Santa Clara University

Table of contents

SCU gets high marks in annual college rankings
Dan Coonan appointed director of athletics and recreation
Markkula Center for Applied Ethics hosts local teachers over summer
New athletics logo designed to boost SCU awareness, revenues
Financial Aid moves to Varsi Hall
Campus News
Campus Events
SCU People
Grants Awards and Publications

SCU is No.2 in the West

The August issue of U.S. News & World Report, the annual "America’s Best Colleges 2005" issue, ranked Santa Clara University number two among master's universities in the West.

The magazine also highlighted SCU as an institution with programs that enhance learning and lead to student success. In the category titled, "Programs to Look For," SCU was one of a small number of colleges and universities singled out for its learning communities (Residential Learning Communities).

U.S. News also reported that of master's universities in the entire U.S., SCU has the second-highest graduation rate. The "Best Colleges" rankings are on the U.S. News Web site, www.usnews.com.

Dan Coonan appointed director of athletics and recreation

Dan Coonan

Dan Coonan, executive associate athletics director at the University of California, Berkeley, will join SCU as director of athletics and recreation in October.

University President Paul Locatelli, S.J. introduced Coonan at a press conference in the Leavey Center on Aug. 27 following a meeting with the athletic department coaches and staff. Dozens of SCU alumni, supporters, faculty, staff, and students were in attendance at the event.

"He will bring a strong, positive, and competitive presence for our sports at the local, regional, and national levels," Locatelli said of Coonan. 

A 1984 graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Coonan earned his doctor of jurisprudence from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles in 1987. He served on the staff of the Loyola Law Review and served as a law clerk in his final year at Loyola.

Coonan becomes the fifth director of athletics at Santa Clara since Pat Malley took over the reins in 1965. Coonan will report to Provost Denise Carmody. Find out more about Dan Coonan.

Markkula Center for Applied Ethics hosts local teachers

Teachers from across California came to SCU for ethics camp this summer. The Markkula Center hosted a series of ethics camps at which teachers, administrators, and counselors learned how to integrate character education into their classroom and curriculum.

Approximately 250 teachers from throughout California participated. Teachers discussed moral reflection, moral development, character, professional ethics, and ethical decision making with educators and administrators.

Of particular interest was a camp that immersed science teachers in ethics and character education. Steve Johnson, director of character education at the Center, says the Center doesn't advocate for particular policy positions.

But the camp for science teachers was created last year to help teachers emphasize the reality that science and "values" are inextricably linked. "The ethics of science has to do with the implications of public policy, not just with what you're teaching," Johnson said. "The program helps science teachers look at the integrity of science.

"There are general themes like how to teach students not to cheat, but we're also fostering the idea that the same feelings that lead to cheating are the ones that lead scientists to do unethical science." Read more about character education and ethics camp.

New athletics logo designed to boost SCU awareness, revenues

The Department of Athletics and Recreation this summer unveiled new Bronco logos and word marks designed to represent the University’s rich athletic history while appealing to a variety of demographics.

The new family of logos, designed in cooperation with Phoenix Design Works, SCU’s Office of Communications and Marketing, and The Collegiate Licensing Company, is expected to enhance revenues through licensing royalties and extend the University’s brand into retail outlets.

The primary mark introduces a new Bronco logo that has been absent from the athletic department for several years, while the Block SC has received an update that provides dimension and definition. In addition, the department will continue to use cardinal red and white as its official colors, while utilizing gray and black as accent colors in many of the new logos and marks.

"The lack of a marketable mascot logo the past several years has inhibited our ability to extend the Santa Clara brand," said Richard Kilwien, associate athletic director. "Together, with the help of Collegiate Licensing Company, we should be able to expand our apparel selection and place products bearing our logo into more retail outlets. " The project began more than a year ago with an internal review of existing athletic marks.

A committee comprised of individuals from various constituencies on campus met to review initial concepts and help provide direction to the design process. Read more. 

Financial Aid moves to Varsi Hall

Financial aid offices at SCU have moved to a new location, Varsi Hall behind Mission Gardens. The new location has a lounge where students and parents can wait, and renovated and larger offices for the staff.

"The financial aid office is looking forward to another great year after a successful move to our new and spacious location in Varsi Hall," said Chas Mercurio, director of financial aid.

Undergraduate admissions staff have also moved into their renovated space in Varsi Hall. An open house is scheduled for Thursday, September 23 at 3 p.m. More on financial aid. 

San Jose Mercury news editorial page columnist Joe Rodriguez wrote a column extolling the virtues of the Bridge Program at SCU that targets students who are the first in their family to go to college.

ABC News Channel 7 broadcast a feature story on an SCU program that targets students who are the first in their family to go to college. Reporter Stacey Hendler came on campus and spoke to students about the benefits of the program that brings freshman students on to campus two weeks ahead of orientation. More SCU in the News.

Mark Ravizza, S.J. has been appointed director of Ignatian Centers. He will provide strategic direction and leadership to the Bannan Center for Jesuit Education and the Pedro Arrupe, S.J. Center for Community-based learning.

Congratulations to three new Staff Council Members. Representing Enrollment Management and ROTC is Charity Garcia. David DeCosse will represent the Arts and Sciences building, and Nancy Diaz is the second representative for athletics.

Information about faculty awards will start with Oct. 1 FYI. To submit grants, awards, and publication information, click here.