Greetings from the Hostos Community College Foundation! It has been a busy spring at the College and we appreciate you taking the time to read about our most recent developments.
As you read this, many faculty, staff and students at the College are preparing for one of the most exciting moments of our year – the Spring Commencement Ceremony. We extend our most sincere congratulations to the Class of 2022. Each of the more than 1,000 degree recipients have faced challenges, made sacrifices, and ultimately persisted so that they can proudly wear the title of Hostos alumni. While their academic accomplishments are theirs to own, the Foundation works to ensure that financial challenges do not prevent a student from pursuing their dreams. As a valued partner in our mission, thank you for all that you do in support of Hostos students.
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The Hostos Community College Foundation 2022 Annual Scholarship Benefit Raises more than $325,000 in Support of Hostos Students |
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The Eugenio María de Hostos Community College Foundation 2022 Annual Scholarship Benefit on Wednesday, May 18, was a tremendous success, raising more than $320,000 in gifts and pledges to provide empowering support for Hostos students. Revelers enjoyed a beautiful evening overlooking the gleaming Long Island Sound from Glen Island Harbour Club. The sold-out event radiated with the resiliency and unity that has come to define Hostos, as trailblazers in education, development, finance, advocacy, and healthcare celebrated yet another exceptional year for the College.
The Foundation would like to extend a final word of gratitude and commendation to the distinguished honorees: former Hostos President Dr. David Gómez; Executive Director of District Council 37, Henry Garrido; President of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, George Gresham; President and CEO of Urban Health Plan, Paloma Hernández; Executive Director of UnLocal, Terry Lawson; President and CEO of MBD Community Housing Corporation, Derrick Lovett; Vice President of Development at Trinity Financial, Thomas Brown; Montefiore Einstein; President and CEO of Ponce Bank and Ponce Financial Group, Inc., Carlos Naudon; and Founder and President of the Oyate Group’s Bronx Rising Initiative, Tomas Ramos. Each of these corporations and individuals has made remarkable contributions in this community that positively impact Hostos students and, indeed, the entire city. Hostos is proud to be a neighbor and partner – employing union workers, serving as a community hub for activism, educating the next generation of leaders, and advocating for justice and equity in this community and beyond.
The Foundation is thankful for everyone who helped to make this Benefit possible. The Hostos Division of Institutional Advancement and the Benefit Committee executed a memorable event thanks to the direction of Vice President Colette Atkins and the ceaseless effort of Development Manager Idelsa Méndez. Musicians Jonatan Suriel, Jay & Lee – Rumba Flamenca, and DJ Ralphie Mercado made the evening festive, all of the speakers shared thoughtful insights, and emcee Jessica Cunnington of NBC 4 New York kept the extensive program moving along in a timely and jovial fashion. Of course, the Foundation also wishes to acknowledge the generous partners who have been instrumental in the success of this Benefit, including: Premium Event Sponsor Stavros Niarchos Foundation; Presenting Sponsor BronxCare Health System; Community Sponsors 1199SEIU – United Healthcare Workers East, Friends of the Chairman of the Hostos Community College Foundation, Montefiore Einstein, Somos Community Care, and Unitex; our many Ambassador and Friend Sponsors; and all of the enthusiastic attendees.
This event, like all events hosted by the Foundation, serves to further the mission of Hostos Community College to create accessible higher education opportunities for all who seek them. To quote President Daisy Cocco De Filippis once again, “Community college students provide us with an opportunity to contribute to the betterment of society and feel that we will share in a future that will not be ours and where we may not go, but whose rich harvest will have been ensured by the seeds that we plant today.” To see pictures from the event, visit www.hostosbenefit.com and to make a gift today to this transformative institution and its incredible students, please visit www.givetohostos.com.
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OFFICE OF ALUMNI RELATIONS |
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The Office of Alumni Relations will culminate its annual class campaign on June 2 as Hostos celebrates its 53rd Commencement Ceremony. This campaign honors the current graduating class while raising funds to support future Hostos alumni. To make your contribution, visit 20.22 Class Campaign.
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Hostos Alumna Gets Her Moment at the Met Gala |
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Class of ’20 alumna Génesis Suero was covering the Met Gala for Telemundo when she accidentally became the story. Her stunning ball gown, designed by New York-based designer Lucia Rodríguez, was a perfect fit for the evening’s “Gilded Glamour” theme. Her look took over social media and was reported on by publications ranging from BuzzFeed, to Cosmopolitan, to Yahoo! News.
She might be getting all the attention for her stunning dress, but the woman wearing the dress is just as impressive. Dominican-born Génesis moved to New York when she was 13 and completed high school in just three years so that she could work full time and support her mother, who was still living in the Dominican Republic. She competed and won the Miss New York Pageant in 2018, becoming the first Dominican Miss New York. She completed her associate degree at Hostos, majoring in business management, and then went on to City College, from where she will soon graduate with her bachelor’s. Congratulations to Génesis on her upcoming graduation and promising future!
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Former Professor Pledges $100,000 to Support Student Parents |
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Former Professor Francis Webb may have left Hostos in the mid-1980s, but her heart stayed with Hostos students. In particular, she remembered the many, dedicated student-parents who were at Hostos to secure a stronger future for their families. Ms. Webb reflected, “When I was teaching, it was not unusual for mothers to have their 3 and 4-year-olds in class with them. I was not in a position at that time to address that issue, [but] I am now able to make a gift that I hope will be of help to parents with similar struggles today.”
The Francis M. Webb Endowed Scholarship Fund will support student parents by assisting with child-care related costs. Roughly 33 percent of Hostos’ student body is a parent or caregiver, representing one of the highest proportions of student parents within the CUNY system and almost 10 percent higher than the national average for community colleges. This gift is a significant investment in direct aid that will impact the lives of student parents and their children.
In addition to her $100,000 endowment pledge, Professor Webb has already funded a $4,000 gift that will be used to fund student parent scholarships in the 2022-2023 academic year. The Foundation extends our deepest thanks to Ms. Webb for her generosity and compassion for our valued student parents.
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Corporate and Foundation Grants Update |
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Since the last newsletter, the Hostos Community College Foundation has received:
- $100,000 from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation in support of the 2022 Benefit
- $20,000 from the Carroll and Milton Petrie Foundation in support of the Hostos Food Access Program
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SCHOLARSHIP SPOTLIGHT:
Judith Z. Potack and Dorothy Hausberg Fund
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This scholarship fund has been supporting students since 2014. Created by Michael Potack, Chairman of Unitex and Chairman of the Board of CenterLight Health System, this scholarship honors the memory of his mother, mother-in-law, and most recently his beloved wife, Randi. The Potack family and its company Unitex have given more than $100,000 since 2011 to empower Hostos students.
Mr. Potack decided to create the Judith Z. Potack and Dorothy Hausberg fund to maximize the impact of his family’s support. This award can be given to up to 10 graduating nursing students each spring, and it is intended to help cover the cost of expensive licensure examinations and preparation materials.
When asked why he continues to support Hostos, Mr. Potack responded, "It is the responsibility of those who can to create opportunities for all.” Mr. Potack and his family have certainly done this for Hostos students. Since the establishment of the scholarship, 22 students have received more than $12,000 from the Judith Z. Potack and Dorothy Hausberg Fund – students like 2021 recipient Lechineda St. Fort, who decided to pursue nursing after seeing how critical the profession was in the wake of the horrific earthquakes that devastated her home country, Haiti, in 2010. The pandemic has served as yet another stark reminder of just how critical it is to train and empower nurses, and the generosity of the Potack family helps to reduce the financial barriers that may prevent qualified nursing candidates from entering the profession.
The Foundation would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the Potack family and Unitex for their dedicated support of Hostos students. If you would like to learn more about this scholarship fund, or how you can create your own scholarship fund so your support goes directly to where you feel it is most needed, contact Development Officer Idelsa Méndez via email or by calling 718-518-4341.
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