Mora Family Endowed Scholarship

Mora Family Endowed Scholarship

As an alumnus and friend of Santa Clara University, Richard ’73 and Pat Mora established the Mora Family Endowed Scholarship in 2000 to support undergraduate students with financial need, with a preference for Hispanic students, particularly Mexican-American, majoring in Engineering, Accounting, or Computer Science.

The son of migrant farmworkers, Richard came from humble beginnings. It was through education that he was personally able to create a better life for himself and his family. “I have always wanted my Mexican-American children to have a seat at America’s table and not just to be the servants for that table,” said Richard. “I personally believe that charity begins at home.”

After having their children go through college, Richard and Pat wanted to continue giving back in hopes of “breaking the cycle of poverty through education.” This scholarship was created to do that by helping with recruitment and educational costs of deserving Hispanic students who might not otherwise be able to attend SCU.

Impact

The Mora Family Endowed Scholarship Fund shall provide scholarships to undergraduate students, with a preference for Hispanic students, particularly Mexican-American, majoring in engineering, accounting or computer science. Those students who meet the first two preference should also meet a third preference from among the following six options (from most preferred to less preferred): 1) A woman, who graduated from Sacred Heart Nativity Middle School (formerly known as Our Lady of Grace Middle School in San Jose, CA on Edwards Avenue) seeking a two- or four-year scholarship; 2) A woman with an AA degree-seeking a two-year scholarship; 3) A man, who graduated from Sacred Heart Nativity Middle School (in San Jose, CA on Edwards Avenue) seeking a two- or four-year scholarship, and 4) A man with an AA degree-seeking a two-year scholarship. In the event no student meets any of the third preference options, the scholarships may be awarded to a student who meets the first and second preferences.