On Sunday, October 28, 2014 during a ceremony that was part of the 8th Annual Dominican Book Fair in Manhattan, the leaders of La Fundación Joaquín Balaguer, announced they were donating a collection of books to Eugenio María de Hostos Community College.
Hostos alumnus and High School Principal Juan Villar hosted the book fair in his school, the Gregorio Luperón High School in Manhattan. This year’s book fair theme was,
El libro es el mejor amigo (A book is your best friend).
Hostos Student Government Association President Feliberto Felíz and Associate Dean Ana I. García Reyes accepted the gift on behalf of the College.
“As President of the Hostos Student Government Association, I graciously accept this donation and thank you for thinking about us, the students of Hostos Community College,” said Felíz.
“These books will have their placed in Hostos Library for the enjoyment of all the members of the college community who appreciate reading Latin American literature. I also want to commend the Commissioner of Culture, Carlos Sánchez, and the numerous Hostos Alumni who presented their published books. The Hostos family is very proud of all of you,” added Associate Dean García Reyes.
At this year’s fair, Principal Villar presented his new book
“Entre Febrero y El Olvido,” and author Mary Ely Peña-Gratereaux, also an Hostos alumna, presented her latest publication “
My days in kindergarten / Mis días en el Jardín Infantil.”
The book fair highlighted the intellectual work and publications of over 100 prominent Caribbean, European and Latin American authors. The presentations included a panel on and about the legacy of Eugenio María de Hostos.
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 480,000 students at 24 colleges.