Nationally recognized educational leader with humble beginnings to share his transformational story during the June 9 and 10 Commencement ceremonies at Petco Park.
SAN DIEGO, CA (May 22, 2023) — National University (NU), one of the largest Hispanic Serving Institutions in the U.S., the largest conferrer of graduate degrees to minority students in the U.S., with more than 50 percent of graduates being women, and the second largest conferrer of doctoral degrees overall is proud to announce that Jacob Fraire, president of the ECMC Foundation, an organization focused on improving higher education to advance career success for underserved populations, will deliver the keynote address during both Commencement ceremonies on June 9 and 10 at Petco Park home of the San Diego Padres.
“Jacob Fraire has made a lasting impact and changed countless lives through his lifelong work in educational transformation, public policy, and philanthropy,” said Dr. Mark D. Milliron, president and CEO of National University. “He serves as an inspirational role model through his own pathway as a first-generation college graduate to a nationally recognized and respected educational leader who truly symbolizes our NU vision to serve lifelong learners who contribute to the positive transformation of society.”
During the ceremony, President Milliron will confer an honorary doctoral degree to Jacob Fraire out of respect for his exemplary educational career of service to improve the lives of underrepresented populations and contributions through his lifelong advocacy and philanthropic work to affect educational transformation. Fraire has been a catalyst for advancing educational transformation by leading national collaborations to advance positive social change in postsecondary education, being dedicated to opening the doors of educational opportunity for historically underserved populations, and serving others throughout his impressive educational and philanthropic career.
“I am honored to join National University in celebration of this year’s graduates,” said Jacob Fraire. “I look forward to delivering a keynote address that I believe will serve as a source of inspiration to the graduates as they continue on their career pathway and life-long learning journey.”
The 2023 National University Commencement ceremonies will be held on two separate dates, Friday, June 9 at 1:30 p.m. and Saturday, June 10 at 9:30 a.m., at Petco Park in Downtown San Diego. This is the largest graduating class in NU’s 50+ year history with nearly 6,300 graduates from the university’s seven schools and colleges. Approximately 1,500 students will be in person during each of the ceremonies to walk across the stage and receive certificates, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees, and will be celebrated by about 17,000 friends and family in the ballpark stands.
Graduates and guests from both commencement ceremonies are also invited to join to a special family-friendly celebration on Friday, June 9th from 5 – 7 p.m. at Petco Park on the concourse. Festivities include live music, face painting, and meet and greets with deans and faculty.
For additional information about the ceremony details and festivities, visit NU Commencement 2023.
About National University: National University, a veteran-founded nonprofit, has been dedicated to meeting the needs of hard-working adults by providing accessible, affordable higher education opportunities since 1971. As San Diego’s largest private nonprofit university, NU offers over 190+ online and on-campus programs and flexible four-week and eight-week classes designed to help students reach their goals while balancing busy lives. Since its founding, the NU community has grown to 40,000 students and 230,000 alumni around the globe, many of whom serve in helping industries such as business, education, health care, cybersecurity, and law and criminal justice. To learn more about National University’s new possibilities in education including next-generation education, credential-rich education, and whole human education, visit NU.edu.