Times are Tough...

As we begin to celebrate this glorious holy season, it is important to acknowledge that the economic landscape in the world has changed dramatically over the past few months.   Financial instability, job cuts, and a weakened housing market have led to fear and uncertainty for many of our fellow Broncos and their families.  In these difficult times, it is helpful to renew the special connection we share as members of the Santa Clara Family and the University community.

The SCU Alumni Association would like to remind you of the many benefits we offer that may be useful to you throughout the coming year:

• Career Center resources
• Online job and networking tools
• Continuing education opportunities
• Temporary health insurance
• Learning Commons, Technology Center, and Library services

Click here for more details on how you can take full advantage of these support services.  

If you need assistance leveraging your SCU Alumni network or additional career-related advice, please feel free to call or email the Alumni Office (alumupdate@scu.edu, 408-554-6800), or Anne Oja in the Career Center (ajoa@scu.edu, 408 554-4860).  Since the economic situation is also affecting the SCU campus, you may click here to see Father Locatelli’s recent letter to faculty, staff, students, and parents updating them on the University’s response to the financial challenges ahead.

Santa Clara is committed to teaching the values of competence, conscience, and compassion and we hope all Broncos will be mindful of your fellow alumni challenged by these unprecedented times.  We would like to encourage those of you who are in a position to strengthen our SCU offerings to do so: by posting employment opportunities on inCircle, agreeing to network with fellow alumni, granting informational interviews, reviewing resumes, and facilitating Broncos connections where possible.

It’s difficult to know how long this downturn will last.  However, we should take comfort in knowing we are all in this together.  By leveraging the talents and resources of the 74,000 alumni that make up our Santa Clara Family, we can ease the burden of those most vulnerable and hurt by the financial crisis during this holiday season. 

May your Christmas and New Year be filled with hope and happiness!

Steve Philpott ’97
National Alumni Association President

Janet Napolitano: Homeland Security Advisor

Arizona Governor and Santa Clara University alumna Janet Napolitano '79 has been named to President-elect Barack Obama's national security team, as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

In her position, Napolitano will lead a department that encompasses many federal agencies and whose missions will include safeguarding the U.S. from terrorists, and overseeing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Pending the authorization by the U.S. Senate, Napolitano would be the first woman in that position, created by President George W. Bush and Congress after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Click here to read the full article.

Alumni Award Nominations DUE January 16th

Noelle R. Lopez ‘09, the captain of Santa Clara University's women's cross country and track team and a philosophy major, was named as one of 32 U.S. Rhodes Scholars. One of academia's most prestigious awards is granted to students of "high academic achievement, integrity of character, a spirit of unselfishness, respect for others, potential for leadership, and physical vigor.”  Lopez is the first woman from SCU to achieve this honor and only the second SCU student to do so since alumnus Arthur Hull Hayes Jr. in 1955.  Winners receive all-expenses-paid scholarships for postgraduate study in Oxford, England.

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