He’s tough, but worth it.

After that first day, the real work began! His classes were made of three-and-a-half hours straight up with no breaks, and his exams were even stricter.

Although not young anymore he still shouted the accounting formulas at us in class. He used to say that those formulas shouted at us should penetrate our brains much better than anything else. “Return on Assets is Net Income over Average Total Assets!!!” See? It worked. I still remember.

Going above and beyond.

After two semesters of Accounting with him, one day I asked professor Navas about an urgent matter, I desperately needed a recommendation letter that was due the same day. He canceled all his appointments and delayed his dinner, staying over his designated time just to write me that recommendation letter.

And I know that it took him a lot of time, because he wrote it by hand! Looking at this 74 years old man doing such a thoughtful thing for me only added to my already great admiration for him.

Unfortunately, because of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Professor Navas, after 56 years of teaching, decided to retire. I still certainly keep my correspondence with him and send him emails from time to time to make sure he is doing well.

BMCC is all about community, helping one another succeed, and bestowing life values to everyone along with the right to a college education, while keeping everyone engaged in the subject matter. Professor Navas was the embodiment of these values. He was strict, but also incredibly knowledgeable.

Inside him lies a golden heart, and, for those who are willing to listen and learn from him, he will be their greatest supporter and friend.