History

When compared to other universities in the San Francisco Bay Area, Santa Clara University enjoys a much more rich history on its very own campus. Prior to the founding of the University, the surrounding area was inhabited by the Ohlone Native-American tribe, which was followed by the Spanish Mission Era with the 1777 erection of Mission Santa Clara de Asis. Today, the Mission is a recognized as a California Registered Historical Landmark, located in the center of the campus and surrounded by the beautiful Mission Gardens.

Santa Clara University, founded in 1851 by the Jesuits, is California's oldest institution of higher learning. The School of Engineering was founded in 1912, initially granting bachelor degrees. As the Santa Clara Valley transformed itself from an agricultural area into an industrial center, the School of Engineering responded to the new local needs and demands by offering graduate engineering programs, which began in 1959. As the School of Engineering nears its 90th anniversary, it can proudly reflect on what it has accomplished over the decades: Training fine engineers by paying individual attention and grounding them with a solid foundation for both technical and societal challenges.