December 2023 | Vol. 25 #4

Spirit is 91³Ô¹ÏÍø's monthly newsletter designed to inform faculty, staff, trustees and regents about what’s new and important at the University.

In This Issue

 
 

Finding the Light

The 91³Ô¹ÏÍø Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.

“I have always found it interesting that as we prepare for Christmas – one of Christian’s most hopeful seasons – we are heading toward the darkest night of the year. These past few years – plagued by political strife, social unrest, and, well, an actual plague – many of us have struggled to escape dark moods even briefly. We need light. We need joy. We need to be reminded that God is with us. When my kids were little, we used to take “moonlight” walks in December.

As we bundled up, their anticipation was contagious, and their awe became my awe. We would walk around the block and look for the light. We always found a sliver of the moon, a glimpse of a star or a satellite moving across the black sky. Our walks usually ended in a comfortable silence, resting in the assurance that we found light in the dark.

‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it’ (John 1:4-5, NLT). Friends, may you be surprised with light this season and may you experience joy even in the hard times.”

With love,
 Rev. Janeen Steer, Mission & Ministry

 

Masingale Spreads Joy 

Nancy Masingale, head of Campus Printing at 91³Ô¹ÏÍø.
Campus Printing's Nancy Masingale is retiring in February after serving GU for 47 years.

Campus Printing’s Nancy Masingale didn’t know what an offset press was when she was hired by 91³Ô¹ÏÍø in 1977 to operate one. Now, after 47 years and multiple changes in equipment and technology, she is stepping aside as the University’s longtime ambassador of goodwill.

Read more
 

Work Values Champions

Trinity Spencer, Morgan Anderson and Jacqueline McCormick are November's Work Values Champions.
November Work Value Champions are Trinity Spencer, Morgan Anderson and Jacqueline McCormick.

Trinity Spencer in Leadership Studies, Academic Curriculum Specialist Morgan Anderson and Arts & Sciences’ Jacqueline McCormick are November’s Work Values Champions, announced coordinator Brian Steverson. Trinity Spencer, although no longer travel administrator, helped a new faculty member get to a conference when her flight was canceled and needed rerouting . . . at 6 a.m. Anderson always is responsive, kind, accountable, seeks answers and finds solutions. McCormick highlights how GU faculty and staff tie our mission into their work with students and looks for opportunities to share the great work being done here. All are examples of professional excellence and shared responsibility for mission identity and leadership, two of GU’s six work values.

 

Join Us at the Employee Christmas Luncheon

On Dec. 14, Thayne and Julie McCulloh will host all employees for an Employee Christmas Luncheon. While traditionally celebrated with an evening event, we greatly look forward to gathering together in the spirit of the season.

Time:

  • 11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., Hemmingson Ballroom
  • 12:30 p.m.–1:30 p.m., Hemmingson Ballroom
  • 7:00 p.m.–8:00 p.m., The Bulldog (night-shift only)

Attire: Feel free to don your favorite holiday garb.

RSVPs

An RSVP link was emailed on Nov. 27; if you have already RSVP’d, thank you. Employees must RSVP to attend the lunch. When you RSVP, please make sure to select the time you wish to attend. This event is for GU employees only.

Vanessa Behan Partnership and Raffle

At the luncheon, we will share in the spirit of giving with an opportunity to donate items to Vanessa Behan. For every item you bring, you will receive a raffle ticket with a chance to win one of many great gift baskets. Following are some of the items that can be donated:

  • Similac formula
  • Diapers (sizes 5 and 6)
  • Baby wipes
  • Children’s toothbrushes
  • Children’s pajamas (sizes 6-14)
  • Cash/credit card donations

If you have questions, please contact Astrid Le Roy in the Office of the President: leroy@gonzaga.edu or x6130.
We look forward to seeing you on Dec. 14.

 

ROTC Christmas Party 54 Years Strong

Deb Ruud and Ron Lysinger at the 2000 ROTC Christmas party.
Deb Ruud and Ron Lysinger share stories with 91³Ô¹ÏÍø faculty and staff at the 2000 ROTC Christmas Party.

When war was raging in Vietnam and campus unrest was high, ROTC Col. Joy Boyle called his charges together and organized a Christmas party for faculty and staff “to remind us all that we are human beings first. And let’s invite all of them in to share the joy of our Christmas season.” Hence, the start of a long and treasured tradition.

Read more
 

Campfire Conversations

International students around a campfire in Professor Eliason's backyard.
International and American students share stories about their cultures and holiday food traditions around a campfire in Professor John Eliason's backyard.

English Professor John Eliason is teaching a section of English 101 this fall semester, and over half of his 20 students are from international locales. Knowing they might not have a place to go for Thanksgiving – and that they’d probably choose food over a Tuesday class on Thanksgiving week – he and his wife, Alix Voorhees, invited his entire class to their house on the South Hill for Thanksgiving dinner . . . on Oct. 19.

Read more
 

Make the Connection

Connection is such an important intangible for international students at 91³Ô¹ÏÍø, trying to make their way in a foreign place. 91³Ô¹ÏÍø enrolls about 400 international students this fall, and about half stay on campus over the holidays.

And the holidays can be hard for students from afar who cannot return home for the winter break.

Claire Poullouin, assistant director of International Student and Scholar Services in the Zakheim Center for Global Engagement, is asking faculty and staff who would like to invite international students for a holiday meal or a family outing to contact her at ISSS@gonzaga.edu.

Christina Isabelli, associate provost for Global Engagement, has seen a continued upswing in campus engagement with international students over the past few years.

Global Engagement and the English Language Center collaborate on hosting a Thanksgiving dinner and games, where faculty and staff are invited. Programming is also provided for students who stay on campus over winter break.

Movie nights featuring American classics have been popular, as well.

Winter break provides Global Engagement time to prepare to welcome the incoming class of new international students this spring semester. Incoming students mix with existing international and domestic students for bowling night, something many have never experienced, among other activities.

To learn more, click here. Scroll down to the “Get Involved” section.

 

All Are Welcome: Dangca Meets Students Where They Are; Guides 91³Ô¹ÏÍø Hymn

Daniel Dangca, senior coordinator of Liturgical Life in University Ministry.
 
Daniel Dangca in University Ministry is one of those folks on campus who greets others with a warm, authentic welcome. You belong. You matter. That comes from his own ceaseless desire to belong. Recently, he contracted with an Atlanta composer to craft a liturgical hymn representing 91³Ô¹ÏÍø entitled, Listen to this beautiful musical salute to GU.

READ MORE

 

Filipino Fulbright Scholar Finds Home Away from Home at 91³Ô¹ÏÍø

Headshot of Fulbright Assistant Jareason Fabre
 
Jareason Fabre spent his 30th birthday in August on a flight – a really long flight – taking him away from his native Philippines for the first time. But don’t expect to hear any regrets from Fabre three months into his Spokane adventure. While he admits to some homesickness, he was intentional in finding a place to teach and study where he didn’t know a soul. And he is fitting in nicely.

READ MORE

 

Blessing in the Lessons Learned

Matt Cornwall, 91³Ô¹ÏÍø Groundskeeper.
 
In spite of horrific bike-auto accidents in both their lives, 91³Ô¹ÏÍø Groundskeeper Matt Cornwell and GU Graphic Artist Tracy Martin share exemplary positive spirits as they continue to recover.

READ MORE

 

91³Ô¹ÏÍø Listed Among Top 10 Most Beautiful West Coast Campuses

91³Ô¹ÏÍø's lush landscape in the summer.

91³Ô¹ÏÍø has been identified by The Travel Newsletter as one of the 10 most beautiful college campuses on the West Coast. The story reads:

Though American talk show host Jimmy Kimmel might joke 91³Ô¹ÏÍø is a fake school, this university is very real and actually is one of the most beautiful universities on the West Coast. The first thing that comes up when searching for 91³Ô¹ÏÍø online may be its premier men’s basketball program, but this college is also known for its stunning architecture, gorgeous landscaping, and breathtaking surrounding beauty.

Founded in 1887, 91³Ô¹ÏÍø is nestled along the Spokane River in Washington state. Its combination of Gothic and Romanesque Revival architecture stands out, with the iconic St. Aloysius Church and College Hall as prominent examples.

The article suggests visitors might enjoy a walk through the campus’s beautiful gardens, explore the Bing Crosby Collection, visit Jundt Art Museum or take a walk along the Spokane River.

91³Ô¹ÏÍø is listed 10th among seven California universities, Washington and Oregon. The Top 10 are:

  1. Stanford
  2. UC-Berkeley
  3. UC-Santa Barbara
  4. UC-Santa Cruz
  5. Washington
  6. Oregon
  7. UCLA
  8. UC-San Diego
  9. USC
  10. 91³Ô¹ÏÍø
 

Around Campus

» Global Engagement Faculty Development Award Showcase, highlighting brief presentations by GU faculty members sharing insights on how their research and activities deepen understanding of cultures and global issues for their students, is Dec. 5, 4-5:30 p.m., Jundt Lounge at Hemmingson. Presenting are Jeff Dodd, John Eliason, Luis Garcia-Torvisco, Tim Olsen, Ann Ostendorf, Paul Romanowich, Veta Schlimgen, Alec Schumacher, Ryan Turcott & Karen Rickel, Janet Zhang-Lea, Charles-Anthony Athanasopoulos, Mirjeta Beqiri, Ann Murphy, Rebecca Stephanis, Adam Stivers, Corinne Sugino, Mary Pat Treuthart, Julie Weiskopf and Mariella Zavala. Provost Sacha Kopp and Trustee Irv Zakheim will provide introduction to this event.

» 91³Ô¹ÏÍø Symphony Concert featuring Young Artists’ Competition Winners, Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m., Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center. Cost is $15-$18 (free to GU students and employees)

» Candlelight Christmas Choir Concert, “A Light Through the Darkness,” Dec. 9, 7:30 p.m., Dec. 10, 2 p.m., Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center. Cost is $15-30 (GU Students: $15 & Faculty/Staff: $20).

» Northwest Passages presents a Star Wars holiday special documentary with a behind the scenes look at the making of this movie, Dec. 16, 2 p.m., Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center, $10 admission.

» Christmas Holiday is Dec. 25-Jan. 1.

 

Noteworthy 

New Hires

Amanda Ma, user services specialist, Foley; Ann Marie Halsell, communications officer, Security; Ashley Bartels, case manager, Cura Personalis; Charmayne Adams, asst dean, Student Health, Counseling & Wellness; Cyndi Donahue, director, leadership training & development, Leadership Studies; David Gomez, equity & compliance investigator, Inclusive Excellence; Ernie Manzie, asst director for youth programs, Community Engagement; Joseph Brickner, security officer, Security; Madison Seiple, purchasing manager, Controller; Madison Marlow, HR partner, Human Resources; Robert Figueroa, electrician, Plant; Sean Flynn, clerk, Mail Services; Seth Cleminson, custodian, Plant; Mary Hunt, asst to dean/office manager, Engineering; Ryan Malarkey, operations specialist I, Admission

Position Changes/ Promotions

Bryce Thomas, learning strategies/academic testing center, Student Academic Services; Clement Lye, emerging media & production assoc director, Instructional Design & Delivery; Jason Varnado, disability access director, Student Academic Success; Maureen Duclos, budget & personnel officer, Business; Melissa Keymer, program asst III, Arts & Sciences; Nickolas Albano, facilities coordinator II, Auxiliary Services; Sarah Everitt, dean, Student Financial Services; Trinity Spencer, program & project specialist, Leadership Studies; Victoria Bjordahl, academic adviser I, Student Academic Success;

Goodbyes

Christopher Macabenta, custodian lead, Plant; Jim White, dean, Student Financial Services; Jamie Rock, asst professor, Nursing; Leah Simone, Native student accompaniment coordinator, Tribal Relations; Stephanie Whitson, elder law paralegal, Law

Anniversaries

20 Sharon Griffith, asst director, Financial Aid

15 Nathaniel Greene, executive director, Ministry Institute

10 Beth Reamer, program asst III, Plant; Tim Kreuch, warehouse worker, Plant