Hostos’ business leaders of tomorrow joined a select group as the College saluted its first members of the Alpha Beta Gamma® Business Honor Society at an induction ceremony on May 19.

Alpha Beta Gamma® is an International Business Honor Society that was established by business professors in 1970 to recognize and encourage scholarship among two-year business and professional college students. The society is a member of The Association of College Honor Societies and has to date initiated 65,500 members.

At the special induction ceremony, the 31 new Hostos student members heard from two Hostos business experts: Hector López, the Unit Coordinator for Hostos’ Business and Accounting Department; and Jorge Silva-Puras, a Distinguished Lecturer from the Business and Accounting Unit.

Silva-Puras talked about how important it is for Hostos business students to be part of such a distinguished national fraternity and about the networking opportunities students can access as a result of their membership.

Interim President David Gómez and Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Christine Mangino also attended to lend their support to the budding business program.

Borrowing words from Winston Churchill, President Gómez told the business majors that giving is always more important than receiving, even in the business world. “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give," Gómez said.

Hostos student Pedro Rivera, a Business Management major and the top student in the program, helped to recruit the first Hostos Alpha Beta Gamma members with guidance from Professor Silva-Puras. He said the true value of joining the Business Honor Society is the connections students will make. He also urged his classmates to never forget where they came from, no matter where that journey leads them.

“When you embark on your journey, there are going to be bumps and bruises along the way. The dedication to your work and applying what you have learned will be the backbone of your success advancement,” Rivera said. “Do not let a closed door to an opportunity close your outlook on your career. Keep an open mind. Adapt to your surroundings and go into your careers knowing that you represent the changing demographic of our society.”

More about Alpha Beta Gamma
Alpha Beta Gamma® is an International Business Honor Society established in 1970 to recognize and encourage scholarship among two-year college students in business curricula. To achieve this goal, Alpha Beta Gamma® provides leadership opportunities, forums for the exchange of ideas and the stimulation of interest in continuing academic excellence.

Alpha Beta Gamma International Business Honor Society is the sole business honor society for accredited junior, community and technical two year colleges. The society exists to recognize and reward academic excellence among business honor students and to recognize the contribution to learning and business of professionals. In 1998 the constitution was amended to accept business honor students from Mexico and Canada.

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.