THE WALL | ignatian spirit award
GERRI WITH IZZIE CARTER- VINCENT (’13), A STUDENT SHE SUPPORTED THROUGH THE COLLEGE SUCCESS FOUNDATION
Gerri C raves THE JESUIT DIFFERENCE, AND NEVER GOING IN REVERSE
In April, Gonzaga honored Gerri Craves and her late husband, Bob, with the Ignatian Spirit Award, for their lifelong dedication to service of others through education. Here, we learn more about what drives this woman of compassion and vision.
THE MAGAZINE OF GONZAGA UNIVERSITY
BY KATE VANSKIKE
12
You have often said, “I’m here to serve God … and my Jesuits.” When did your deep connection to the Jesuits begin? I was in a foster home. There were three of us and I was the only girl. Father P.J. Carroll was the uncle of the Murphy family where I lived, and “Uncle Joe” always thought he (Fr. Carroll) should have an extra arm for me since I didn’t have a dad. That began my love affair with the Jesuits. What happened when you left that environment? I went to college, and I worked to put myself through nursing school. I loved to travel, so I saved money to take occasional trips to Europe. Then I met Bob on a blind date.
After nursing, then working with Bob in the development of Costco, you found your niche in education. Tell us about that. My daughter had an opportunity to go to Seattle Prep, and that was really my next window back into the work of the Jesuits. They asked me to serve on the school board, then to chair the capital campaign. I guess word travels quickly in Jesuit circles, as then I was asked to become a Regent at Gonzaga. I did not know this school, but Father Paul Fitterer showed me around and I loved the people and the community. Two years later I was asked to join the Board of Trustees. That was 16 years ago.