Eugenio María de Hostos Community College of The City University of New York is proud to announce that the College’s 46th Commencement Ceremony will be held on Thursday, June 1, 2017, at 3:00 p.m. For the first time at the landmark United Palace in Washington Heights, the ceremony will recognize the extraordinary achievements of 1,232 graduates.
 
Elmo and actress and author Sonia Manzano, who played the popular character María on Sesame Street.Serving as keynote speaker will be actress and author Sonia Manzano, who played the popular character María on Sesame Street.  She will be receiving the President’s Medal, the highest honor our institution can bestow.  It is awarded to individuals who have achieved noteworthy professional accomplishments that reflect dedication and commitment to the mission and vision of Hostos.
 
“As we close in on Hostos’ 50 anniversary in 2018, it is important to celebrate the achievements of the most important facet of the College’s storied history:  its incredible students,” said Hostos President Dr. David Gómez. “Their stories, their hard work, and their dedication to being change agents themselves have made the college what it is today. And, they will be the ones who continue to build on what is already an incredible legacy of learning and opportunity for all.”
 
38 students from Hostos Lincoln Academy (HLA) become the 8th class to graduate from the Early College High School, a national initiative that allows students to take high school and college-level courses simultaneously.  HLA is one of the 12 Early College High Schools in the CUNY system.  In addition, we will have the first five graduating students of the Melissa Riggio Higher Education program, which is a three-year, fully-inclusive college-based certificate program designed to prepare students with intellectual and developmental disabilities for adult life through coursework, career development and civic engagement.
 
Hostos’ 2017 Valedictorian is Jasmine Rodríguez. Born and raised in New York City, Jasmine studied Liberal Arts and Sciences at Hostos, and will graduate with a 4.0 GPA. She plans to transfer to City College/CUNY where she’ll study Psychology. Her dream is to work in the medical field, possibly as a psychiatrist. Evelyn T. Capellán will serve as Salutatorian.
 
The ceremony will also salute two newly retired faculty members, Professor Dennis Gibbons (who will serve as grand marshal) and Professor Linda Watkins-Goffman (who will be the Mistress of Ceremonies), among others.
 
What:  Hostos Community College’s 46th Commencement Ceremony.
When:  Thursday, June 1 at 3 p.m.
Where:  United Palace, 4140 Broadway, Manhattan.
Keynote Speaker:  Sonia Manzano, actress and author.
 
#hostosgrads2017

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 for nearly half a century. Since 1968, Hostos has been 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.

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.
 
Press contact: Soldanela Rivera
sriveralopez@hostos.cuny.edu
718-518-4410 / 917-627-9097