Southwestern University President Jake B. Schrum was one of five individuals recognized recently for their contributions to the education of Latino high school students.

The awards were presented during a ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of The National Hispanic Institute, which was founded by Southwestern University graduate Ernesto Nieto.

Schrum received the NHI’s Hall of Fame Award for distinguished contribution to the work of the National Hispanic Institute. Southwestern has supported NHI programs for 24 years, including hosting the pilot Great Debate and Collegiate World Series programs, as well as being the sole host for NHI’s inaugural program for high school students, the Texas Lorenzo de Zavala Youth Legislative session. NHI estimates Southwestern’s longstanding support of NHI, which Schrum has been instrumental in maintaining, now exceeds $2.5 million in cash and in-kind donations.

“Thanks to Jake Schrum’s leadership, Southwestern University has been an extremely important partner to the National Hispanic Institute,” Nieto said. “By hosting our long-running Texas Lorenzo de Zavala Youth Legislative Session program, Southwestern has provided invaluable support to literally thousands of students, and in doing so, has been an integral player in our organization’s history. Thousands of Latino students have become better students and better leaders as a result of President Schrum’s belief in our programs.”

Dallas businessman Samuel Moreno received the NHI Lifetime Achievement Award and Jose Cruz, Art Martinez de Vara and Jennifer Godinez received Distinguished Alumni Awards. Cruz is vice president for information services and planning at South Texas College, Godinez is associate director for the Minnesota Minority Education Partnership and director of the Minnesota College Access Network, and Martinez de Vara is mayor of Von Ormy, Texas.