For Immediate Release
June 4, 2005
Contact: Jeffrey Villarreal at 408-729-2205

The National Hispanic University to hold 20^th Commencement

Saturday, June 4, 2005
Ruben Barrales – Keynote Speaker
John Sobrato Sr. - To Receive Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters

(San Jose, CA) - The 20th Annual Commencement Exercises of The National Hispanic University (NHU) is scheduled to take place on Saturday, June 4, 2005, 9:00 – 11:00 AM in The Bustos Family Plaza at 14271 Story Road, San Jose, California.  

The NHU Commencement Ceremony is the premiere event of the NHU academic year. This will be the first graduation since the opening of Sobrato Hall NHU’s new state-of-the-art learning facility.

Ruben Barrales, Deputy Special Assistant to President and Director of the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs is the keynote speaker for this year’s Commencement Ceremony. Prior to joining the White House staff, Barrales was President and CEO of Joint Venture: Silicon Valley Network– a regional civic organization of Silicon Valley business executives, government officials, and educational leaders. Mr. Barrales, is the first Latino elected to the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors and served as President in 1996.  Mr. Barrales’ career and commitment to education and improving the quality of life in our communities, is an inspiration to us all.

At this year’s ceremony, NHU will confer an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters to John Sobrato Sr. a highly respected, visionary leader who has played a dynamic role in the economic, educational and social development of Silicon Valley. “Mr. Sobrato’s dedication and support for education will continue to have a major impact in helping prepare and educate students for leadership for many generations to come,” commented NHU President David Lopez, “The Honorary Doctorate, is our way of recognizing these accomplishments.”

NHU was founded in 1981 as a model university for providing accessible and affordable quality education opportunities for Hispanics and other students of limited means. Today NHU, a WASC accredited university, offers degree programs in business, liberal studies, and computer information systems; a credential program for teacher education; and a certification program for translation and interpretation.

For more information visit our Website at www.nhu.edu or call 408-254-6900.