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News Byte: Junius Gonzales Honored During National Hispanic Heritage Month
October 17, 2019
New York Institute of Technology Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Junius Gonzales, M.D., M.B.A., has been honored twice in celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, which ran from September 15 through October 15.
Earlier this month, he received a citation from the Town of Oyster Bay on Long Island. Oyster Bay Town Supervisor Joseph Saladino, together with his Town board colleagues and members of the Town’s Diversity Committee, recognized Gonzales among the outstanding individuals who have had a profound impact on the Town. Three honorees were presented with citations at a meeting on October 3, recognized for their “community accomplishments and achievements” and for “working to make the Town of Oyster Bay a better place.”
Additionally, on October 10, Gonzales was recognized as a role model to others in the community and was named as the Hispanic Education Advocate of the Year at the fifth annual Nassau County Legislature Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration. He received this award in genuine appreciation for his commitment to excellence and unwavering dedication to the Hispanic community and the community at large.
In reflecting on the two recent honors, Gonzales shares insight from Jennifer M. Morton, author of 2019's Moving Up Without Losing Your Way: The Ethical Costs of Upward Mobility. “Many see higher education as the way to enable children to lead rich, flourishing adult lives. … But we must remember that individuals lead lives in community with others. Much of the meaning in our lives is derived from our relationships with those around us. … Higher education should not be seen just as a benefit for the student who goes to college. It should also be understood as a way to enrich the lives of the student’s community as well.”
Provost Junius Gonzales was honored twice in celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month for his community accomplishments and achievements, and his dedication to the Hispanic community and the community at large.
