Stories

A father and his sons share the Santa Clara experience across generations, building new memories on the same campus that shaped their family’s values and sense of belonging.

By Kate Vander Vort ’27

For the Stroh family, Santa Clara University is more than just a college campus. It is a place that connects generations through shared memories, values, and experiences. Long before Will ’27 and Sam Stroh ’29 were walking to class here, their dad, James Stroh '87 (Physics), was doing the same. Now, years later, the three share a connection to the same university.

For biology major Will Stroh, coming to Santa Clara felt bigger than simply choosing a school. “Attending Santa Clara has deeply shaped my values through the experiences I have had here and the community I have been a part of,” he says. “To me, having a family that has attended the school means that we share many of those same values.”

James played a major role in Will’s decision to come to SCU. Will recalls his dad talking about the relationships he built with professors, the friendships that lasted well beyond graduation, and the close community that comes from being at a smaller university. James also shared stories about rowing at SCU, which inspired Will to walk on to the team himself, an experience that has become one of the highlights of his time here. Even everyday moments feel connected to that legacy. Will says walking past Daly Science reminds him of the physics and science classes his dad once took there, and hearing about how campus used to look—from a bar on campus to a pool in the Graham courtyard—makes him feel tied to a different era of Santa Clara.

Now first-year student Sam Stroh, also a biology major, is creating his own memories on the same campus. Growing up hearing about Santa Clara made arriving here feel both exciting and familiar. “With my dad going here, it is really cool to be able to go through the same things he experienced during his time here,” Sam says. “It is interesting to be able to come here and make my own memories as well.” Listening to both his dad and brother talk about their experiences gave him insight into what life at SCU would be like and played a large role in his decision to enroll. Although much of campus has been renovated over the years, Sam says places like the Mission Church feel unchanged. Being able to stand in the same space his dad once did adds meaning to everyday moments and makes the connection feel real.

Having family on campus at the same time has also shaped their experience in ways that go beyond tradition. For Will, sharing Santa Clara with his brother and cousin, Zander Stroh ’29 (Mechanical Engineering), makes being away from home easier and strengthens their connection while at school. For Sam, having an older brother who has already navigated classes, activities, and campus life provides comfort and guidance. “Having someone from your family here is very comforting,” he says, especially when he needs advice or has questions. Their dad now has the unique opportunity to walk through the same spaces where he once made memories and see his sons thriving in a place that still means so much to him.

For both brothers, being part of a Bronco family has shaped more than where they attend college. It has influenced how they think about their futures and the kind of impact they hope to make. Will, who has long been interested in medicine, says Santa Clara’s emphasis on caring for others has expanded his interest toward public health and public service. As families gather on campus this weekend, the Stroh family’s story reflects what makes Santa Clara special. The buildings may change and new memories are constantly being created, but the values, relationships, and sense of belonging remain strong across generations.

James Stroh '87, Matt Stroh '93, Will, Sam, and Zander