Attending a career day event at his high school, young Shane Hatcher (’92) discovered what he thought was going to be his life’s path.
“I wanted to go into the FBI or the Secret Service,” Shane said, straightening the crisp collar on his shirt with the precision one might expect of a federal agent. Gonzaga University is lucky that instead, Shane found his way to University Advancement, where he has served since 2007. Today, Shane is a principal giving officer, working closely with some of Gonzaga’s visionary and generous benefactors to create opportunities and a bright future for the University and its students.
A long way from the J. Edgar Hoover Building, Shane’s first job was a fill-in position as a ride operator and carousel attendant at Spokane’s Riverfront Park.
“The summer before my junior year at Gonzaga Prep one of my brothers asked me to take the job as a favor,” he explained. “I worked spring break, summer, and anytime the college kids needed vacation.”
It was there that Gonzaga University first became a possibility for his future. The eighth of nine children, Shane had all but ruled out Gonzaga as an option.
“Four of my five older brothers went there, and so did my dad,” Shane said. His sights were set on the East Coast, where he had plans to continue his hockey career. A first-year Gonzaga student with whom he’d worked at the park helped change his mind.
“I made the right decision for the wrong reason,” he laughed, “I followed a girl.”
Shane majored in history and for the first few years, thought he’d put in two years and then transfer back east to play hockey. As it turned out, the Gonzaga experience was just too alluring to leave. He continued to play hockey and pursue his dreams of a future in federal law enforcement. He stayed through his graduation, after which, he helped coach Gonzaga’s club hockey team for a few years—even playing with the team as an alum in a tournament, where he met a hockey fan and Gonzaga junior named Morgan, who later became his wife.
(Shane (front row left) and the 1989-1990 Gonzaga University club hockey team with Fr. Tony Lehmann, S.J.)
His Gonzaga hockey network did more than connect him to his future spouse—it also helped land him a job. Shane had been working as an office manager for his brother’s concession supply business, but the daily grind behind a desk wasn’t something he enjoyed. Club hockey chaplain Fr. Tony Lehmann, S.J., pointed Shane toward an opening at a local credit union working in the loan department.
A few years into his new career path and expecting their firstborn, Shane and Morgan decided to get their estate plans in order. Looking into how they could include Gonzaga University in their will, Shane learned of a fundraising position in Advancement. Knowing that Fr. Frank Costello, S.J., had done some work in that area in the past, Shane sought his counsel.
“He recommended I apply,” Shane said, “and Morgan had been working in Admissions a few years before I applied—the rest is history.”
One of the greatest lessons Shane has taken from his 15 years in Advancement came from former Vice President of Advancement Margot Stanfield, who told him that whenever he walks around campus—even if he didn’t have a direct hand in it—to remember that he’s helped in every single area of the University. From buildings to programs, scholarships and more, Shane’s impact is undeniable.
“Morgan and I have it in our estate plans to support scholarships,” he said. “And it’s nice to look around campus and think to myself, ‘I did that,’ even at the smallest level, I was part of it. It’s that way for the donors I work with—people give for so many different reasons, but at the end of the day, it’s because they want to see this place and the people here thrive. To know that any student that’s able and eligible can come here regardless of family circumstance or financial need feels good. That’s probably what’s kept me here for 15 years.”
Gonzaga is thankful for Shane’s impact in Advancement and across campus and though he played occasionally up until just a few years ago, is glad his ambitions to play hockey back east were kept “on ice.”
