|
Greetings from the Hostos Community College Foundation!
The semester thus far has been a busy and vibrant time at Hostos Community College. Students are back in classes, the newly reopened campus café is bustling, and events celebrating Black history, Dominican heritage, and the contributions of incredible women are deepening our cultural competency. Of course, this College holds its own significance in the greater struggle for just representation and education, so it is fitting that we should carry on the tradition, creating spaces for meaningful dialogue and highlighting untold stories. In this 55th anniversary year, we will celebrate the College’s historical and current role in advancing justice and empowering families, and we are hosting several College-wide 55th Anniversary events.
It is our hope that the stories of success and great promise that we share with you make your day a little brighter, knowing that you are a part of each success. However you show your support for Hostos, it is appreciated by the students who are uplifted through scholarships, internships, and mentorships made possible by this dedicated giving community. Thank you for taking the time to read about our recent news. We hope to see you soon.
| |
Upcoming Foundation Events | |
|
The Hostos Community College Foundation will host the College’s 55th Anniversary Gala on Wednesday, April 26 at Surf Club on the Sound in New Rochelle. We are pleased to announce that we have selected five outstanding community leaders as the evening’s honorees:
• Cynthia Jones, Lecturer, Co-Director of the Center for Teaching and
Learning and Co-Director of the Honors Program, Hostos Community College
• Ms. Catherine Lapadula – Market Executive, International Division, WM UBS
• Mr. George M. Logothetis – Executive Chairman, Libra Group
• Mr. Michael Potack – Chairman, Unitex Healthcare Laundry Services
• Ramon Tallaj, M.D. – Founder and Chairman, Somos Community Care
These inspiring individuals share and exemplify the values of Hostos: creating opportunities for all through quality education, advancing social justice, and celebrating the significance and contributions of this multicultural community.
For tickets and more information, please visit www.HostosBenefit.com.
| |
|
COLLEGE-WIDE 55TH
ANNIVERSARY EVENTS
| |
|
Hostos History Spotlight:
A Social Media Campaign Celebrating
the College’s Past 55 Years
Monday, February 13 — Friday, April 28
| |
|
Eugenio María de Hostos Aphorism Writing Walls:
Reflect and Respond at Hostos Community College
March 2023
| |
Faculty, staff, and students are invited to take inspiration from the aphorisms of our namesake to write on the walls along designated hallways on campus. Writings will be on display, and if you would like to take a tour and see how today’s students are inspired by the visionary Eugenio María de Hostos, contact Development Officer Idelsa Méndez. | |
Hostos 55th Anniversary Block Party Barbeque
Friday, May 5 | 2:00-3:00 p.m.
| The Division of Student Development and Enrollment Management invites you to enjoy barbeque and music at the Evelina Antonetty Park on Grand Concourse behind the A building. | | |
Hostos raises nearly $60,000 through CUNY Tuesday |  | |
November 29, 2022 was CUNY Tuesday, and the Hostos family, once again, showed its love for our students by giving generously of themselves. Hostos raised nearly $60,000 to support scholarships, and we extend our special thanks to Michael Potack and Stuart and Randi Feiner for their inspiring $15,000 matching gifts. Throughout the day, DIA staff were in the A building atrium catching up with the Hostos community and giving students an opportunity to write thank you notes to faculty and staff who have affected them. More than 40 students participated in our Thank You campaign, some choosing to write several thank you notes.
A generous donation from the New York Yankees provided $6,250 in grocery vouchers to distribute that gave students extra support during the holidays. Funds raised through this event supported our existing scholarship funds and the new Alumni Fund for Student Transfer Scholarships. You can still make a gift or learn more about this fund here.
| |
|
The Hostos Community College Foundation
Hosts the Gift of Philanthropy Reception
On Thursday, December 8, 2022 donors were invited to an intimate reception in the A-building Atrium to show our appreciation for their generosity. Guests heard inspiring words of gratitude from President Cocco De Filippis, Foundation Chairperson José Sánchez-Kinghorn, Vice President of Institutional Advancement Colette Atkins, Chairman of Unitex Healthcare Laundry Services Michael Potack, Development Officer Idelsa Méndez, and students Alan Pierre-Louis and Yonaleska Russo. Hostos Piano Lab Technician Emmanuel Diaz performed throughout the event. The Foundation would like to thank those who attended and our entire giving community for all that they do in support of our students.
| |
Following New York State, City, and CUNY guidance, all capacity restrictions and vaccination requirements have been lifted from CUNY campuses, including cultural arts centers. This means that the HCAC is once again able to host a full house and run a completely in-person spring season. The event calendar is quickly filling up with celebrated artists and premier performances, as always, showcasing the cultural abundance of our community. Patrons are still encouraged to wear a mask or stay home if they are not well or have had a recent exposure to COVID-19. To accommodate those who might still prefer to avoid crowds, the HCAC continues to invest in multimedia capabilities that will allow for streaming and asynchronous audiences for many performances. To see upcoming performances or purchase tickets, please visit the website here. | |
|
Foundation and Corporate Grants
Since our last newsletter on December 6th, 2022, the Foundation has received the following grants:
$50,000 from the Howard Gilman Foundation in support of the Hostos Center for the Arts & Culture
$100,000 over two years from the Libra Group in support of the Family Empowerment Program at Hostos
$75,000 from the Nasry Michelen Foundation toward the fulfilment of their $150,000 pledge to establish the Dr. Nasry Michelen Memorial Endowment
$100,000 from the New York Community Trust in support of the Center for Bronx Nonprofits’ Equitable Succession Planning series
$83,000 from Gerstner Philanthropies to establish the Gerstner Helping Hands program at Hostos
| |
Hostos Career Services and the Office of Alumni Relations will host an alumni career panel on Wednesday, April 19. The panel will feature successful liberal arts alumni sharing their post-graduation tips and career insights. If you are an alum who would like to participate in this or another career talk panel, please contact Felix Sánchez. | |
On Thursday, December 15, 2022 the Office of Alumni Relations, Office of Academic Affairs and ASAP collaborated to host an Alumni Holiday Mixer. The well-attended mixer brought faculty, staff, and alumni together for a festive evening filled opportunities to network and reconnect. During the event, Alumni Relations Manager Felix Sánchez and Dual Degree Advising Coordinator Karla Contreras recognized the alumni who contributed to the Alumni Career Talk Week conversations in November: Raziel BenRuben ’19, Stephen Darko ’16, Wendy Fernandez ’15, Aaishah Francis ’16, Isamar Garrido Rodríguez ’16, Andrey Lavrentyev ’18, Gloria Mariel Lopes Carvalho ’22, Amadou Maiga ’21, Yesside Oppenheimer ’10, DijibrinaOuedraogo ’16, Alexandra Pisano ’20, Wilfredo Rodríguez ’01, Stanley Tineo ’11, and Avery Toledo ’12. The Office of Alumni Relations, OAA, and ASAP extend their appreciation to those who attended. To stay engaged and informed about future alumni events, follow @hostosalumnion Instagram or join the Hostos Community College Alumni group on LinkedIn. | |
Scholarship Spotlight – Madruga Family Emergency Fund for Extenuating Circumstances and Financial Need | |
|
Jorge Madruga, Founder and CEO of Maddd Equities, learned about Hostos Community College in 2018 from Development Officer Idelsa Méndez. Impressed by the story of the College, he quickly pledged his support as the Title Sponsor of the 2018 Golf Outing. After the event, he came for a tour of the campus and decided that his family’s foundation would like to establish a scholarship fund for Hostos students. The Madruga Family Emergency Fund for Extenuating Circumstances and Financial Need has awarded nearly $100,000 in scholarships to more than 120 students who were facing unexpected expenses or housing uncertainty that might have compromised their academic trajectory.
One recipient described the impact of the scholarship, “I was having trouble paying bills, and I’m a single mother. Receiving this scholarship made me feel more confident as a student and encouraged me to get involved with student government because I was more financially secure. I consider this scholarship a miracle in my life.”
When asked about why he values giving to Hostos, Mr. Madruga responded, “Contributing to scholarships for students who are eager to work hard and achieve their own success is one of the greatest rewards for me. I know what it is like to not have the opportunity for an education or a mentorship, so giving back to Hostos each year is very meaningful for me.”
| | | | |
