What encounter changed the course of your life?

In June, Santa Clara Magazine debuted its first redesign in more than a decade with a bold new cover concept and engaging new features. One big shift many readers have noticed is Class Notes becoming Class Voices. This transformation allows us to highlight more personal insights from our Bronco family while still providing alumni a chance to share their big news with their classmates. 

Ahead of each issue, we’ll bring you a theme and ask you to reflect on what that concept means to you in the context of the current chapter of your life story. For the spring issue, alumni discussed the ways in which they’re flourishing—spiritually, morally, physically, socially. They reflected on how they’re growing and channeling resiliency in all areas of their lives.

For the upcoming fall issue, our theme is Encounter. In Ignatian spirituality, the concept of encounter refers to the transformations made possible through connection between humans and also to the divine.

We encourage you to meditate on the following questions:

• What encounters in your life have made the greatest impact?
• Who have you met and connected with that changed the course of your life?
• How has a recent encounter shaped your understanding of the world?

Please keep your responses fairly brief (no more than 150 words) and include a headshot (iPhone photos are fine).

Please send your Class Voice on encounter to SCMagazine@scu.edu by August 15.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why a redesign?

We are broadening Santa Clara Magazine’s editorial scope to help people better understand what’s important at and because of our University and to inspire and support readers to live a life of purpose. We promise a beautiful and engaging publication that is rooted in the Santa Clara tradition.

What is the process for the redesign?

The process began last year with an extensive survey of you, our readers, and we have used that as an essential guide for how we proceed. At the same time, we convened a magazine advisory group of alumni, staff, and faculty, which met periodically so we could make sure to get a diverse array of perspectives and options. We also consulted throughout the process with senior leaders at Santa Clara, as well as many others in the Santa Clara community. Our internal team worked closely with an editorial and design group with experience at other leading civic, educational, and cultural institutions, such as the Getty Center, the New York Times, and Stanford University.

Why are we changing Class Notes?

Alumni notes have been around at universities since before World War I, but because of the Internet and social media, alumni are more likely to update one another through online channels, in person, or through other alumni communications. As a result, the number of submissions at many universities, including at Santa Clara, has diminished greatly over the years. Class Voices will capture the original spirit of Class Notes, but enable each of you to share more meaningful updates—the kind of news that speaks to who you are as a person and that you could not find anywhere else.

How can you best engage with Santa Clara Magazine?

Read our print issue and look for original magazine stories and general University news online at scu.edu/news-and-events. Please email us to tell us what parts of the redesign you think work best or don’t, and what topics you'd like to read about next.