Bronco Beat

Even at 2 A.M. on a Saturday night, Kenna lawn was buzzing with blaring music and groups of students walking around a candle lit track. Although this would be a concern for Campus Safety on any other given night, tonight was a different story. Santa Clara University hosted Relay for Life this past weekend. Relay for Life was started by Dr. Gordy Klatt, who walked 83 miles in 24 hours to raise over $27,000 for cancer research.

Our very own Santa Clara Broncos spent 24-hours walking around the Kenna lawn to step up in the fight against cancer. Junior Santa Clara student Lauren Brown reminisced, “it was moving to be surrounded by generations of supporters that came together for this event.” Friends and family who were affected by various forms of cancer came together for the Luminaria Ceremony to light candle bags (seen above) to honor those who were lost to cancer as well as cancer survivors. (Photo Credit Fana Yohannes)

 -Fana Yohannes

I got to catch the tail end of Hipnotik’s performance at MCC’s Global Village this past weekend. The Hipnotik girls brought a lot of energy to the show! (Photo courtesy of Fana Yohannes)

-Fana Yohannes

SCU eagerly welcomes accepted students during Preview Weekend! I remember attending this event in 2009. It was the first time I’d ever been on campus. I loved it right away. (Photo courtesy of Alexa Berube)

-Alexa Berube

Santa Clara students soak up the sun at the Multi Cultural Center’s production of Global Village!

(photo courtesy of Alexa Berube)

-Alexa Berube

About 510 student applied for the Study Abroad program for Fall 2013. According to the intimidating emails that we continue to receive, there are only spots for about 400 students. So this year the application process is more competitive and selective than years before. “Just as not every Santa Clara student finds a place on our soccer team, or on stage in one of our theater productions, not every application for the Study Abroad Program will be approved,” reads an email from the study abroad office– Kinda harsh. 

If you don’t get into the program for Fall 2013, there are other programs for Summer, Winter, and Spring. These programs seem to be less popular, so there could be a greater chance of getting in to one of these. Studying abroad through a Santa Clara approved program appears to be the ideal choice, credits transfer over easily and scholarships and financial aid that you currently have will go toward the program.

So what happens if you can’t find your place to study abroad through the Santa Clara program? It is still possible to study abroad. It does take more effort (and money), but it has been done before. If you don’t get into the Santa Clara program, or if none of the programs that are offered seem appealing to you, there are many universities that offer programs that are more diverse. I know of students who have studied abroad through Gonzaga, for example.  

The process to study abroad through a different university isn’t extremely difficult. First, you have to find your ideal program, which should not take too long if you know what you’re looking for, just Google it. Then, you would have to talk to your advisor to figure out what courses you are able to take and if they will be approved for credit. Then, complete the steps needed to apply for your program of choice. If you decide to go this route, you have to disenroll from Santa Clara University for the time you will be studying abroad. Then, when you come back, you reenroll. 

The process seems simple, but is not ideal because it is more expensive and the uncertainty of credits transferring is daunting. There are many scholarships available. Some students don’t really have room in their schedules to essentially throw away an entire quarter, which is what would happen if minimal credits transfer. If this is the problem, there are also SCU programs over summer so that way you won’t loose any time and it will still be very possible to graduate on time. 

From what I’m told, studying abroad is worth it. I have not met one person that has regretted studying abroad. It is a great experience and if you want to do it, not being accepted to a Santa Clara program should not discourage you.

–Amanda Ramos

      You’ve probably seen him at a Santa Clara basketball game in the Leavey Center. Maybe you’ve spotted his big head and puffy cheeks at an alumni reunion, or maybe he’s popped up on the Santa Clara website. Wherever he is, one thing is for sure: Decked out in Santa Clara athletic apparel and always gritting his teeth to show pride and determination, Bucky the Bronco has become a fixture at Santa Clara University.

       Bucky has had a long history on the Mission Campus, dating back to the fall of 1976 when a sophomore by the name of Kim Malley (daughter of former athletic director Pat Malley) sensed that Bronco sports games needed some more pep to match her own school spirit. One night for a basketball game, Malley decided to show up wearing a brown suit and a papier-mâché horse’s head that she made at a local theatre shop. Just like that, Bucky the Bronco was born, although he wasn’t Bucky right away. Back in 1976, he was a “she” known as Benny the Bronco.

      “As Benny, I had a great time,” said Malley. “Kids treated me like a rock star. I loved being right in the middle of school spirit during a lot of exciting games, and I got to act downright goofy.”

       Benny the Bronco became a figurehead of university athletics for the following two years until Malley graduated. The mascot would not resurface until 1995, when student Suzy Loftus ’96 followed in Malley’s footsteps by designing her own costume out of mothballs. It was then that the Bucky we now know was born. But it’s anyone’s guess who the student acting as Bucky is these days. When asked if it would be possible to divulge the names of the contemporary Bucky impersonators, current Assistant Athletic Director Rusty Weekes replied firmly, “No. Absolutely not. That’s part of the shtick.”

       With that said, there seems to be only one way to get inside the head of Bucky: literally. Students can apply to wear the costume every year, and those who play the part well enough may stay on for more than one stint.

       “If you do it and you really like it and we think you’re good, then you get welcomed back,” said Weekes. “We love to have more than one Bucky because we get all kinds of requests for Bucky. We kind of have to look for people to do it. Right now we have three Buckys.”

       Whoever those three Buckys are, they definitely had to work hard for the position. “There’s certainly a tryout piece of [the application],” said Weekes. In rare cases, the Athletic Department will search out lucky students to become Bucky without receiving a formal application from them.

       Bucky the Bronco is now a paid position. Compensation is essential when considering the rumor that the inside of the costume contains a notoriously foul odor. The smell seems to be unnoticeable from the outside, as Bucky has been asked to expand his reach away from just athletic events.

      “He is in constant demand outside,” said Weekes. “He works with alumni; he works with reunions; he works with development; he works with the Office of Marketing and Communication… He’s all over the place.”

      While times have certainly changed since Benny the Bronco arrived on the scene 37 years ago, the one constant that has remained over the years is the undeniable sense of school spirit that the mascot has brought to Santa Clara University.

 -Nick Ostiller

Prof. Michael Whalen who teaches television and film courses at SCU grew up on campus. His father, John, was a Bronco back when we only had male students and also taught at SCU for 45 years.

Here is a quick Q/A session I had with Prof. Whalen earlier this month.

What was it like having a father who taught at SCU? How did that influence you?

My dad was an econ professor and director of business school and taught for about 48 years. He was a Bronco himself as an undergrad and after he received his PHD from Berkeley and his first job was to teach at SCU. So it was my dad’s lifetime job. As a result, I grew up on the campus and I learned to see it as home. I met all of these people from all over the world because international students came over for break when they couldn’t go home, and I thought that was cool.

Did that change how you thought of college?

To me, college was nothing special. It was very natural to me because I was always here. I knew if I had enough grades, Santa Clara was where I was going to go. I also got to know the Jesuits very well and one of them started the TV/film program in the ‘70s. I would work in the studio with them and I thought it was a blast. That’s what turned me into loving film and TV. 1985

How is SCU different now?

I would say the quality of the students, especially the female students. I see students trying hard to thrive and are so much more driven. So many more students, both men and women, appreciate a good education and they want to work hard. Also, the number of impressive students applying and attending SCU has increased enormously since when I attended. It’s no longer just a school for alumni’s children, but rather the first choice of very bright, talented students. 

What do you enjoy about teaching?

Being around young creative minds. It spurs your creativity. It keeps you young. It helps me with my writing and everything else since I know more about them. I know how they speak. I know what their interests are. It keeps me in tune with pop culture. I thoroughly enjoy that connection with the young generation. And It’s fun. Life is too short to do anything that’s not fun.

What has been your favorite part about teaching at SCU?

Working on my own work and being able to work with my students. Being able to let them do things on their own and see them grow is really fun and really exciting for me.

In three words, how would you describe SCU?

It’s energetic. It’s exciting. It’s dedicated.

Want to know more about him? Visit http://michaeltwhalen.com

Above: Thaddeus “John” Whalen, Jr. Taken on Aug. 6^th 1987 by Glenn Matsumura. Photo Courtesy of SCU Special Archives and Sheila Conway

Above: Prof. Michael Whalen. Photo from his personal website. 

-Tomomi Menjo ‘13

Biking to campus without a seat hurts. 

We have all heard countless stories of people walking out of class only to find that their lock has been cut or their bike scavenged for parts, the thieves leaving only the frame. Then comes the embarrassment of walking back through campus with only half of your bike.

Santa Clara students have known bike theft occur on campus, but the theft is a problem for students living off-campus as well.

Junior Megan Alferness knows the pain all too well.  After locking up her bike outside, she made a quick stop in to Safeway on her way home from class.  When she returned to the parking lot a man was riding away on her cruiser and Alferness was forced to walk home.

Josie Hull, a senior currently residing in Domicilio Apartments has endured two bike thefts.  The first from a bike rack in the University Villas occurred her junior year.  Hull was using a cable lock at the time that was easily cut by the thief.  Her entire bike was gone when she went to unlock it before class.  It was enough to make her cry.

This year while living in Domicilio and using a recommended U-Lock, Hull began locking a new bike in the parking structure.  A key censor is needed to get inside the parking garage, yet bike theft continues.  Hull found her bike stripped down to the frame: handlebars, tires and seat all gone.  The thief’s tool was still attached to the frame.  Most likely the culprit was sighted by another Domicilio resident and had to make a quick escape and leave their tool behind.  “I didn’t cry the second time,” reports Hull, “I just bought new parts, but it was still frustrating.” 

Now, her refurbished bike is kept in the safety of her fourth-floor balcony.  Rumor has it that the Domicilio burglar has been spotted on security footage, but has not been caught.  

The risk of theft has begun to deter students from cycling to campus; long boards and walking seem to be increasing in popularity.  Meanwhile, more students are also spotted making the painful journey to campus on their seat-less bikes.

Campus Safety has published a guide for bike security and safety found here.

I wonder if the Santa Clara University Cycling team has the same problems…

– Julianne Heckel

Scarves and statement watches, two Clara Classics. 

Check out http://scu-sartorial.tumblr.com/

- Samir Khanna

Levels - Avicii

Sometimes when you hear a certain song, you immediately are reminded of a memory or a certain period of your life. When I hear “Levels,” I think of my freshmen year at SCU. At every party or event this song was played at least once. Although it isn’t my favorite song, it is connected with some great memories. 

- Amanda Ramos