Locatelli chokes up during speech

By Richard Nieva

University President Paul Locatelli, S.J., choked out his closing words during the annual State of the University Address at the Mission Church on Tuesday.

Locatelli recalled students asking the day before what he was most proud of after serving the university for 20 years, to which he replied, "This community. The people here."

"That's the most important thing about this place. You make this place what it is. That's what's important," he said, concluding his speech and holding back tears.

The address, which normally serves as a progress update for the university, also served as a farewell speech for the outgoing president, who listed off a number of commendable feats the university community had accomplished throughout the past year, and more broadly, throughout his time here.

As many anticipated, Locatelli commended the opening of the new Harrington Learning Commons at the beginning of the quarter.

Locatelli also mentioned the unexpected success of the Solar Decathlon team, the creation of new majors anchored in environmentalism and the tenfold growth of the university's endowment from $77 million to $700 million since he was appointed president in 1988.

Locatelli also acknowledged the Jesuit School of Theology's decision to affiliate with the university and recent negotiations to make it known as the Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University.

Before he concluded, Locatelli spoke about the future and the appointment of a new president.

"I think this is an ideal time," Locatelli said. "We have a wonderful foundation where we are."

He also mentioned the importance of giving that new figure "time and space" in order to fully settle into the role, and he ensured he would remain president until a suitable successor was found.

The event opened with the Santa Clara Chamber Singers, who performed three choral pieces, including one arranged by director Thomas Colohan, who led the singers in his rendition of St. Francis' prayer, "Instrument of Thy Peace," as a thank you to Locatelli.

Locatelli was introduced by Provost Lucia Gilbert, who described the afternoon as "bittersweet," as the speech will most likely be Locatelli's last annual address as university president.

Afterward, Associated Students President Austin Woody offered a more brief State of the University Address as the students' representative, acknowledging AS' platform of increasing school spirit.

Woody mentioned various student projects, such as a business immersion trip to El Salvador, that broadened the definition of school spirit as more than just face painting or loud cheering at athletic events, but "our collective love for the community."

Woody concluded with a final thank you to Locatelli, describing his vision for the university as a "powerful one."

"I can only hope that our work in the future can do justice to everything he has given to us," he said.

Contact Richard Nieva at (408) 554-4546 or rnieva@scu.edu.