Updates from the Office of the President

Calendar

president@scu.edu (President's Office) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:57:00 PST

What's Ahead on My Calendar

April 24 - Sprinksgiving
April 25 - Solar Decathlon Groundbreaking
April 27 - President's Dinner
May 3 - JST Board of Director's Meeting at Berkeley
May 4 - Bronco Bench Foundation Red and White Gala
May 8 - Military Science Awards
May 15 - Catala Club Installation Mass and Luncheon
May 17 - Board of Regents Meeting
May 23 - Misa en Espanol
May 25 - Law School Commencement, 9:30 a.m.
May 25 - JST Commencement, 3:00 p.m.

Preview Days a Success

president@scu.edu (President's Office) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:53:00 PST

Preview Days
Many thanks go to the few hundred faculty and staff who contributed to the great success of Preview Days on April 13-14. Over 1500 guests, including nearly 800 admitted students, attended the activities and programs during the weekend. About 50 student organizations, student life departments and academic departments were represented, and nearly 40 different presentations or information sessions were offered.

To those who supported the events either behind the scenes or in the personal contact with our guests, I thank you for your hard work and long hours in helping potential students recognize the special place we have here at Santa Clara University.

2013 Commencement Speakers and Honorary Degree Recipients

president@scu.edu (President's Office) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:19:00 PST

Commencement Speakers and Honorary Degree Recipients Announced
Our lineup of 2013 commencement speakers and honorary degree recipients is now complete. Last week The Santa Clara newspaper reported on the announcement of Leon Panetta as the 2013 undergraduate commencement speaker. Now that he has returned to his home state, we are honored that former Secretary Panetta will be back on campus to address the Class of 2013 on June 15. He and his wife Sylvia will also receive an honorary degree. Other honorary degrees will be conferred on Stephen ’60 and Patricia A. Schott, Reverend Robert Mathewson, S.J., and James Houghton ’81.

The commencement speaker for the graduate commencement on June 14 will be Pamela Eibeck, president of University of the Pacific. David Drummond ‘85, Chief Legal Officer at Google, will offer the commencement address to the law graduates at the Law School Commencement on May 25. Also on May 25, the Jesuit School of Theology will hold their commencement exercises and host biblical scholar Sr. Dianne Bergant, CSA, as the commencement speaker.

Community Day of Service

president@scu.edu (President's Office) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:05:00 PST

Community Day of Service
Thank you to all who took part in the Community Day of Service on Saturday, April 13, and to those in the Alumni Office and Staff Senate who mobilized a great turnout. 120 faculty, staff, students and friends joined together to sort, plant, paint, clean, compost and tutor at four neighboring locations. At one of the sites, Washington Elementary School, volunteers helped students with their weekly reading goals through group reading activities. Principal Maria Arias Evans ’81, who directed the activities at Washington for the day, will be honored on April 27 as a recipient of the 2013 Ignatian Award.

Students Selected for "Path to Peace" Seminar

president@scu.edu (President's Office) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 11:03:00 PST

Students Selected for "Path to Peace" Seminar
I have the privilege of again sending two students to an annual symposium on Catholic social teaching sponsored by the Path to Peace Foundation. Carlos Martinez ’15, a double major in Political Science and Religious Studies, and Alexander Nauman ’15 majoring in Operations Management and Information Systems will attend this year’s week-long seminar in New York City in May. Hosted by the Vatican’s ambassador to the United Nations, the 2013 seminar will focus on the 50th Anniversary of the publication of the Encyclical Letter Pacem in Terris by Blessed John XXIII.

Through interviews, tours, and in-depth discussions with dignitaries of the United Nations, former ambassadors to the Holy See, renowned authors and other officials, our students learn that on the global stage Catholic social teaching has a critical part to play in decision-making among leaders. The sessions help participants consider ways to apply economic thought, political thought, and ethical thought to Catholic social teaching as they discuss global issues. These learned insights are in perfect keeping with and extensions of their Santa Clara education. Opportunities like these help students expand their worldview and consider the rich and challenging traditions of Catholic social teaching and their faith.

Sprinksgiving: A Day of Gratitude and Donor Appreciation

president@scu.edu (President's Office) — Mon, 22 Apr 2013 10:58:00 PST

Sprinksgiving: A Day of Gratitude and Donor Appreciation
A new tradition is beginning among our students this year. Hosted by the SCU Student Philanthropy Committee and the Development office, our first “Sprinksgiving” will be held on April 24, 2013, when we set aside a day of gratitude to celebrate all who have given so generously to Santa Clara University. Each year, thousands of alumni, parents and other friends make gifts to Santa Clara, helping to fund scholarships, immersion trips, student club budgets and new buildings. To show our appreciation for our donors, the campus community is invited to join the celebration by signing a giant “thank you” card on display in front of the Library on April 24, 10:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. In honor of this special “Thanksgiving in Spring” event, free turkey sandwiches will be offered. Visit the Sprinksgiving website for more information.

Law Faculty Appointed to Endowed Professorships

president@scu.edu (President's Office) — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 09:10:00 PST

I am pleased to announce the appointment of two new endowed professors in the School of Law. Brad Joondeph was named the Inez Mabie Professor and Stephanie Wildman was appointed the John A. and Elizabeth H. Sutro Professor. Endowed professorships are awarded to faculty members who have distinguished themselves as teaching scholars and embody the qualities of creative scholarship, collegiality and collaboration, and incorporation of intellectual foundations for ethics and justice. Designed to help recruit and retain gifted faculty who are leading scholars in their disciplines, our endowed professors strengthen not only the academic programs in which they teach but also the University as a whole. Congratulations to Professors Joondeph and Wildman for their achievements!

Santa Clara Named to President's Community Service Honor Roll

president@scu.edu (President's Office) — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 09:07:00 PST

In keeping with our commitment to service and social justice, I am pleased that once again Santa Clara University was named to the 2013 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.

This special recognition honors schools that excel in “placing students on a lifelong path of civic engagement by engaging them in meaningful service that achieves measurable results in the community.” Completing over 133,000 hours of service, our students accompanied neighbors in impoverished areas of the U.S. and Latin America, engaged in service-learning projects with local community partners, advocated for positive change on campus and elsewhere, and took part in other programs that reinforce our commitment to communities near and far. It is through opportunities with Arrupe Partnerships, SCCAP, the Experiential Learning for Social Justice component in the core and other programs that our students gain perspective, are moved by compassion, use their skills in meaningful ways, and ultimately become leaders to change our world. We can take pride in the recognition we have received, knowing that service reaches beyond the press releases and rankings, for the benefit of the greater good.

Community Day of Service

president@scu.edu (President's Office) — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 09:02:00 PST

I would like personally to invite you to participate in the University’s 2nd Annual Community Day of Service on Saturday, April 13. Service to others is a long-held tradition at Santa Clara and has become an integral part of our commitment to social justice. To sign up, visit the website.

Some of this year’s volunteer opportunities are located in the greater Washington/Alma area of San Jose, where the University is actively working towards a place-based initiative with community partners there. Hundreds of our students are already working with agencies and schools in the area through our Arrupe Weekly Engagement Program, Santa Clara Community Action Program (SCCAP), Bronco Urban Garden (BUG), and other efforts. The Community Day of Service is one way that staff and faculty can engage with partner organizations and hopefully build our relationship of mutual service and accompaniment. To learn more about the Community Day of Service or to sign up as a volunteer, visit the Day of Service website.

Calendar

president@scu.edu (President's Office) — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 09:18:00 PST

What's Ahead on My Calendar

March 23-31 - Spring Break
March 31 - Easter
April 4 - Board of Fellows Crab Feed
April 5 - Annual Scholarship Luncheon
April 9 - President's Speaker Series with David Kessler
April 13-14 - Preview Days
April 13 - Law Alumni Awards
April 14 - Bergin Society Mass and Brunch
April 17 - GSBI Open House
April 17 - Honors Program Reading Series
April 20 - Pause for Coz Alumni Event
April 27 - President's Club Dinner and Alumni Anniversary Awards

Founder's Day mass

president@scu.edu (President's Office) — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 10:16:00 PST

Dear Members of the University Community,

Along with Jesuits and colleagues around the world, we celebrate the election of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio as Pope Francis. As a man committed to social justice, he shares the ideals of our own institution. Below you will find the statement of the President of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities.

On Tuesday, March 19, at noon, the University community will celebrate our annual Founder's Day Mass to commemorate the establishment of our school. That is the date of the installation of the pope, so we shall be offering special prayers for his leadership. All are invited to join in this liturgy.

Sincerely,

Michael E. Engh, S.J.
President

"It has been a truly historic day for the Society of Jesus as we learned that our brother, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, was selected to lead the Catholic Church as Pope Francis. As Jesuits, we emphasize social justice in our ministry, and we are gratified to have a leader who will continue to live out this mission on a global stage. We pray that the Pope's grounding in Ignatian spirituality will guide him as he carries out this extraordinary calling to lead the Church of the 21st century."

- Rev. Gregory F. Lucey, SJ
President, AJCU

Calendar

president@scu.edu (President's Office) — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 15:43:00 PST

What's Ahead on My Calendar

March 2-11 - Trip to India
March 13 - Faculty Senate Meeting
March 14 - Silicon Valley Leadership Group Board Meeting
March 17 - Friendly Sons of St. Patrick Annual Dinner in L.A.
March 18 - Alexander Law Prize Reception
March 19 - Founder's Day
March 21 - L.A. Santa Claran of the Year Celebration in L.A.
March 22 - Markkula Center 25th Anniversary Dinner
March 23-31 - Spring Break
March 31 - Easter
April 4 - Board of Fellows Crab Feed
April 5 - Annual Scholarship Luncheon
April 9 - President's Speaker Series with David Kessler

Board of Trustees Meeting Held

president@scu.edu (President's Office) — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 15:19:00 PST

Board of Trustees Meeting Held on February 8

I wish to provide a short summary of key items that transpired at the Board of Trustees meeting held on February 8. The business meeting included the approval of several action items and presentations on enrollment management, educational planning focusing on teaching with technology, and a report by the Chair of Trustees, Bob Finocchio, on his visit with Superior General Adolfo Nicolás, S.J.

Dennis Jacobs, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, gave the trustees an update on progress towards elaborating our educational vision and honing strategic goals and objectives. In addition, Provost Jacobs articulated a vision for the use of technology in the Jesuit education we offer. Kirk Hanson, Executive Director of the Markkula Center, joined Provost Jacobs to present the Markkula Center’s initiatives that leverage technology to enhance teaching.

Mike Sexton reported that total freshmen applications for fall 2013 reached nearly 15,000, showing a 4.8% increase over last year. The enrollment target is 1275 students. In addition to the Early Action and Regular decision option, this year Santa Clara offered a first-ever binding Early Decision option. Indicators suggest that the overall acceptance rate will be competitive and selective to reach the enrollment target.

Bob Finocchio summarized for the trustees a special meeting he attended with Adolfo Nicolás, S.J., Superior General of the Society of Jesus, in Rome. Bob and other representatives of U.S. Jesuit colleges and universities were invited by Fr. Nicolás to offer him their perspectives on the state of Jesuit higher education in the United States. Topics on academic life and Jesuit mission, campus culture, Jesuit presence, service to the local church, and service and solidarity with the disadvantaged were discussed for Fr. Nicolás’s reflection in preparation for his visit to the U.S. in October.

Other business at the meeting included the approval of several important action items. The Trustees

approved a balanced budget for 2013-2014;
approved two new degree programs in the Leavey School of Business, Master of Science in Entrepreneurship and a Master of Science in Finance; and
approved the proposed changes to the Faculty Handbook regarding grievance committee timeframe and reconsideration process in lecturer and senior lecturer decisions.

In addition to the presentations and approval of action items, the trustees received reports from trustee committee chairs on their respective committees; Patti Boitano, Chair of the Board of Regents; Barbara Molony, president of the Faculty Senate Council; and Jenna Saso, president of Associated Student Government. Following the meeting, trustees were joined by students and Faculty Senate members for lunch.

Women's Softball Stadium

president@scu.edu (President's Office) — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 13:11:00 PST

The season opener for the Women's Softball team will be a special one as they host University of the Pacific for a doubleheader at the new SCU Bronco Softball Stadium on February 9. The program's first-ever game at the new stadium will be at 11:00 a.m. followed by a second game at 1:00 p.m. In all, 25 softball games will be played at home this season on the Mission campus, capped off by hosting San Diego (May 4-5) and Stanford (May 7).

Admissions Update

president@scu.edu (President's Office) — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 17:34:00 PST

Admissions Update

Our admission prospects are looking very good as the enrollment management team is reviewing a robust set of regular decision applications that were due January 7. The combined total of early and regular decision applications reached 14,945 applications, an increase of 4% over last year. From the pool of admitted students we are targeting an enrollment of 1275 students for the incoming freshman class.

The early applicant pool had a strong showing with 4,677 applications received by the November 1 deadline. This pool included applicants taking advantage of the Early Action and the newly implemented Early Decision options. The combined total of early applicants represented 9% more than last year's single Early Action pool. We were pleased with the outcome of the first-ever binding Early Decision option, under which 85 students have deposited.

Event Planning Office

president@scu.edu (President's Office) — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 17:27:00 PST

Event Planning Office

In December, the Event Planning Office (EPO) staff moved from the Benson Memorial Center to the Walsh Administration Building, and is now part of the President’s Office staff. Karrie Grasser, Assistant Vice President of University Protocol and Events, and her team of Elizabeth Carter, Mary Johnson, Blake Malcolm and Stephanie Woitte, will continue to provide the University with event planning leadership, advisory support, and services that advance University-wide event development and production management. In the new organization, the EPO staff will continue to manage Undergraduate and Graduate Commencements, the Golden Circle Theatre Party, and staffing for the Board of Fellows. Since joining the President’s Office, they have taken on additional responsibilities including staffing for both the Board of Trustees and the Board of Regents.

The EPO staff is also tasked with developing a set of University-wide standards and protocol, which will help ensure that all events exhibit a level of consistency and quality showcasing Santa Clara’s excellence. Further details will be forthcoming as the team transitions to the new organization and their new duties. They are a welcome addition to the President’s Office, and I look forward to their continued support and assistance in University events across campus.

Calendar

president@scu.edu (President's Office) — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 17:20:00 PST

What's Ahead on My Calendar

January 26-February 2 - Meetings and alumni event in Hong Kong
February 7 - Men's Basketball v. St. Mary's
February 8 - Board of Trustees Meeting
February 9 - Golden Circle Theatre Party
February 12 - State of the University
February 13 - Ash Wednesday
February 18 - President's Day
February 22-23 - Family Weekend
February 25 - Joint Meeting of California and Oregon Provinces on Higher Education
February 26-27 - Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU) Presidents Meeting

State of the University

president@scu.edu (President's Office) — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 17:12:00 PST

State of the University

Please join me for the annual State of the University address, which will be held on Tuesday, February 12, at 4:00 p.m. in the Mission Church. I invite and encourage you to attend the University-wide event as we gather as a community to reflect on past achievements, current opportunities and future plans for fulfilling our aspirations for Santa Clara University.

Michael E. Engh, S.J.
President

Christmas Greetings

president@scu.edu (President's Office) — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 00:00:00 PST

And Joseph too went up from Galilee from the town of Nazareth to Judea,
to the city of David that is called Bethlehem, …
to be enrolled with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child.
While they were there, the time came for her to have her child,
and she gave birth to her firstborn son.

- Luke 2: 4-7

Dear Members of the University Community,

This is the time of year when Christians celebrate the miraculous event of the birth of Jesus Christ to the Virgin Mary. The Gospels tell the familiar narrative of Joseph caring for his pregnant wife, of Mary giving birth to the Son of God, and of the shepherds journeying to the manger to pay homage to the newborn King.

We see in this image of a brave mother, a humble father and a helpless infant the images and life stories of people all around us. It is in the humanity of neighbors known and unknown where we can discover the face of God who sent Jesus to redeem the world. During this Christmas season we reflect on God’s great love for us and see it manifested in the lives of our own holy families and the holy family of all humanity.

Celebrated at this time also is the Jewish festival of lights, Hanukkah, which will take place December 9-16. Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after the Jews of Judah triumphed over their oppressors. For Jewish people around the world, these days recall the light of justice and peace that will triumph over the darkness of conflict and injustice.

In many faith traditions, light symbolizes the best of who we are and hope for blessings to come. This holiday season I pray that with your family and friends you experience the peace, joyful living and unconditional love that God wishes for all of us. May this also be a time for us to see the face of God in those who suffer illness, injustice, and economic insecurity, and to respond as members of the same family. At Christmas Mass, I shall remember the Santa Clara community, thanking God for all of you and asking God’s blessing now and throughout the new year.

With best wishes,

Michael E. Engh, S.J.
President

Board of Trustees Meeting Held

president@scu.edu (President's Office) — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 15:50:00 PST

Board of Trustees Meeting Held

The Board of Trustees held their fall business meeting last week at a two-day offsite. Prior to the business meeting, the new trustees attended an orientation session to get an overview of key elements of the University – its Jesuit educational values and history, academic programs, financial overview, the fiduciary responsibility of the board members, and the fundraising plan for the University. The orientation is one of several ways that the University welcomes new trustees to the board and gives them a framework for understanding their roles and responsibilities as trustees.

At the opening reception, students involved with the Global Social Benefit Fellows program and the Frugal Innovation Lab held poster sessions for the trustees, sharing their experiences with these high-impact interdisciplinary projects. The GSB Fellows related their work with Solar Sister, a GSBI social enterprise that distributes solar lamps using Avon-style direct sale distribution network of women entrepreneurs in sub-Saharan Africa. Students from the Frugal Innovation Lab highlighted their projects that ranged from affordable water quality monitoring, solar energy distribution, and mobile platforms for vocal pattern analysis. The students and mentors were very well-received by the trustees.

During the business meeting, the trustees approved the Audit Report and received an update from the Campaign Planning Task Force, chaired by John A. Sobrato. The chairs of the various trustee committees reported out on the activities of their respective groups. Other reports included those by the Chair of the Board of Regents, Patti Boitano; President of the Faculty Senate, Barbara Molony; and President of the Associate Student Government, Jenna Saso.

A significant portion of the meeting comprised presentations and a breakout session about strategic issues. I provided the trustees with an update on the state of the University, and Provost Jacobs gave an overview of the University’s strengths, challenges and aspirations. Trustee Bill Leahy, S.J., President of Boston College, presented on the role of trustees as stewards, ambassadors and benefactors and how they can advance Santa Clara University. Father Leahy offered valuable insights from his experience with trustees at Boston College and the special contributions they make in strengthening the institution. Following the presentations, the members broke out into small groups to discuss institutional priorities and identify practices that will help trustees be more effective stewards of Santa Clara’s educational mission.