Honoring Our Namesake: Celebrating Eugenio María de Hostos at the Spring 2026 All-College Meeting

 
During our Spring 2026 All-College Meeting, we came together as a community to celebrate the birthday of our cherished namesake, Eugenio María de Hostos. Born on January 11, 1839, in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, Hostos was a renowned educator, philosopher, and social reformer whose work across the Caribbean and Latin America was grounded in a profound belief in education as a force for ethical development, civic responsibility, and social progress. His advocacy for educational reform, women’s rights, and human dignity continues to shape the values and mission of our institution.
   
Although his birthday is traditionally observed in January, we chose to mark the occasion during this spring gathering to ensure the participation and communion of the entire college community. The celebration was shared through music, as Humanities Professor Thelma Ithier-Sterling led “Happy Birthday” in unison with student leadership, accompanied on piano by Emmanuel Diaz of the Humanities Department. Professor Ithier-Sterling then sang the “Hostos Alma Mater,” which was met with warm and enthusiastic applause from the audience, bringing the tribute to a fitting close.
   
Following the musical tribute, attendees gathered to enjoy a delicious birthday cake along with coffee, sharing conversation and connections. Together, this simple yet meaningful celebration reminded us that Hostos’s legacy is not confined to history books or dates on a calendar; it lives on in our shared commitment to critical thought, human dignity, and the transformative promise of education, carried forward in the voices, talents, and hearts of our community in the South Bronx.
 
Learn more about Hostos, the man, here.