Note: This message was originally sent on April 15, 2020
Our regional ‘alumni and friends’ chapters have taken to heart ways in which they can support their local communities and fellow Zags during this time. A few brief callouts……. Several chapters have been acknowledging their local heroes – ranging from nurses, doctors, paramedics to teachers; fellow Zags are doing the nominating, and the chapters are spreading the word. Please see a few examples attached from our Colorado and Seattle chapters. Additionally, many of the presidents of the local chapters have been sharing “welcome” videos for our graduating seniors so they can quickly become acquainted with their local Zag network within the communities they live or have moved to during this semester. Lastly, our chapters have stood up additional programming, as well; for example, in Seattle on 4/25, they will host a virtual spiritual retreat with Father Steve Hess facilitating. In Spokane, the chapter hosted a virtual movie night for friends and families throughout the region to gather – in their respective homes – for one big movie watch and to commemorate community. There is much more taking place on the chapter front, including work with our admitted students, pop-up reunions, career assistance/coaching, and planning for summer and fall.
As Dr. McCulloh recently shared in a town hall that he hosted for alumni and friends: “We have a powerful University because we have a powerful community of people, who continue to support our students and our work. We will continue to find ways to connect with one another.” “Gonzaga, like so many institutions around the country, has been through some tough times. But being committed to Gonzaga and having seen us through previous rocky times, we will see ourselves through this, successfully, to a new reality.”
Grateful to each of you for your commitment, grateful to our volunteers who head up our chapters for the “GU experience” they are delivering around the country. We are blessed to have you all as our “frontline heroes.”
Please note the upcoming webinars that we are offering to Alumni and Friends that may be of interest to you, your family, and those within your network:
- Friday, April 17, 9:00 am: Leadership: Entering Into the Dance of our Shared Humanity, hosted bySchool of Leadership Studies Dean, Rosemarie Hunter, Ph.D., together with Suzanne Ostersmith, Assistant Professor of Theatre & Dance.
- Wednesday, April 22, Noon: Leadership Over Lunch Conversation with Fr. Greg Boyle of Homeboy Industries, Joined by Josh P. Armstrong, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Organizational Leadership & Director of the Comprehensive Leadership Program.
- Wednesday, April 29, 10 am: Town Hall with Gonzaga’s Director of Athletics, Mike Roth '83; Mike looks forward to answering your questions about how Gonzaga and the NCAA are navigating the COVID-19 landscape.
- Also, from last week, if you missed it, you can watch a recording ofDr. Yolanda Gallardo’s, Dean of the School of Education, presentation/discussion on The Practice of Hope.