Since 1968, Eugenio María de Hostos Community College of The City University of New York (CUNY) has transformed lives and forged futures in the Bronx. It opened the doors to opportunities for education, job training, and other community resources during a time when the City was bankrupt, and it was at that moment that Hostos marked history and made a difference.

To celebrate the 50th year milestone, the Hostos Foundation will hold its Benefit event at Guastavino's in Manhattan on Thursday, April 19, 2018. Presented by Goya Foods Inc. the event’s Corporate Sponsor, along with the Hostos Foundation and a stellar committee chaired by Rafael Toro, Director of Public Relations at Goya Foods, the night will bring together public and private sector leaders to honor the work of influential personalities and to secure student scholarships. And, for the second straight year, The Stavros Niarchos Foundation is serving as the event’s Philanthropic Sponsor.
 
Additional scholarship funds will be raised for the Hostos Repertory Theater group to travel to Scotland in August 2018 to participate for the second time in the prestigious Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the world’s most recognized theater festival.
 
“The history of Hostos is one of triumph. I feel extremely proud of all that Hostos has achieved," said the president of the College, David Gómez. "Instead of 50 years of struggle, I would say it is 50 years of example, of what the importance of education truly represents. I thank Goya Foods, Mr. Rafael Toro, all of our sponsors, and our Foundation for supporting our students and recognizing the half-century legacy of Eugenio María de Hostos Community College," said President Gómez.
 
Also a groundbreaking force for the arts and culture, Hostos will honor 10-time Grammy Award-winner Eddie Palmieri with the President’s Medal for Cultural Impact—the highest honor bestowed by Hostos. Palmieri, who will perform at the Benefit, is widely regarded as one of the finest Latin jazz pianists of the past 50 years. Palmieri is a “favorite son” of the South Bronx. He grew up and went to school just blocks from Hostos, and he is one of the many great musicians who came out of the community. His history with the College and the community is truly something special.

Hostos will also recognize Philip Berry, former longtime Vice Chair of the CUNY Board of Trustees (2006 to 2016), and current Chief Human Resources Officer at the Clinton Foundation, with “The Spirit Award.” And, Dr. Mirkeya Capellán, (’90) IT Training, Resource Management, and Strategic Projects at Mercedes-Benz U.S., will be saluted with the “Alumni Excellence Award.”

A longtime champion of Hostos and CUNY, Berry is also the Acting Chair of the CUNY Construction Fund and the author of the book, “Being Better Than You Believe: 8 Steps to Ultimate Success.” Dr. Capellán is an incredible success story and role model in her own right. Unable to speak a word of English when she started at Hostos, she was a dedicated student and thrived thanks to the support she received. She earned her A.A. in Liberal Arts from Hostos; a B.A. in Computer Science from Hunter College; an M.S. in Information Systems from Pace University; and a Doctorate of Professional Studies in Computing, also from Pace University. Mirkeya is a frequent guest speaker at professional conferences fostering leadership and professional development among minorities in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers.

The award-winning ABC News Anchor and host of Tiempo, Joe Torres, and Caridad De La Luz "La Bruja," the popular Nuyorican poet, actress, and activist will co-host the evening.

Hostos would like to thank the event committee for its support and recognize its Diamond Sponsors: CITGO and Montefiore Medical Center. Community Sponsors: Acacia Network, Bronx Element Strategies, BronxCare Health System, Popular Community Bank, the John Calderón Family, WellCare Health Plans, and Friends of the Chairman for the Hostos Foundation. Ambassador Sponsors: 1199SEIU, Advertisement Carriers Enterprises, Bronx Community College, DC37, Kingsborough Community College, New York Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Urban Health Plan, BronxNet, Bronx Terminal Market, Henry Schein, Inc., New York State Dental Foundation, and Ponce Bank.

What: Hostos Community College Foundation 50th Anniversary Scholarship Benefit
When: Thursday, April 19, 2018, 6:00 p.m.
Where: Guastavino's, 409 E. 59th St., New York, NY 10022
For more information visit: www.hostos.cuny.edu/2018Benefit and follow #Hostos50 on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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 for half a century. Since 1968, Hostos has been 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.

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 educates more than 500,000 students across 24 colleges.