November 2026 | Volume 28 No. 3
Spirit is Gonzaga's monthly newsletter designed to inform faculty, staff, trustees and regents about what’s new and important at the University.
In This Issue
A Spirited Halloween! 🎃👻
From creative costumes to festive office celebrations, Gonzaga employees embraced the Halloween spirit once again. Here's a look at some of the fun from around campus.
The Auxiliary Enterprises team dressed as minions to help lead around the second grade class from St. Aloysius Gonzaga Catholic School.
Justin Marquis (above left), director of Instructional Design and Delivery, and Tina Luerssen (above right), Human Resources partner, decked out in costume for Halloween festivities on campus. Who knew the big bad wolf enjoys cake, too? IDD student workers even joined in on the fun (see spooky ghosts above).
Life is a highway for University Ministry who dressed as characters from "Cars"! From left to right: Rachel Skwira-Brown, Ally Clapp Huff, Candace Williams and Kori Baker.
Zoinks, Scoob! Student Affairs and the Office of Inclusive Excellence teamed up to form the Scooby Doo gang. From left to right: Joan Iva Fawcett, Brittany Copeland, James Pelland, Mary Pelland and Nicholas Wright.
Thanks to all who shared their Halloween spirit!
The Ball Babe Signed: A Piece of History on Display at Foley Library
Left: Babe Ruth and Coach "Clippler" Smith on Gonzaga's campus in 1926 (contrary to the photos label). Right: Rev. Arthur Dussault, S.J., playing for Gonzaga's football team before he became a Jesuit.
By Josh Hogan, University Archivist
This month, 100 years ago, sports royalty visited Spokane and Gonzaga. After the 1926 baseball season, George “Babe” Ruth embarked on a barnstorming tour across the United States, making a stop in Spokane on Nov. 12, 1926. In addition to appearances and events around town and at the Davenport Hotel, the Bambino made time to visit Gonzaga, donning the largest football uniform available and meeting coach Maurice “Clipper” Smith and the 1926 Bulldogs the day before their matchup against local rival Washington State.
During the visit, Babe signed a baseball for Gonzaga football center Art Dussault, later known as the Rev. Arthur Dussault, S.J., and affectionately called “Mr. Gonzaga.” Father Dussault kept the ball for many years in a desk drawer in his campus office. After his death, the Rev. John Whitney, S.J., and fellow Jesuits at Gonzaga gifted the baseball to Dan and Joyce Murphy in recognition of their service to the University, framing it alongside a photograph from Ruth’s visit.
Dan Murphy and his son, Mark, donated the ball to University Archives & Special Collections in late 2025, allowing the library to create a small display commemorating the 100th anniversary of the visit. The exhibit will be on display on the first floor of Foley Library from Nov. 12 through the end of the semester.
Vander Schel Receives Humanities Grant
Associate Professor Kevin Vander Schel has received a $64,952 National Endowment for the Humanities grant to translate and publish key works of Friedrich Schleiermacher, helping expand access to foundational texts that shaped the modern humanities.
Gonzaga Names New Regents
Gonzaga has named several new individuals as members of the Board of Regents for 2026. Read about who they are and what connects them to the University.
Gonzaga Basketball Supports Wildfire Relief
The Spokane wildfires left a lasting impact on this community. Now, Davis Fogle, Braden Huff and Coach Mark Few are helping raise awareness for resources available to families rebuilding after the disaster.
Dessert of the Month: Apple Galette
Photo by Zack Berlat ('11). Recipe from Sally's Baking Addiction.
Ingredients
1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for work surface
1 Tbsp granulated sugar
¼ tsp salt
½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
¼ cup cold water, plus more as needed
Egg Wash
1 large egg
1 Tbsp milk
Filling
3-4 apples, peeled and sliced into ¼-inch slices
¼ cup packed light or dark brown sugar
1 ½ Tbsp all-purpose flour
2 tsp fresh lemon juice
1 tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
Instructions
Step 1 Make the crust: Whisk the flour, sugar and salt together in a medium bowl. Using a pastry cutter or 2 forks, cut in the butter until the mixture resembles coarse pea-sized crumbs. Add the water and stir until the flour is moistened. Add 1-2 tablespoons of water if the dough seems dry. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and, using your hands, work the dough into a ball. Flatten it into a thick disc. Wrap the dough disc in plastic wrap or parchment paper and refrigerate it for at least an hour.
Step 2 As the dough chills, prepare the filling. Mix the apples, brown sugar, flour, lemon juice, cinnamon, and nutmeg together in a large bowl. Cover tightly and let sit in the fridge until the dough is ready. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 3 On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a 12-inch circle, it doesn’t have to be perfect. Transfer the dough to the prepared baking sheet.
Step 4 Arrange the apples (and any juices from the bottom of the bowl) into the center of the dough, leaving a 2-inch border all around them. Gently fold the edges of the dough over the filling, overlapping the dough as necessary. Press gently to seal the edges. Brush the crust edges generously with egg wash and sprinkle sugar.
Step 5 Preheat oven to 400°F. Refrigerate the shaped galette for at least 15-20 minutes as the oven preheats. Bake until the filling is bubbly and the crust is golden brown, about 35-36 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool on the baking sheet for 10 minutes before slicing and serving.
If you try the apple galette or another Dessert of the Month, send a picture!
Around Campus
Nov. 6-7, 7:30 p.m. Gonzaga Theatre presents "Dead Man’s Cell Phone," Sarah Ruhl’s dark comedy about an ordinary woman whose life changes after answering a stranger’s ringing phone | Myrtle Woldson Center
Nov. 10, 11:30 a.m. Hear BECU President and CEO Beverly Anderson share her leadership journey at the Women Lead Fall Luncheon 2026, hosted by Gonzaga’s School of Leadership Studies | Hemmingson Center Ballroom
Nov. 13, 5:30 p.m. Join the Building Restorative Communities Gathering, a two-day event exploring restorative justice through education, dialogue and hands-on practice | Gonzaga University School of Law
Nov. 13, 7:30 p.m. Experience the vibrant blend of mariachi, jazz and Latin music of Mireya Ramos and The Poor Choices | Myrtle Woldson Center
Nov. 16, 4 p.m. Explore what it means to be human in an increasingly technological world at "Being Human in the Digital Age: A Conversation on Magnifica Humanitas" | Cataldo Globe Room
Nov. 16, 6 p.m. Learn about strategies for equitable, climate-resilient water and sanitation systems in communities across the United States for this "Our Common Home" lecture | Hemmingson Auditorium
Nov. 16, 7:30 p.m. The Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra welcomes internationally acclaimed cellist Johannes Moser for an evening of masterworks featuring one of today’s leading classical performers | Myrtle Woldson Center
Nov. 18, 6 p.m. Social media educator and scientist Brett Carter, known online as "Fossil Daddy," shares his experiences in STEM, science communication and LGBTQ+ inclusion | Hemmingson Auditorium
Nov. 19-20, 7 p.m. Catch the "Fall Student Choreography Showcase," featuring original dance works choreographed and performed by students | Myrtle Woldson Center
Nov. 29, 2 p.m. Celebrate the season with "Campana Sobre Campana: Christmas in Mexico!", a festive performance featuring Mexican holiday music and traditions | Myrtle Woldson Center
Noteworthy
New Hires
Adriane Mayda, lecturer-AT, psychology, College of Arts and Sciences; Andrew Lah, visiting assistant professor, School of Law; Grace Lindgren, assistant coach, women's golf, Athletics; Holli Hurst, executive assistant and HR division office manager, Human Resources; Jessica Eliason, lecturer-AT, Biology, College of Arts and Sciences; Joshua Fleck, lecturer-AT, mechanical engineering, School of Engineering & Applied Science; Katherine Trautman, assistant professor, teacher education, School of Education; Kenneth Renner-Singer, lecturer-AT, educational leadership and administration, School of Education; Maria Ruiz-Martinez, assistant professor, teacher education, School of Education; Molly Sperry, assistant professor, nursing, School of Health Sciences; Robert Hsu, lecturer-AT, School of Law; Samantha Durocher, assistant women's rowing coach, Athletics; Sara Pardej, assistant professor, psychology, College of Arts and Sciences; Tyler Smith, assistant professor, sociology, College of Arts and Sciences; Tara Moses, director of budget & financial planning, Finance; Christopher Robertson, electrician, Plant; David Evjen, program manager, UMEC; Elysée Kazadi, assistant director for residential student conduct and conflict resolution, Center for Conduct/Conflict; Emily Larsen, executive assistant to VP, Mission Integration; Immanuel David Rajan Manohar, AI engineer, Institute for Informatics & Applied Technology; Kathryn Hall, assistant director, Law Career Services Office - Externship Program, School of Law; Marie Hauck, program coordinator, First Year Experience, New Student Programs; Angela O'Bleness, lecturer-IR, Special Education, School of Education; Bruce Beerman, lecturer-IR, philosophy, College of Arts and Sciences; Chrysta Cress, lecturer-IR, nursing, School of Health Sciences; Maria Saladino, assistant professor, School of Law; Rachel Winegart, lecturer-IR, nursing, School of Health Sciences
Promotion
Casey McNellis, professor, accounting, School of Business Administration; Christy Andrade, professor, biology, College of Arts and Sciences; Gergely Gidofalvi, professor, chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences; Jason Houston, professor, Modern Languages and Literature; Jennifer Crowder, dean, Student Development; Jeremiah Favara, associate professor, communication studies, College of Arts and Sciences; Jillian LaBelle, senior lecturer-IB, accounting, School of Business Administration; Joan Braune, senior lecturer-AC, philosophy, College of Arts and Sciences; John Tadrous, professor, electrical and computer engineering, School of Engineering & Applied Science; Joseph Johnston, professor, sociology, College of Arts and Sciences; Joshua Schultz, professor, civil engineering, School of Engineering & Applied Science; Katharine Shultis, professor, mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences; Kendall Fisher, associate professor, philosophy, College of Arts and Sciences; Kurtis Bambauer, assistant men's basketball coach, Athletics; Melody Alsaker, professor, mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences; Nicole Moore, professor, physics, College of Arts and Sciences; Richard Cangelosi, professor, mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences; Richard Callahan, professor, religious studies, College of Arts and Sciences; Sarah Arpin, professor, psychology, College of Arts and Sciences; Sean Flynn, equipment manager, Athletics; Sergey Didenko, custodial shift supervisor, Plant; Shan Xiao, associate professor, management information systems, School of Business Administration; Sonya Garza, assistant professor, School of Law; Timothy Guasco, associate professor, Chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences; Timothy Weidel, professor, philosophy, College of Arts and Sciences; Tyler Tritten, professor, philosophy, College of Arts and Sciences; Wilson Bailey, associate professor, chemistry, College of Arts and Sciences
Goodbyes
Amanda Ma, program coordinator, School of Health Sciences; Jane Button, senior budget director, Finance; Kameron Lane, HRIS analyst, Human Resources; Kevin Kinzer, housekeeper, University Ministry; Matthew McPherson, professor, finance, School of Business Administration
Anniversaries
5 Nicole Clute, Sr. leadership annual giving officer, University Advancement; Benjamin Coulter, groundskeeper, Plant; Angel Alvarez, director, Information Security; Britta Arendt, museum registrar/program coordinator, Jundt Museum; Holly Peplinski, creative director, Athletics; Megan Hawley, manager, GU Event Service Team, Auxiliary Enterprises; Gregory Salisbury, Slate systems administrator and new software lead, Enrollment Operations
10 Michelle Smasne, accounts payable lead, Controller's Office; Jeremy Armes, senior graphic designer & developer, Marketing-GEM
15 Adriane Leithauser, senior lecturer-IB, ethics, College of Arts and Sciences; Renae Howat, senior prospect development specialist, University Advancement
20 Nicole Cooney, assistant director, Hogan Entrepreneurial Program, School of Business