The Carlos L. González & Edward (Eddie) González Jr. Community Service Merit Award

The Carlos L. González & Edward (Eddie) González Jr. Community Service Merit Award is awarded to students with an overall GPA of 2.5 or higher, who have completed at least 24 credit hours and who are currently enrolled in at least six (6) credit hours. Must show evidence of service to the community and/or the College. Must submit a personal statement of a least one-typed single space page. Based on your reading, please address the following question as part of your statement: How does your community service participation /involvement reflect Carlos & Eddie’s precepts/values? Must submit at least 2 reference letters on agency/college’s letterhead.

This special award is named after two staunch leaders very dear to our college community, Carlos and Eddie Gonzalez. They were raised in a family of eight children, born in El Barrio to parents who had come from Puerto Rico seeking to reach the American dream. Carlos L. Gonzalez (1934-1987) an Associate Professor at Hostos Community College attended night school after working all day, earning his Master’s degree from Hunter College. He worked as a Counselor since the College chartered class of 1970. He considered his job as one of including students’ involvement for the promotion of social justice. He instilled in them pride in their own work, the value of education, and the importance of community involvement. In 1986 the College honored his memory by dedicating its Counseling Center in his name. Edward (Eddie) Gonzalez Jr. (4/20/32-10/13/09) also attended night school completing a Master’s degree in Urban Affairs from Hunter College. After various enriching working experiences, he shared his wealth of knowledge teaching at Cornell University’s Labor & Industrial Relations Extension Division and leaving a sound curriculum and a legacy in labor negotiations. Once he retired, he continued his hard work serving on many non-profit boards. Eddie was a peacemaker by nature, relentless fighter against injustice, a proud union organizer, an explorer, and an arts collector, always cherishing his most beloved collection: his family and friends.

The lives of Carlos and Eddie Gonzalez are worth emulating. Carlos and Eddie worked to better the life of others through education and developed a great love for people from their mother, a pillar of spiritual strength and their father a man willing to pass up a meal to save money for his children.