News Article

Gonzaga University’s Unity House Multicultural Education Center, at E. 709 DeSmet Ave., marks its 10-year anniversary and a decade of service to the GU and Spokane communities Friday, April 20 with an open house from noon-5 p.m.

Unity House was established in 1997 because of hate and bias incidents on campus and was motivated by a student leader who strongly advocated for a positive change. Its purpose is to help Gonzaga develop and expand its commitment to recruit, nurture and retain students, faculty and staff of diverse cultural backgrounds who add to, and can benefit from the distinctive educational and social experience at Gonzaga.

Staff of the Unity House aim to be proactive in developing and preserving an academic and social climate that assures reflective, fair, equitable and just treatment for the general well-being of African-American, Hispanic, Asian and Native American (AHANA) people and all members of the Gonzaga community.

The Center’s director serves as Gonzaga’s director of multicultural education, and is responsible for creating and maintaining a welcoming and nurturing environment where people feel safe, at home, and free to discuss matters of educational and social importance.

Unity House is literally a home away from home for many at Gonzaga. It has a full kitchen, meeting rooms, a computer room, cable TV and plenty of yard space for cookouts. It serves as a regular meeting place for numerous student clubs, support groups, and community organizations. It is a comfortable place to study, to make new friends and to relax.

Unity House is the place to experience harmony through the Gonzaga community’s diversity. Its staff plans and sponsors numerous cultural events throughout the year. Unity House staff also encourage everyone in the GU community to participate in cultural and cross-cultural educational and social learning experiences both on campus and in the greater Spokane area.

The GU community is cordially invited to tour the house and greet the staff. Light refreshments will be served. For more information, contact the Unity House at (509) 323-4108.