In celebration of the 100th anniversary of the School of Business Administration, Gonzaga seeks to acknowledge the outstanding accomplishments and contributions of its graduates and faculty with five Distinguished Alumni Awards. This recognition is an extension of the Distinguished Alumni Merit Awards (DAMA) that have been previously presented. This year, over 50 nominations were submitted for consideration – a testament to the outstanding quality of Alumni coming from the School of Business Administration. Here you will find videos featuring our five award recipients. Please join the Office of Alumni & Friends in honoring these members of our Gonzaga community.
Kara Hertz '01
Executive Director, Alumni Relations
2022 Award Winners
Recent Alumni
Callie Johnson '15
Owner
Made with Love Bakery
From Callie’s nomination: "On top of her full class schedule, multiple part time jobs, studying at Gonzaga in Florence, and staying involved in the campus community, Callie was using the tools we were learning in our business classes to map out plans for her bakery’s future. Since then, Callie has continued to serve her community and grow and support her team. Callie truly embodies Gonzaga’s traditions of “service, leadership, and the celebration of all people in pursuit of the common good,” and Made With Love Bakery is a true reflection of her spirit."
Service to the Community
Xochitl Velazquez '12, '13
Assistant Director
Washington Apple Education Foundation
From Xochitl’s nomination: " Upon her graduation and after working successfully for a number of commercial organizations, Xochitl chose to serve her community as an Assistant Director of the Washington Apple Educational Foundation—the same foundation that supporter her through her time at Gonzaga. She exemplifies the leaders in service who are central to Gonzaga’s mission. In 2021, she was named among the 30 under 35 outstanding young business leaders of the Wenatchee Valley community."
Faculty-Staff
Terry Coombes
Former Assistant to the Dean
Gonzaga School of Business Administration
From Terry’s nomination: "Terry embodies and exemplifies what Gonzaga stands for—serving for and with others. Terry has been an inspiration to so many of us both on a personal and professional level. She served with passion whether she was working in the Dean’s office or as an advisor. I am grateful to Terry. The world is a better place because of her."
Service to Gonzaga
Kevin McQuilkin '83
Retired, Managing Director of Mergers and Acquisitions
Wells Fargo Securities
From Kevin’s nomination: "A graduate who made it big back east, Kevin has served as a Trustee for over a decade, was instrumental in making the New York Trek a success, and is now the executive in residence. The man lives, eats, and breathes Gonzaga. Everything he does he has the University's best interest in mind."
Professional Achievement
Kevin Daniels '79
Daniels Real Estate
From Kevin’s nomination: "Kevin Daniels is known for his amazing tenacity and vision in construction of Seattle's buildings and skyline. With a passion for looking forward while preserving the past, he is nationally respected for focus on adaptive reuse projects that have saved some of Seattle's most iconic and historic buildings such as The Sanctuary, Seattle Plumbing Building (Gridiron Condominiums), Sears Roebuck (Starbucks Center), Union Station, Frye Art Museum, Merrill Place, and St. Edward Seminary in Kenmore The Lodge at St. Edwards."
School of Business Administration Distinguished Alumni Award Categories
The Recent Alumni Award recognizes an alumna/us who has graduated in the past 10 years who is a leader in their field, has demonstrated outstanding achievement in their post-graduate education, community contributions, and career advancement.
The Service to the Community Award recognizes an alumna/us for remarkable service to their community, achievement in career advancement, and a dedication to living for others.
The Faculty-Staff Award goes to an outstanding faculty or staff member for excellence in teaching, serving and living Gonzaga’s mission.
The Service to Gonzaga Award recognizes an alumna/us for significant service and consistent loyalty to Gonzaga and the School of Business Administration. Service to Gonzaga Award recipients exemplify the spirit of volunteerism and giving back to their alma mater.
The Professional Achievement Award recognizes an alumna/us who has excelled in their career and become a successful thought leader in their industry.
