New student activities center breaks ground
By Annie Cheung
Former university president Paul Locatelli, S.J., was on hand for the ground breaking ceremony of the student center named in his honor.
Construction officially began Mon., Sept. 28 in Kerr Alumni Park for the new Locatelli student center.
The fairly formal event lasted about an hour, with the crowd seated as multiple short speeches were given. Despite the relatively gusty wind, which created some minor microphone problems, the affair went quite smoothly.
Among those present included various members of the board of trustees, regents, board of fellows, faculty, staff, students, members of Santa Clara's political community, members of the Locatelli family and the Stevens family.
The construction of the new student center will be funded by Mary Stevens, Santa Clara class of 1984, and her husband, Mark Stevens.
At the ceremony, she said the building was an obvious contribution to make. Mary Stevens said she insisted on naming the building after Paul Locatelli, S.J., because of his tremendous dedication to the school.
Current Santa Clara president Michael Engh, S.J., showed gratitude to the Stevens family multiple times. He also asked the entire Stevens family to participate in the site blessing, which was off-script.
Engh also commented on the green-friendly aspects and the usefulness of the new building.
"The building will provide wonderful space for students. We want the best for the students and the best from the students," he said.
Sean Brachvogel, student body president, had the same thoughts.
"I totally agree that we need an in-between space between Leavey and the Bronco," Brachvogel said about the distance between the student center and the center of campus. "I think if anything it will expand the boundaries of the normal campus pathway."
Senior Betsy Purner, project coordinator for Santa Clara Community Action Program, was also pleased with the ceremony. As the building is intended for students in the future, she said she appreciated that the ceremony included Brachvogel and other students.
Yet, she had slightly different thoughts on the building's location.
"I'm interested to see how it's going to work out being not in the center of campus," she said. "It's hard to picture kids coming to the student activities center all the way over here."
Also in attendance was Congresswoman Anna Eshoo. She gave a few words on the significance of the new student center's name.
"It's going to be a dynamic place, so it's fitting it is named after Locatelli," she said.
Locatelli himself made an appearance, taking a leave from his post in Rome to come to the event. In his short speech, Locatelli gave thanks to the Stevens family, the trustees, regents, fellows, faculty, staff, students and God.
"It's not just about construction," he said about the building. "It's about gathering places for students, faculty, alumni and friends."
The service ended with the ceremonial digging, preformed by fifteen people.It concluded with a blessing and a reception. The building is scheduled to be completed by next June.
Contact Ann Cheung at (408) 554-4546 or accheung@scu.edu.