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Santa Clara University on Friday inaugurated the first woman and layperson to ever serve as the institution’s president, ringing in the occasion with a grand ceremony that featured words of hope, excitement and support from members of the university’s community.
Julie Sullivan was first appointed to the role in March and started the job on July 1, but was formally introduced to the community on Friday as the university’s new leader as Larry Sonsini, chair of the board of trustees of Santa Clara University, draped the President’s chain — an ornate, shimmering medal decorated with the university’s seal and images alluding to the university’s Jesuit history — around her neck.
Sullivan, who previously served as the president of the University of St. Thomas in in Minnesota, takes on her new title in Santa Clara following the departure of previous president Rev. Kevin O’Brien, who resigned after an investigation by the Santa Clara University Board of Trustees concluded he was involved in unspecified “inappropriate behaviors” that mostly involved conversations with Jesuit graduate students. After O’Brien stepped down in March 2021, Provost Lisa Kloppenberg was appointed as acting president and filled the role until this summer.
The Board of Trustees removed the requirement that the university’s president must be a Jesuit priest in June 2021, and Sullivan was chosen unanimously after a nationwide search that included 149 nominations and 58 applications from both Jesuit and lay candidates, according to the university.
During her inauguration ceremony attended by 2,000 people, Sullivan was lauded by former secretary of Homeland Security and current president of the University of California system, Janet Napolitano, for her resilience, energy and courage.
“President Sullivan enjoys these three qualities in abundance,” Napolitano said. “She will be the rising tide that lifts all ships around her … I am so proud as an alumna to stand here and watch Julie become Santa Clara’s next president.”
Leon Panetta, former U.S. Secretary of Defense and another Santa Clara University alumnus, commended Sullivan for taking on the role during “a challenging time in our democracy and in our world,” adding that it’s also a “time of tremendous opportunity.”
“I urge you now to join me in welcoming Santa Clara University to the 21st century,” Panetta said to thunderous applause.
At the beginning of her speech, Sullivan asserted that the day was not about her, but about the university’s mission. She emphasized three themes that she said connected the university’s past to its present and future — rigor and relevance, inclusive excellence and interculturality, and truth and social justice – and urged the university’s community to continue embracing those themes during her tenure.
She also highlighted the university’s long-reaching history, going back to its founding in 1851 and its early reputation as the “Gold Dust College” because many of its students had immigrated to California during the historic Gold Rush, and emphasized how it could inspire the university’s path going forward.
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – October 07: Julie Sullivan, the new president of Santa Clara University, speaks during her inauguration as the 30th president of the university on Oct. 7, 2022, in Santa Clara, Calif. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)
SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA – October 07: The guests react as alumni walk in procession during the inauguration of Julie Sullivan as the 30th president of the university on Oct. 7, 2022, in Santa Clara, Calif. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)
For instance, she said, nearly a quarter of students during the university’s first 25 years of operation were Spanish-speaking or had Spanish surnames, and early enrollment lists included students from around the country and across the world. Around half the students were Protestants, she added.
“I see a future for Santa Clara where we are more inclusive and welcoming, and where we continue to increase and enhance our racial, cultural and socioeconomic diversity to better reflect the world we live in,” Sullivan continued. “I believe it’s imperative that we embrace our responsibility as a Jesuit Catholic university to make a greater contribution to social mobility in our society.”
The university can work toward those goals, Sullivan said, by trying to serve more students from underrepresented backgrounds, such as students from low-income or first-generation households, and by participating in research on how well the school contributes to the social and economic mobility of students.
Sullivan has previously promised to be an “accessible leader” to the university’s students, who have seen control of the institution change hands more than once in recent years. And one student who attended the inauguration says he’s already seen that in action.
Brian Wiebe, a sophomore studying computer science and engineering, said he saw Sullivan introducing herself to freshmen as they moved into their dorms at the beginning of the year and that she’s been spotted at campus events by plenty of students.
“She’s super present,” Wiebe said. “It’s nice to see a president now who’s very vocal and passionate about making the school a better place.”
And another student, Michael Joseph, said he hopes Sullivan can bring a new perspective in addressing some of the issues students have experienced on campus.
“Just having the first layperson and woman is a very big step forward,” Joseph, a sophomore communications major, said. “I feel like with our new student government and new president, there’ll be more awareness of our mental health, making sure this campus is more diverse and inclusive for everybody, and making sure everyone’s welcome here.”
Another student, Quy-Dzu Do, said he’s curious to see how Sullivan stands out from the school’s past leadership.
“It’s very interesting how this is the first time they broke away from the tradition of having Jesuits (for president),” Do, a sophomore studying electrical and computer engineering. “That is a first and, as they say, we’re entering the 21st century now.”
In a news release, the university said that Sullivan will be taking the helm “at a time of tremendous growth, opportunity and promise.”
“President Sullivan is a strong and visionary leader who has the experience and compassion to steer Santa Clara University forward at this pivotal time in its history,” Sonsini said in the release. “She knows the tremendous power of a Jesuit, Catholic education, and has the skills and wisdom to help our students thrive as they learn how their gifts will better our world.”
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