San Jose, CA - Students, faculty and community supporters of The National Hispanic University have a very special cause for celebrating Thanksgiving Day this year since university president, Dr. B. Roberto Cruz, signed the final documents that sealed the purchase for $5 million from Mt. Pleasant School District of the 11-acre campus, a former elementary school site located in East San Jose.

"After twenty years of offering its educational programs from leased premises, the university has achieved its goal of establishing a permanent home in the heart of the thriving and dynamic Hispanic community of San Jose," stated President Cruz.  "Our trustees, the staff, students, faculty and community leaders can take great pride in securing the land upon which future generations can see the growth of The National Hispanic University, as a place where future teachers, business professionals, and computer information systems personnel can prepare themselves," said Dr. Cruz.

The purchase of the campus was made possible through contributions and grants from the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, Sobrato Development Companies, the Jim and Becky Morgan Family Foundation, the John Arrillaga Family Foundation, and state funds secured through the efforts of State Senator John Vasconcellos and State Assemblyman Manny Diaz.  Among the key volunteers who helped mobilize toward the successful purchase were many civic leaders such as Edward M. Alvarez, John Sobrato, Becky Morgan, Mayor Ron Gonzales, Joe Parisi, Michael O'Farrell, Karen Rudolph, Mario Obledo, Henry Cisneros, US Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, Jay T. Harris and Jim Cunneen.

The National Hispanic University was founded in 1981 in Oakland, California where its administrative offices were housed in a two-room building and classes were offered in the evenings in various classrooms around the city borrowed from local corporate supporters who had training facilities.  The University Trustees opted to move its headquarters in 1986 and located its campus in San Jose, one of the largest Hispanic communities in the Southwest.

The National Hispanic University is an independent, accredited, non-profit university authorized to grant degrees since 1981.  The NHU offers degree programs in business, liberal studies, computer information systems, and a credential program for elementary teachers.  The University has established joint degree partnerships with San Jose State University, San Jose City/Evergreen Community Colleges and NASA/Ames Research Center.  For more information on The NHU, please contact Robert Cruz II at (408) 482-0703 or (408) 273-2712.