(Left to right): Saddiq McSween, Nydia Edgecombe,Professor Emeritus Gerald Meyer, Akillo Thomas, and Hostos students.
(Left to right): Saddiq McSween, Nydia Edgecombe, Professor Emeritus
Gerald Meyer, Akillo Thomas, and Hostos students.
 
In 2012, Hostos launched its Alumni Speakers Bureau to reconnect graduates with the College through public speaking events. These motivational speeches have been particularly successful in showing students what can be accomplished with a college degree. They have also provided a chance for alumni to remain connected to Hostos’ extended family.

Terrance “Saddiq” McSween kicked-off the first presentation of 2015 on March 24 when he returned to address Professor Emeritus Gerald Meyer’s History 101 Class.

As a student at Hostos, McSween maintained a 3.8 grade point average and was elected Vice President of the Student Government Association. He was also President of the Black Student Union and a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor’s society. In 2012, McSween graduated summa cum laude from Hostos Community College, with an Associate Degree of Applied Science in Radiologic Science.

Among his many accomplishments, McSween was awarded the Martin Luther King Scholarship, the Circle of 100 Scholarship, as well as the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) Scholarship Award for Excellence.

McSween also helped to raise needed funding for the creation of the Digital Music Program. His passion for the program was passed along to his son, who will be majoring in Digital Music at Hostos later in the year.

“Everyone sitting here in this classroom has what it takes to get good grades and succeed,” McSween said. “When I won the Circle of 100 Scholarship award, I was living with my wife and family in a homeless shelter. No matter what the circumstances, I never let anyone or anything stop me from attending class and focusing on my work.”

McSween also described the difficulties of being an ex-convict in search of work, and how he struggled to gain his license to practice radiology after being convicted of armed robbery and attempted murder. After turning his life around, his outstanding service to the community and commitment to helping those in need helped him to regain his license. He is now happy to be gainfully employed as a radiologist in New York City.

Nydia Edgecombe, Director of the Alumni Relations Office, urges people who are interested in participating in the Alumni Speakers Bureau to drop by Room D-214, Monday-Friday, from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The Office will be happy to assist with everything from applying for scholarships to career services and more.

About Hostos Community College
Eugenio María de Hostos Community College is an educational agent for change that has been transforming and improving the quality of life in the South Bronx and neighboring communities since 1968. It serves as a gateway to intellectual growth and socioeconomic mobility, as well as a point of departure for lifelong learning, success in professional careers, and transfer to advanced higher education programs. The College’s unique "Student Success Coaching Unit" provides students with individualized guidance and exemplifies its emphasis on student support services.
 
Recently named one of the top 10 finalists for the 2015 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, Hostos offers 27 associate degree programs and two certificate programs that facilitate easy transfer to The City University of New York’s (CUNY) four-year colleges or baccalaureate studies at other institutions. The College has an award-winning Division of Continuing Education & Workforce Development that offers professional development courses and certificate-bearing workforce training programs. Hostos is part of CUNY, the nation’s leading urban public university, which serves more than 500,000 students at 24 colleges.