ONE News

Gonzaga University once again lands among the 15 percent in this year's Princeton Review "Best Colleges for 2025" rankings, and also moved up in several categories dedicated to academics and student life.

March is a great time of year on Gonzaga's campus. It's warm - spring is starting to peek out from its winter rest and the campus is full of energy (especially when rooting on the Zags!). It's also a time of year when seeds are being planted. Here on campus a different type of seed is just beginning its journey.

An initiative is underway in Northeast Spokane that aims to weave together the region's history, culture, and ecology. The "Finding Our Way" project, a collaboration between Gonzaga University and local organizations, aims to create a rich tapestry of narratives centered around the newly developed Children of the Sun trail - a paved bike/pedestrian trail running parallel to the new US 395 highway.

Gonzaga students Ashley Painter ('26) and Mia Foster ('24) sat down with Samuel McLaughlin ('24) to share about their experiences working with partners and communities of Northeast Spokane.

The "Finding Our Way" project, a collaboration between Gonzaga University and local organizations, aims to create a rich tapestry of narratives centered around the Children of the Sun trail running parallel to the new US 395 highway.

Zag Dining has consistently demonstrated a commitment to supporting the local community. Since 2014, Gonzaga has been a recipient of a $20,000 annual grant from the Sodexo Stop Hunger Foundation's Summer Meals Program, enabling the delivery of over 137,000 meals to children in need in Spokane during the summer months.

This year's Empty Bowls will be held on March 27 from 11 AM to 1 PM in the Globe Ballroom. Admission pays for lunch and an artisan crafted bowl of your choice.

The Center for Community Engagement interviewed Carly Elliot ('23) and Audrey Fero ('23) - two senior nursing students who spent their last semester volunteering at Gonzaga Family Haven - to learn more about why they chose the Haven, their experience there, and how they intend to apply the lessons learned into their care practice.

In our conversation with Natalia Guiterrez of If You Could Save Just One, we sought to understand more about the context around at-risk youth and how her work helps alleviate some of the issues which that arise in these situations.

Check out some highlights from this year's Logan Block Party!

On its website, Manzanita House describes itself as a community nonprofit that provides legal aid to immigrants, in addition to community resources with plans to expand in the future. I had assumed that the focus of the organization was legal aid and took the community resources component as secondary. Pat's answers to my colleague's questions quickly dispels that notion.

The ZoNE Essential Skills program is a six-week career development series that provides unemployed and underemployed women in Northeast Spokane the opportunity to develop their workplace skills and build their professional confidence. This partnership between Gonzaga University and the ZoNE saw tremendous success this year, with 18 women taking part and graduating from the program - the largest number of participants so far!

Held on October 15, the Pumpkin Fest was an opportunity for the Clelland family, Sodexo's ZagDining, Gonzaga's Center for Community Engagement (CCE), and the Family Haven to provide families a space to celebrate the changing of the seasons and enjoy an afternoon of fun. Parents and children had a delightful day at the pumpkin patch enjoying various activities like hayrides, petting farm animals, painting pumpkins, and enjoying delicious treats.

Founded on the Jesuit cornerstone of a faith that does justice, Gonzaga seeks opportunities to care for the community and respond to its most pressing needs.