First Ladies to welcome UAlbany President Robert J. Jones

Marylou Whitney, Matilda Cuomo co-chair August Evening in Saratoga

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY (06/23/2013)(readMedia)-- First Lady of Saratoga Marylou Whitney and former New York First Lady Matilda Cuomo will welcome Robert J. Jones, Ph.D, the recently installed President of the University at Albany, when the Mental Health Foundation holds its annual August Evening in Saratoga.

President Jones has led an inspiring life from his humble beginnings as a sharecropper's son to his work as an agronomist seeking to feed the world, to his work with South African Bishop Desmond Tutu, to his leadership role in higher education. As the 19th President of the University at Albany, he is uniquely positioned to help influence thousands of young people in their attitudes toward mental health.

The event will take place Monday evening, August 19th at 5:30 at The Saratoga National Golf Course in Saratoga Springs. Both Mrs. Whitney and Mrs. Cuomo have co-chaired the August Evening in Saratoga for many years. Mrs. Cuomo also serves on the Foundation's Board.

"The Mental Health Foundation is thrilled that President Jones will be joining us and we so look forward to welcoming him to the community and hearing his perspective," Mrs. Cuomo said.

The Mental Health Foundation has presented a range of successful events in recent years in its effort to promote better understanding about mental health, including hosting mental health advocate Tipper Gore, at an Albany reception in 2009, and a 2006 event with former U.S. First Lady Rosalynn Carter.

Mrs. Whitney and her husband John Hendrickson, initially suggested the Foundation's It's Okay to Talk About It grant program. It supports mental health outreach efforts to young people with a peer-to-peer component and was developed with the help of a funded graduate student internship through the University at Albany's School of Public Health.

The program for An August Evening in Saratoga will be hosted by CBS6 News Anchor Liz Bishop.

Event sponsors are Pfizer, The University at Albany, Colley Asset Management, CSEA, Salvatore Ferragamo, NYSUT, PRIME, Sentron Associates, and Tonio Burgos & Associates.

Proceeds for An August Evening in Saratoga will support the Foundation's continuing educational efforts related to good mental health. Tickets are $100. To RSVP and learn more about the Mental Health Foundation visit www.mentalhealthfoundation.net.

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