Stefan Bocanegra ’27, a double major in Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECEN) and Computer Science (CSEN), chose Â鶹ŮÀÉ for its location in Silicon Valley, its close proximity to home, and the intimate, supportive environment of a smaller school. Originally from San Carlos, California, Stefan also notes a family connection: “My mother came here for grad school, but I don’t have memories prior to moving in on Swig Day 1.”
Stefan’s favorite class so far has been ECEN 50 – Electronic Circuits 1. “Before taking this class, I wasn’t sure what I enjoyed or what my life after college would look like,” he shares. “I didn’t love software, but I enjoyed it enough to stick with my major. After taking ECEN 50, I realized how much I enjoyed learning about circuit design, configurations, and voltage characteristics. I attended every lecture and office hour, and finishing with an A- in such a challenging class was a huge accomplishment for me.”
His decision to pursue ECEN and CSEN stems from both personal interest and family influence. “I’ve always loved computers, and my father worked with software. He encouraged me to take a challenging major because his own experience as a mechanical engineer taught him the value of hard work,” Stefan explains. “I wanted to follow in his footsteps, make him proud, and take my opportunity at Santa Clara seriously. I do not regret it—this major has built my character and shaped who I am today.”
Outside of academics, Stefan’s involvement in Sigma Chi fraternity has been a cornerstone of his SCU experience. “The brotherhood and support have meant the most to me. I feel like I can go up to any of the guys at any point in the day, and they’ll be happy to see me, chat, grab food, or work out—literally anything. This group has helped me feel comfortable and confident at Santa Clara.”
While Stefan has not yet connected personally with a Jesuit on campus, he recognizes the broader impact of Jesuit values and the Fr. Coz Scholarship. “Receiving this scholarship has been tremendous. It’s allowed me to focus all my attention and effort on succeeding in class and preparing for my future,” he notes.
Looking ahead, Stefan hopes to “pay it forward” by contributing financially to the scholarship and staying involved with its community. “I would love to attend events in the future and connect with other students who have had this incredible opportunity,” he says. To the donors, he expresses heartfelt gratitude: “I am truly appreciative of this opportunity. Your support means everything.”
Stefan’s future goals include becoming a hardware engineer, maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle, and being a respected, upstanding person. “SCU has shaped me through strong academics, community, and atmosphere,” he reflects. “This school has been an incredible experience, and I want others to have the opportunity to experience it as well.”