Santa Clara Mag Blog

Leon Panetta, Cover Man

scmagazine@scu.edu (Jeff Gire) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:28:00 PST

For anyone with an interest in our country’s politics and military, there are few people who you’d want to have a conversation with at this point in time than Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta ’60, J.D. ’63. Which is what Santa Clara Magazine brings in the next issue.

Steven Saum’s January cover story on Panetta looks back at the life and career of the alumnus (and former SCU professor) who has served in Congress, as chief of staff to President Bill Clinton, and until this summer as CIA director. Panetta discusses his vision for the military and shares stories from his days on the Mission campus. You could say his reputation as a rocker of boats began when he stood up to a Jesuit professor. On the subject of theology.

If you can’t wait to get inside the head of our Secretary of Defense, try this cool interactive feature from the New York Times, which allows you to play Panetta and find $450 billion worth of cuts in the defense budget.

Everything Everywhere: Ron Hansen in Lafayette on Thursday

ssaum@scu.edu (Steven Boyd Saum) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:17:00 PST

Ron Hansen M.A. '95 at the Lafayette Library on January 5 at 7:30 p.m.

Celebrating La Virgen

ssaum@scu.edu (Steven Boyd Saum) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:33:00 PST

Santa Clara and the Sacred Heart Parish commemorate the vision of Our Lady of Guadalupe with a 15-year tradition?and a four-year scholarship.

Black, White, and Fed All Over

scmagazine@scu.edu (Jeff Gire) — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 15:04:00 PST

Saying goodbye to a familiar friend on campus

If you have had lunch at the Adobe Lodge, then you know BW (short for Black and White)—although maybe not by that name.

You might have called her Adobe or The Jesuit Cat. The staff at the Lodge named her Bus Tub, after the containers that leftovers are swept into. Maybe you just knew of the friendly longhaired, black and white cat that staked out the entrance of the Adobe Lodge daily. But those who knew her best, called her BW.

Michelle Towers official title with Santa Clara is administrative associate in the president’s office, but she’s unofficially the chair of SCU’s department of cat care. According to Towers, BW first appeared on campus about six years ago, large enough that most observers assumed she was pregnant. After two frowned upon forays into the restaurant, BW established her familiar post on the wooden chest near the entrance. Vet trips were surprisingly easy; some tuna or fresh chicken was all the bait required.

BW’s temperament bordered on fearless, as she was something of a socialite. She was known to weave between the crowds at Vintage Santa Clara and open houses and even attended a Board of Trustees outdoor lunch one day. “One event that she joined, that is remembered by many, was Father Locatelli's memorial outside in the Mission Garden,” recalls Towers. “There was an aisle that led from the statue of St. Joseph up to the stage, which was in front of St. Joseph hall. BW came into sight, walked up the aisle, turned around near the statue and sat—as if watching the event as well.”

In October, Towers noticed that BW had gone missing. The cat no longer waited for her morning meal at the St. Joseph statue and at her lunchtime post at Adobe. Over the next few weeks Towers asked her cat network if they had seen her, and they in turn asked others. She kept an eye on the Humane Society’s found pets page. Sure enough, a picture of BW was posted by someone who had been on the campus, thought BW was lost, and took her home for a few days.

Towers followed up with the local Humane Society. They called the person who found her and learned that BW was dropped off at another local shelter on October 20 when there had been no response to the posting. The staff reviewed her condition, and due to her age (around 12) and health problems (thyroid and kidney issues) she was put down.

“I hope there is an Adobe Lodge in cat heaven for her,” Towers says. “Heaven help them if the food is not to her liking.”

The Russians are coming! The Russians are coming!

scmagazine@scu.edu (Steven Saum) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 15:23:00 PST

Thanksgiving memories of turkey, football, and revolutions that changed the world.

The Class of '45: The boys who went away

santaclaramagazine@scu.edu (Clay Hamilton) — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 16:04:00 PST

Memories of the Class of '45

Memorial service planned for Prof. William Yabroff

santaclaramagazine@scu.edu (Clay Hamilton) — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 16:40:00 PST

Professor William Yabrof, who co-founded the graduate counseling psychology department at SCU, died on Oct. 6, 2011. He was a beloved professor for over 25 years, teaching numerous courses, and specializing in the therapeutic use of imagery and symbol. He is survived by his daughter, Clare (Wendy) Yabroff '85. A memorial service is being held on November 19th at 4 p.m. at the Ananda Church, 2171 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94306. For more information, please call 503-616-6628.

Innovations to benefit humanity: 2011 Tech Award Nexus Conference

santaclaramagazine@gmail.com (Jon Teel) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 14:30:00 PST

2011 Tech Awards Nexus Conference brought together social entrepreneurs from around the world. They're learning from one another. And already improving the lives of tens of millions of people.

Food, glorious food: Got a question for Adam Gopnik?

ssaum@scu.edu (Steven Boyd Saum) — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 16:15:00 PST

New Yorker writer Adam Gopnik is at The Commonwealth Club - Silicon Valley on Nov. 1, and SCM Editor Steven Saum is hosting the Q&A. What do you want to ask?

On Campus: Poetry triple-header Nov. 2

santaclaramagazine@gmail.com (Jon Teel) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 10:51:00 PST

Poetry Reading at The Fess Parker Studio Theatre on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at 4:00 p.m. Sharing the stage: Kirk Glaser, Claudia Monpere McIsaac, and Chancellor William Rewak, S.J.

The Camino to Santiago de Compostela, in a theatre near you

santaclaramagazine@gmail.com (John Deever) — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 09:55:00 PST

A new film takes viewers on The Camino -- a path Martha E. Stortz traced in her Summer 2010 SCM essay.

Peter Ross: Peace Corps, India, 1964

scmagazine@scu.edu (Peter Ross) — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 12:00:00 PST

Peter Ross writes about his experiences in the Peace Corps in India in 1964. An excerpt was printed in the Fall 2011 issue of Santa Clara Magazine.

On Campus: The Economics of Good and Evil -- Oct. 19

ssaum@scu.edu (Steven Boyd Saum) — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 11:45:00 PST

Economist Tomas Seldacek is one of the "five hot minds in economics," says the Yale Economic Review. And he speaks on the SCU campus Oct. 19 at 7 p.m.

The fall mag is here

ssaum@scu.edu (Steven Boyd Saum) — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 14:00:00 PST

The Fall 2011 Santa Clara Magazine is out and about -- in print and online.

Happy birthday: Santa Clara Magazine turns 30

ssaum@scu.edu (Steven Boyd Saum) — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 11:20:00 PST

Santa Clara Magazine marks 30 years

The Peace Corps Act - September 22, 1961

cthamilton@scu.edu (Clay Hamilton) — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 16:29:00 PST

President John F. Kennedy signed an executive order creating the Peace Corps on March 1, 1961, but the order wasn't official until Congress approved the legislation. That event occurred on September 22, 1961—50 years ago today—and formally authorized the Peace Corps, whose stated purpose was "to promote world peace and friendship."

Since its creation, more than 340 Santa Clara alumni have served in some 80 countries. At times, the number of Santa Clara grads heeding the call has put SCU in the top 10 for Peace Corps schools of its size.

In the Fall 2011 issue of Santa Clara Magazine, we feature the stories and images from some of the Santa Clara alumni, faculty, and staff that have served in the Peace Corps. Look for it in your mailbox soon!

Bronco Buzz: Knows Art, Will Travel

jgire@scu.edu (Jeff Gire) — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 09:47:00 PST

Michelle Dezember '06 talks about her work at Mathaf, the first modern art museum in Qatar

Lives lost on a fateful day

ssaum@scu.edu (Steven Boyd Saum) — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 10:29:00 PST

Remembering student Deora Bodley and Lawrence Getzfred '71 -- two of the thousands killed on Sept. 11, 2001

Hold onto your bots

jgire@scu.edu (Jeff Gire) — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 12:03:00 PST

Online ballot stuffing? Why I never...

Luminous beauty ... and an award for photography

ssaum@scu.edu (Steven Boyd Saum) — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 10:50:00 PST

Susan Middleton '70 contributed a dazzling photo essay, "Life cycle," for the Spring '11 mag. And the folks at the University and College Design Association just singled it out for an award for excellence.