Hostos Community College is spreading a lot of cheer in many difference ways in December. The College hosted events that celebrated important holidays and gave thanks to donors, who are helping to provide educational opportunities for all.
 
The Annual Kwanzaa Celebration was a cultural event for the entire family that featured Harambee Dance Company, who incorporated the traditional as well as contemporary, to create a new style of African dance. Held on December 10 in the Repertory Theater, the free event drew hundreds of people and highlighted the diverse spirit of Hostos.
 
The Kwanzaa Celebration also provided the gift of a scholarship to a Hostos student, thanks to the Hostos Community College Foundation.

Santa Claus standing with 1 man. 5 women.
 
Earlier on December 10, kids from the Children’s Center were treated to the annual lighting of the 30-foot Holiday Tree. The lobby of the C-Building was transformed into a winter wonderland as Deputy President Dolly Martinez helped faculty and staff bring joy and tidings for the holiday season. As the tree was illuminated, Santa Claus even made an appearance, providing a thrill for young and old.
 
Hostos President David Gomez. 2 men. 1 woman. flowers.
 
 A special night that recognized donors was held on December 15 as the “Gift of Philanthropy” event celebrated all who support Hostos’ important educational and transformative mission.
 
Hostos President David Gómez joined Assistant Vice President for Institutional Advancement Virginia Almendarez in a special salute to Professor Emeritus Gerald Meyer, a longtime professor, community activist and donor who has helped make Hostos the institution it is, since its doors opened nearly 50 years ago.
 
President Gómez greeted the crowd and called all of the donors who have supported Hostos the “unsung heroes” of the institution.
 
Professor Emeritus Gerald Meyer

Meyer has donated thousands of dollars for scholarships and other support services and is a co-founder of the Circle of 100 Awards Program, a scholarship fund was launched in his name last year.
 
Meyer was joined by many Hostos family members who also worked with him through the years, including President Gómez, Nydia and Wallace Edgecombe, and co-founders and supporters of the Circle of 100, including the spirit of the late Virginia Paris, Cynthia Jones, Peter Mertens and many others.
 
The event featured food and music from Andre Veloz and her band as a way to give thanks during the holiday season.
 
Meyer, who was awarded the Eugenio María de Hostos Community College  Presidential Medal, saluted the college and its important place in history.
 
“I see so many people who helped make Hostos such a wonderful place,” Meyer said. “It is just so moving to be honored tonight alongside such wonderful people.”
 
Additional thanks was given to all Hostos donors, as well as the Hostos Foundation Board, who together have helped to raise $962,000 in scholarship and awards over the past three years to almost 1,800 students. 
 
“Each and every one of you has recognized our students’ unlimited potential and made one of the most important investments a person can make—the gift of opportunity and the power of choice,” Assistant Vice President Almendarez said.

Video of Hostos Holiday party
 
Hostos employees were treated to their own holiday party on December 17, courtesy of the President's Office. As a way of saying thank you for a job well done in 2015 and spread even more holiday cheer, the Hostos family of educators, administrators and staff enjoyed more food, music, dancing, and more in fully decorated gymnasium.

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.
 
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.