History of Gonzaga Presidents

Black and white photo of the historic Gonzaga University Administration Building, also known as College Hall, circa 1898.
Black and white photo of the historic Gonzaga University Administration Building, also known as College Hall, circa 1898.

A Chronology of Leadership:
Gonzaga University Presidents (1886-Present)

  1. Rev. James Rebmann, S.J., 1886-1890*
  2. Rev. Charles Mackin, S.J., 1890-1891
  3. Rev. John B. Rene, S.J., 1891-1893
  4. Rev. Leopold Van Gorp, S.J., 1893-1894
  5. Rev. Lawrence Palladino, S.J., 1894-1896
  6. Rev. James Rebmann, S.J., 1896-1899*
  7. Rev. George de la Motte, S.J., 1899-1901
  8. Rev. Raphael Crimont, S.J., 1901-1904
  9. Rev. Francis Dillon, S.J., 1904-1905
  10. Rev. Herman Goller, S.J., 1905-1909
  11. Rev. Louis Taelman, S.J., 1909-1913
  12. Rev. James Brogan, S.J., 1913-1920
  13. Rev. John McHugh, S.J., 1920-1921
  14. Rev. Walter Fitzgerald, S.J., 1921-1927
  15. Rev. Daniel Reidy, S.J., 1927-1930
  16. Rev. John Keep, S.J., 1930-1934
  17. Rev. Leo Robinson, S.J., 1934-1942
  18. Rev. Francis Altman, S.J., 1942-1945
  19. Rev. Francis Corkery, S.J., 1945-1957
  20. Rev. Edmund Morton, S.J., 1957-1961
  21. Rev. John P. Leary, S.J., 1961-1969
  22. Rev. Richard E. Twohy, S.J., 1969-1974
  23. Rev. Bernard J. Coughlin, S.J., 1974-1996
  24. Rev. Edward Glynn, S.J., 1996-1997
  25. Rev. Robert J. Spitzer, S.J., 1998-2009
  26. Thayne M. McCulloh, 2010-2025
  27. Katia Passerini, 2025-Present

* Fr. Rebmann served as the University's first and sixth president.

Acting President of the University

  • Harry H. Sladich, 1991
  • Harry H. Sladich, 1997-98

Interim President of the University

  • Thayne M. McCulloh, 2009-2010