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.

From its first meeting on April 27, 1930 to today, the Catala Club has welcomed women of diverse backgrounds and occupations to become part of the Santa Clara University family and to contribute to the university’s educational mission. The club has a long tradition of service and dedication to the university. Their motto is "Service, Support, and Spirituality."

James J. Lyons, S.J., established the Catala Club of Santa Clara University in the Spring of 1930. The Catala Club began as a support group of ladies who volunteered to assist the Jesuits at the university in caring for the vestments, altar linens, and other needs of the Mission Church. The club quickly evolved into a women’s service organization in its first five years. The Catala Club’s main activity is to provide financial assistance to deserving undergraduate students at Santa Clara University. Fundraising events are held periodically. The proceeds are assigned to the Catala Club Endowed Scholarship Fund of Santa Clara University and to the Paul L. Locatelli, S.J., Endowed Scholarship Fund.

The Catala Club’s inaugural year was one hundred years after the death of Magin Catala, O.F.M., who was known as the “Holy Man of Santa Clara.” In 1794, Fr. Catala arrived at Mission Santa Clara in Alta California and spent the next 36 years teaching the basics of Christianity, reading, writing, and farming. Fr. Catala died on November 22, 1830, and his body was interred in the Mission Church on what would become the Santa Clara University campus.

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.

Club Presidents