Hostos Celebrates The Accomplishments Of Several Engineering Alumni

As a way to highlight Hostos’ successful engineering graduates, and to keep the bonds strong with alumni and the Hostos family, the first-ever Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, and Chemical Engineering Programs’ Alumni Reunion was held on May 7 in the A-Atrium.
 
Seven former Hostos engineering students—Nelson Altagracia, Armando Amador, Dane Christie, Nipa Dey, Qudus Lawal, Maryam Saqib, and Stanley Tineo-Tineo—returned to where their academic journeys began to be recognized and reconnect with old friends.
 
Organized by Hostos Assistant Professor and Engineering Program Coordinator Yoel Rodríguez and Alumni Relations Director Nydia Edgecombe, the event was sponsored by the Office of Academic Affairs and the Division of Institutional Advancement, as well as the Alumni Relations Office, and Student Government Association.  
Interim President David Gómez greeted the large crowd of attendees, in what is to be a “welcoming back” tradition at Hostos.The event was also kicked-off with greetings from Christine Mangino, Interim Provost, and Ana M. Carrión-Silva, Vice President for Institutional Advancement.
 
As a special highlight, the event included an awards ceremony that celebrated the alumni, who excelled both at Hostos and other institutions of higher learning. A screening of a short film titled “Giving,” featured interviews of engineering students, faculty, and alumni. The event was rounded out with refreshments and live music, led by Hostos alum, Andre Veloz (Class of 2008).

All seven special alumni guests gave acceptance speeches after receiving their awards and spoke about what a positive influence Hostos had on their lives.

“I am grateful for the guidance and resources that Hostos provided in helping me advance to where I am today,” Lawal said.
 
Lawal is a Nigerian immigrant whose top-notch academic excellence at Hostos resulted in him being accepted to Stanford University, where he is now completing the requirements for his Master’s Degree in Engineering.  
Vice President Carrión-Silva stressed the importance of staying connected to the College.
 
“All of you must remember that giving back to the school financially is always welcomed, and we will always appreciate your support, but it is also important that you return to tell your story in order to inspire current students to stay focused and continue their education to the best of their abilities,” Carriόn-Silva said, referencing Hostos’ Alumni Speakers Bureau.
 
Former student government president, Feliberto Feliz (Class of 2014), was also present.
“Hostos has everything you need to be successful and they helped me tremendously. It feels great to be able to give back through volunteer work,” Feliz said.
 
Feliz recently was a key member of an Alumni Speaker Bureau (ASB) panel discussion at the CUNY Language Immersion Program (CLIP), where he was one of four distinguished alumni to recount their experience at Hostos and how their degrees, scholarships, and awards helped them well beyond graduation.  
 
In addition to students and alumni being honored, Nydia Edgecombe presented the Distinguished Faculty Award to Dr. Rodríguez for his outstanding service.
 
The Division for Institutional Advancement thanks Dr. Rodríguez, the Planning Committee, Karla Contreras, Shianny Martínez, and everyone in attendance for their much appreciated help and support.

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.