News Article

PACCAR Foundation, the philanthropic arm of PACCAR Inc of Bellevue, Wash., has awarded a $100,000 grant to Gonzaga University to help update and equip a laboratory for modern languages. Funds will be used to purchase computer-based, interactive technology and software and to help with renovations.

“In today’s global environment, it is essential that businesses and other organizations are able to communicate and operate in cultures other than our own,” said Rev. Robert J. Spitzer, S.J., president of Gonzaga University. “Because of PACCAR’s many international operations and contacts, we felt this project was a particularly good match with the company’s interests.”

Gonzaga’s Modern Languages department serves some 850 students each year, the majority of whom are majoring in disciplines such as business, engineering, communication arts and education. The updated laboratory will enable students to use interactive tools such as voice recognition technologies, and will enable faculty to create their own materials tailored to the needs of individual students or particular courses.

PACCAR is a global technology leader in the design, manufacture and customer support of high-quality light-, medium- and heavy-duty trucks under the Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF nameplates. It also provides financial services and information technology and distributes truck parts related to its principal business.