Grand Reunion News Blog

Are you one of the 10,100 lucky Broncos whose class year ends in a 3 or an 8? If so, the dates for your reunion weekend have been set: the Alumni Association will welcome the classes of 1953, 1958, 1963, 1968, 1973, 1978, 1983, 1988, 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008, and the soon-to-be-alumni class of 2013 back to our beautiful campus during the weekend of October 10-13, 2013! To help you remember this very important information, we recently sent you a lovely save the date magnet. If, for some reason, you do not receive your magnet, do not hesitate to contact the Alumni Office at 408-554-6800 or alumupdate@scu.edu, and we’ll mail you one right away.

Each class will have a dedicated web page that will serve as a one-stop shop for all things reunion related. These pages are currently under construction, though they will go live in mid-December. If you’re anxious for information about Grand Reunion or are interested in getting involved in a significant way, feel free to visit the Grand Reunion main page for details about hotel information, class slide shows, and how to join your class reunion committee.

We feel privileged to offer you four days of chances to remember your time here on campus, reconnect with classmates and friends, and renew your relationship with the University. This will be an unforgettable weekend, and we can’t wait to welcome you home.

Go Broncos!
 

The mission of the Santa Clara Alumni Association is twofold: To serve and engage the Santa Clara Family by fostering lifelong relationships between alumni and each other, the Alumni Association, and the University; and to preserve Santa Clara’s history and traditions. The first part of the mission is pretty easy to see, especially during Grand Reunion: All of the events on the schedule were designed to help Broncos remember their experience here on campus, reconnect with each other and the school on a meaningful level, and renew their commitment to the Santa Clara community. As for the second part, a very important mechanism by which history is communicated and traditions are upheld is through storytelling.  Therefore, allow us to share a few from Grand Reunion Weekend:

The story of an alumna who almost didn’t come to campus, but made the decision to attend her class party and ended up mending fences with her estranged roommate.

The story of two married alumni who were delighted to receive “I Met My Spouse at SCU” buttons at the Sunday Brunch, and proudly wore their buttons as they left the Adobe Lodge hand in hand with full stomachs and hearts.

The story of an alumnus whose hesitation about attending his reunion was replaced with gratitude after he found new friends among his old classmates.

The story of a widow of one of the members of the class of 1962 who attended the Gianera Lunch in honor of her husband and was touched by her induction into the Gianera Society, which solidified her place in the Bronco family.

The story of two groups of alumni from the classes of 1977 and 2012 who faced off in an air guitar battle in the Mission Gardens towards the end of the 35th Reunion party.

These are just a few of the tales told to University staff; we are sure they represent just a fraction of the memories that were made this past weekend. It remains our pleasure to be able to offer our alumni the opportunity to come back and have a wonderful time with classmates and friends, both old and new.

We would also like to acknowledge the many hands that contributed to the successful execution of the Grand Reunion effort: Members of the Santa Clara Fund team who, from the very beginning, have been tireless partners in coordinating reunion committees and organizing efforts to inform the classes about their milestone celebrations; Santa Clara staff from University Relations as well as various other departments around campus who organized events, volunteered their time throughout the weekend, and did their part to ensure that everything ran smoothly; Student workers who drove golf carts, worked check-in, staffed events, and provided many hours of much needed assistance; and the folks behind the scenes in Facilities and Campus Safety, whose hard work before, during, and after the weekend made much of this possible.

We thank each and every one of our alumni, as well as their family members and friends, for celebrating all things Santa Clara with us during Grand Reunion Weekend! We appreciate your time, your enthusiasm, and your pride in your alma mater. Please help us in our efforts to continually improve Grand Reunion by filling out the attendee survey. Feedback from those of you who were unable to attend is welcomed as well. All survey respondents will be entered into a drawing for a $75 Visa gift card, so we hope you will take a few minutes and share your thoughts with us.

Thanks again for a wonderful weekend.

Go Broncos!
 

Grand Reunion Weekend is here! The weather outside may be somber, but the sun is starting to peek out from behind the clouds, brightly colored flags are waving all over, vibrant banners are out warmly welcoming everyone who enters the campus, and Donohoe Alumni house is buzzing with excited conversation. Practically overnight, impressively large tents have sprouted here and there, waiting expectantly to be filled with the presence, laughter, and shared memories of the reunion classes who will be celebrating in them tomorrow night. Students rubbing the last bit of sleep from their eyes pass by the structures, wondering just how many people are expected to be on campus this weekend; with over 3500 alumni and guests anticipated, this is going to be some party!

As you begin to make their way to campus, we would like to take this opportunity to share some last minute reminders and details: To start off your weekend on the right foot, please make Donohoe Alumni House ( which is across from Kenna and kitty-corner to Benson) your first stop to check-in and receive your name tag; do your classmates a favor and help prevent awkward fumbling as they try to place your face with your (forgotten) name. If you have only recently made the decision to join us on campus but haven't yet registered, we will be happy to sign you up on site inside Donohoe.

Next, we appreciate you taking the time to come back and celebrate your alma mater, but we recognize that life goes on and you may need to remain connected to the world beyond this beautiful campus. Therefore, we are pleased to offer all Grand Reunion attendees a complimentary Wifi connection via the Wireless Network SCUGrandReunion. No password is needed, which makes it easier for you to log on and take care of business.

Also, for those of you staying at the DoubleTree and Fairmont hotels, we hope you will take advantage of the available shuttles. Scheduled to run every 30 minutes, they are a convenient and worry-free way to get to the action here on campus.

Lastly, for those of you on Twitter, we encourage you to share your thoughts, memories, and experiences on campus this weekend. Tweet us at @scualumni and don't forget to use the hashtag #GrandReunion. We look forward to reading your tweets!

Thanks in advance for what is going to be an awesome weekend; we can't wait to see you!

Go Broncos!

When Santa Clara alumni learn of the stiff competition that students face in their quest for acceptance into this fine institution, not to mention the academic caliber of the students admitted into their alma mater in recent years, the common refrain is “There’s no way I would get in today!” Of course, they say it jokingly, but the fact that this sentiment is shared by alumni representing a wide range of decades speaks to the ever-changing nature of the college admission process. It seems as though each year brings with it some new test, essay question, or other evaluative measure for students to contend with. And for those of you who are parents supporting your children through the process, you may feel unprepared to help them navigate the college application gauntlet.

We are happy to offer a session during Grand Reunion that can help make things easier for you: Mike Sexton, Vice President for Enrollment Management, will conduct a presentation designed to leave you well-informed and feeling confident about your family’s ability to come out of it (relatively) unscathed. The session will begin with a tour of the new Admission and Enrollment Management building, a one-stop-shop for students housing Undergraduate Admission, Financial Aid and the Registrar’s Office that was completed just a couple of months ago. With its beautiful lobby that is sure to inspire your pride in Santa Clara’s history and its tradition of Jesuit education in Silicon Valley, this building warmly welcomes visitors to the university and sets the tone for the rest of their time on campus. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to gain valuable insight into the college admissions process; we hope to see you there!

On another note, the early bird deadline for the class reunion dinners is Tuesday, September 11 at 11:59 PM; please RSVP before then to take advantage of reduced pricing for this special event. Once it hits midnight, you’re out of luck, so don’t delay!

Go Broncos!
 

Though Father William Rewak is the University’s newest Chancellor, he navigates the campus as a seasoned veteran. While current students are just beginning to make his acquaintance, many alumni returning to SCU this fall will warmly embrace him as a familiar figure, having attended the university during his years of leadership from 1976 to 1988 and having sat in his English classes during the early 1970’s. As president, Fr. Rewak helped lay the groundwork for many positive changes for the University, from the diverting of the Alameda around campus to the establishment of the Eastside Project to the renaming of Santa Clara University (from University of Santa Clara). Please check out this University Press Release for a more detailed accounting of Fr. Rewak’s many accomplishments.

Praised as a visionary and lauded for his exceptional speaking skills, Fr. Rewak is a wonderful addition to this year’s Grand Reunion schedule. His talk, titled “The University as Prophetic”, will focus on the role of universities as presumed experts on moral issues that emerge in such subjects as economics, medicine, globalization, and technology. Universities are expected to be at the forefront of the discovery and the creation of knowledge and opportunities -  Santa Clara is no exception - and we are all implicated in this endeavor: students, faculty, administrators, and alumni. Please join Fr. Rewak for what promises to be a riveting talk, accompanied by a wonderful lunch. We hope to see you there!
 

We are proud of the fact that SCU’s Grand Reunion provides alumni a plethora of ways to interact meaningfully with the University. Not only can you catch up with classmates and friends at various fun events, but you can also reconnect with the school that served as the home base for your studies.

The College of Arts and Sciences, Leavey School of Business, School of Engineering, School of Education and Counseling Psychology, and, for the first year, School of Law all invite you to enjoy drinks, appetizers, and the company of current deans, faculty, staff, and fellow alumni on the evening of Saturday, October 13 from 6 – 7:30 p.m. If you are celebrating a reunion this year, these receptions are a great complement to the class parties that come immediately afterward. If you are not in a reunion year, the receptions give you a great reason to come to campus and soak in the festive atmosphere. The deans of the various schools are all eager to welcome you back and update you on what current students are learning. This is a great opportunity for you to either marvel at how far your school has come or grumble about the cool stuff that these kids now have and take for granted.

Don’t miss out on your chance to celebrate this special facet of your Santa Clara journey; we look forward to seeing you!

Go Broncos!
 

The schedule has been set, invitations have been sent, and RSVPs are now being accepted for Grand Reunion! We are proud to offer our Santa Clara alumni a weekend of events that will help you remember your time here on campus, reconnect with classmates and friends, and renew your relationship with the University. This is a celebration you won’t want to miss.

In an effort to not only convey how excited we are to welcome everyone back, but also to give you an inside look into what will be happening during the reunion weekend, this blog will feature spotlights on particular events on the schedule, starting in August. So, please make sure to check back often and get the inside scoop on some of our most anticipated events.

Go Broncos!
 

If you have attended Santa Clara’s Graduation Picnic over the past few years, you’ll recognize the title of this post as the iconic song that traditionally closes out this joyous event. As The Crocodiles belt out this catchy tune, a sea of revelers mostly made up of newly minted Santa Clara alumni throw up their hands, kick up their heels, and shout in celebration. It is truly a sight to see and a wonderful end to a day on campus that marks the beginning of the adult lives of these alumni.

This year’s Graduation Picnic was no different, and yet it still was unique: Faced with the challenge of adapting this long-standing event to accommodate the turf that was installed in Bellomy Field this past school year, the Alumni Office rose to the occasion of making sure that the Class of 2012 and their families would be able to rejoice in their special moment just as alumni before them had been able to do for the past 30+ years of the picnic’s existence. With extensive planning, creative configuration of the event setup, and the procurement of miles of turf covering, we were able to welcome a steady stream of more than 6000 graduates and guests through the gates of the Graduation Picnic. After sitting through countless speeches and what seemed like eons waiting for all of the graduates’ names to be called (and in the blazing hot sun, no less), everyone wanted nothing more than to get the party started.  And they most certainly did.

As the band struck up those familiar first notes and the lead singer’s “Yeeeaaaaahhhhhh” reached the far corners of Bellomy Field, this siren call drew a huge, cheering crowd to the front of the stage. It was time to let loose! After all of the stress leading up to this day – Completing final papers and exams, moving out of dorms/houses, wrangling family members, making sure to get to the ceremony on time – this was what they were waiting for: Friends formed circles and danced, grads twirled their parents, younger siblings jumped up and down in excitement. Everyone was engulfed in the moment and it was beautiful.

The Alumni Office extends its most sincere congratulations to the class of 2012! We feel proud to have played a role in making sure your graduation day was special and we look forward to welcoming you back in the fall for your 0-Year Reunion, along with thousands of other members of the alumni family celebrating various milestones. After seeing how 2012 can party, we know that Grand Reunion won’t be the same without you…see you there!

Go Broncos! 
 

During the month of February, the SCU Alumni Association unveiled a new and improved website designed to better connect all alumni with its events, programs, and services. A first glance reveals the use of beautiful images, conscientious messaging, and a clear layout that puts all of the information you need right at your fingertips. Take a closer look and you’ll see strategic connections not only with the Santa Clara Magazine (via the spotlight on the main page), but also with various schools, departments, and Centers of Distinction on campus (by clicking on any of the six tabs at the top of the page). We hope that you will utilize the Alumni website as your portal into the University and encourage you to visit often, as this dynamic new incarnation will always have something new to offer.

We also hope that will make your class website an online destination (if you haven’t already), as it is your one-stop-shop for information about your upcoming reunion. Take a moment to look through the list of “Lost Classmates” and let us know how we can get in touch with your classmates who have drifted away from us. View your class slide show, and if there isn’t one there yet, send in some photos so we can get one started. And if you are interested in serving on your reunion committee, it’s not too late! We can definitely use your helping hands when it comes to making this year’s Grand Reunion the best one yet; let us know via this interest form and we’ll take it from there.

Go Broncos!

Mark your calendars for one of Santa Clara’s biggest events: Grand Reunion Weekend! From October 11 – 14, we will welcome all alumni back to campus with 4 days of programming designed to show you the best of Santa Clara and reinforce your Bronco pride. 

The full schedule of events will not be released until the spring, but the weekend includes everything from academic showcases featuring beloved SCU professors to receptions hosted by the various schools to a family friendly picnic on Saturday afternoon. There is even a 5k run! Watch the 2011 Grand Reunion slide show to get an idea of how fun last year’s festivities were.

The reunion classes of 1952, 1957, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1977, 1982, 1987, 1992, 1997, 2002, and 2007 can look forward to their class parties, which will give them the special opportunity to celebrate their milestones. And let us not forget about the members of the class of 2012 who, as the newest additions to the alumni family, will be able to celebrate their good fortune of joining the ranks of SCU’s capable and accomplished graduates.

Reunion committees are currently being formed; if you are interested in sharing your ideas and helping to get classmates to the reunion, fill out this interest form and we will get in touch with you. Also, a save the date magnet was mailed to the reunion classes in December; if you did not receive one, please update your contact information to avoid missing out on future reunion news. 

We are excited for this year’s Grand Reunion and hope you are too! Make sure to come back and visit this blog periodically for updates on the weekend’s events.

Go Broncos!