Note: This message was originally sent on September 27, 2024
Last week, I mentioned that we were gearing up to welcome alumni from the classes of ‘64, ‘65, and ‘66 back to campus, and I’m happy to share that it was a spectacular weekend. One moment that really resonated with me was seeing members of the inaugural Gonzaga-in-Florence (GIF) class gathered in the Hemmingson Center (pictured above). They took time to reconnect – and took the extra step to conduct this zoom session with classmates who couldn't be there in person.
It was a beautiful reminder of the lifelong connections that start at Gonzaga and extend far beyond our campus. And on that topic, the photo below captured a moment on campus that I hope resonates with you—a beautiful sunset illuminating the movement of students as faculty and staff left for the evening on Tuesday. It was a fantastic reminder of the beautiful instances that take place here when nobody is looking. Friendships being built, independence being strengthened, and realizations among students that they are capable of amazing things.
And, to circle back to another part of what I sent you last week, it was such a treat to see Gonzaga on the local media stage as local ABC affiliate KXLY covered the celebration of a major renovation of the Northeast Community Center, in which the Center for Community Engagement (CCE) at Gonzaga played a key role. You can watch the story here, and see in the photo below, the joy in the eyes of Drs. Molly Ayers (assistant dean, CCE) and Danielle Xu (Mozilo Chair of Business Administration), who attended the event and worked hard to bring this meaningful moment and workforce development program to fruition.
