Invest In CUNY

Eugenio María de Hostos Community College was established in response to the call from Hispanic leaders for a CUNY college that would meet the needs of the South Bronx. Created by an act of the Board of Higher Education in 1968 as CUNY’s first and only bilingual college, Hostos was founded to provide higher education opportunities to groups that historically had been denied that access, particularly Hispanics and African-Americans. Today, Hostos serves New York City’s increasingly multicultural population with programs in more than 25 academic areas, including allied health, business, engineering, education, digital design, public administration, liberal arts and criminal justice. Hostos students emerge prepared for careers or ready to continue their education and pursue a bachelor’s degree. The college takes pride in its well equipped academic and student facilities, including up-to-date computer labs, excellent physical education facilities and state-of-the-art theaters. The vision is to continue to make Hostos “a college of excellence” for students seeking a liberal arts or career education in a diverse, multicultural learning environment.

Philanthropic Support FY00-FY09 — $3,840,472
Projected Philanthropy Target through FY2015 — $7,000,000

Philanthropic support totaled over $3.8 million from 2000 through 2008. Gifts and pledges provide invaluable support to students.

Gift Highlights

In April 2008, Hostos Community College celebrated its 40th anniversary. At the gala, the Hostos Foundation honored four prominent people who have made important contributions to society in keeping with the spirit of Eugenio María de Hostos (1839-1903), the Puerto Rican educator, writer and patriot for whom the college is named. Among the awardees were two important contributors to the college: Ms. Agnes Gund, chair of the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on Cultural Affairs, and Carlos Velásquez, publisher and president of GALOS Corp. Numerous Hostos students, many of whom have gone on to rewarding careers in business, would not have been able to complete their studies without the scholarship support from donors such as Mr. Velásquez and Ms. Gund.

Look Who's Investing in Hostos Community College

The Agnes Gund Foundation

To help celebrate Hostos Community College’s 40th anniversary, the Agnes Gund Foundation gave $50,000 to benefit Hostos students pursuing an education in the arts. The contribution will become part of the Wallace I. Edgecombe Scholarship for the Arts and Humanities, awarded twice a year to a graduating student who has demonstrated achievement in the arts and humanities and plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in one of these fields. The first award was made this year to William Lugo who is pursuing a BSA at The City College of New York.

Carlos Velásquez

Hostos alumnus and benefactor Carlos Velásquez has long taken a personal interest in the success of business students at Hostos. Mr. Velasquez, who began his career as an educator and administrator with The City University of New York, continues to be a firm advocate of education, believing it to be the most direct way to realize an idea. His commitment to education and service is clearly demonstrated by his creation of the nonprofit Diversity Foundation that has donated more than $250,000 in scholarships to students, including some at Hostos. Over the past 27 years, Mr. Velasquez has grown his company, GALOS Corp., into a multimillion-dollar enterprise with interests in broadcasting, publishing and live events. GALOS co-produces the National Puerto Rican Parade, the Hispanic Parade, the National Dominican Parade and other major events across the country.