Heaviness - dragons & Henry... for a cause greater...

Note: This message was originally sent on March 31, 2023

Sometimes there is a heaviness.  I need not go into detail, unfortunately, the constant cycle of the news brings the reality of the world onto our screens.  Oy!…these screens are always in hand and way too close to our eyes and minds. Is all “this bad” our reality, or just “what’s in the news?”  I don’t know, but I do know there is heaviness at times.

On these days I find rays of hope in my family, my colleagues, and the broader network that is GU.

I see this letter exchange shared with me from our colleagues in Marketing and Communications:

An elementary school student by the name of Lorelei in Richmond, Virginia, reached out to request some GU swag as part of her research project (encouraged along by a GU alumnus who teaches at her school).  We get a lot of these requests.  What makes me proud is our university works hard to get back to every student – with something.  In this example, our colleagues took it to the next level, sketching a ZagDragon, because Lorelei “loves dragons.”  Kate (editor) and Tracy (designer extraordinaire) knew this was going to make a difference to Lorelei – in the very least, she would smile and see kindness being sent her direction.  Kate and Tracy also know that this place at which they work absolutely sees value in taking time to extend this kind of goodwill and kindness.

I see this photo from the Spokane Alumni and Friends game watch that took place last Saturday:

This is Henry.   He joined 400+ other Zag alumni and friends at Spokane’s Garland Theater to cheer for and support our student-athletes.  Henry met Drew Timme earlier in the year when Drew visited his class.  I think Henry likes the look of Drew….and remembers that the “big guy” took time to get to know him.  Kindness.  It matters. It leaves an impression that can last a lifetime.

I read this from GU alumnus David Tobias ’07 in his Facebook post on the eve of a big game:  “Spike wears #6 and the student section is the 'official 6th man' for a reason.  Our community is different.  Our university is different.  Our university creates a special bond that lasts forever.  We are all part of the journey, and the team we run out against the world represents the best of Gonzaga:  A connected group working together for a cause greater than any one individual can accomplish.”

The Lorelei’s, the Henry’s of this world, are counting on us to make sure the world they live within and one day will lead is driven by critical thinkers, guided by ethics, who can communicate with all and lead by creating kindness in the world.  The heaviness goes away, knowing we are doing this work at Gonzaga University – in big, bold moments when one of our student teams takes the world stage and shows how hard we work, how we support one another, how we deal with adversity.  In unseen moments when colleagues take the time to make a difference in the life of a little researcher from Richmond.   In thoughtful reflections, when an alumnus beautifully articulates and shares out to the world our aspirations for all who benefit from a Gonzaga education - “greater than any one individual can accomplish.”

Thank you for being someone who helps carry, no, that is not quite it.  Thank you for being someone who lifts the heaviness and allows us to do the incredible work that is the distinctive Gonzaga University experience.  Thank you for keeping the flames of inspiration burning brightly for Zags of all ages.