¡ Celébre el mes de la herencia Hispana ! Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month!

Photo Credit: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:US_Army_51842_U.S._Army

"Queremos un mundo donde la vida se conserva y la calidad de vida se enriquece para todo el mundo, no sólo para los privilegiados".

"We want a world where life is preserved, and the quality of life is enriched for - everybody, not only for the privileged".

- Isabel Allende, Chilean American writer

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

From September 15 to October 15, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. This month we recognize the historical, economic and social contributions made by people of Hispanic descent. Born in Colombia and raised in Argentina, I am proud of my heritage and have a personal connection to the Latino people and culture.

Throughout its history, Berkeley College has shown a commitment to diversity, and I am pleased to lead an institution with a growing number of Latino students. Today, students at Berkeley who identity as Hispanic, represent over 28% of the student body.

During this month we celebrate the Hispanic contribution to the social and cultural growth of our country.

Cordially,

Dario A. Cortes, PhD

President, Berkeley College



                                                        

Estimados amigos y colegas:

A partir del 15 de septiembre hasta el 15 de octubre celebramos el Mes de la Herencia Hispana. Durante este mes reconocemos las contribuciones históricas, económicas y sociales de la población latina. Nacido en Colombia y criado en la Argentina, me siento orgulloso de mi descendencia y tengo un fuerte vÍnculo con la gente y la cultura latina.

A lo largo de su historia, Berkeley College ha demostrado su compromiso con la diversidad y estoy orgulloso de ser parte de una institución que tiene un gran número de estudiantes latinos. Hoy en día, los estudiantes de Berkeley College, quienes se identifican como hispanos, representan más del 28% del cuerpo estudiantil.

Durante este mes, celebramos nuestra contribución hispana al progreso social y cultural de los Estados Unidos.

Cordialmente,

Darío A. Cortés, PhD

Presidente, Berkeley College



Summer Reading

I hope that you are enjoying this hot and humid summer. Whether you are spending the summer working, in school, or vacationing with your family, take the opportunity to enjoy a good book. Reading is a lifelong hobby for me and an important part of my professional and personal growth.

I recently returned from vacation with my family and would like to share with you my summer reading list. My list includes non-fiction references to expand my knowledge as well as narrative works to develop my imagination.

That Used to Be Us:  How America Fell Behind in the World It Invented and How We Can Come Back 

By Thomas L. Friedman and Michael Mandelbaum

Steve Jobs 

 By Walter Isaacson

El Cantaba Boleros (in Spanish)
By Guillermo Cabrera Infante

Educating the Net Generation 

 By Diana G Oblinger

I have also asked our distinguished faculty to share their summer reading lists. Below are a few of their suggestions.

Red Harvest

By Dashiell Hammett

Maps and Legends: Reading and Writing Along the Borderlands 

By Michael Chabon

Persuasion

By Jane Austen

Ready, Set, Green: Eight Weeks to Modern Eco-Living
 by Graham Hill, Meaghan O'Neill

I invite you to share your summer reading favorites by clicking on the comments section. 

Cordially,

Dario A. Cortes, PhD

President

BERKELEY COLLEGE DEDICATES LARRY L. LUING SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

On Friday, June 15, 2012, we celebrated the dedication of the Larry L. Luing School of Business.

Berkeley College Chairman Emeritus

Larry L. Luing became President of Berkeley College in 1969. Through his vision and leadership, The Berkeley School was transformed into a regionally accredited coeducational college awarding Bachelor's and Associate's degrees with a solid reputation locally, nationally, and around the globe.

  

Click to view "A Vision of a Leader" video


As President of Berkeley College, I am honored to continue the legacy of Larry L. Luing.

One of my first tasks as President was the development of a strategic plan. An outcome of this plan was the realignment of the academic departments into three schools, one of which is the School of Business.

I am proud to report that today the School of Business student population comprises 5,000 students. Of these, 80 percent are pursuing Baccalaureate degrees.

Larry L. Luing School of Business
naming ceremony

Join me in thanking Larry L. Luing for creating an institution that has allowed thousands of students to attend college, graduate, and follow their dreams.

Please share your congratulations and excitement for this momentous occasion in the comments section.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Cordially,

Dario A. Cortes, PhD