Many San Quentin residents in attendance at a December 5 commencement event in Chapel B said they felt that Santa Claus had arrived early. A thin, tall man, whom a resident described as “funny and graciously goofy,” occupied the chapel stage and spoke of gratitude and generosity, wearing not a red Santa hat but a blue Boston Red Sox baseball cap. His gifts to the San Quentin community brought cheer to everyone in attendance.
Bob Goff, the man who stood center stage, a self-described “recovering lawyer” and former law school professor, has earned a station of appreciation at San Quentin. His secular canon overlapped into a version of inclusive Christianity that went by the refrains “Love Does” and “Dream Big,” the former doubling as the name of his nonprofit and the latter doubling as the title of one of his bestselling books.
“Merry Christmas!” shouted Goff into a full house comprised of alumni of his class and of new graduates about to receive their certificates. As he cited Romans 8:19, “For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of sons of God,” he contextualized the verse by adding, “The entire world is up on their tip toes just waiting what you will do next.” He pointed into the room at the word “you.”
Goff has visited San Quentin since 2019, invited by former warden Oak Smith. “I heard Bob speak and I invited him to come,” Smith said. Smith and his wife traveled from Texas to attend the San Quentin event. “Bob is a person whose leadership can get so many people motivated,” Smith added.
Since 2002, the year in which Goff founded his San Diego-based Love Does, the organization has expanded to 14 countries. “We operate schools, safe houses, prison programs, a women’s resource center, and a food program serving over 200,000 people on average annually,” said Jody Luke, the non-profit’s president. She described the mission of the organization as fighting for human rights, caring for the vulnerable, and providing education in conflict zones.
Luke said she used to work as a Chartered Public Accountant for PriceWaterhouse Coopers, which had given her broad expertise in a variety of start-up businesses. She said she might have a firm grasp on numbers, but the life stories around her fuel her desire to help friends and strangers alike.
Goff has written several New York Times bestsellers, Love Does, Everybody Always, Dream Big, and Undistracted. He also served as Honorary Consul to the Republic of Uganda.
Attendees at the event voiced universal praise for Goff and his mission. Residents who said, “He changed my life for the better,” and “Bob gives me hope,” and “Love Does will be my new goal in life,” summarized the overall esteem for Goff.
Britton Buchanan, a North Carolina-based singer-songwriter, provided the entertainment. He said his career had reached new heights after his success as the runner-up on The Voice. “It’s remarkable to be here,” Buchanan said. He added that the California Model impressed him, for he believed that “punishing people does not work, because retribution just perpetuates ugly cycles.”
Soon the 35 graduates entered and took the stage attired in blue caps and gowns. Luke shouted, “Thank you and welcome to the 2024 graduation.”
Goff awarded special honors to Joshua Strange for obtaining a Masters in Business Administration and to Jay Kim for having received a BA degree in interdisciplinary arts with an emphasis on sociology. Both scholars finished their degrees at Adams State University in Alamosa, Colo., paid by Love Does scholarships.
At the end of the event, Luke said, “Class of 2024, please stand and turn your tassels to the right.” A minute later, the class members tossed their caps into the air. A graduation lunch of Chick-fil-A sandwiches followed.
Goff concluded the event with a passage from Psalms 118:22, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.” He advised the graduates to “continue to cultivate community. You are some of the freest men I ever met,” and in the spirit of gratitude and generosity, Goff said, “Use us.”
