Kevin Lee Sarring, as well as celebrate the Fitch Thesis grant awardee, and enjoy light refreshments and drinks in a historic setting and garden.