On March 19th, 1851, Santa Clara University was founded. In celebration of this date, exactly 168 years later, the University has announced that their search for a new president has come to an end. The Board of Trustees has elected the Reverend Kevin O’Brien, S.J., to serve as Santa Clara’s 29thpresident.
This announcement warrants a tribute to the 1st president of Santa Clara University (née Santa Clara College), Father John Nobili. As the man responsible for the stalwart transformation of what was a run down assortment of old adobe buildings into a burgeoning Jesuit institution of higher learning, Father Nobili is the university’s original founder (along with Father Accolti, who accompanied him down from Oregon for his first visit to California). As such, Nobili’s papers are held in Archives & Special Collections, which gives us a unique perspective into the challenges he faced, as well as his mindset and faithful convictions as he toiled to transform the old Mission grounds and establish a well-rounded course of learning. Historian and author John Bernard McGloin referred to Nobili’s founding of the University as “his endeavors to transform an almost ruined Franciscan mission into some semblance of a place where an education could be obtained” (McGloin 217). When we take a moment to admire SCU’s current status as a highly esteemed, globally recognized institution, we can be assured that Nobili’s efforts were undoubtedly successful.
Santa Clara College, copy of draft (?) of 1870. Map of SCC. Ink on linen hand drawn. Image courtesy of Archives & Special Collections Digital Collections.
On November 14, 1828, at just sixteen years old, Father John Nobili was inducted into the ranks of Jesuit order (McGloin 216). He lived a short life, passing away at the age of 44 from a tetanus infection that he contracted while supervising construction on the University. However, Father Nobili’s life provides insight not only into how the university has grown so immensely, but also, what it once was.
A document titled “Father Giovanni Nobili, Founder of the University of Santa Clara, California” by Edoardo Marolla, located in Santa Clara University’s Archives, states the exact date in time that Father Nobili embarked on his mission to establish Santa Clara. According to this primary source, on “March 19, 1851, with a total capital of exactly $150.00, Father Nobili set about the rehabilitation of the mission and the building of the school.” It was on this day that Father Nobili received the keys to Mission Santa Clara from Bishop Alemany, transferring possession of the Mission from the Franciscan order into the hands of the Jesuits. I have held the piece of paper written by Bishop Alemany documenting this exchange–and therefor the birth of Santa Clara University– in my hands as it is also part of Father Nobili’s papers. Holding this document was akin to feeling as though I had located the very birth certificate of the University.
Although founded in 1851, Santa Clara offered courses of collegiate rank beginning in 1853. Father Nobili had a vision for the University that intended to enrich and educate students through the exposure of a variety of topics. A note titled “Prospects of Santa Clara College, Calif.”, which was written by Father Nobili himself, outlines the structure he intended to implement within the university:
“The classical course comprises the study of Greek, Latin, and English Languages, Rhetoric, Poetry, Education, Mathematics, Mental Philosophy, Natural Sciences, History and geography, and any of the other branches if required.”
Father Nobili’s very own handwriting, outlining and defining his vision for Santa Clara University, is an invaluable piece of the University’s history.
Unfortunately, there exists no photos of Father Nobili—however, documents located in the archives provide insight into his physical appearance. As described by B.J. Reid, a faculty member at SCU and peer of Father Nobili:
“His personal appearance, except for his keen eye and quick movements, would not have attracted notice in a crowd. He was below the medium height, with thin face, nose slightly prominent, spare form and complexion somewhat florid, and was presumably bald, for he always wore a skullcap.”
This detailed description allows readers to envision Father Nobili, thus satisfying any curiosity one may have regarding his appearance. B.J. Reid spoke more highly of Nobili’s character than his physical appearance, referring to him as:
“another Hercules… one of his grandest works was the conversion of those old adobe Augean stables into clean and bright and beautiful school rooms, parlors and dormitories.”**
This quote articulates Father Nobili’s immense impact on the environs of Santa Clara.
To celebrate the opening of the University 168 years ago, its founders gathered during the feast of St. Joseph, in 1851. During this feast, Father Nobili gave the opening remarks, saying, in regard to the University:
“No effort in our part shall be spared to conduct it in such a manner as to justify the hopes of our friends and merit the confidence of the public.”
This demonstrates Father Nobili’s intense desire to establish a University that is conducted with dignity and actively serves the community.
In celebration of SCU’s founding, it is important to recognize, as well as celebrate, how Father Nobili’s vision for the school has become a reality. In my opinion, Santa Clara University continues to conduct itself in a manner that serves its students as well as the global community, thus giving back to the public and making the world a better place. This morning at the announcement ceremony, SCU’s 29th President, Father O’Brien, made heavy references to his commitment to continue the University’s mission for social justice and serving the community. Perhaps Father Nobili is smiling down, pleased that God’s will continues to be done at Santa Clara.
Image courtesy of SCU Archives & Special Collections Digital Collections.
For more information, sources can be located in Santa Clara University’s Archives & Special Collections:
3DBOI President’s Office Box 1 of 5 Papers of John Nobili, S.J. 1851-1856.
Jesuits by the Golden Gate by McGloin, John Bernard.
Header image:
Mission & Student Chapel of Santa Clara College, 1854
Image courtesy of SCU Archives & Special Collections Digital Collections.
[…] might remember from our Founders’ Day blog post that Father Nobili was the Italian Jesuit who founded Santa Clara College in 1851 and worked to […]