Note: This message was originally sent on July 16, 2021
Lawrence “Larry” Bennett’s (’72) Gonzaga story is forever connected to Dean McGivern. As a Gonzaga engineering student during the late 1960s and early 1970s, Larry had three years of generous scholarship aid helping to fund his education. But as he neared Fall semester of his senior year, the “well had run dry,” so to speak, and Larry found himself struggling to pay for his final year. He approached Dr. McGivern with his problem. At that time, Dr. McGivern had spent the previous 30+ years growing the School—taking it from a crowded room below the gymnasium in what was known as the Administration Building (now College Hall) to its own “home” in Dillon Hall in 1948. His commitment to the School and its students was extraordinary, as Larry found out when Dr. McGivern showed up for him by personally opening his wallet to help Larry complete his degree.
Larry never forgot what that act of generosity and care meant to him. It helped him launch a 41-year career designing and troubleshooting the operation of wastewater treatment plants, which enabled he and his wife Anna to retire and travel across America and Canada for just over three years before settling in Arizona. Their son, Andrew, graduated from Gonzaga with a degree in computer engineering in 2001.
Inspired by Dr. McGivern, Larry and Anna have annually supported the scholarship that bears Dr. McGivern’s name; however, recently they established the Anna and Lawrence Bennett Scholarship to benefit engineering students who have financial needs, just like Larry did. They have taken the generous lead in making sure this scholarship meets the full financial needs of the recipients. On behalf of the generations of future engineers, their gift will impact many thanks to the Bennetts for showing up with such Zag spirit.
The Bennett’s like each and every one of you, exemplify what it means when we say that Zags show up for each other – building connections, making sure those that walk these pathways on Gonzaga’s campus understand the traditions they are part of and the opportunity and responsibility we all have to pay it forward. Grateful for your leadership…