Eugenio María de Hostos Community College celebrates Dominican Heritage Month annually, and this year is no different. Associate Dean of Community Relations Ana I. García Reyes has made Dominican Heritage Month a mainstay February celebration, and this year’s commemoration centers on the theme of legacy.
On February 25, the College’s Dominican Heritage Month celebration will give its highest honor on recognizing the indelible contribution of the late and great founding president of Hostos Community College, Dr. Nasry Michelen. Interim President Daisy Cocco De Filippis will unveil a plaque in honor of his memory.
Associate Dean García Reyes never forgets the community leaders who represent the Dominican diaspora's achievements in New York and beyond, and as such will present recognitions to Hostos alumnus Dr. Amín Cruz, Minister Counsel of the United Nations of the Permanent Mission of the Dominican Republic, and the Hon. Justice Lourdes M. Ventura, Supreme Court of the State of New York, Queens County.
The Dean will also welcome special guest Amanda Séptimo, Assemblymember for District 84, to the Dominican Heritage Month event as part of the celebration.
The legacy of Dr. Nasry Michelen and the exemplary work of Dr. Amín Cruz and Justice Lourdes M. Ventura is paid forward to academically deserving Hostos students, thanks to the support and sponsorship of the 1199 SEIU and its Vice President Victor Rivera, who will share remarks on his commitment to advancing the academic journey of our scholars.
[TR1] The scholarships will be presented by Charles Drago, Hostos’ Interim Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs.
Cira Angeles, Nasry Michelen Foundation Chair; Dr. Rafael Lantigua, of Columbia Presbyterian Hospital; and Dr. Walid Michelen, Jr., son of the late Dr. Nasry Michelen will deliver closing remarks.
This year’s Dominican Heritage Month Celebration will take place on Tuesday, February 25 at 2 p.m. over
Zoom. And, the Nasry Michelen first Inaugural lecture will follow at 5:00 p.m. with a presentation on Mental Health by Dr. Warren Y. K. Ng, M.D., MPH, Medical Director, Outpatient Behavioral Health, New York Presbyterian Hospital, and Professor of Psychiatry at Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUMC).