Gonzaga Giving Newsletter, Summer 2015

Summer 2015

GonzagaGiving

SPECIAL HEMMINGSON CENTER EDITION

Opportunity at the cross The John J. Hemmingson Center represents an incredible leap forward for Gonzaga University in fulfilling its mission. It is an imaginative space that reflects GU’s vision of what it means to support students who attend a premier Jesuit university.

Housing twelve essential departments including University Ministry, the Center for Community Action and Service Learning (CCASL), the Center for Global Engagement, and the Gonzaga Student Body Association (GSBA), it was designed and built from the ground up with the purpose of providing space for Gonzaga students to gather together and develop into people who will become leaders in their communities.

Opening in summer 2015, there is a palpable excitement for the Hemmingson Center and the opportunities it will provide. For University Regent Sharon (McDonald) Cade (’76) and her husband Joe Cade (’76), their enthusiasm starts with the cross

that will be displayed in University Ministry’s lobby. The cross will be used for Mass of the Holy Spirit, Commencement Mass and other large services in Saint Aloysius Church and McCarthey Athletic Center.

“It is being designed to represent our community and how we worship,” said University Ministry coordinator, Christian Santa Maria (’10).

Before the Cades were Joe and Sharon, they were Sharon McDonald from Wisconsin and Joe Cade from Seattle—two freshmen at Gonzaga in 1972. If not for a math scholarship that Joe received his sophomore year, he may not have been able to complete his degree at Gonzaga.

“It was one of the things that kept Joe at Gonzaga,” Sharon said, “and that was a very good thing for us.” In fact, receiving that scholarship when he needed it most served as the reason »

SNEAK PEEK

SCHOLARSHIPS

BY THE NUMBERS

Q&A

Exploring Hemmingson

Fulfilling a promise

Inside Gonzaga’s new space

The power of Zag Nation

SPECIAL HEMMINGSON CENTER EDITION

Opportunity at the cross (continued)

» for the Cades’ support over the years. Now, the Hemmingson Center and University Ministry have provided an opportunity for another kind of gift. After supporting scholarships for years, the Cades decided to fund the liturgical cross in University Ministry, which further aligns their passions with their philanthropy.

A Bulldog revival

As underclassmen, the Cades participated in the Search Retreat several times and assumed leadership roles for the retreat their senior year.

The Search Retreats were an important part of their experience at Gonzaga, so giving back through the University Ministry cross resonated with them. “We’ve been tied to University Ministry ever since the time we were there,” said Sharon.

For so many throughout the years, The Bulldog was a place to come together with friends. It was a place for students to unwind after a hard test, for alumni to reminisce about their college days, but most of all, it was a place to come together in community. When The Bulldog announced it would be shuttering its doors in 2011, the thought of its iconic sign disappearing was unacceptable.

A group of Gonzaga graduates, Jim Powers (’79) among them, bought the sign and the copyright to The Bulldog name. It would not be lost, but what was to happen with it had not yet been determined; in the spirit of Father Tony Lehmann, S.J., it was “to be continued.”

Then, the John J. Hemmingson Center came along, and Jim, with his brother Tom Powers (’77), determined it to be the perfect landing place for the sign and namesake. Jim, his wife Gwen, Tom and his wife Cheryl Powers made a generous gift to honor their Gonzaga experience and carve out a spot for the next iteration of The Bulldog.

“We have been blessed with successful careers and part of that means giving back to certain things,” Tom said. “We got a good education at Gonzaga.”

When the Hemmingson Center opens this fall, it also opens a new chapter for The Bulldog.

Inside hangs The Bulldog sign, donated by this original legacy-minded group of alumni. Instead of the corner of Sharp and Hamilton, the sign flanks floor-to-ceiling windows and a terrace overlooking Mulligan Field and the McCarthey Athletic Center.

“For it to reappear in the Hemmingson Center was so appropriate,” Jim said. “We viewed it as being dual purpose. It has that nostalgia and is a draw for alums and embraces the concept of a place to gather.”

Alumni events, impromptu student meetings, conversations between students and professors, game watches, and events like Theology on Tap will find a true, on-campus home. Thanks to the gifts of the Powers families, students will once again be making lifelong memories at The Bulldog.

Experience the reimagined Bulldog this fall, located on the south side of the Hemmingson Center’s second level.

The Cades’ story is just one of the many donor stories at the heart of the Hemmingson Center.

Naming opportunities remain for donors to leave their unique mark on the building. Contact Chris Bingley, associate vice president of University Advancement to learn more – (509) 313-6251 / bingley@gonzaga.edu.

By the numbers HEMMINGSON CENTER

842

The Hemmingson Center is

days

of construction from the demolition of the original COG to the dedication and opening of the Hemmingson Center on October 16, 2015.

100% of all cooling for the building comes from a sustainable geothermal system.

∞

infinite The number of LED light combinations possible to light up the Spokane skyline through the cap of the rotunda.

167,726 square feet in size, including:

4FLOORS 800+ SEATS in multipurpose gathering space

CAMPUS DINING OPTIONS:

12

10

STUDENT DEPARTMENTS

Thanks to the collective generosity of those who donated to make this transformative space possible, the Hemmingson Center is a collaborative enterprise unlike any other in Gonzaga history.

Promise progress At the start of the 2014-15 academic year, President Thayne McCulloh set a goal to fund 500 scholarships.

The Zag Scholarship Promise, as it is called, is a commitment to increase accessibility to Jesuit education. The Gonzaga community responded in unbelievable fashion by funding 592 scholarships through the Zag Scholarship Fund this year.

Kathryn Uppendahl (’15) is one of the many students who benefited from the generous financial support for scholarships. The weather may have been frigid when she took her campus tour as a high school senior, but the warmth of community was more than enough to convince her that GU was the school for her. “It has such a welcoming, spirited community,” she said, “I knew it was the perfect fit for me.”

Uppendahl graduated in May 2015, and will be teaching high school biology in the fall. She is intent on sharing the knowledge she gained at Gonzaga with future generations. “I love teaching. I have wanted to be a teacher for a long time,” she said about her future.

MEET 2014-15 KENNEL CLUB PRESIDENT SARA WENDLAND AND LEARN HOW SHE WON $30,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS FOR THE UNIVERSITY

As a biology and secondary education major she appreciates the unique opportunities afforded to her.

Being able to spend time both student-teaching and doing biology research enhanced her education. “I believe that it will make me a better teacher,” she said, adding, “it certainly helped me grow as a scientist.”

Sara Wendland (’15), entered a video in the NCAA “Let’s Dance” contest and, thanks to the support of Zag nation, won $30,000 to be donated by the NCAA toward Gonzaga University scholarships.

Uppendahl credits donor support for helping her succeed, “Thank you for placing such a high value on education. Without your donations, I would not have been able to have the experiences I did,” she said.

Lindsey Lessing from the athletics department encouraged me. Once I looked into it and realized that part of the prize was scholarship money, I thought this would be a great opportunity for Gonzaga.

Uppendahl’s favorite memory at GU is studying abroad at Gonzaga-in-Florence.

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO ENTER THE CONTEST?

WHAT DID YOUR VIDEO PRODUCTION PROCESS LOOK LIKE? I shot the majority of the video in just a day. Dr. McCulloh, Collin Walker, Father Case and Kyle Nakamine were incredible, agreeing to film the day of – I think that speaks volumes about how supportive and competitive our community is.

HOW DID YOU WORK UP SO MANY VOTES? It was truly a community effort. It was incredible to see Zag Nation come together so quickly. I feel very blessed to attend such a spirited and supportive university.

YOUR VIDEO WON GONZAGA UNIVERSITY $30,000 FOR SCHOLARSHIPS FROM THE NCAA – HOW DOES THAT FEEL? I thought it was really cool that the NCAA held this competition to give back to universities in the form of scholarship money, because it shows they’re investing in education. I am excited that everyone who played a role in the video and voting had a hand in raising this money and that we are going to be able to help students out with one of the most important things money can buy: a Gonzaga education.

Watch Sara’s winning video at gonzaga.edu/letsdance2015.

Snapshot

[Commencement] Gonzaga class of 2015 students celebrate after receiving their diplomas on May 10. Father Greg Boyle, S.J., a Gonzaga alumnus and gang intervention expert, delivered the commencement speech to the 1,132 graduates.

All-Out Zagapalooza This fall brings about Gonzaga’s second all-class reunion, appropriately named “Zagapalooza.”

The first was held three years ago and hosted over 2,000 Zags. Bringing it back this year, Zagapalooza will be October 15-18, 2015. Zags from all graduation years are invited to return to campus for a weekend to remember.

Classmates reunite at the 2012 Zagapalooza.

The reunion will start on Thursday, October 15 with alumni gathering with the community to hear the new vision for Gonzaga’s future. On Friday, part of that future will be realized as the ribbon is cut and the doors are opened to the new John J. Hemmingson Center. Alumni are invited to explore and enjoy this world-class facility that will be a campus game-changer and house a number of student groups, resources and restaurants. To round out the weekend, alumni can attend various campus activities, lectures, and class gatherings. Zagapalooza will come to a close on Sunday with a mass at Saint Aloysius Church.

You don’t want to miss out on the celebration of this unprecedented time to be a Zag! For more information about Zagapalooza 2015, visit zagsonline.org or contact the Alumni Office at (509) 313-5999 / alumni@gonzaga.edu.

UPCOMING EVENTS Classes Begin August 31, 2015

Fall Family Weekend October 9-11, 2015

Join your GU student on campus for a fun-filled weekend of activities for mind, body and spirit.

John J. Hemmingson Center Dedication October 16, 2015

Join us for the ribbon-cutting and opening of the new and innovative center of campus.

Zagapalooza All-Zag Reunion October 15-18, 2015

All classes are invited back to campus for a weekend of celebrating and reminiscing.

Please remember Gonzaga University in your will or estate plan. You are our Heritage. Your Legacy is our future.

Development Office, Gonzaga University, 502 E. Boone Ave., Spokane, WA 99258-0098, (800) 463-6925

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