Local News in Brief : Anaheim : Dedication Scheduled for Hope University

Nearly 1,000 guests are expected to attend dedication ceremonies for Hope University Unico National College at 2 p.m. Nov. 22 at 1408 S. Euclid St.

The 4-year-old college is considered the nation’s only college of fine arts for gifted mentally retarded adults.

Located on the former site of the Euclid Street Baptist Church, the new campus consists of 22 classrooms, a gymnasium, auditorium, administration office and playing fields. Classes for the college’s three-dozen students were previously held in an Anaheim storefront. A limited schedule of fall classes has already begun at the new site.

A full curriculum of music, dance, drama, painting and computer-related courses will be available in the spring. Students, most of whom are developmentally disabled, also receive instruction in spelling, arithmetic and household management. The school is perhaps best known for its singing group, Hi Hopes, which has performed across the country.

The expanded facilities are expected to draw 100 students from around the country to the school by year’s end, according to Doris Walker, school administrator.

The private, nonprofit school’s primary sponsor, Unico National, an Italian-American service organization, purchased the three-acre site for $2.2 million nearly two years ago.

Unico is the Italian word for unique.