Dear Members of the University Community:

I am grateful for those of you who were able to join us live or online via livestream for my first university convocation address on Tuesday. For those of you who missed it, the video is available here. I gave a recap of my first couple of months on the job and reviewed my first-year priorities, I also shared some good news and progress across many areas of the university and then answered questions from the audience.

When I took to the stage, I immediately appreciated the good spirit in the room and everyone’s generous attention. I was reminded of the three main reasons why I’m excited to be here: our shared mission as a Catholic and Jesuit university; the impact Santa Clara has in serving the common good; and the people here - including our students, accomplished alumni and all of you who serve this community with such passion and purpose. In particular, I want to recognize the faculty who received awards at the faculty recognition event on Tuesday evening. We are grateful for their commitment to teaching, research and service. 

As I mentioned in my remarks, Interim Provost Lisa Kloppenberg and I are committed to more principled, transparent and timely decision-making. To this end, we will conduct more town halls and outreach to various groups across our campuses as we continue the conversation. In addition, expect to see a Provost Update shortly, as well as additional updates on the Mission Priority Examen process, and on last year’s financial performance and a financial ‘snapshot’ of where we are as we begin the academic year. 

There is so much to be grateful for here at Santa Clara. We face some challenges, but working together, we will address these with confidence and creativity. I ask for your help, and I look forward to working with you for the good of our university and beyond.  Thank you for all you do.

May God bless Santa Clara in the year ahead. 

Sincerely,

Kevin F. O'Brien, S.J.
President