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President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic visited William Paterson University on Friday, September 26 in conjunction with his attendance at the United Nations General Assembly in New York City.
During his visit to the campus, University President Richard J. Helldobler presented President Abinader with the President’s Medallion, William Paterson’s highest honor, in recognition of his leadership and his commitment to serving Dominicans at home and abroad, including dual citizens who remain actively engaged in their native country.
“Our mission is to educate productive and engaged graduates who will help make their communities and our world a better place. So, it is fitting that we are honored with his excellency’s presence while he is in the country for the opening of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly High-Level Week,” said President Helldobler. William Paterson University is a federally-designated Hispanic Serving Institution; approximately 32 percent of the student body is Hispanic and includes many of Dominican origin. "William Paterson University is one of the most diverse universities in one of the most diverse states in our nation. It is a distinction of which we are very proud. Indeed, we see our diversity as one of our great strengths in educating the students who are changing the social fabric of New Jersey, our nation, and beyond."
William Paterson is federally designated as a Hispanic Serving Institution, with more than 30 percent of its student population identifying as Hispanic.
In his remarks at the podium, President Abinader said he views the honor from William Paterson University as a commitment shared with President Helldobler to continue working under the principles of “efficiency, honesty, and transparency.”
President Abinader—who earned a degree in economics from the Instituto Tecnológico de Santo Domingo (INTEC) and pursued postgraduate and advanced studies in the United States—also spoke about the importance of education. He noted his own family’s academic background and his administration’s efforts to expand access to public education in the Dominican Republic, including substantial growth in the number of technical institutes across the country. He also discussed his efforts to bring academics into roles in the Dominican government, crediting them with contributing to many of his administration’s accomplishments.
“We are also very proud of our community in New Jersey and all over the United States,” Abinader said. “I see here the [Dominican] representatives in the government, in the private sector, and we are very proud of them,” he continued, referring to the distinguished guests in the room. "I tell them, ‘The best way to show the greatness of where you come from is to be the best citizen where you are right now.’”
Among the many distinguished guests attending the Hobart Manor ceremony were U.S. Representative Nellie Pou; U.S. Representative Analillia Mejia; New Jersey State Senator Benjie E. Wimberly; New Jersey Assemblywoman Rosaura “Rosy” Bagolie; Paterson Mayor André Sayegh; Perth Amboy Mayor Helmin J. Caba; Passaic Mayor Hector C. Lora; and representatives of the Dominican Republic’s consular offices in New Jersey, New York City, Philadelphia, and Toronto, among others.
Following the ceremony at Hobart Manor, President Abinader spoke to members of the Dominican community, including William Paterson University students, in a large gathering in the University Commons Ballrooms, during which he paid tribute to the late José Francisco Peña Gómez, the influential Dominican political leader.
