Lucas College is the largest Business school in Silicon Valley with firms in the area employing more of its graduates than from any other university in the United States.

[4] The college was founded as the Department of Commerce in 1928, with the mission statement of "[making] this department one which will attract not only those who especially desire business proficiency as a vocational objective but also teachers who have been notably lacking in clerical accuracy and are thereby handicapped when confronted with blanks and schedules for official data".

[5] The department was organized by four teachers, led by Elmer H. Staffelbach,[6] and only two areas of study were offered, secretarial training and accountancy.

The college was named after the couple for their generous donation, history of philanthropy, and successful careers in Business and Education.

State residency and graduating from a high school in the Santa Clara County are factors as well.