September 2024 | Vol. 26 #1
In This Issue
Bridge Builder Assumes Two-Year Term as Interim Provost
Interim Provost Mia Bertagnolli is Gonzaga born and raised. She is a bridge connecting our people to the things we do well . . . our mission, culture and community.
The Spirit of Spirit: Dale Goodwin
This issue of Spirit is the last produced by Dale Goodwin after he started this work of heart 25 years ago. Already 18 years into his career at Gonzaga at the time, he knew the pulse of this campus community, and knew that low morale among employees needed prompt and loving treatment. And thus Spirit was born as a means to bolster transparent communication and to share stories of the people who make this University what it is.
Spirit: A Newsletter for Faculty and Staff launched with the 1999 fall semester, with news about a new faculty handbook, the addition of blue-light security phones on campus, and announcements of Staff Assembly executives. Photos showed the Gonzaga runners in the Bloomsday Corporate Cup (a few of them are still among us) and Kay Nakamaye (chemistry) commuting to work on his bike.
While the campus and the way we communicate have morphed in myriad ways in the last quarter-century, little about Spirit has. The columns remain the same – Noteworthy, Around Campus, Focus On – and the spotlight on the everyday heroes among us. In that way, Spirit has become an archive of Gonzaga’s personnel history, recognizing long tenures, showcasing new leaders, making University news personal.
For 25 years, Dale has been the spirit of Spirit. Not just an editor or newsletter creator, more as a conduit of information. And while he officially steps away from an office where bookshelves feature binders of every issue of this project, this is not the last time you will see his byline. Rest assured, so long as Dale can type or dictate a story, you will see his work, here in Spirit and in other Gonzaga publications. Please join me in offering a heartfelt THANK YOU to Dale for all he has done over an incredible 43-year career at Gonzaga.
- Kate Vaskike, Marketing & Communications
Dare to be Bored
Jose Hernandez: Pillar of Light
Q&A with Jacqueline Van Hoomissen, new dean of Arts & Sciences
Engineering and Applied Science’s Jennifer Shepherd Boring Full Steam Ahead
Elections Provide Opportunities to Engage
Work Value Champions Hunt, Engel, Simon Recognized
Engineering’s Mary Hunt, Foley’s Hannah Engel and Sustainability’s Jim Simon have at least two things in common: Their care for Gonzaga, its mission and its people. And they’re Work Value Champions nominated last spring in Gonzaga’s ongoing effort to enhance institutional visibility of work values portrayed on our campus.
Hunt uses her smile and organized style to ask others to join her in the real work of high-quality service, continuous learning, and a value system of accountability not “blameability,” her
nominator says.
Engel has a passion for equity in the workplace and helps keep the department in check by holding herself, her supervisor, colleagues and student employees that she supervises accountable.
Simon leads much of the sustainability work on campus including, but not limited to, waste reduction, transportation and energy conservation, and campus/community education.
Staff Honored for Dedication to Mission
Semiannual Staff Assembly Awards presented in May recognized the efforts of eight Gonzaga employees for their work making this place better for others.
The Outstanding Service in Support of Mission Award was bestowed upon Lyss Gorman, New Student and Family Programs, and Deborah Harmon, Graduate Admission Operations. The Innovation Award went to Admission’s Nate Mannetter and Steve Keller, and Financial Aid’s Sarah Everitt. Spark of Spirit Award recipients were Nick Wood, GUEST, LaRena Rondeau, Student Involvement, and Jane Hession, Business Administration.
Nominators described Mission Award winner Lyss as a role model for living our mission. Her approach to every project starts with two questions: What is the why behind what we’re doing? And whose voice is missing from this discussion? Her investment in colleague development is evidenced through her leadership on Student Affairs’ professional growth committee and as a participant in the staff formation cohort program. Harmon has been instrumental in streamlining processes for the benefit of students and the wider Gonzaga community, and her work has left a legacy in support of her entire team.
To combat the nationwide FAFSA system fallout last semester, Everitt, Mannetter and Keller led their teams in the innovative creation of a process utilizing Slate ZRM forms to create an “Estimated Financial Aid Offer” prior to FAFSA’s awards in June, which accurately projected what each student’s award would be.
To know Wood, Rondeau and Hession is to experience that spark they bring to their work, teams, students and beyond GU. Nominators lauded Wood for his can-do attitude, doing whatever it takes to make his facility right for a client, and his humble, detailed approach to his work; Rondeau for ensuring students and staff feel connected and have a sense of belonging on campus; Hession for inspiring optimism and motivation among students and colleagues, and for her countless work projects in the community, reinforcing GU’s commitment to social responsibility and inclusivity.
Around Campus
» GU was selected to host a chapter of the nation’s longest and arguably most prestigious honor society, Phi Beta Kappa, resulting in part from expansion of our Honors program, revision of our
Core Curriculum and development of advanced academic facilities supporting our arts and science programs. Professors Kirk Besmer and Paul DePalma played key roles in the yearslong application process.
» Michelle Ghrist, associate professor of math, is the new director of the Center for Undergraduate Research and Creative Inquiry (CURCI), succeeding Matt Cremeens.
» GU’s Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence Duy Dang of the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) Vietnam teaches undergraduate and graduate classes focusing on data science, information system management and information system governance during his fall residency.
» Zero Emission Vehicle Co-op, or ZEV, was launched in June, providing one electric vehicle rentable for an hourly fee after signing up and becoming a member at https://zev.coop. In another project co-sponsored with Avista, more than 20 EV charging stations will be installed on campus for public use this academic year.
» Political Science Assistant Professor Bi Zhao frames climate change by women and indigenous peoples at a free, public presentation, Sept. 4, 6 p.m. Hemmingson Auditorium.
» Spokane artist and alumnus Ben Joyce (’00, ’01) opens his four-month “Place Collection” exhibit in the Jundt Art Museum Sept. 7. Joyce is crafting a separate piece for his University Collection that he is donating to Gonzaga for placement in the Hemmingson Center, Oct. 5 of Fall Family Weekend. Prints of this piece will go on sale soon, 20% of his
proceeds being donated to the Gonzaga Scholarship Fund.
» Arizona State Professor David Orr presents on the impact of heat, storms and fire on our most vulnerable people in a free public lecture Sept. 16, 5 p.m. in Hemmingson Auditorium.
» Gonzaga Dance presents its season opening performance with Ishita Mili and IMGE Dance, Sept. 21, 7:30 p.m., Woldson Performing Arts Center. Tickets $8.
» Jazz vocalist Dee Dee Bridgewater and pianist Bill Charlap perform a range of genres, Sept. 22, 7:30 p.m., Woldson Performing Arts Center. Tickets $42-$68.
» Spokane Candidates Climate Change Forum is Oct. 2, 6 p.m., in Cataldo Hall.
Noteworthy
New Hires
Amanda Mansfield, asst director business operations, Athletics; Benjamin Schwartz, electrician, Plant; Cassidy Doohan, benefits & leave specialist, Human Resources; Cody Johnson, security officer, Security; Cody Nilsen, sr recruiter, Human Resources; Conner Lime, custodian, Plant; Emily Pack, executive asst/office manager, General Counsel; Cindy Arlt, clinical placement coordinator, Health Sciences; Andrew Newman, director of harassment and discrimination prevention & Title IX coordinator, Inclusive Excellence; David Sprague, custodian, Plant; Nathan Bishop, security officer, Security; Rowan Smith, custodian, Plant; Titus Gossman, custodian, Plant; Sierra Pancoast, asst director, Housing and Residence Life; Chelsea Weiler, desktop publishing specialist II, Campus Printing; Ian Pecoff, custodian, Plant; Jazmine Redmon, asst women’s basketball coach/video coordinator, Athletics; Karina Maciel, asst director of marketing, Athletics; Marla Fallstrom, custodian specialist trainer, Plant; Allison Vanlandingham, academic adviser, Student Academic Success; Andrew Corse, asst director for living learning communities/community development, Housing and Residence Life; Barbara Gongyin, coordinator, native student accompaniment, Tribal Relations; Christen Bailey, program asst III, Business; Colette Yamaoka, academic coordinator, Athletics; Denise Osahor, asst women’s basketball coach, Athletics; Elizabeth Davis, instructional technologist, Instructional Design & Delivery; Emily Albert, health educator, Student Wellbeing; Everett Taylor, program coordinator, Law; Heidi Clairmont, administrative asst II, president; Jacob Gendusa, director of business operations, Athletics; Jarett Wirun, instructional technologist, Instructional Design & Delivery; Julia Camillucci, asst women’s rowing coach, Athletics; Kimberly Stanfield, health educator, Student Wellbeing; Kristy Gonder, BSN program director, Health Sciences; Megan Cycyota, asst volleyball coach, Athletics; Mykola Pidhirnyi, painter, Plant; Myles Anders, operations and research specialist, Career Center; Rachel Maddox, benefits & leave specialist, Human Resources; Sean Walsh, HR specialist, Human Resources; William DeKlotz, admission counselor, Admission
Position Changes/ Promotions
Bonnie Harper, web & admin specialist, Provost; Dante Jester, program manager climate resilience, Research & Interdisciplinary Initiatives; Elizabeth Duke, program asst, Plant; Karli Honebein, program manager climate literacy, Research and Interdisciplinary Initiatives; Rosa Velasco Quevedo, admission counselor, Admissions; Christopher Macabenta, custodial shift supervisor, Plant; Louisa Diana, director of compliance, Student Financial Services; Natalie Gordon, instructional technologist, Instructional Design and Delivery; Patrick Bech, senior endowment accountant & finance business intelligence analyst, Controller; Spencer Alexander, lead dispatch supervisor, Security; Abigail Bergakker, assoc athletic director, Athletics; Elysa Reichert, manager, Auxiliary Services; Kerri Danowski, asst director, Lifelong Learning; Alyssa Hemingway, enrollment operations specialist II, Admission; Angel Alvarez, director, information security, ITS; Daniel Marx, director, project management, ITS; Gregory Salisbury, Slate system administrator/new software lead, Admission; Kara McGinn, application administrator, ITS; Kareena Byrd, career services manager, Career Center; Katherine Brackmann, assoc director, Career Center; Lacey Smith, enrollment operations specialist II, Admission; Mia Bertagnolli, interim Provost; Nathan Bishop, security officer, Campus Security; Nathan Mannetter, director, enrollment management operations, Admission; Sequoia Camacho, communications officer, Campus Security; Mysti Reneau, sr grants and research compliance officer, Sponsored Research
Goodbyes
Adam Chenoweth, outdoor programs manager, Student Involvement; Brooke Frickleton, career and externship adviser, Professional Development, Law; Christine Byers, director of alumni operations, Alumni Relations; Robert Barnes, custodian, Plant; Stephen May, instructional technologist, Instructional Design and Delivery; Adrian Leiser, asst volleyball coach, Athletics; Alissa Lucas, strategic learning specialist, Student Academic Success; Bridget Dagg, executive asst/office manager, General Counsel; Carrie Holtan, elder law paralegal, Law; Chandler Rogers, lecturer, Philosophy; Charles-Anthony Athanasopoulos, asst professor, Communication Studies; Corinne Sugino, asst professor, Communication Studies; Dana Jacobson, lecturer, Nursing; Daniele Bean, asst women’s basketball coach, Athletics; David Peck, lecturer, Nursing; Enrico Zammarchi, asst professor, Modern Languages and Literature; Eric Pitman, lecturer, Kinesiology and Sport Management; Evan Lauteria, lecturer, Sociology; Haiden Palmer, asst women’s basketball coach/video coordinator, Athletics; Jaishikha Nautiyal, lecturer, Communication Studies; James McKenzie, sr lecturer, Human Physiology; Janeen Steer, co-director, University Ministry; Janet Zhang-Lea, asst professor, Human Physiology; Jessica Brooke, lecturer, Modern Languages and Literature; Joel Stafstrom, lecturer, Biology; Joshua Anthony, lecturer, English; Juandalynn Taylor, visiting asst professor, Law; Karen Franks-Harding, manager, Career Center; Katie Brandi, lecturer, Sociology; Krista Crotty, lecturer, Psychology; Maria Saladino, visiting asst professor, Law; Lisa Bradley, assoc professor, Law; Mary Pat Treuthart, professor, Law; Matt Cremeens, professor, Chemistry; Matthew DeGarmo, lecturer, Sociology; Michele Pajer, senior lecturer, English; Monica Banyi, asst professor, Accounting; Monique De Nysschen, asst professor, Nursing; Nancy Beckham, sr lecturer, Nursing; Phillip Male, production manager, Arts & Sciences; Randall Bennett, professor, Economics; Raymond Reyes, AVP for cultural initiatives, President; Riley Lindsey, annual giving program manager, University Advancement; Robert Olsen, visiting asst professor, Law; Robert Lyons, S.J., assoc professor, Integrated Media; Ronald Prindle, lecturer, Integrated Media; Ryan Merckle, lecturer, Psychology; Sarah Seigel, sr lecturer, Chemistry; Sarah Kersey, lecturer, English; Shawn Washington, asst chief diversity officer, Inclusive Excellence; Steve Pharr, painter, Plant; Steven Schennum, professor, Electrical and Computer Engineering; Teresa Beratto, asst director, Student Financial Services; Theodosia Stavroulaki, asst professor, Law; Brenna Anderson, academic coordinator, Athletics; Colleen Kinney, sr. admissions operation specialist, Admission; Dorothy Veron, asst director, Housing & Residence Life; Grace Davis-Nicholson, external relations/special events manager, Law; Kimberly Vore, sr. assoc athletic director of business operations, Athletics; Kodie Johnson, security officer, Security; Laurie Powers, asst dean of professional development and externships, Law; Mary Anderson, asst women’s rowing coach, Athletics; Mike Rorholm, business manager, Jesuit Community; Nancy Masingale, campus printing & mail services manager, Auxiliary Enterprises; Nora Macrae-Smith, international student adviser, Global Engagement; Rhian Thomas, asst director, Rudolf Fitness Center; Robin Thompson, asst director, Rudolf Fitness Center; Ronald Owens, painter, Plant; Sarah Zalutko, HR specialist, Human Resources; Sydney Rains, program coordinator, Student Affairs; Todd Coleman, lead groundskeeper, Plant; Caitlyn Williams, asst women’s tennis coach, Athletics; Catherine Zeisner, asst professor educational leadership and administration, Education; Elaine Savage, communications officer, Security; Elizabeth Evans, program asst III, Philosophy; Grace Edwards, admission counselor, Admission; Jolein Doughty, program coordinator, Law; Joseph Brickner, security officer, Security; Mark Stickelmeyer, general maintenance, Plant; Megan Rice, counselor, Student Financial Services; Nicole Wheir, asst director, professional development & externships, Law; SR Ross, asst director, UMEC; Sou Lee, asst professor, Sociology; William Barton, program asst III, Music
RIP
Patrick Ferro, professor, Mechanical Engineering; Sacha Kopp, former provost
Anniversaries
35 - David Calhoun, professor, Philosophy; Mark Alfino, professor, Philosophy
30 - Heather Gores, assoc athletic director, Athletics; Mary Beth Charleboix, grad program & collections specialist, Student Accounts; Dan Gehn, director, Rowing/Men’s Crew; Kevin Hekmatpanah, professor, Music; Molly Kretchmar-Hendricks, assoc dean, Arts and Sciences
25 - Carie Weeks, assoc director, Admission; Ann Price, budget & personnel officer, Global Engagement; Robert Gray, golf coach, Athletics; Michael Pringle, professor, English; Tod Marshall, professor, English; Theodore Di Maria, assoc professor, Philosophy; Sara Ganzerli, professor, Civil Engineering
20 - Joe Owens, painter, Plant; Wendy Thompson, director, Tribal Relations; Leif Forrest, multimedia engineer, TES; D.J Gurule, men’s tennis coach, Athletics; Enes Dautovic, equipment repair technician, Plant; Matthew McPherson, professor, Finance; David Fague, senior lecturer, Music; Erick Stubbins, general maintenance, Plant; Stephen Warren, assoc professor, Chemistry; Kevin O’Connor, professor, History; Robert Donnelly, professor, History; John Traynor, professor, Teacher Education; Michael Hazel, professor, Communication and Leadership; Jon Isacoff, professor, Environmental Studies; Lada Kurpis, professor, Marketing
15 - Fernando Ortiz, director of psychological services, Health & Counseling; Samantha Scott, director, Student Accounts; Josh Cox, asst athletic director for development, Athletics; Debbie Wiseman, program asst III, Biology & Chemistry; Annie Voy, assoc professor, Economics; Ryan Herzog, assoc professor, Economics; Steve Conant, sr lab & tech specialist, Human Physiology; Torunn Haaland, professor, Modern Languages and Literature, Ann Ostendorf, professor, History; Cynthia Stavrianos, professor, Political Science; Tailian Chen, professor, Mechanical Engineering; Stacy Taninchev, assoc dean, Arts & Sciences; Kristine Hoover, professor, Organizational Leadership, Shawn Bowers, professor, Computer Science
10 - Genevieve Mann Morris, asst professor, Law; Sara Clarkson, accounts payable lead, Controller; Patricia Nelson, housekeeper, Jesuit Community; Wade Croft, prof tech, HECC; Jennifer DeDonato, program asst III, Special Education; Julia Larsen, office manager, Community Engagement; Michelle Wilson, cheerleading coach, Athletics; Joseph Hirst, security officer, Security; Kevin Kinzer, grotto caretaker, Mission; Jim Simon, director, Sustainability; Peter Hamlin, assoc professor, Music; Mathew Rude, professor, Art; Allan Scruggs, senior lecturer, Chemistry; Raymond Rast, assoc professor, History; Richard Cangelosi, assoc professor, Math; Kate Kearney, assoc professor, Math; Danielle Layne, professor, Philosophy; Tyler Tritten, assoc professor, Philosophy; Emily Clark, professor, Religious Studies; Charlie Pepiton, professor, Theater and Dance; Leslie Stamoolis, assoc professor, Theater and Dance; Kem Gambrell, assoc professor, Leadership Studies; Kevin Measor, senior lecturer, Psychology; Timothy Olsen, assoc professor, Management Information Systems
5 - Alexa Gaske, asst director, Admission; Becky Stockton, asst director, Admission; Deena Gonzalez, sr. university fellow & professor of history, President; Karlene Hoo, dean consultant, Engineering; Matthew Villareal, creative director, basketball recruiting, Athletics; Lauren Hackman-Brooks, director, Mission Formation; Lindsey Spencer, transfer admission counselor, Admission; Yoli Gallardo, dean, Education; Luke Parker, audio supervisor, Woldson Center; McKenzie Hand, academic adviser II, Academic Advising; Aaron Lewis, men’s soccer coach, Athletics; Drew Shimshaw, asst professor, Law; Zachary Padilla, instructional technologist, Instructional Design and Delivery; Lucas Schwind, leadership annual gift officer, University Advancement; Kevin Brown, lecturer, Religious Studies; Charlie Monte, technical director, Theater and Dance; Bryan Pham, S.J., asst professor, Law; Nicole Gustavsen, asst professor, Foley Center; Zeb Klemke, accounts payable & travel services manager, Controller; Krista O’Brien, asst to the athletic director, Athletics; Nick Carlone, strength & conditioning coach, Athletics; Michael Taylor, strength & conditioning coach, Athletics; Natalie Pluskota-Hamberg, women’s tennis coach, Athletics; John Correia, assoc professor, Management Information Systems; Honey Newton, lecturer, Nursing; Martin Schiavenato, assoc professor, Nursing; Trena Redman, lecturer, Nursing; Michele Shaw, professor, Nursing; Shauna Ellefson, lecturer, Nursing; Jake Deckert, lecturer, Human Physiology; Tammy Scholz, jfvp coordinator, MACC Administration; Curtis Garner, professor, Counselor Education; Cassy Dame-Griff, instructional technologist, Instructional Design and Delivery; Wilson Bailey, asst professor, Chemistry; Amy Pistone, assoc professor; Classical Languages; Sarah Powers, sr lecturer, Math; Hays Whitlatch, assoc professor, Math; Greta Turnbull, asst professor, Philosophy; Paul Romanowich, assoc professor, Psychology; Itohan Idumwonyi, asst professor, Religious Studies; Michelle Rogers, staff accountant, Controller; Evan Wells, asst baseball coach, Athletics; Mary Jacobs, housekeeper, Jesuit Community; Ryan Turcott, assoc professor, Kinesiology and Sport Management; Daniel Olivares, asst professor, Computer Science; Daniel Dangca, sr coord for liturgical life, University Ministry; Laura Diaz Martinez, assoc professor, Biology; Corey Knadler, lecturer, Biology; Kyle Shimabuku, assoc professor, Civil Engineering; Angela Bruns, assoc professor, Sociology
A Final Word
its inception. Sandy has designed and laid out every issue since 1999.
Former Sports Information Director, Public Relations Director and Senior Writer and Editor Dale Goodwin thanks readers for allowing him to tell their stories over his 43-year tenure at Gonzaga. The best is yet to come!