Engineering News Spring 2017

In an unprecedented gesture, Santa Clara University’s faculty have awarded School of Engineering Dean Godfrey Mungal a Special Faculty Senate Council Award in recognition of his “outstanding contribution to the mission of the University.” The nomination—brought forward by faculty from the College of Arts and Sciences, Leavey School of Business, School of Education and Counseling Psychology, and School of Engineering—cited Mungal’s multi-layered approach to advancing SCU’s Jesuit, Catholic mission through (among other things) his support of student and faculty immersion trips to developing countries, greatly expanded collaboration with Jesuit universities around the world in the form of student and faculty exchange programs and tuition support for Jesuit Ph.D. candidates, and encouragement of faculty and staff spiritual development. “It is rare to see a Dean who has so wholeheartedly embraced Jesuit ideals, and has helped put them into practice,” read the nomination. “By doing so, he set a standard for all administrators to follow.”

Jesuits from the United States, Argentina, India, Africa, and Uruguay also offered testimonials in support of the award. Fr. Rob Scholla said, “'Engineering with a Mission' is no mere slogan at Santa Clara University. Dean Mungal’s steady and confident leadership is animated by a deep interior life—a life of faith and personal reflection, and his heart and commitment to mission are not limited to the School of Engineering, our campus, or the Silicon Valley, but are expansive and global.” Fr. Constant Bossou hailed Mungal’s generosity and compassionate heart, and his “passion for innovation to solve the world’s pressing engineering problems.” Repeatedly, the words “simplicity,” “generosity,” and “commitment” attested to Mungal’s drive to support, inspire, and propel a band of global Jesuits—a group that Kolkata’s Fr. Maria Joseph Israel termed “leaders in blending religion and science/technology … torch bearers of Ignatian values and traditions regionally and globally ... SCU-trained Jesuits who are enthusiastic about sharing the charism of St. Ignatius of Loyola with others.”

With characteristic humility, Mungal said, “I am deeply honored to receive this award. Mission matters for us in the School of Engineering, and it manifests itself as deeds, not words. I sincerely thank the faculty, staff, and students for their commitment to making Jesuit mission a reality, and the Faculty Senate for this special recognition.”