Prompt: Spend time reviewing the Gonzaga University website, mission statement, and other welcome materials. In your journal, reflect on the following questions: What did I know
about Gonzaga University – what did I learn? What do I like about what
I am seeing and hearing about it? How do I see myself
fitting in here?
Like all other new employees, I spent ten
hours with Fr. Case and his team learning about Gonzaga, about St. Ignatius and the
Jesuits, about St. Aloysius, and about how to create, foster, and support the
Jesuit method with our students. Entering into this program, I felt pretty
confident that I knew a great deal about Gonzaga- but as a staff member. I challenged
myself to explore the website, take a tour, and watch the video as a student-
to set aside my thoughts as a professional and instead evaluate the information from the perspective of a student.
There is a persistent repetition of empowering students to live their gifts- Gonzaga is committed to developing and
training students in their field and in all of their strengths. Raymond Reyes noted that all Gonzaga graduates possess the "skill of eloquence." What
a beautiful phrase! Eloquence empowers us in our career fields, enables us to persuade others to our cause, and teaches us to effectively articulate, represent, and defend our
thoughts and opinions. Eloquence represents not just the quality of
an education, but the critical skill of sophisticated application. Julie MuCulloh encouraged students to live intentionally, and Michelle Wheatley reminds students that education alone is insufficient- an education must mean something. I approached most of my previous
educational experiences as a check box- a necessary task on the road to adulthood. For the first time ever, I'm engaging in an academic program
because I want to , without having to worry about whether or not it
"makes sense" for me to be here. I realize that is not precisely the
intent of Michelle's words...but I will luxuriate in
my interpretation, regardless.
This campus is so very beautiful. I know the the Plant and Maintenance team exercises an enormous amount of care and stewardship around campus to
keep it so beautiful. Just this morning, walking into my office in College
Hall, I admired the arrangement of plants and flowers around the tree by our door. Plants are an inevitable component of a landscape and often are selected for cost or ease of care. Our landscaping crew carefully
selects and cultivates plants for their beauty, their sustainability, and their overall contribution to the environment in which they flourish. Our grounds crew are
artists.
I see the student chapel daily...talk
about a work of art! Of all the religious spaces on campus, the student chapel
is my favorite. I like how small it is- how intimate and private. I love
that it sits squarely in the middle of our academic and administrative homes,
reminding us that Gonzaga is JESUIT, not just another private education. I was lucky
to speak with Mac McCandless about his efforts to renovate and
restore the chapel. Mac embodies the passion and dedication to work
that Gonzaga offers to teach the students. He's here, living proof,
that this model can work.
I already fit in at Gonzaga. I found a new purpose and a
home here professionally. I anticipate finding new ways to fit in as a graduate
student, to learn new perspectives and hear new voices. I hope my time as a
student is not only personally fulfilling, but contributes to my professional
capabilities as well. I want to make new friends. I want to meet new people. I
want roots to put down in Spokane- strong, deep roots that spread wide. I want
to be strong in my connections here, to give me shelter when other things fall
away. I crave belonging...and I believe Gonzaga will fill part of
that need.
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