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Students
- Applications for admissions have increased dramatically. In the fall of 1988, the year President Locatelli was inaugurated, the university received 3,247 applications. This academic year SCU received 9,459, nearly three times the number of applications 20 years ago.
- Applicants' mean SAT scores improved from 1094 in 1988 to 1217 in 2007 a gain of 123 points.
- The average graduation rate for undergraduates is 85 percent, the second highest in the country among 574 national master's level universities, according to U.S. News and World Report.
- Freshman retention rate is 93 percent, and has been above 90 percent for the past 17 years.
- The undergraduate student body represents a diverse group of students from 39 states and 16 foreign countries. The percentage of Hispanic undergraduates increased from 8 percent in 1988 to 13 percent in 2007. Asian students make up 17 percent of the undergraduate population today.
- In 2006, SCU welcomed the largest freshman class in the school's history.
- Ninety percent of students from the class of 2006 who applied for full-time graduate study were admitted to at least one graduate program.
- In 2007, SCU won third place overall in the U.S. Department of Energy's Solar Decathlon competition on the National Mall, in Washington D.C.
Faculty
- In 1977 SCU had one endowed chair, today it has more than 40.
- Fulbright scholars represent various fields of study including: mathematics and computer science; counseling psychology; and environmental studies. In the last 10 years alone, 10 SCU faculty have been awarded this honor.
- Phil Kesten (physics) was named the California Professor of the Year by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Education in 2005.
- Francisco Jiménez (modern languages) was selected Outstanding U.S. Professor of the Year by CASE and the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in 2002.
- Ana Maria Pineda, RSM (religious studies) and Francisco Jiménez (modern languages) were named two of the 100 most influential Latinos of Silicon Valley by the Mexican American Community Services Agency.
Academic Programs
New and Innovative Programs and Centers
Academic Transformations
- Implementation of a new Core Curriculum that inspires integrated and coherent learning and critical thinking on the great questions of life, as well as the knowledge and skills to overcome global problems such as poverty, war, and conflict, living at peace, and learning to respect different cultures and faith traditions.
- In 2005 the Kolvenbach Solidarity Program was launched with the goal of formalizing and enhancing the existing immersion opportunities for students, faculty, and staff. Today the Kolvenbach program facilitates immersion experiences for approximately 325 participants each year.
- U.S. News and World Report ranked Santa Clara University second overall among the 123 master's universities in the West for 18 consecutive years.
- Establishment of a multi-million dollar endowment for undergraduate merit-based scholarships through an Arline and Thomas J. Bannan Foundation gift.
Facilities
Initiation of the Campus Renewal Program in 2001, a $68 million construction and renovation plan to enhance the University's learning environment.
New and renovated facilities:
- Alumni Science addition (1998)
- Arts and Sciences building (1998)
- Pat Malley Fitness and Recreation Center (1999)
- Tennis Center (1999)
- Leavey Event Center remodel (2000)
- Sobrato Residence Hall (2000)
- Commons at Kennedy Mall (2005)
- Schott Stadium (2005)
- Jesuit residence (2006)
- Learning Commons, Technology Center and Library (2008)
- Leavey School of Business building (2008)
Endowment/Finances
- When Locatelli was appointed president in 1988 the SCU endowment was $77 million. Ten years later, in 1998, it had grown to $346 million. At the end of the 2007 fiscal year, the endowment was approximately $700 million, putting SCU among the top 15 percent of endowed universities in the nation.
- President Locatelli launched the largest, most ambitious fundraising effort in the university's history, the Campaign for Santa Clara. The goal was $350 million in gifts and pledges over four years, dedicated to three main endeavors: supporting a community of scholars, integrated education, and capital resources. At the end of the campaign in December 2006, more than $404 million had been raised. The success of the campaign will usher the University into the 21st century, ensuring educational opportunities for future generations.
Awards/Recognition for Paul Locatelli, S.J.
- Outstanding Teacher of the Year (1978)
- 2007 Community Builder Honoree from PACT (People acting in Community Together)
- 2005 Distinguished Service award from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of Santa Clara Valley
- Exemplary Community Leadership Award from the National Conference of Community and Justice/Silicon Valley chapter
- Spirit of Silicon Valley Lifetime Achievement Award from Silicon Valley Leadership Group
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