Skip Navigation

ZagOn: Gonzaga's COVID-19 Response

Information on booster and testing requirements for the start of the Spring semester. Plus FAQs, dashboard, and more. Visit gonzaga.edu/ZagOn

  • University Navigation University Navigation
  • Search Button
Search Button
s
Close Menu

Gonzaga Home

  • About
  • Academics
  • Admission
  • Student Life
  • Athletics
  • myGU

College & Schools

  • Online Graduate Programs
  • College of Arts & Sciences
  • School of Business Administration
  • School of Education
  • School of Engineering & Applied Science
  • School of Law
  • School of Leadership Studies
  • School of Nursing & Human Physiology

Info For

  • Future Students
  • Current Students
  • Military & Veterans
  • Parents & Families
  • Alumni
  • Faculty & Staff
  • Our Community
  • Basketball Fans
Visit
Apply
Give
Close Menu
Gonzaga University
Gonzaga University
  • Search Button
  • Toggle Menu
News, Events & Stories Menu
  • News
  • Events
  • Stories
  • Publications
  • Galleries
News

News

Close Menu
Events

Events

Close Menu
Stories

Stories

Close Menu
Publications

Publications

Close Menu
Galleries

Galleries

Close Menu
  • Home
  • News, Events & Stories
  • Stories
  • Interdisciplinary Series Michael Larson

Videos with Purpose: Michael Larson ('21)


December 10, 2020
|
Hanley Cahoon ('21)

 

Hometown: Everett, Washington 
Academics: Sociology, Leadership Studies, Solidary & Social Justice 
Extra-curriculars: Videography, Comprehensive Leadership Program, Meals on the Margin, Gonzaga Outdoors 

Michael Larson poses with his video camera

Michael Larson (‘21) is class act, a well-loved student on a path to make the world a better place.  

Michael first visited Gonzaga with his brother and saw campus with friends he had attended leadership camp with the summers prior.  “I was sold on the community in just the way that people interact with one another. The university was small enough to where you would see people and find familiar faces all the time,” Michael said.

“I heard about Gonzaga’s mission statement and just really loved that it focuses on social justice and serving the poor and vulnerable and being agents of change in this world.” 

 

“I heard about Gonzaga’s mission statement and just really loved that it focuses on social justice and serving the poor and vulnerable and being agents of change in this world.” 

Michael came to college with an undeclared major, but knew he wanted to serve and help people. That was clear the summer before starting his freshmen year when he attended the Gonzaga Out of Bounds (GOOB) trip to Montana. While mountain biking with fellow incoming Zags, an elderly white man swerved purposely and shoved Michael in an apparent act of racism. That was the moment when Michael new what his major would be.  

“The only reason that man pushed me was because the color of my skin,” he says.  “I had to switch into a sociology class because I knew I wanted to figure things out for myself.”  

His first sociology class and ignited his passion for “everything from employment, to housing, to all of the different ways black people are disadvantaged in society. These are all things that I'm going to face when I get older,” says Michael. 

Visual Storytelling with Purpose

“I’ve always had a passion for filmmaking,” Michael says, “to make films and capture stories that make people care about certain issues.”  

At Gonzaga, he has found a way to combine his love for filmmaking and discussing important topics. “I always try to make people care enough to do something, to take action.”  

Every year at GU, Michael has produced thought-provoking documentaries on social topics. His first-year project, “Zag Stories” was done in partnership with the multi-cultural education center (now Diversity, Equity, Community Equity). Next was “I Commit,” and a third project addressed masculinity. This year, he is documenting his experience in Chile, partnering with the Center for Global Engagement, capturing his experience before returning due to COVID-19.  

What's his dream? 

“Where I am right now is my dream job,” he says. “I think it's always been to serve others and people that I love and just be making a difference in some small capacity or big capacity.” 

 “There are many ways that Gonzaga can improve, and as students, we have power to make change for the next generation, he says. “So try and find a way to get involved and leave Gonzaga in a better place than when you came.” 

  • Academics
  • Student Life
  • College of Arts & Sciences
  • Sociology
  • Comprehensive Leadership Program

Share Story

Related Stories

Videos with Purpose: Michael Larson ('21)

December 10, 2020

Through Stories, Michael Larson Aims to Change World

March 12, 2018

Students Receive Eva Lassman Research Awards

June 01, 2021

Meals in the Margins: When Service Leads to Relationship

January 12, 2021

Subscribe

Subscribe to Messages from Gonzaga University


First Name
Last Name
Email Address *

Get the latest news sent to you as soon as it is published. While the frequency of these emails varies, you’ll typically receive between two and five emails per week, depending on the time of year.

A monthly newsletter sent from August through June that highlights some of our best news, stories and events.


Back to Top
Visit
Apply
Give
Quick Links
  • Maps & Directions
  • Employment at GU
  • Emergency Information
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility
  • Title IX
  • Consumer Information
  • ZagMail
  • Contact Us
  • Harassment & Discrimination Policy
  • Virtual Tour
  • myGU Intranet
Gonzaga University
502 East Boone Avenue
Spokane, WA 99258-0102
(800) 986.9585
A Jesuit, Catholic, Humanistic University
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube