Learn about the rich history and treasured traditions of Santa Clara University and its Alumni Association.
University History
Founded in 1851, Santa Clara is California’s oldest-operating institution of higher education. Learn more about the rich history of the past and events of the present day University.
Alumni Association History
The Santa Clara University Alumni Association was established on April 27, 1881. Since then, the Alumni Association has been fostering lifelong relationships between alumni and the University.
Bannan Alumni House
Since 1975, the Bannan Alumni House has provided a home for past and present Broncos to renew friendships, relive fond memories, and become acquainted with new campus developments.
SCU Fight Song & Alma Mater
Varsity fight for Santa Clara, banners of red and white on high! Remember the lyrics, view several renditions, and download the ring tone today.
Alumni Association's 140th AnniversaryOn April 27, 1881, a small group of students gathered to form the Santa Clara University Alumni Association and draft its constitution. Today the campus may look different and our alumni family has grown—to more than 106,000 alumni!
50th Anniversary of Women
In 1961, it was announced women would be admitted into the Santa Clara University undergraduate program. The rest is history. In 2011, we celebrated the 50th anniversary of women at SCU.
50th Anniversary of Women’s Athletics
In 2014 we celebrated the golden anniversary of SCU women’s athletics and honored all the athletes, coaches, and administrators who have contributed to the legacy.
The original Mission Church in the late 1800s before it burned down in 1926
The Mission Church fire in 1926.
Mission Church - mid 1900s
Cars lined Palm Drive as Santa Clara welcomed alumni back to campus in 1962.
Mission Church - 1963
The first off-campus residence for women at Santa Clara was named Park Lanai and later called Villa Maria.
The Santa Clara baseball team played the San Francisco Giants at Buck Shaw Stadium on April 13, 1964, with tickets priced at only $2.50!
In 1964, the women's basketball team (pictured), went undefeated with a 6-0 record.
Santa Clara University first allowed students to add minors and a second major in 1985.
In 1986, Mother Teresa came to SCU to accept the St. Clare Award from then-President William J. Rewak, S.J., and Justice Edward A. Panelli '53.
After a much-needed restoration, the Sacred Heart statue, one of SCU’s oldest and beloved icons, was finally returned to its pedestal overlooking Mission Gardens in 2014. It was originally placed there in 1884.
The Redwood
Visit the SCU library’s digital archive of The Redwood, the official yearbook of Santa Clara University, dating back to 1902.
The Santa Clara
Visit the SCU library’s digital collection of The Santa Clara, the official weekly student-run newspaper, available from its founding in 1922.
Bronco Memories at The Hut
Whether it be pinning your dollar bill to the ceiling, celebrating your 21st birthday, or participating in “Dads & Grads," many of us have a story from The Hut (or 2…100) that shaped part of our Santa Clara experience.
