Fr. Ken Krall, SJ Book Fund

Fr. Ken Krall first arrived at Gonzaga in 1985 and worked within Campus Ministry for 15 years. In the Fall of 2000, Ken moved from Campus Ministry to assume full-time teaching responsibilities as Instructor in the Department of Classical Civilizations, and he taught generations of students Latin and Greek with joy, enthusiasm, and compassion. He also saw students as full people, in keeping with the Jesuit focus on cura personalis, and has performed countless weddings and baptisms for his former students, a true testament to how much of an impact he made on everyone he came into contact with.

As Fr. Krall told the Gonzaga Bulletin, "I do enjoy teaching Latin and I think I can be a good teacher of it, because it really was difficult for me. I have a great deal of empathy for people for whom it just doesn't click." This attitude clearly made an impression upon his students, something that can be seen in the warm memories that his former students share about his classes.

I do enjoy teaching Latin and I think I can be a good teacher of it, because it really was difficult for me. -Fr. Ken Krall
Fr. Ken Krall and Dr. David Oosterhuis in academic regalia at the entrance of St. Aloysius Catholic Church.

Father Krall's Impact

First Impressions of
Fr. Krall

"Father Krall greeted every student by name (having never met us) and introduced himself with a handshake on the first day of Latin 101"

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Fr. Ken Krall wearing a laurel wreath on his head holding a book with his other hand over his heart.

Father Krall's Impact

More Than Just a Teacher

"He was my mentor in helping me to fall in love with Latin... He was my counselor when I needed advice in personal matters, and he is someone I still hold in the highest of esteem"

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Fr. Ken Krall with Dr. Amy Pistone and Dr. David Oosterhuis

Father Krall's Impact

Unlocking a Love of Language

"Those days in his classes were life changing... I realize now that I wouldn’t be doing it if Fr. Krall hadn’t unlocked in me the previously dormant love of language."

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About the Book Fund

In honor of Fr. Krall’s deep commitment to teaching and caring for every student who set foot in his classroom (and countless others who weren’t in a class of his at the time but who needed help with Latin or Greek and were sure to find a warm and helping hand when they asked for help), the Classical Civilizations Department is pleased to create the Fr. Ken Krall, SJ Book Fund to provide Greek and Latin textbooks for any students who are unable to afford them.

How to Request Textbook Assistance

Because Fr. Krall was dedicated to reaching all his students, whether or not they thought they were “good at languages” and regardless of whatever obstacles might be in their way, we honor his many years of service to Gonzaga University by ensuring that money will not be an obstacle to students of Greek and Latin.

Request Funds

Requests for funding from the book fund should be made via email to the Chair of the Classical Civilizations Department at pistone@gonzaga.edu.

Support the Fund

If you are inspired by Fr. Krall's decades of care, please consider making a gift to the Fr. Ken Krall, SJ Book Fund. Every contribution directly ensures that a student has the textbooks they need to thrive.

Please include Fr. Krall in the “In Honor Of” section of the donation form to ensure that your gift goes to the correct location!

Donate to the Book Fund