Faculty enter St. Aloysius church during the procession for the Mass of the Holy Spirit. |
Faculty enter St. Aloysius church during the procession for the Mass of the Holy Spirit. |
November 26, 2025 Dear Gonzaga Community, I was honored to attend Gonzaga’s 138th Mass of the Holy Spirit last week, where Father Robert Lyons, S.J., spoke of the hope and optimism that comes with the beginning of a new school year. He discussed how all of us are working together and supporting each other as we pursue great things. That sense of community support is certainly something I’ve felt and leaned on during my first months on campus. I hope and pray that the excitement of the new school year’s beginning remains as you fall into the familiar rhythms of coursework, lectures, extracurricular activities, and all the remarkable opportunities to enjoy events hosted by our arts organizations, athletic department and cultural clubs. Watching campus come to life these past few weeks has been a beautiful experience and a vivid reminder of how special the Gonzaga community is. My interactions with both our new students and our returning Zags have been exhilarating, and their passion is a bright light guiding us in our work. I found that same passion when I was honored with invitations to speak at Fall Faculty Conference and Staff Assembly. The dedication to our Mission from all corners of campus, and our community’s commitment to discernment and open discussion on the complex issues we face every day, is truly inspiring. An Inauguration Invitation |
November 26, 2025 Dear Gonzaga Community, I was honored to attend Gonzaga’s 138th Mass of the Holy Spirit last week, where Father Robert Lyons, S.J., spoke of the hope and optimism that comes with the beginning of a new school year. He discussed how all of us are working together and supporting each other as we pursue great things. That sense of community support is certainly something I’ve felt and leaned on during my first months on campus. I hope and pray that the excitement of the new school year’s beginning remains as you fall into the familiar rhythms of coursework, lectures, extracurricular activities, and all the remarkable opportunities to enjoy events hosted by our arts organizations, athletic department and cultural clubs. Watching campus come to life these past few weeks has been a beautiful experience and a vivid reminder of how special the Gonzaga community is. My interactions with both our new students and our returning Zags have been exhilarating, and their passion is a bright light guiding us in our work. I found that same passion when I was honored with invitations to speak at Fall Faculty Conference and Staff Assembly. The dedication to our Mission from all corners of campus, and our community’s commitment to discernment and open discussion on the complex issues we face every day, is truly inspiring. An Inauguration Invitation |
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I believe inspiration will be easy to find in the coming days. I want to take this opportunity to once again personally invite all of you to partake in the Inauguration Week activities celebrating our Gonzaga community Sept. 22-26. While the University will remain in normal operation and classes will take place, there are incredible opportunities to come together in community, in prayer, and in conversation. There are events involving Gonzaga’s history, our faculty’s research and global engagement, the exciting plans to animate our Strategic Plan, and our alumni network’s ongoing support as the Zagapalooza weekend arrives Sept. 26-28. I am humbled by the generosity of our benefactors and friends, whose unprecedented financial support uplifts Gonzaga students and programs, and their dedication makes Inauguration Week possible. I’m also excited to introduce all of you to Sister Raffaella Petrini, F.S.E., who will be joining us from Rome to deliver the keynote address at the installation ceremony on Friday, Sept. 26, at 2 p.m. Sister Petrini is the first woman and first non-Cardinal to serve as president of both the Pontifical Commission of the Vatican City State and the Governate of the Vatican City State. She was originally appointed by Pope Francis, and then confirmed to the role by Pope Leo. I first met Sister Petrini when she was awarded an honorary doctorate at my former institution, Seton Hall University, and we soon realized we’d attended the same university in Rome, just one year apart in our studies at Libera Universita Internazionale degli Studi Sociali, or LUISS. We talked about our former professors and the past, but we also talked about the future. You will find her to be incredibly humble, talented, and highly intelligent. We’ve developed a good friendship, one I treasure a lot. When Sister spoke at Seton Hall, she encouraged the students to be “leaders capable of listening, accompanying and guiding,” and “to work for the good of all,” and I know the time she shares with us later this month will resonate with all who believe in Gonzaga’s Mission. Fall is for Families |
I believe inspiration will be easy to find in the coming days. I want to take this opportunity to once again personally invite all of you to partake in the Inauguration Week activities celebrating our Gonzaga community Sept. 22-26. While the University will remain in normal operation and classes will take place, there are incredible opportunities to come together in community, in prayer, and in conversation. There are events involving Gonzaga’s history, our faculty’s research and global engagement, the exciting plans to animate our Strategic Plan, and our alumni network’s ongoing support as the Zagapalooza weekend arrives Sept. 26-28. I am humbled by the generosity of our benefactors and friends, whose unprecedented financial support uplifts Gonzaga students and programs, and their dedication makes Inauguration Week possible. I’m also excited to introduce all of you to Sister Raffaella Petrini, F.S.E., who will be joining us from Rome to deliver the keynote address at the installation ceremony on Friday, Sept. 26, at 2 p.m. Sister Petrini is the first woman and first non-Cardinal to serve as president of both the Pontifical Commission of the Vatican City State and the Governate of the Vatican City State. She was originally appointed by Pope Francis, and then confirmed to the role by Pope Leo. I first met Sister Petrini when she was awarded an honorary doctorate at my former institution, Seton Hall University, and we soon realized we’d attended the same university in Rome, just one year apart in our studies at Libera Universita Internazionale degli Studi Sociali, or LUISS. We talked about our former professors and the past, but we also talked about the future. You will find her to be incredibly humble, talented, and highly intelligent. We’ve developed a good friendship, one I treasure a lot. When Sister spoke at Seton Hall, she encouraged the students to be “leaders capable of listening, accompanying and guiding,” and “to work for the good of all,” and I know the time she shares with us later this month will resonate with all who believe in Gonzaga’s Mission. Fall is for Families |
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Zagapalooza will arrive toward the end of Inauguration Week, and I’m looking forward to meeting our vast Gonzaga family as they return to campus to share in this beautiful season. My first months in Spokane have been full of meeting Zags and friends of the University, and I’m excited for our alumni to share with me their aspirations for this place that was so formative for them. Just a week later, Fall Family Weekend will bring many of our students’ parents and siblings to Spokane. I know that connection to home is so important for our students, whether that home is right here in Spokane, across the United States or abroad for our international community. I look forward to the opportunity to meet more Zags, and of course my first Kraziness in the Kennel. As I continue to settle into this remarkable community, I am grateful for the conversations, insights and inspiration I’ve received from each of you. Together we are building on Gonzaga’s proud traditions and creating new opportunities every day. Please see below for some stories of the great work being done on campus. And thank you for the warmth of your welcome and for all you do to make this University such a special place. With deep gratitude, |
Zagapalooza will arrive toward the end of Inauguration Week, and I’m looking forward to meeting our vast Gonzaga family as they return to campus to share in this beautiful season. My first months in Spokane have been full of meeting Zags and friends of the University, and I’m excited for our alumni to share with me their aspirations for this place that was so formative for them. Just a week later, Fall Family Weekend will bring many of our students’ parents and siblings to Spokane. I know that connection to home is so important for our students, whether that home is right here in Spokane, across the United States or abroad for our international community. I look forward to the opportunity to meet more Zags, and of course my first Kraziness in the Kennel. As I continue to settle into this remarkable community, I am grateful for the conversations, insights and inspiration I’ve received from each of you. Together we are building on Gonzaga’s proud traditions and creating new opportunities every day. Please see below for some stories of the great work being done on campus. And thank you for the warmth of your welcome and for all you do to make this University such a special place. With deep gratitude, |
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Katia Passerini, Ph.D. President, Gonzaga University |
Katia Passerini, Ph.D. President, Gonzaga University |
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Good Works While I am excited to join the incredible opportunities for shared community this fall, I’m also excited by the work being done on campus to live our Mission, expand opportunities for students and deepen our understanding of the world: |
Good Works While I am excited to join the incredible opportunities for shared community this fall, I’m also excited by the work being done on campus to live our Mission, expand opportunities for students and deepen our understanding of the world: |
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| Faculty Focus
Our faculty members are engaging with audiences both inside the classroom and around the world through their work, including recent pieces written by Sarah James in political science and Robin Pickering in public health. |
Faculty Focus
Our faculty members are engaging with audiences both inside the classroom and around the world through their work, including recent pieces written by Sarah James in political science and Robin Pickering in public health. |
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| Reflecting on Research
A School of Engineering and Applied Science student reflected on the value they found in doing a research project as part of their summer. |
Reflecting on Research
A School of Engineering and Applied Science student reflected on the value they found in doing a research project as part of their summer. |
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