Grand Reunion News Blog

It’s kind of hard to believe that June is already here; 2013 only began yesterday, it seems. This month is a pretty big one here at SCU because it signals the end of two significant undertakings: First, the conclusion of four years of a life-changing experience for our graduating seniors, and second, the wrap-up of the Leavey Challenge.

The Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Foundation has been a major supporter of Santa Clara over the years, and the Leavey name can be linked to more than one campus entity. The Foundation’s latest initiative once again solidifies its belief in the quality of a Santa Clara education, except it comes with a twist: The Thomas and Dorothy Leavey Foundation will give $1 million to the University is 9000 undergraduate alumni  (23%) make a gift to Santa Clara during the current fiscal year, which ends June 30. This would require our alumni to go above and beyond last year’s record participation number of 8,145 donors, increasing the number by 10% to rise to the occasion.

If there’s one thing to be said about Broncos, it’s that they don’t back down from a challenge; as of June 2, we have already exceeded last year’s numbers with a total of 8,201 gifts being made by undergraduate alumni! That means we only have 799 to go in order to meet the goal and receive the Leavey Foundation grant. Our alumni have overwhelmingly answered the call to support current students and for that, we are grateful. However, we are not there yet: If you are not among the ranks of the 8,201 who have already given, we hope you will help us make it 9,000 by June 30. Every gift of every amount counts!

Thanks for your continued love for and support of this University, and we look forward to sharing some great news with you at the end of the month.

Go Broncos!
 

No matter where they are in the world, our Broncos continue to make us proud by modeling conscience, competence, and compassion wherever they go. Positively impacting their communities through their deeds, our alumni leave indelible marks on the hearts and minds of those they serve, working diligently and, often, unrecognized.

The Alumni Anniversary Awards Celebration is the Alumni Association’s way of publicly honoring our alumni who answer the call of service to others. This year’s event, the eighth annual celebration, was particularly special, since it was combined with the University’s President’s Dinner, which honors generous supporters of SCU. The coming together of these two events was especially poignant, as the overall theme was gratitude: Gratitude to the members of the President’s Club for their donations which help provide the wonderful SCU experience that is cherished by so many; gratitude to all alumni for the numerous ways in which they help today’s students, as evidenced by the enormous Sprinksgiving board covered with hundreds of appreciative messages that was present for all attendees to marvel at; gratitude to the Alumni Anniversary Award recipients for their selfless gifts of love, time, and effort to their communities as well as SCU; and the gratitude expressed by countless people in the audience that night for their connection to such an amazing institution as SCU that inspires so many to give so much.

Please take a moment to view the introductory videos that were prepared for each of the award honorees: Ignatian Award recipients Maria Arias Evans ’81 and The Honorable Robert J. Higgins ’80, J.D. ’92; Bannan Award recipients Steve ’88 and Deanna Erbst; and Locatelli Award recipients Louis ’60 and Jane Castruccio. You may want to have some tissue ready, as these engaging accounts of community service moved many in the audience to tears. To our award recipients, allow us to say one more time, “Well done. And Go Broncos!”

Another group of hard working folks we would like to take a moment to thank is comprised of our fabulous reunion committee members. These alumni take on the task of promoting the Grand Reunion Weekend among their peers and encouraging their classes to support the endeavor not only with their presence, but also a contribution to the class gift, which helps today’s students. The reunion committees, which are made up of alumni living near and far, communicate via conference calls and email (and sometimes even meet in person), dedicating themselves to the task of making their milestone celebrations special for their classes.

We all have people, activities, and commitments vying for our individual attention, and it just seems like the days keep getting shorter and shorter and passing by more and more quickly; that is why those of us here in the Alumni Office, as well as our counterparts over in Development, are so appreciative of the time and effort given by those alumni who answer the call to join their class reunion committees. We truly could not do this without you; please know that you have our most sincere gratitude (There goes that word again!) for your service to your classmates and the University. It is truly a pleasure to work with you all and we can’t wait to thank you in person this fall!

Go Broncos!
 

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!