Five Hostos Community College students and three alumni were honored in April at the Third Annual Scholarship Awards Ceremony of the Juan Bosch Foundation USA, held at Alianza Dominicana Cultural Center Inc.
 
The students were recognized for maintaining a 3.0 GPA or higher and their commitment to community service. The students were also judged on an essay they wrote on the life and contributions of the renowned writer and former President of the Dominican Republic, Dr. Juan Bosch.
 
Among the 16 CUNY student winners of the scholarships were: Persio Diloné Méndez, Sorelly Aybar, Magdalena Diaz, Zeleny Castillo, Willy Baez Lara (Hostos students), and Feliberto Feliz Abud and Denice Caba (Hostos alumni).
 
The Honorable Consul General of the Dominicana Republic, Arq. Eduardo Selman, was the special guest, and the Keynote Speaker was Lehman College and Hostos Alumni Student and former scholarship award recipient, Marlon Guzmán.  Juan Bosch Foundation USA President Miguelina Concepción welcomed the audience in attendance and spoke about the important contributions Professor Bosch made throughout his life, while Consul General Selman encouraged the students to follow in his footsteps.
 
Hostos Associate Dean Ana I. García Reyes congratulated the award recipients and introduced and thanked the scholarship sponsors, including: Dominican Republic House of Representatives, Ruben Luna; Consul General of the Dominican Republic’s office, represented by Consul Selman; Pediatrics 2000, represented by Dr. Juan Tapia Mendoza; Step First Pediatrics, represented by Dr. Julio Sánchez and Dr. María Molina; and business owner of Lebrón Restaurant Equipment & Supplies, as well as Manuel Lebrón. The Ceremony was also attended by the Hon. Dom. Republic Ambassador at the United Nations, Frank Cortorreal, among other dignitaries.
 
“I am deeply thankful for the support extended to our deserving and financially needed students. I am even more pleased to see so much support of Hostos and CUNY Students, as well as for the work we all do in collaboration with La Fundación Professor Juan Bosch USA,” García Reyes said.
 
The Scholarship Awards Presentation were made by García Reyes, COPE Director Maria Cano of Hostos Community College of CUNY; and Dr. Fenix Arias. Diputado Ruben Luna also presented scholarships on behalf of the National Supermarkets Association.
 
Wanda Carvajal, Vice Cónsul Consulate General’s Office of the Dominican Republic in New York, served as the mistress of ceremony.  The invocation was made by Reverend Temistocles Féliz and the entertainment was performed by Juan de Dios Núñez, Juan Marcos Núñez y Frank Adolfo.
 
Students from Bronx Community College, Lehman College, City College, York College, Baruch College and the higher learning institution of Manhattan College were also celebrated at the event.
 
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.