News Article

Gonzaga University will once again graduate its largest class ever this weekend as 1,839 undergraduate, graduate and law students don caps and gowns May 10-11 for Gonzaga’s 115th commencement exercises. There are approximately 26 more graduates this year than in 2007 when 1,813 degrees were conferred. This marks the sixth consecutive year that the total number of Gonzaga’s graduates has increased.

To be conferred this year are 1,050 bachelor, 605 master, 19 doctoral and 165 law degrees. Last May, Gonzaga conferred 957 bachelor, 660 master, 15 doctoral and 181 law degrees.

ROTC COMMISSIONING will launch the weekend of ceremonies at 5 p.m., Friday, May 9 in Cataldo Hall with a reception to immediately follow the ceremony; guests are welcome. The guest speaker is Brig. Gen. Francis J. Wiercinski, deputy commanding general, U.S. Army, Pacific. For more information call (509) 323-6512 or send an e-mail to hayes@gonzaga.edu.

GONZAGA SCHOOL OF LAW COMMENCEMENT will begin with an academic procession at 9:15 a.m., Saturday, May 10 in the McCarthey Athletic Center; the ceremony begins at 9:30 a.m. The keynote speaker will be 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Mary M. Schroeder, who will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. The Law School also will honor its former Dean John Clute with the DeSmet Medal, Gonzaga’s highest honor. Clute is currently a professor for the Law School, Trustee Emeritus, and former corporation counsel for Boise Cascade. He earned a bachelor’s degree (1960) and a law degree from Gonzaga (1963). The Law School also will honor Don and Va Lena Curran with the Law Medal, awarded to those individuals who have provided exemplary service to the law. Don is a partner in the law firm Delay, Curran, Thompson, Pontarolo and Walker. Don Curran is a University Trustee and Va Lena is a GU Regent; both are advisers, benefactors and graduates of the Law School. Also to be honored at the ceremony is James E. Rogers, the owner and CEO of Sunbelt Communications, and a Law School benefactor. Rogers also will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Gonzaga. A social will follow the ceremony from approximately 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on the Law School lawn.

THE GRADUATE COMMENCEMENT will begin with an academic procession at 4:45 p.m., Saturday, May 10, in the McCarthey Athletic Center; the ceremony starts at 5 p.m. Washington state Supreme Court Justice Debra Stephens will be the keynote speaker and will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. Stephens, a GU law professor and former Appeals Court judge, earned a bachelor’s degree in 1987 from Gonzaga and a law degree from Gonzaga in 1993. Sister Joan Dixon, SNJM, a Holy Names sister, former superintendent of Diocesan Schools, and a longtime professor in the GU School of Education (retired) will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree.

THE UNDERGRADUATE COMMENCEMENT will begin with an academic procession at 9:40 a.m., Sunday, May 11, Mother's Day, in the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena; the ceremony starts at 10 a.m. The keynote speaker will be Rev. Gary Smith, S.J., a former street priest serving the homeless and disadvantaged of Portland, Ore., who most recently worked with Sudanese refugees at the Jesuit Refugee Service in northern Uganda. Rev. Smith, S.J., will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree at the ceremony. Also to be honored at the ceremony will be Harry F. Magnuson, president of HF Magnuson. Gonzaga’s longest-serving Trustee, Magnuson is a generous benefactor and adviser for every facet of the University. Command Sgt. Maj. (Retired) Tom Williams, a longtime member of the U.S. Army, will be honored with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree. Williams served in the Gonzaga ROTC and taught, led and mentored hundreds of military science students. Finally, PACCAR CEO and Chairman Mark C. Pigott will be honored with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from Gonzaga. Pigott has been a generous benefactor of Gonzaga.

BACCALAUREATE MASSES will be held as follows: School of Law, 5:30 p.m., Friday, May 9, in St. Aloysius Church, to be celebrated by Rev. Rick Ganz, S.J. , director of University Ministry at Gonzaga; Graduate/Undergraduate, 1:30 p.m., Saturday, May 10, in the McCarthey Athletic Center; doors open at 12:15 p.m.; the principal celebrant will be the Most. Rev. William S. Skylstad, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Spokane.

A schedule of important dates and a frequently asked questions section for graduates can be found online. For more information contact Susie Prusch via e-mail or at (509) 323-5571.