Houston Student Is University of San Diego Valedictorian

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Daniel Hernandez of Houston will be the 2012 valedictorian for the University of San Diego's College of Arts and Sciences

Hernandez, who is a first-generation college graduate, had a 3.98 grade point average and earned bachelor's degrees in Spanish and Theology and Religious Studies.

Following graduation, he will join the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and work as a middle-school teacher in Brooklyn, N.Y.

At USD, Hernandez was honored for Outstanding Achievement in Ancient Greek and Spanish. He also received the Theology and Religious Studies Senior Prize and the University Ministry Student Servant Leader Award. He also was selected for several honor societies including Phi Beta Kappa, Kappa Gamma Pi, Theta Alpha Kappa and Sigma Delta Pi. He was a volunteer Spanish tutor and took part in the AMIGOS mentoring program for junior high school students.

Hernandez is from the Sugar Land community of Houston and graduated from St. Thomas High School in 2008. His parents are Jesus and Maria Elena Hernandez.

The University of San Diego is a Catholic institution of higher learning chartered in 1949; the school enrolls some 7,800 undergraduate and graduate students and is known for its commitment to teaching, the liberal arts, the formation of values and community service. The fall 2007 establishment of the Joan B. Kroc School of Peace Studies brings the University's total number of schools and colleges to six. Other academic divisions include the College College of Arts and Sciences and the schools of Business Administration, Leadership and Education Sciences, Law and Nursing and Health Sciences.