In this week marked by celebrations of family, food, and gratitude... and as my family and I prepare to conquer a day of “chefery”... I can think of no better group to thank than the dedicated family of staff who nourish and serve the University’s students, faculty and staff. For more than 65 years, Sodexo has shared a special relationship with Gonzaga, embodying the magic so many feel when on campus. It’s a unique brand of hospitality and care that you just can’t find anywhere else.
In the words of Sodexo District Manager Pat Clelland at the recent School of Business Administration Wine & Dine event,
As Sodexo and Gonzaga enter our 65th year of partnership together serving students and our community, I want to reflect on the values we share and embrace.
Fundamentally, it’s what I define as a culture of care. We are truly stewards of our students and our community. It’s a responsibility that we don’t, and we can’t take lightly.
We laugh together, we eat together, learn together, cry together—it’s no different than a family unit, only it’s a pretty big family unit. It’s not always smooth sailing, but at the end of the day, everyone watches out for everyone, lifting each other up when we need the lift, and together working through difficult times, all for the common good.
What really inspires me is the impact that our students make on the Spokane community through volunteerism, community engagement, and project work. It is truly amazing. Our School of Business has many students who participate in those activities, and I’ve been fortunate to work with some of them on their capstone projects. We even have had many student interns and have alums join Sodexo for long term employment!
In short, I believe it’s about service. It's why we are here—to make the world and each other better every day, to care for each other and emulate that culture of care, to inspire servant leaders to leverage their positions in their respective careers and go out and set the world on fire!
Sodexo does more than serve the campus community—they are also a major partner with Gonzaga working to address food insecurity in the Logan Neighborhood through the Opportunity Northeast (ONE) Initiative.
So, in this Thanksgiving week, Gonzaga is grateful for partners like Sodexo who give voice to our shared values and heart to the work we do across campus and this community.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
P.S. There will be two special recipes provided by the Sodexo chefs appearing behind a door of your Gonzaga online advent calendar—Citrus Salmon and Lentil Loaf. Stay tuned!