May 2024 | Vol. 25 #8

In This Issue

A Matt of Many Trades

Matt Bahr's journey in higher education leading to interim dean for Gonzaga's College of Arts and Sciences showcases his commitment to the university's mission. Despite not aiming for leadership, he's taken on various roles, showing adaptability and dedication to Gonzaga's values. A true "jack of all dean trades," his contributions have made a lasting impact.

GU's New Arts and Sciences Dean

 

University of Portland Associate Dean of Scholarship and Creative Engagement Jacqueline Van Hoomissen was selected to serve as the next dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Gonzaga, announced President Thayne McCulloh in April. She will start June 10. 

She served as Biology Department chair for six years before joining the dean’s office in 2019 and became director of Undergraduate Research and faculty research initiatives. 

 

A faculty member at Portland since 2002, she has taught in an array of areas, including neuroscience, public health, school-university partnerships, inclusive excellence and creative writing. An undergraduate biology major at Portland, Van Hoomissen earned a Ph.D. from the University of Georgia in exercise science with concentrations in neuroscience and psychology. She was one of 130 applicants for this job, left open in 2022 when Annmarie Caño returned to teaching.

Faculty Emeritus

Six longtime and esteemed professors are granted faculty emeritus status after a review of nominations submitted: law’s Megan Ballard and Mary Pat Treuthart, businesses’ Randy Bennett, engineering’s Patrick Ferro and Steve Schennum, and integrated media’s Father Bob Lyons, S.J.

Faculty Awards

The following Gonzaga faculty members were honored for their outstanding contributions to teaching and/or scholarship this past year.

Open Category – Liz Addis, Biology

Open Category – Avery Dame-Griff, Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Open Category – Brian Steverson, Business Ethics

Teaching Excellence/Tenured – Christy Andrade, Biology

Teaching Excellence/Tenure Track – Noralis Rodriguez-Coss, Women, Gender and Sexuality

Teaching Excellence/Non-Tenured – Matthew DeGarmo, Sociology and Criminology

Academic Citizenship – Faculty Handbook Committee: Heather Crandall, Communications Studies; Marianne Poxleitner, Biology; Kem Gambrell, Leadership Studies; Joe Gardner, Political Science; Ray Rast, History; Chris Stevens, Entrepreneurship.

Collaborative Work – Jessica Maucione, Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies; Shalon Parker, Art

Professional Contributions/Tenured – Claudio Talarico, Electrical and Computer Engineering

Community Engaged Learning – Joe Johnston, Sociology and Criminology

A Computer Man's Happiness

 

Brett Hendricks might look like a free spirit, but as Gonzaga's computer labs manager, he's a troubleshooter extraordinaire. With 30 years of experience, his job isn't just about fixing computers; it's about taking care of people. From solving mysteries like hidden on/off switches to managing the College's expanding computer network, Brett's seen it all. Yet, what keeps him rooted at Gonzaga isn't just the technology—it's the people, the mission, and his family ties.

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Thirty Years with a Corner View

 

Joanne Shiosaki, the overseer of student media at Gonzaga University for over three decades, shares her journey filled with anecdotes, challenges and triumphs. From navigating budgeting challenges to upholding journalistic integrity, her commitment to student development and diversity shines through.

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Tye McGee is Digging In

 

Tye McGee's retirement plans took an unexpected turn when he was offered the position of groundskeeper supervisor at Gonzaga University after a chance encounter with the Plant Services director. Despite having sold his landscaping business, McGee's passion for hands-on work drew him back into the field, where he now oversees all groundskeeping responsibilities on Gonzaga's 150-acre campus.

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Summer Renovations Focused on Heating, Eating and Bathing

Plant and Construction Services knows this campus community needs to stay warm, eat well and be adequately groomed. These are priorities in its summer construction and renovation planning.

Ken Sammons, associate vice president for the department, lists the following projects high on the “important” list.

• Convert Crosby Center from a steam-heating source to a high efficiency hot water source.
• Finish the conversion of College Hall from a steam-heating source to a high efficiency hot water source. This is the last phase in a multi-year project.
• Replace $100,000 worth of kitchen equipment at Hemmingson Center.
• Replace $400,000 worth of flooring across campus, with an emphasis on bath and shower rooms in three residence halls.
• Upgrade the fire alarm system at the Music Building.
• Reroof all or parts of six campus buildings, including parts of Herak Center, Lamplighter Apartments, the north wing of Catherine- Monica and the Peerless Building.
• Add three offices in the 840 Health Partnership Building to house faculty for the Public Health Initiative.
• Replace pavers from Fr. Art Dussault’s statue on Bulldog Alley west to the newly paved surface south of St. Al’s.
• Install additional electric vehicle charging stations in cooperation with Avista Utilities (summer and fall).

New Employee Onboarding

 

Gonzaga University's Human Resources department is partnering with campus stakeholders to overhaul its new-hire onboarding process. The revamped program, set for launch in June, will provide comprehensive information and foster a sense of community and belonging among new employees.

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Work Value Champions Honored

The last group of Work Value Champions upholds a number of institutional values.

While Ivette Godwin is part of both the schools of Education and Leadership Studies, her reporting and peer structure is in the provost’s office. She has many colleagues seeking her assistance daily. “She delivers with grace, humility and an ever-present calm that is soothing to those around her while taking personal accountability for her roles,” one nominator said. (Cultivating individual and community accountability)

Brian Henning, Philosophy and Environmental Science, Aubree Silva, Sustainability, and Larry Perkins, ITS, live out their care for the Earth while stewarding our University resources. “Henning works tirelessly to support Gonzaga and Spokane in understanding and responding to the challenge of the climate crisis,” a nominator says. “He grounds his work in a firm orientation toward justice and the interconnectedness of life.” Silva leads several sustainability initiatives and important conversations about what we can all do to become more environmentally conscious folks. Perkins’ nominator says during a wireless upgrade last year, the new Wi-Fi access points did not fit on the existing bracket. “Buying new brackets would be expensive and cause delays. Larry modified the 400 metal brackets at home to fit the access points, saving the University considerable time and money.” By the way, Perkins made the original metal brackets as well.

After Kristin Plouffe transferred from Leadership Studies to Lifelong Learning, she graciously continued to help with various key processes, coach and mentor new staff and support Leadership Studies with her historical knowledge. “She sees beyond her own work corner and connects with others so we can all do and be better,” her nominator says.

Celebrating Seniors

 

The MarCom team at Gonzaga University has been spotlighting exceptional seniors throughout the school year, sharing stories of academic excellence, personal growth and dedication to campus life. As the "Covid class" prepares to graduate, these seniors' resilience and achievements inspire the entire community. More inspiring stories can be found on the university's website.

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Staff Assembly's New Leaders

New officers, chairpersons and area representatives have been elected to the Staff Assembly for a two-year term. They will be introduced at the May 30 Open Meeting of the Staff Assembly, 1:30-3:30 p.m. in the Hemmingson Ballroom. Snacks are available at 1:15 p.m.

Officers:

• President: Matt Eastman
• Vice President: Tara McAloon
• Secretary: Alexia Thiede
• Treasurer: Pat Bech

Chairpersons:

• Staff Appreciation: Kori Baker
• Staff Recognition: Alex Giffin
• Bylaws, Recruitment & Elections: Kara McGinn
• Marketing & Communications: Colleen McLean

Area Representatives:

• College/Schools: Tammy Everts
• Enrollment Management: Kerri Danowski
• Mission Integration: Daniel Dangca
• Student Affairs: Rudy Morrow and Victoria Bjordahl
• Finance: Addison Cavanaugh
• UA/Marcom: Marie Romano
• PlantServices: Ryan Mowrey and Riley McCoy
• ITS: Larissa Robinson
• Athletics: Devon Thomas
• Operational Administration: Nick Wood
• Academic Administration: Vicki Hucke

Trust is the Theme

 

Charlie Lassiter, filling in as director of the Gonzaga Humanities Institute, is excited about their upcoming theme for the academic year: trust. The Institute aims to bring together diverse perspectives, from philosophy to art, to tackle pressing issues like AI ethics and mental health narratives in Spokane and beyond.

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Around Campus

» Gonzaga’s 131st Commencement Ceremonies will honor 1,932 students with their degrees: 1,148 undergraduates, 564 master’s candidates, 53 doctoral students and 167 law graduates. The law commencement event is May 11, 9 a.m., the graduate event is May 11, noon, both at the McCarthey Athletic Center. Commencement Mass is May 11, 2:45 p.m., at St. Aloysius Church. Undergraduate commencement is May 12, 9:30 a.m. at the Spokane Memorial Veterans Arena. More information at gonzaga.edu/commencement.

» Biology Professor Nancy Staub was named an American Association for Advancement of Science Fellow for her distinguished contributions to the field of organismal biology, particularly for advances in the knowledge of salamander evolutionary biology.

» Outgoing presidents of the Faculty and Staff assemblies, Marianne Poxleitner and Whitney Franklin, will receive the President’s Award of Distinction, Poxleitner at the undergraduate commencement ceremony and Franklin at the graduate ceremony.

» Gonzaga was recognized with the Military Friendly® Schools silver designation award for its efforts in creating sustainable and meaningful education paths for active duty and veteran students, and their families on their academic journeys.

» As a result of the recent 2024 retirement project, the Benefits office reports a reduction in missing beneficiaries by 81%.  

» The Heart of a Grand Old Town,” a readers’ theatre presentation created by GU history and theatre students based on their original research, will honor the memories of Expo ’74, with performances May 11 at 1 and 3 p.m. in Riverpark Square, and May 16 at 7 p.m. and May 18 at 1 p.m., in the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture. History professors Ray Rast and Veta Schlimgen oversaw the students’ research, and Theatre Arts Associate Professor Leslie Stamoolis orchestrated the students’ scriptwriting and performance.

» Northwest Passages presents author Craig Johnson talking about his latest book in the Longmire Series, “First Frost,” May 28, 7 p.m. in the Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center. Cost is $7. Spokesman Review Editor Rob Curley moderates.

Noteworthy 

New Hires

Claire Fitzgerald, admin asst, University Advancement; Darby Smith, receptionist, Health & Counseling Services; JoAnn Bridges, custodian, Plant; Kara Moraski, program coordinator, Civil & Human Rights, Law; Katelyn Carroll, program asst III, Research and Interdisciplinary Initiatives; Kyle Hoob, asst athletic director/marketing & creative services, Athletics; Mindy Ratcliffe, program asst III, Engineering; Ted Zhang, academic director, Engineering Design & Entrepreneurship

Position Changes/ Promotions

Alyssa Gorman, director, New Student & Family Programs; Brittany Harmon, course design assoc director, Instructional Design & Delivery; Joe Petek, editor/Critical Mention of Whitehead, Arts & Sciences; Luke Cairney, asst dean of Admission, Law; Tiffany Picotte, campus engagement asst director, Community Engagement

Goodbyes

Deborah Ortega, program asst III, Law; Dorothy Greenamyer, program asst III, Business; Michelle Maxwell, asst volleyball coach, Athletics; Pamela Alvarado, director, Payne Leadership Center; Rhi-Ennen Dewey, custodian, Plant; Samantha Rich, communications & marketing coordinator, Community Engagement; Sheri Allenwykes, staff accountant, Athletics

Anniversaries

35 Gina Thomas, asst director/academic budget & personnel, Provost

10 Shanna Dunne, major gifts officer, University Advancement; Russell Wood, HVAV technician, Plant; Scott Economu, instrument maintenance/building resource specialist, Chemistry; Stacy Clinesmith, asst women’s basketball coach, Athletics; Craig Fortier, asst women’s basketball coach, Athletics

5 Larissa Robinson, assoc director digital campus, ITS; Peggy Noble, enterprise application developer II, ITS; Luis Delgado, benefits specialist I, Human Resources; Jaron Fugile, IT tech II, ITS