Santa Clara University was founded in 1851 by the Society of Jesus as Santa Clara College and is California’s oldest operating institution of higher learning. It was established on the grounds of Mission Santa Clara de Asìs, the eighth of the original 21 California missions. The college originally operated as a preparatory school and did not offer courses of collegiate rank until 1853. The institution became known as the University of Santa Clara in 1912, when the schools of engineering and law were added. For 110 years, Santa Clara University was an all-male school. In 1961, women were accepted as undergraduates and Santa Clara University became the first coeducational Catholic university in California. The number of students and faculty tripled over the next decade and the university began the largest building program in school history with eight residence halls, a student union, and an athletic stadium. In the early 1970s, the Board of Trustees voted to limit the size of the undergraduate population, an action that was intended to preserve the character and ensure the quality of the university for generations to come. In 1985, the university adopted Santa Clara University as its official name. Bibliography: Santa Clara University. “About SCU – History.” www.scu.edu/about/history.cfm (Accessed Nov. 23, 2010) McKevitt, Gerald, S.J. The University of Santa Clara: A History, 1851-1977. Stanford, California: Stanford University Press, 1979.

Edgar R. Levin, born in 1900, grew up in Leadville, Colorado, until his family moved to California, where he attended St. Joseph’s High School, San Jose State University and later Stanford University, becoming a football and boxing star during his college career. During his time in Santa Clara County, he became close friends with Father Bernard Hubbard, also known as the Glacier Priest, who would take Levin on his travels to King Island, Alaska to study geographical conditions and the local native population. Levin became Hubbard’s assistant and accompanied him on these adventures, conducting research and teaching the native people how to read and write. Despite the dangers that the Alaskan wilderness presented, Levin was known for being tough and willing to face danger if necessary. His knowledge of the Alaskan frontier provided great insight for World War II troops who were being trained in Arctic survival. Later in his life, Levin worked as a geography teacher, lecturer and county supervisor in Santa Clara County. As supervisor, he fought for an expanded library system, state water projects, and new county parks. He died on March 12th, 1965, and a county park in Milpitas, CA was dedicated in his name.