{"id":746,"date":"2019-07-17T18:18:46","date_gmt":"2019-07-17T18:18:46","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/wcsu.wpengine.com\/news-archives\/ortizreceivesellisislandmedalofhonor\/"},"modified":"2019-07-17T18:18:46","modified_gmt":"2019-07-17T18:18:46","slug":"ortizreceivesellisislandmedalofhonor","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.wcsu.edu\/news-archives\/ortizreceivesellisislandmedalofhonor\/","title":{"rendered":"2013 WCSU graduate Steven Ortiz receives Ellis Island Medal of Honor"},"content":{"rendered":"
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DANBURY, CONN. <\/strong>\u2014 Western Connecticut State University<\/a> graduate Steven Ortiz, a Danbury native and son of Costa Rican immigrants whose youthful achievements range the gamut from musical education and band direction to philanthropy and military service, has received the 2013 Ellis Island Medal of Honor<\/a>.<\/p>\n


\n The Ellis Island Medal, presented by the National Ethnic Coalition of Organizations<\/a> during its annual awards ceremony on May 11, recognizes Americans who celebrate their own ethnic heritage while making important contributions as citizens of the United States. Ortiz received recognition for his achievement as the first recipient of Costa Rican heritage in a personal tribute entered by U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney into the Congressional Record<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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Ortiz, a first lieutenant in the Massachusetts Air National Guard and commander of the Air National Guard Band of the Northeast<\/a>, served as a teacher and music director at several Danbury schools before taking his current position in 2007 as director of bands at Windsor High School in Windsor, Conn. Recipient in 2005 of a bachelor\u2019s degree in music education from WCSU, he earned numerous university honors<\/a> including the Henry Barnard Award and returned as an alumnus to direct orchestras for Western musical theatre productions of \u201cNine,\u201d \u201cThe Full Monty\u201d and \u201cCity of Angels.\u201d He also holds a master\u2019s degree in music education from the University of Hartford.<\/p>\n

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His commitment to humanitarian service inspired his decision at the age of 15 to launch \u201cThe Good Samaritan Project,\u201d a philanthropic initiative that began as a personal mission to collect donated clothing for distribution to families in need in Costa Rica and other Latin American countries. Building on that program\u2019s success in shipping many thousands of pounds of new and gently worn clothing to Latin America, Ortiz has broadened the vision for the project\u2019s future development to offer educational assistance grants and \u201cto become a global leader in humanitarian relief by providing clean water, adequate shelter and clothing to disadvantaged persons while promoting human safety and quality education for all.\u201d <\/p>\n

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He credits his commitment to hard work, education and humanitarian service to the strong foundation of his upbringing as a first-generation Costa Rican-American whose parents instilled in him a passion to learn and strive for personal and social improvement.<\/p>\n

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\u201cI grew up in a small three-family home on Rowan Street in Danbury,\u201d he recalled. \u201cSpanish was our home\u2019s language and I have always felt a deep connection to my native land. I was raised with many stories about my grandfather \u2014 he was a great and well-respected man, father of 12 and successful at business, who gave freely of himself and his assets to help others. My parents did not have much money but they always gave to those in need. I have always wanted to honor our family name.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Ortiz values the ethnic and cultural diversity that he experienced during his youth in Danbury and as an undergraduate student at Western, which has encouraged him \u201cto embrace and respect many cultures and feel at ease interacting with people of all races.\u201d His studies at WCSU also introduced him to faculty mentors from many academic disciplines who shaped his development, including Professors of Music David Smith and Eric Lewis, Assistant Professor of Anthropology Dr. Jeannie Hatcherson, and adjunct professors Judith Smith in music, Patrizia Farina in Italian language, and Rob Burkhart in health promotion and exercise sciences. He expressed gratitude as well to members of the theatre department faculty for entrusting him with orchestral direction for three WCSU musical productions, \u201ca harrowing responsibility for a young guy fresh out of college.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\u201cLooking back on my days at Western, what I remember most are the experiences that made me a whole person, more so than classes that taught me specific content knowledge,\u201d he said. \u201cBecause of the excellence of Western, I already have made plans for my own children to attend a state university. I am grateful to Western not only for the opportunity to receive a quality education, but also for the scholarship assistance from Isabelle Farrington, Farooq Kathwari and many Danbury civic organizations that made an investment in my future.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Ortiz\u2019s service in the Air National Guard has afforded opportunities to conduct leading military orchestras including Pershing\u2019s Own Army Band, the Heritage of America Band at Langley Air Force Base, and this year\u2019s Fourth of July performance by the West Point Band. As a music educator in Windsor, he has especially enjoyed his role in mentoring several students planning to pursue teaching careers, even as he has benefited from the mentoring of successful men who have shared their professional and personal experience \u201cto give me a \u2018down the road\u2019 look at what I want my life to be like in my 40s and 50s.\u201d <\/p>\n

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Ortiz met his wife Mehera while they were both pursuing music studies at Western, and their home life with their two young children holds a central place in his professional and investment planning for the future. \u201cFamily will always come first for me,\u201d he said. \u201cWe learned to live on one salary when my wife decided to stay home and raise our children.\u201d Through hard work and disciplined investment, he hopes to provide security for his family and to continue his philanthropic endeavors while taking the time to enjoy his children as they grow.<\/p>\n

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His devotion to his family influenced his decision to turn down a recent invitation from the University of Hartford to enroll in a doctoral program, which he received around the time his son was born. \u201cI have also had several offers for higher-paying jobs that I turned down,\u201d he said. \u201cWhile it would be great to be called \u2018doctor\u2019 or have more money, I prefer to be called, \u2018Dad.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n


\n For more information, contact the Office of University Relations at (203) 837-8486.<\/p>\n

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Western Connecticut State University offers outstanding faculty in a range of quality academic programs. Our diverse university community provides students an enriching and supportive environment that takes advantage of the unique cultural offerings of Western Connecticut and New York.
\n Our vision: To be an affordable public university with the characteristics
\n of New England\u2019s best small private universities.<\/em><\/p>\n

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