A Week of Warm Welcomes and Meaningful Connections

As Gonzaga prepares to welcome its 27th president, Katia Passerini, Ph.D., the campus community had the opportunity to meet and engage with her during a weeklong visit in April, filled with introductions, conversations, and shared experiences. Accompanied by her husband, Arturo Pagán, and their son, Diego, President-elect Passerini immersed herself in Gonzaga’s culture, traditions, and spirit through events that reflected the heart of the institution.

During her week on campus, President-elect Passerini joined President McCulloh and Father Gilbert Sunghera, superior of the Della Strada Jesuit Community, for a meeting with the Most Rev. Thomas A. Daly, Bishop of Spokane. She also attended gatherings with University leaders, including a meeting with the Board of Trustees leadership. Alongside her family, she explored Spokane, enjoyed student performances, and connected with various campus communities.

Throughout the week, more than 500 students, faculty, and staff attended welcome receptions in Cataldo Hall and the Hemmingson Center. Each event featured introductions by President McCulloh, remarks from President-elect Passerini, and time for informal conversation, photos, and dialogue. The family also attended Palm Sunday Mass at St. Aloysius Parish, was hosted to two events by the Jesuits of the Della Strada community, participated in the annual Easter Egg Hunt, and joined cherished campus traditions such as Story Slam and the Rukavina Lecture.

Faculty, staff, and students greeted the new president-elect with curiosity, excitement, and heartfelt warmth—offering gifts, questions, and insights that deepened the week’s meaningful exchange. The Passerini-Pagán family expressed sincere gratitude for the hospitality they received. As Dr. Passerini shared in her closing remarks: “We felt like we were at home.”

This visit, building on her time at Gonzaga in January when her presidency was announced, marks a significant milestone in a transition grounded in community, gratitude, and shared purpose. President-elect Passerini will officially assume the presidency in mid-July 2025.