Thank You From Kerry Strickland

By Kerry Strickland

Dear Santa Clara students, it shall always be my honor to share about my son, Professor Daniel G. Strickland. To me, he will always be "Dan."

As you are probably aware, Dan's life among us was tragically cut short as the result of an auto accident on Sept. 22. I know Dan would be humbly honored to be a part of your Senior Class Project. He was always there to help anyone in any way he could. Dan was an amazing man.

His uniqueness lay in his authenticity. Dan never tried to be like anyone else. He would graciously rebuff any attempt of branding. As his mother, it was apparent in his very early life that he simply felt comfortable in being "Daniel."

Of course there were times, especially in those middle school years, when his personal identification endured a honing process.

As he entered high school, although terrified entering a new school and once again "being on the bottom," he demonstrated strength and perseverance in remaining an individual and not feeling the need to respond to pressure of being like everyone else. Dan remained faithful to his beliefs and values, showing profound character and integrity.

As I look back over Dan's life in this very tender time, I see clearly a path he consistently walked.

Daniel was authentic. Dan loved being alive. Dan loved his family, his friends and everyone around him. He had a passion for everything!

He learned in all situations. He often was fearful of doing new things, but he gave fear very little power in his life. His passion for learning superseded and quelled the waves of insecurity.

I know there were times when Dan would get tired, fatigued and exhausted. This was never truer than when he entered Stanford and began his greatest journey of achieving his Ph.D. He would phone me and express his total exhaustion.

Dan knew the path to such an achievement requires constant diligence and energy. I would give a few encouraging words and suggest he take a few hours of rest. He would refuel and burnish his passion for education and career fulfillment. He made it!

During these years I watched a young man develop. As his intellect and education reached incredible heights, so did his desire to use his craft to promote human development in the saddest of places in our world. I saw his heart open and become vulnerable to both the love and pain he saw in his world around him. Dan's authenticity remained his light to fulfillment.

As you have selected the "Daniel Strickland Scholarship Fund" and "Live with Passion" as your Senior Class Project, you truly honor a man who was "fully alive."

Professor Strickland embraced his authenticity as the key to his passion! He expended no energy attempting to be anyone else. He embraced his uniqueness as a gift from above; his intellect was merely an avenue by which he could enter needy places and envision a new and better way to bring hope and enlightenment to others.

As his mother, I have always known Daniel's passion fueled his visions. What I have come to know since his passing is his authenticity was the secret key to his perseverance and success.

His peers, students and friends have shared many wonderful truths with me about my son. These truths, including my own which draw from Dan's 27 years, embody a priceless principal.

When we saw, met and worked with Professor Strickland we encountered a man filled with passion. Behind that passion was an authentic man. He filled his life with love knowing this would sustain and propel him in all that he held in priority.

As we speak about sustainability in our environment and daily life, Daniel's greatest gift to us all was his ability to sustain his passion, authenticity and love. He discovered a secret to be shared with all. Victory is achieved when the road of authenticity and love converge with passion.

The Daniel Strickland Scholarship Fund will always be a representation of a man who knew how to live life.

He knew the secret of achievement went far beyond human desires. Achievement centers itself on human need; the need of value, contribution and love.

The point where authenticity, passion and love meet — there is Victory!

Live with Passion!

Thank you,

Kerry K. Strickland