Bobby Kumar, a resident of Syosset, was recently honored by the Nassau Community College Foundation, Inc. at its 2001 Spring Honoree Dinner held at the Vanderbilt in Plainview.

Kumar was honored for his dedication to Nassau Community College and also to his community. Although he is not an employee of the college, he reaches out to the children on a volunteer basis. "The ceremony was absolutely beautiful," said Kumar. "The Nassau Community College people surprised me especially with all of the guests there. I could not believe I had that many friends."

Kumar's work experience in the United States began when he first moved to this country in 1982 and started as a busboy in Manhattan. He moved to the United States for the many opportunities and freedom that America has to offer. Most of his knowledge comes from his traveling experiences. Thanks to his ability and his desire to learn and succeed, he has become a successful entrepreneur. Kumar is now the owner of several diversified businesses - among them are Kumar Enterprises, Inc. and Kumar Marketing Inc, which manufacture ophthalmology equipment and M.M.B. Properties Inc., a real estate firm.

Kumar, having no formal education, knows the value of experience. His real estate firm is near the college and he helps kids who are not getting jobs elsewhere by giving them jobs. "I speak to the professors and many of the students would come to work for me," said Kumar. "Hearing their stories made me very interested in helping. I think they are the backbone of the left-out community. That is what made me feel good about it - I made a difference on some of the students' lives."

Kumar dabbled in the newspaper industry and owned two weekly papers that were sold both nationally and internationally. The papers, Minority Business Times and Small Business News focused on women and minority issues. "Women would be shoved into the minority category and not be singled out," said Kumar. "I was able to speak out for them."

According to Kumar, preference is not good. "Women are not looking for preference, but for an equal opportunity," said Kumar.

After four years, Kumar closed the newspapers rather than selling them to the many interested buyers as he did not have time to keep up with the popular papers. He did not want someone to run them with low standards as his focus was deeper than just minority issues and he did not want the papers run with anything less than that.

Kumar is also the vice-chairman of the Nassau County Republican Party. An accomplished author, he has published two books - Ireland Today and India Today, again using the knowledge he gained throughout his many travels. Kumar speaks five languages fluently - Punjabi, his mother language; Hindi, his national language; Greek; English; and Urdu.

Kumar is a family man with five children and now serves as chairman of the Nassau Health Care Corporation. As a member of the board of directors of the Nassau Community College Foundation, Kumar has consistently focused on student needs. Kumar is also a trustee of Stony Brook University and a member of the advisory board of Hofstra University.

Kumar, who is always looking for a challenge, is starting a new venture - he is starting an all-natural vitamins and medicine store that will be produced on Long Island.

The Nassau Community College Foundation, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation established to provide the "Extra Margin of Excellence" at Nassau Community College. Working on behalf on the college since 1983, the foundation provides a privately controlled, independent avenue of philanthropic aid to assist in the continuing development of the College and its programs.

Kumar has a strong love for his country as well as his local neighborhood. "I love my neighbors and I love my community," said Kumar. "It is the nicest community. All the credit of my success goes to my wife and to my friends whom I love very dearly. I love people - especially Americans."