For nearly seventeen years, Stacey Avery has been one of University Advancement’s most reliably “connective” people. Spending much of her work time deep in the databases of Gonzaga donors, alumni, families and friends, Stacey ensures everybody has the contacts they need for Advancement outreach.
Born in Spokane, Stacey grew up in Port Orchard, Washington, as the daughter of a banker and a preschool teacher. Her father’s experience with rheumatic fever as a child and health challenges later in life inspired her to pursue a future as a nurse, but a speech communications class in her first year of college after an exchange student lived with her family prompted her to shift gears.
“Intercultural communication and customs fascinated me,” she said, “and I loved the idea of becoming a cultural attaché for a company.”
She studied Spanish, German, and Czech languages over the years, and completed her degree in communications from the University of Washington. Stacey passed down her passion for other cultures to her son Michael, who is currently serving in Poland as part of the United States National Guard (pictured below).
“When most kids were saying, ‘I’m going to be a doctor,’ or ‘I want to be a fireman when I grow up,’ Michael had his mind made up that he was going into the military,” Stacey recalled. “I don’t even have words for how proud I am. Of course, as a mother, it can be hard and scary, but you have to honor what they want to do.”
Stacey beams now when she talks about her son’s journey through basic training and medic school. She expects to see her son again in the fall of 2022. In the meantime, she keeps herself busy helping others.
“I like being able to provide people with what they need to be successful,” said Stacey.
University Advancement is truly honored to have Stacey serving in the role of reporting assistant and is grateful for the sacrifices the Averys endure for us all as a military family.