F.O.C.U.S. to honor Gonzalez with 2017 Wisdom Keeper Award

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — F.O.C.U.S. Greater Syracuse announced that its board of directors has chosen Bethaida (Bea) González, dean of University College of Syracuse University, to receive its 2017 Wisdom Keeper Award.

F.O.C.U.S. will honor her on April 5, 2017 at an event in the Grand Ballroom of the Marriott Syracuse Downtown.

“Each year, the F.O.C.U.S. Wisdom Keeper Award is presented to a citizen who has shown leadership, continual caring and an understanding of the importance of the vision for tomorrow,” Don Radke, F.O.C.U.S. board president, said in a news release. 

F.O.C.U.S. noted that González’s dedication to the community and continuing education has gone “far beyond” her more than 30 years of work with Syracuse University. In her community activities, she has been “instrumental in efforts to reinvigorate the Near Westside Neighborhood.” She is also a founder of Citizens Academy — F.O.C.U.S.’s “signature” community education outreach effort with University College.

As dean of University College, Gonzalez oversees programming for continuing education and summer programs, including undergraduate and graduate studies, the English Language Institute, the Veterans Resource Center, and its Summer@Syracuse programs. 

She previously was elected president of the City of Syracuse Common Council and has won numerous awards and served on many community boards and professional organizations.

González was born in Cayey, Puerto Rico, and is a resident of Syracuse.

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