September 18th, 2007 | The University
Dominican Republic President Leonel Fernández Reyna will honor high-achieving Dominican students who attend the City University of New York on scholarship at a special ceremony and reception at The City College of New York, Thursday, September 20.
CUNY Chancellor Dr. Matthew Goldstein and Trustee Hugo Morales will join President Fernández Reyna in recognizing 55 students who are receiving scholarships funded by the Dominican government and are performing with academic distinction at various CUNY campuses.
A special concert, free and open to the public, by the renowned National Symphonic Youth Orchestra of the Dominican Republic is also part of the evening’s festivities.
President Fernández Reyna will address the reception, which will be attended by the honored students, other scholarship recipients, members of their families, trustees, presidents and other officials from CUNY colleges, elected officials and special guests of the CUNY Central Office. Some of the students participating in the Dominican scholarship program will talk about their CUNY experiences. The event, which begins at 5 p.m., is being coordinated by University Dean for Special Programs Cheryl Williams of the Office of Academic Affiars in collaboration with the CUNY Dominican Studies Institute at The City College.
“The program helps students prepare to compete in the global marketplace of careers and ideas,” said Chancellor Goldstein. “It has allowed us to build upon and strengthen our friendship with the Dominican Republic by providing important educational opportunities to all of the participants.”
President Fernández Reyna has invited the public to join the Dominican scholarship recipients at a free concert by the National Symphonic Youth Orchestra at 7 p.m. in Aaron Davis Hall, at Convent Avenue and West 135th Street. This performance will be the orchestra’s United States debut.
The National Symphonic Youth Orchestra consists of 72 youth musicians who have been recruited from a network of youth musical groups around the Dominican Republic. Darwin Aquino is the Orchestra’s chief conductor and director. Since its inception in 1997, the orchestra has traveled to several countries, including a tour this past summer through Germany.
The ceremony and reception honoring the Dominican scholarship recipients is by invitation only. The concert by the National Symphonic Youth Orchestra is free and open to the public. Seating for the concert is limited and tickets can be obtained in advance from the CUNY Dominican Studies Institute by by calling 212-650-7496 or 212-650-5385 or by sending an email to DSI@ccny.cuny.edu.
