Paul ’87 and Mary Koojoolian ’86 spent a lifetime just missing each other. Their desire to give back to SCU led them to each other – 20 years later.
Paul ’87 and Mary Koojoolian ’86 attended Santa Clara University at the same time but their paths never crossed. Mary, a marketing major, was busy with her involvement in Chorus, Marketing Club, and managing the women’s basketball team. Paul, an Economics major, was interested in traveling and spent a year studying abroad in Rome.
Their time as Bronco students overlapped for three years, but they never met one another. “Almost everyone in my friend group knew Paul, and almost everyone in Paul’s friend group knew me,” said Mary. “But we didn’t know each other.”
Transformative Santa Clara Education Inspires Them to Give Back
However, both had transformational experiences at SCU and wanted to others to have the same. “I entered Santa Clara an 18-year-old boy and graduated a 22 year-old man,” Paul shared. “I wanted other students to enjoy the same opportunities that I had.” This meant staying connected with friends and supporting SCU’s mission.
Both served on the alumni board of directors, but at different times. Each joined their class reunion committees, but different classes. Each raised money to support the Santa Clara Fund, which addresses the most immediate needs of today’s students, but they never met.
Giving Back to Fellow Broncos Leads them to Each Other
But in 2003, it finally happened. On a Thanksgiving at Mary’s sister’s house, a Santa Clara couple asked if Mary knew Paul Koojoolian. She said she didn’t. “Before I knew it they were calling him and trying to set us up,” said Mary.
It took a lifetime for Paul and Mary to find each other but they fell fast. They realized how many SCU friends they had in common and how their values were in alignment. After five months they were engaged. By 10 months, married, with a ceremony October 24, 2004. “We had over 300 guests, and 50 of them were Santa Clara Alumni,” said Mary. “We took a picture in front of the Mission Church of our great big Santa Clara family.”
“It truly feels like a family,” agreed Paul. “It’s like we’re part of this big, wonderful clan.”
Their service to Santa Clara, formerly done in parallel, is now carried on jointly. Wanting to do more, they made a multi-year pledge to the Santa Clara Fund. Mary is also a Catala Club member, helping raise money for student scholarships. “I received scholarship money when I attended school. So for me, it’s all about giving back,” Mary explained.
Paul echoed Mary’s sentiment, “Santa Clara has given us so much over the years. This is just our small way of giving back,” he said. “Hearing about the amazing things students are doing with scholarships and support through the Santa Clara Fund makes it even more special. These gifts are going directly to fellow Broncos.”
- Audrey Redmond
Read about other Santa Clara alumni who support the Santa Clara Fund.