Ms. MacKenzie Scott’s Gift:
President’s Initiatives for Student Success, College Growth and Stakeholders’ Engagement
The President’s Initiatives for Student Success, College Growth and Stakeholders’ Engagement was established with the generous support, the largest ever donation to Eugenio María de Hostos Community College, from philanthropist and author Ms. MacKenzie Scott. With her generous gift, Ms. Scott recognized Hostos’ significant contribution to the South Bronx communities it has served with quality academic programs, hope, care and understanding since 1968. The Ms. MacKenzie Scott’s Gift: President’s Initiatives have made a significant difference in advancing the college’s mission through initiatives that provide students with exposure to career development, mentored research, and transfer opportunities; and expand institutional capacity through internal grants that advance the development of faculty and staff-led research across all disciplines. A significant portion of this magnificent gift was invested to ensure returns for many years to come in support of our Strategic Plan and the goals of this fund. The initial impacts of the President’s Initiatives have helped secure major funding that has led to the expansion and sustainability of key initiatives and the engagement of new stakeholders.
As indicated in the resolution on the Ms. MacKenzie Scott Gift, accepted by the CUNY Board of Trustees, and as indicated in the letter accompanying the Gift: This unrestricted gift is for the benefit of Eugenio María de Hostos Community College and its students. Use of the gift shall be subject to the priorities, guidance and final approval of Eugenio María de Hostos Community College President.
The following poem embodies the essence of the intent of the MacKenzie Scott Gift in fostering an enlightened learning environment where all members of the Hostos community can learn and grow.
"Where the Mind Is Without Fear"
by Radindranath Tagore
Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high;
Where knowledge is free;
Where the world has not been brokern up into fragments of domestic walls;
Where words come out from the depth of truth;
Where a tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection;
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand
and of dead habit;
Where the mind is led forward by the over-winding widening thought and action-
Into that heaven freedom my father let my country awake.