News Article

Gonzaga University will celebrate its annual Fall Family Weekend with a host of activities for parents, students, and families of current students this weekend, Oct. 20-22.

The weekend offers many opportunities for Zags’ parents and family members to experience what their students’ lives are like. Activities include classes, the first play of fall semester, a crew race, art exhibits, a concert , two men’s soccer games, and many intramural and club sport contests on the newly resurfaced (artificial turf) Mulligan Field.

Families are invited to the Jundt Art Museum from 10 a.m-4 p.m., Friday, Oct. 20, to view two exhibits: the Jundt Galleries feature an exhibition of paintings, drawings and prints titled, “Brad Brown: Was, Is,” while the Jundt’s Arcade Gallery features the exhibit, “Architect Ron Tan: Play
and Work.” Both exhibits also are open Saturday, Oct. 21, from 10 a.m- 4 p.m.

At 7 p.m. on Friday (Oct. 20), the nationally acclaimed Gregorian Schola and Gonzaga University Choir will present a one-hour concert of liturgical and secular music in St. Aloysius Church. At 7:30 p.m., Friday, the GU theatre department will premier its fall comedy, “My Three Angels” in Russell Theatre. The play will be staged again Saturday at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

The GU men’s and women’s varsity and novice crews will compete Saturday in their last home regatta of the season, “The Head of the Spokane,” on the Spokane River at 10 a.m. (launch at 9 a.m.; near Felts Field). At 10 a.m. Sunday, the crew teams will compete in the annual “Class Day Races” – alumni and intersquad races in which each boat features a theme costume. A noon barbecue for the student-athletes and their families will follow the Class Day Races on Sunday (near Felts Field).

The GU men’s soccer team will face San Diego at 1 p.m., Friday, and will take on Loyola-Marymount at 1 p.m., Sunday; both games will be at Martin Field (west of Martin Centre). Due to scheduling conflicts, Zag families will be unable to watch the GU men’s basketball team practice and scrimmage this year.

On Friday, families may attend classes with their students. Saturday morning features various lectures from 9 a.m.-noon, including a study abroad presentation, a question-and-answer session and a cyber security lecture. There will also be a repeat of last year’s popular lecture on the Gonzaga Alumni Mentor Program (GAMP) Trek to help parents instruct their students on the road to employment. While adult family members attend these programs Saturday morning, they may drop off young children (ages 3-10) with GU students at Li’l Bulldog Activities at the 1898 Room in the Administration Building at 9 a.m.

Several Masses will be held for families, friends and students. Mass will be held Friday at noon in the University Chapel on the third floor of the Administration Building. On Saturday, GU President Rev. Robert J. Spitzer, S.J., will say Mass at 5 p.m. in the University Chapel. Rev. Spitzer also will preside at two Sunday Masses – at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m., in St. Aloysius Church, while a Gregorian chanted Mass will be held Sunday at 5 p.m in Jesuit House Chapel.

For more information about the schedule of events for Gonzaga’s Fall Family Weekend, visit the “Frequently Asked Questions” Web page at or contact Susie Prusch, at ffw@gonzaga.edu or (509) 323-5571.