In Memoriam: Benjamin Rodriguez

Benjamin Rodriguez, former director of the UMass Amherst Bilingual Collegiate Program, died on Jan. 7. Rodriguez was born in Humacao (Barrio Mariana), Puerto Rico and was the middle of thirteen children to his parents, Antonio Rodriguez and Juana Carrasquillo.

Image

He graduated high school from Colegio San Antonio Abad in Humacao and attended St. John’s University in Minnesota for two-years on a scholarship before completing his B.A. at Catholic University in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

He married Gladys Serrano in 1964. After the birth of their first child, Ivette, his family relocated to New York City where he worked in education. After a brief stint in Narragansett, Rhode Island where his son, Benjamin Rodriguez Jr. was born, the family relocated to Amherst, Massachusetts where he would live, work and raise his family for the next 48 years.

At UMass, while earning his M.A in 1972 and Ed.D. in 1975, he was instrumental in creating and served as director of the Bilingual Collegiate Program (BCP) until his retirement in 2002. Working alongside many great administrators and students-whom he remembered until his final day- he and the BCP would recruit, tutor and graduate thousands of students from marginalized backgrounds. He also served as chairman of the board of the New England Farm Workers Council. For his efforts the University of Massachusetts bestowed upon him the Chancellor’s Medal for exceptional contribution to the University.

He leaves his wife of 57 years, Gladys and his children, Ivette and Benjamin Jr., his grandchildren and several beloved brothers and sisters.

The family will hold services at a later time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ben Rodriguez’s remains will eventually lie in the land that he loved, Humacao, Puerto Rico. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, please send donations in the name of Benjamin Rodriguez to either the UMass Center for Multicultural Advancement and Student Success or the American Diabetes Association.

For condolences, please visit the memorial guestbook at www.douglassfuneral.com.