Benches That Hold Memories of Broncos, Past and Present

Photo by Arushi Mangla. Nestled among the roses, palms and history of Mission Gardens, Santa Clara University’s teak benches offer space for reflection.

Nearly everyone I ask about their favorite spot on Santa Clara University’s campus points to Mission Gardens—and for good reason. In autumn’s golden light, winter’s quiet hush, spring’s blooming joy and summer’s gentle warmth, those gardens offer a break from the constant hustle. 

But what brings us back again and again isn’t just the olive trees or the scent of jasmine on the breeze—it’s the rows of teak benches, each one silently holding the lives lived, the love shared and the memories etched in time.

I remember the first time it hit me: I was sitting on the cool teak of a bench named for someone I’d never met. The world around me blurred into the hum of students hurrying to class. Yet when I closed my eyes, I heard something deeper—laughter, tears and quiet hopes. How can a simple piece of wood hold so much?

There are three benches on the south side of Mission Church: the David Jackson Bench, dedicated in 2010; the PC, Brian & Henry Bench, dedicated in 1998; and the Matt Lightner Bench, dedicated in 2018 via University Relations.

All three are crafted from teak—chosen for its strength and soft gray patina that needs almost no upkeep—these benches were placed intentionally in Mission Gardens, but their dedications are noted in archives and rarely revisited. 

Yet, hidden in those dry entries are hints of richer stories: who gave them, why they gave, and the way Broncos have passed by and paused on these benches ever since.

Imagine a shy freshman hauling her suitcases across campus for the first time, pausing to catch her breath on that 1998 bench before moving on. Picture two seniors—nervous, hopeful—stealing a moment together beneath the orange blossoms, or a parent chasing a toddler in happy circles, collapsing onto the teak when little feet tire.

I’ve sat there myself with someone I care about, letting petals fall around us and the breeze carry off our worries—savoring the good moments and weathering the heartbreak, trusting the world will be okay. 

Each of these moments leaves an invisible, yet impressionable, mark in the wood.

Last fall, I found myself back at that same bench. Leaves fell like confetti. I felt a wave of nostalgia—how many sunsets have slipped by as I sat here? How many late-night study sessions turned to tears or laughter? How many quiet goodbyes whispered? 

Suddenly, those benches weren’t just “fixtures.” They were silent friends who saw every side of campus life—from excitement to exhaustion.

Broncos have come and gone for decades. Some left their mark in ink on paper, others in photos on the walls. 

These benches are a real link between past and present: wood worn by sun and rain, faded by time and touch. They remind us that no matter how short our days feel, someone cares enough to leave behind a spot to rest, to think, to remember.

They hold a shared tapestry of Bronco life. Pause there long enough, lean back, and you might just hear the whispers of every Broncos who found a piece of home on these benches inviting you to leave your own mark.