Santa Clara Snapshot: 1962

Santa Clara Snapshot: 1962
She led the way: Mary Somers Edmunds '62 becomes the first woman to earn an undergraduate degree from Santa Clara—despite the fact that more than a few of her classmates chipped in $1 each to pay her $250 not to walk in commencement. Photo courtesy Mary Somers Edmunds
  • 1st woman to speak at commencement at Santa Clara: Eunice Kennedy Shriver
  • 15 percent is the limit for the number of freshmen and sophomores who can receive failing grades—until 1961­­–62, when the flunking limit is removed
  • 25 cents is the recommended donation for receiving anti-polio vaccine as part of the “K.O. Polio” campaign in September
  • 73-year-old Jesuit Bernard Hubbard dies. He earned the moniker “the Glacier Priest” for his explorations in the arctic—and exploits that included rowing the Bering Strait in a kayak.
  • $2,000 damage done to O’Connor Hall by “one fine, young freshman” who plugged all the drains of the 2nd-floor showers and ran the showers full force
  • 8,000 seats in planned Buck Shaw Stadium, with construction begun in summer 1962
  • $150,000 signing bonus for Bob Garibaldi ’64 to join the San Francisco Giants after his sophomore year—and after being named MVP in the College World Series
  • 350,000 volumes will fit in the soon-to-be constructed Orradre Library
Wise words for the 2025 graduates

Radical empathy, leading with love, and finding God in all things: Commencement speakers share wisdom with Santa Clara University graduates.

Art at New Heights

Professor Kathy Aoki’s art is a critique of the commercialization of the art market. Now it’s on top of the tallest building in San Francisco.

Pitch Perfect Coaching

Under Coach Gina Carbonatto’s leadership, Santa Clara softball is not only breaking records but also building a winning culture that extends far beyond the diamond.

Bio Partners

Santa Clara joins partnership to grow biomanufacturing workforce.