Santa Clara University

An update from the Vice President of University Relations on the promise and progress of Santa Clara University’s comprehensive campaign, Innovating with a Mission.

Dear members of the SCU community:

At the public launch of SCU’s largest-ever fundraising initiative, “Innovating with a Mission: The Campaign for Santa Clara University,” then-President Michael Engh, S.J., compared it to “swinging wide the Mission doors” and “sharing Santa Clara with the world.” As we close in on this historic goal, I wanted to acknowledge the alumni, parents, foundations, corporate partners, faculty, staff, and students who answered the call.

Since the Campaign began in 2014, we have raised more than $863 million toward our $1 billion goal, which means more scholarship support, improvements to the student experience, and dedicated resources to help recruit and retain faculty. It also led to the construction of one of the largest and best-equipped STEM complexes in the nation in the Sobrato Campus for Discovery and Innovation (SCDI). “Innovating with a Mission” has raised approximately $450 million in facilities upgrades alone, be it in the form of new buildings, or the refurbishment of more than 700,000 square feet of new and existing campus space.

Philanthropic giving at any level enables SCU to simultaneously prepare for the future while making tangible improvements today. But what I think inspires donors most is how Santa Clara blends a rich liberal arts curriculum with the technical rigor of a top research university. Opening new pathways to knowledge through innovative curriculum design and interdisciplinary learning is critical for students to thrive in a global economy. As SCU rises in the national rankings, our success has always come down to excellence in teaching, and the ways that our Jesuit identity informs and enriches student learning.

For example, consider the story of John ’79 and Susan Ocampo, who invested $25 million to create 3,000 square feet of innovation space in SCDI. Over the last decade, undergraduate STEM enrollment has increased by 85% and, in addition to preparing future science and technology professionals, John saw his gift as a way to pay it forward. “There are three parties that believed in me more than I believed in myself,” he said, “my parents, my wife, and Santa Clara University.” The Ocampos’ generous and timely investment will benefit generations of problem-solvers and idea-generators to come.

At Santa Clara, when we pair our vision with the power of giving, we can accomplish historic things. Thanks to the incredible outpouring from our community, “Innovating with a Mission” is now the fourth-largest campaign ever for a Catholic university, behind Georgetown, Notre Dame, and Boston College.

However, we also see it as a means to, in President Julie Sullivan’s words, build on Santa Clara’s historic strengths, including its “rigorous standard of academic excellence, high graduation rate for low-income and first-generation students, and drive to seek truth and social justice.” As we work to bring “Innovating with a Mission” to a successful close, I look forward to sharing our next Campaign update with you. As always, thank you for your help and partnership.

With my gratitude and thanks,

Jim Lyons
Vice President, University Relations

Campaign to date total to goal of one billion

The Campaign has had incredible success thus far, especially in our outlined priority areas. The generosity of the entire Bronco community has transformed campus physically, academically, and financially. Some highlights include:

$200M Raised for Scholarships
$50M Raised for Faculty and Learning Investments
$227M for The Sobrato Campus for Discovery and Innovation

A Campus Transformed

A simple walk around campus shows the dramatic physical effect the “Innovating with a Mission” campaign has had on our University in just a few years. The new structures are beautiful—and built to educate the leaders of tomorrow. They’re grounded in a sense of community and tradition along with the understanding that learning doesn’t just happen in the classroom.

What’s really important is what these places mean for people: the possibilities they create for our students, and the dedicated faculty who teach them and guide them in research.

Collage of buildings that have been built or renovated during the innovating with a mission campaign.

Photo of scholarship recipient Francesca Dâ€™Urzo

Scholarships

Making a Santa Clara University education accessible is important to our mission as a Jesuit, Catholic institution and vital to the growth of our national reputation. All students—no matter their financial status or background—should be able to afford a Santa Clara education.

“I am extremely privileged to be standing where I am today, as my family did not have access to the same academic opportunities or experiences that I do.”

Francesca D’Urzo ’24
English Major, Journalism & Italian Studies

Donor Spotlight: Statman Family’s $3M Gift to Support Faculty

Behavioral-finance pioneer and Santa Clara University professor Meir Statman and his wife, retired manager and longtime mental health volunteer Navah Statman MBA ’84, donated $3 million to support faculty at the Leavey School of Business.

“Whenever we have good news in life, Navah would say ‘we have to donate some money.’ We call it good luck insurance,” said Meir. “We hope this gift will help members of the finance department increase their contributions as teaching scholars.”

Read More »

Pictured: Ameha Teshome ’23, Black Excellence Scholarship recipient.

Paying it Forward and Transforming Lives

Inspired by Santa Clara’s newly established Black Excellence Scholarship, Marva Turner ’78 has chosen to make an estate gift to endow this fund.

“I am making this gift because of my belief in the importance and values learned from a Jesuit education. I was also the recipient of financial assistance while attending Santa Clara University and would like to pay it forward for further generations of Broncos. My hope is that this endowment will possibly transform a life by providing the tools and education that will contribute to one’s success, whatever that path will be and measured by your definition of success.”

Marva Turner ’78

Athletics On the Rise

This Campaign has seen spirited and significant investment in Bronco athletics including support for student athlete scholarships, the Stephen C. and Patricia A. Schott Athletic Excellence Center and the Stevens Stadium renovation and Stevens Soccer Soccer Training Center, to name a few.

Schott Athletic Excellence Center Dedication »

Campaign Momentum—Reaching the Finish Line

The Campaign has had incredible momentum, but we still have a few more miles to go before crossing the finish line. Every gift of every size counts towards the Campaign. Top priorities include:

Scholarships and Access—There is ongoing need to make a Santa Clara education more accessible and affordable to all high achieving students regardless of their background or financial circumstances.

Faculty and Learning Investments—Our prominent faculty and student programs need support to maintain the caliber of education that makes up the heart of our institution.

Student Resources—Internships, fellowships and professional development opportunities enhance deep learning and lead to greater career opportunities for our students. Additionally, student mental health is an area we must expand and develop for the well-being of our student body.

Join Us on Our Mission

Learn More About the Campaign

Santa Clara University
500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara CA 95053
campaign@scu.edu | scu.edu

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