• From its founding in 1887 by Father Joseph Cataldo, S.J., as a frontier boarding school for boys, Gonzaga University has established its unique identity. Named for the Jesuit Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, the patron of youth, the 120-year-old institution has grown and matured into one of the West's premier regional universities - fiscally conservative and financially strong, fully accredited, and dedicated to excellent teaching and providing a community atmosphere for its students. Gonzaga's educational philosophy is based on the centuries-old model that aims to educate the whole person - mind, body and spirit - an integration of science and art, faith and reason, action and contemplation.

• The state Legislature accorded Gonzaga status as a university in 1912, the same year the School of Law began. The Roaring Twenties, which lent a raucous tone to campus life, were highlighted by the remarkable success of Gonzaga football, and establishment of the School of Business Administration (1921) and the School of Education (1928). The Graduate School was launched in 1931. In the 1930s, new national interest in huge hydroelectric projects sparked a demand for engineers and justified establishment of the School of Engineering in 1934.

• The football program was dropped in 1942 due to declining enrollment as a result of World War II, but not before Gonzaga had sent 23 players on to professional ranks. Enrollment began to swell in the late 1940s, due largely to the G.I. Bill. Women were admitted in 1948. Bing Crosby, one of Gonzaga's most famous alumni, was instrumental in construction of the Crosby Library in 1957, which is now the Crosby Student Center. In 1963, the Gonzaga-in-Florence study-abroad program was initiated. Construction flourished on campus throughout the '60s, with the building of Kennedy Pavilion (now Martin Centre) for athletics, Hughes Hall for sciences, seven student dormitories and the Jesuit House. The School of Professional Studies was established in 1975.

• In the past quarter-century, the University's mission, character and people have generated a groundswell of goodwill, spurring enrollment beyond 6,500 students and powering two major capital campaigns that have created and renovated buildings for academics, student life and residence living, technology, and endowment for student financial aid, mission, the Gonzaga-in-Florence program and faculty enrichment. The most recent $119-million capital campaign entitled Educating People the World Needs Most, The Campaign for GONZAGA UNIVERSITY, was completed in 2005, having raised nearly $145 million.

• While the Gonzaga men's basketball team has gained international notoriety by appearing in the last eight NCAA Tournaments, Gonzaga students at home have provided over 100,000 hours of volunteer service to their community in each of the last three years, working with Spokane-area youth, the needy and the elderly, as well as with others in need throughout the country.

• Founded on the frontier, forged by adversity and blessed by God, Gonzaga remains true to its commitment to make a difference by developing men and women for others.

ACADEMIC PROGRAMS

Gonzaga embodies the intellectual powers of five undergraduate schools offering seven undergraduate degrees in 43 majors. The original College of Arts and Sciences is joined by the School of Business Administration, the School of Education, the School of Engineering and the School of Professional Studies. The University also offers degrees in 26 master's programs, one Ph.D. program, and a Juris Doctor through the School of Law.

The academic heart and strength of Gonzaga's liberal arts tradition lies in its core curriculum, which integrates philosophy, theology, history, mathematics, literature, the natural and social sciences, and extensive writing in students' major disciplines.

In addition, Gonzaga offers programs in preparation for admission to professional schools in dentistry, law, medicine, nursing and veterinary medicine. The University sponsors an Army ROTC program, preparing students to become commissioned officers upon graduation. Gonzaga students may study abroad at Gonzaga-in-Florence, Italy, or at programs in England, France, Spain, Japan, China and Mexico. Biology majors have options for field studies in Australia, Baja-Mexico, British West Indies, Costa Rica and Kenya. While GU students study abroad, the University welcomes to campus international students from more than 40 countries for its English-as-a-Second-Language program in addition to undergraduate and graduate studies.

CAMPUS AND FACILITIES

There are 94 buildings scattered on the lush, grass-covered 131-acre campus, a few of which are worth special distinction. The Jundt Art Center and Museum hosts major art exhibitions. The Foley Center library's Cowles Rare Book Room houses a collection of books up to 500 years old. The Crosby Student Center is home to the public display of memorabilia of Gonzaga alumnus Bing Crosby. Gonzaga offers student housing in 20 residence halls, six apartment complexes and 15 houses. Sodexho Food Services operates a major student dining hall in the COG, plus numerous cafés and snack bars around campus. The Martin Centre is home to Gonzaga's Athletic Department, Physical Education's Service Program and the Kermit Rudolf Fitness Center. The fitness center offers basketball courts, volleyball courts, fitness rooms and racquetball courts. It also offers a wide variety of strength and cardiovascular equipment for the Gonzaga community. The complex has a six-lane, 25-yard swimming pool and an indoor running track. Adjacent to the Martin Centre is the McCarthey Athletic Center, a new 6,000 seat arena to showcase the men's and women's basketball teams and to host special events.


STUDENT SERVICES/ACTIVITIES

Gonzaga offers special student services through the following centers: University Ministry, The Career Center, Counseling and Career Assessment Center, Crosby Student Center, Gonzaga Alumni Mentor Program (GAMP), Housing and Residence Life,Disability Support Services, Health Center, Student Activities, the Center for Community Action and Service Learning (CCASL) and Unity House. Gonzaga Student Body Association (GSBA) sponsors a variety of clubs and activities, including renowned guest speakers, dances, street fairs, boat cruises, and ski days. The newspaper, yearbook and other publications offer students other opportunities to exercise their creativity.

ATHLETICS

Gonzaga offers seven men's and seven women's sports at the top level of intercollegiate athletics, NCAA Division I. Gonzaga has competed in the West Coast Conference in men's sports since 1979, and in women's sports since 1987. Men's sports include basketball, baseball, soccer, golf, tennis, cross country/track and crew. Women's sports include volleyball, basketball, soccer, tennis, cross country/track, crew and golf. GU offers intramural volleyball, flag football, basketball, softball, soccer, racquetball, tennis and ultimate Frisbee. A variety of club sports also are offered, including ice hockey, lacrosse and snowboarding.

ALUMNI

Gonzaga maintains contact with over 34,000 alumni. Notable alumni include the late actor and crooner Bing Crosby; Thomas Foley, former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives; NBA all-time assists and steals record holder John Stockton, formerly of the Utah Jazz; Minnesota Twins owner Carl Pohlad; attorney and world-class mountain climber James Wickwire; Michael Stepovich, the last territorial governor of Alaska (and father-in-law of John Stockton); the late Tony Canadeo, NFL Hall of Fame member and vice president of the Green Bay Packers; Christine Gregoire, first female Washington state attorney general and current governor of Washington state; and the late Spokane attorney and civil rights leader Carl Maxey.

GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

The Board of Trustees is the governing body and establishes general University policy. The Board of Regents advises the Trustees and the University president. The president is the University's chief executive officer. His cabinet helps administer the University's operations.

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY:

Gonzaga is an equal opportunity, affirmative action university. The University does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, sex, national origin, age, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, a physical or mental impairment that limits a major life activity, or any other non-merit factor in the employment, educational programs or activities which it operates. All University policies, practices, and procedures are consistent with Gonzaga's Catholic, Jesuit identity and Mission Statement, and comply with federal and state regulations, including Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

CAMPUS PHONE DIRECTORY