Three generations or so before Whitney Franklin (M.A. ’22) came to Gonzaga University to manage events and strategic initiatives for University Advancement, her grandfather’s father was training horses for the Queen of England. A wild hair inspired him to head for the United States to become a cowboy.
“With wagons along the Lewis and Clark trail, they set up a homestead right on the Missouri River,” she explained, adding, “My mom grew up there in a one-bedroom house.”
Her early family’s “Little House on the Prairie” aesthetic is a far cry from the sophisticated and exceptionally elegant events she has designed and directed here at Gonzaga. She’s been the lead on countless dedications, parties, showcases, award ceremonies, galas, launches, groundbreakings, grand openings, and stewardship outreaches since 2007 when she joined the University Advancement team and credits her success to the trusting relationships she has forged with both on- and off-campus partners.
Before Gonzaga, Franklin cut her teeth working wedding seasons in event planning. Prior to that, she was earning her degree in business administration with a concentration in marketing at Seattle Pacific University. She grew up in Spokane, attending Mt. Spokane High School, where she and her husband Travis met and started dating. Franklin was the captain of the cheer/dance team and active in student government as a student.
She carried over her leadership talents into her time at Gonzaga. Sometimes, that has meant diving into odd situations and using her amazing creative problem-solving skills to save the day. From how to properly dispose of leftover holy water after a blessing to special coatings that can be applied to bronze statues to prevent excessive shine and more, Franklin says she’s learned a lot in her 15 years here.
“It’s been quite a journey,” she said with a smile, recalling, “like when Bing Crosby’s widow Katherine came to the first Ignatian Gala and I had to improvise an emergency spotlight for the show and piano for a dressing room—luckily, by the grace of God, a colleague had a keyboard in her car.”
Franklin committed herself to learning and growth beyond lessons learned on the job, too. In 2022, she completed her master’s degree in organizational leadership from Gonzaga’s School of Leadership Studies (picture below)—the same program her husband completed in 2013. And she did it all while working full time, managing a household with two small children and serving as staff assembly president.
“In events, I’ve always enjoyed being behind the curtain,” she admitted, “and staff assembly has brought me out front in a very new way.” Franklin added, “There is so much good here, at Gonzaga, and I believe we can be even better. We’re all here because we care about this place and want to have an impact for others,” which is something she intends to continue doing in her current role as director of strategic initiatives and helping to plan Gonzaga’s next campaign.
Whitney with her husband Travis, son Rowan, and daughter Kennadie