Remembering Fr. Locatelli
By Jack Wagner
The most harrowing fact of life is that some day it must come to an end. It is true for peasants and for presidents, but this doesn't mean that this short time living has to be spent in vain.In fact, the exact opposite can be true, as was the case for the late former president of Santa Clara, Father Paul Locatelli, S.J.This past May, Fr. Locatelli was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and after fighting the sickness for two months, he passed away on July 12, 2010.
But for many students currently enrolled at Santa Clara, the name "Locatelli" is one of legend. People know that he was important, but many are unsure as to why, or what he did during his twenty years serving as president of Santa Clara.The answer, simply put, is lots.Starting in 1988, Locatelli focused the school around a few simple, yet major, ideas for the future. One such idea was "a need to connect more with the world outside the university and have a voice in the global dialogue, a need to increase student diversity to continue the Jesuit emphasis on education for all and a need to tap into the rich resources of the university's Silicon Valley neighbors, entrepreneurs and businesses."
These themes were key, and by pushing them forward, Locatelli saw Santa Clara's endowment grow from $77 million in 1988 to roughly $700 million in 2008 before he stepped down from his term as Santa Clara's longest serving president.Locatelli saw the creation of new residence halls, learning commons, the Orradre library, the Arts and Sciences building, a music and dance building, the business school, a baseball stadium, a parking structure, a new Jesuit residence, the fitness center, and the expansion of the Alumni Science building.
As president, he also worked on moving the population of Santa Clara towards one that valued diversity more and welcomed students from all walks of life. He saw the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics become a global resource, the creation of the Center for Science, Technology and Society, and the Ignatian Center for Jesuit Education.Fr. Locatelli also saw the creation of numerous endowed chairs, and worked to bring in the best and brightest from anywhere he possibly could.
There have been many powerful people who have claimed Locatelli as a friend. Leon Panetta, the current CIA Director and friend of Locatelli since before they graduated together from Santa Clara in 1960, was one of these. In regards to his passing, Panetta said, "What Paul told you was always the truth. He didn't play games. You knew that what he said was what he believed, I don't think there is any question, he will go down in history as one of the greatest presidents in Santa Clara history."
Another notable friend of his was current president of Santa Clara Fr. Michael Engh, S.J., who said of Locatelli, "Fr. Locatelli's deep love for Santa Clara touched all of us and permeated every part of our community, from the students, faculty and staff on campus, to our alumni, friends and extended family off campus. We are all blessed to have known him and shared in his dynamic and compassionate presence. We thank God for the gift of Paul's life to our community. May he rest in peace."
If an award is proof of achievement, then Locatelli has been proved many times over. He has received: the 2009 David Packard Award, the 2007 Community Builder Honoree from PACT, the 2005 Distinguished Service Award from the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Association of Santa Clara Valley, the Exemplarily Community Leadership Award from the National Conference of Community and Justice/Silicon Valley chapter and the Spirit of Silicon Valley Lifetime Achievement Award from the Silicon Valley Leadership Group.
His removal of the Santa Clara football program and the process of de-affiliating the university from sororities and fraternities still draws complaints and sometimes anger from current and former students alike, but there is no argument that his influence changed Santa Clara's social landscape forever.
In 2008, Locatelli stepped down from his position as president to take up the role of Secretary for Jesuit Higher Education for the Society of Jesus. In this appointed role, Locatelli was responsible for impacting worldwide Jesuit education.He stepped down from Santa Clara's presidency, but didn't step out of its mind or heart.
People remember how he touched every aspect of Santa Clara and influenced every single one of the students who passed through it from the time he became president until now. Last spring, the university opened it's new Locatelli Student Activities Center with Fr. Locatelli on hand to see the unveiling of a beautiful building that will forever serve as a remembrance on Santa Clara's campus. Born on September 16, 1938, Locatelli lived in Boulder Creek, California, and was raised in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Locatelli and his brothers were raised by their mother, Marie and their father, Vincent, who ran the family lumber business, Locatelli Brothers Lumber. The second of three boys, Fr. Locatelli is remembered by his brothers Harry and Albert.
A memorial was held for him shortly after his death, and the turnout, as to be expected, was tremendous. Friends, former students and family all attended to show their appreciation for his great works.Fr. Locatelli's life was one of care and compassion, and he enacted these values in the most proactive of ways, completely changing the school we are attending. In doing so, Fr. Locatelli influenced every person who passes through Santa Clara: faculty, staff, and students alike. With all of the places that those thousands of people have gone, Locatelli has changed the world for the better.
Fr. Locatelli may be gone now, but he will never be forgotten. With the new year starting, it is time for us all to remember.For more information on Fr. Locatelli, please visit his page on Santa Clara's website: http://www.scu.edu/locatelli/
Contact Jack Wagner at jcwagner@scu.edu or (408) 554-4849.