Ecstatic for the Zag Experience
When the Spokane sun comes out in spring, so do the hammocks. Chances are, you’ll find Kate Gage (’26) among the crowd.
She hails from Snoqualmie, Washington, just a bit east of Seattle. Getting to the Gonzaga campus is a nice multi-hour ride along Interstate 90 through the mountain pass that shares her hometown’s name. However, leaving home is always hard. Her first year has shown some growing pains, but with summer on the horizon and finals at the forefront, she is so excited for her future here at GU.
In the nine months she’s spent at Gonzaga so far, Gage, a special education major with a minor in leadership studies, has already built a strong foundation with members of the community in a variety of roles on campus.
Even before she set foot on campus, Kate has always been driven by acts of service and the importance of giving back to the community.
"I love to build relationships. I have a passion for becoming friends with people of all backgrounds," said Gage.
Kate has always believed in inclusivity and establishing a strong connection with every member of our community. It was no surprise when she came to campus in the fall that she would be a member of the Gonzaga University Specialized Recreation program.
GUSR is a student-run organization that prioritizes inclusivity and fosters a connection to those with disabilities. Students develop close relationships with adults every week. Whether that be through friendship, games, sports or even theater.
For this academic year, GUSR has continued to grow on campus and has had much more of a business-as-usual year. COVID put a pause on some events, but the last two years have seen many more opportunities returning. One of the events put on hold was the talent show. Thankfully, this is the second year in a row that “GUSR’s Got Talent” has been back. Kate was part of the team working to celebrate the achievements and activities of the adults in the organization.
The year ends with a crescendo on April 30 for Kate and GUSR. It is currently all hands on deck as the GUSR spring production will open the curtain after months of work. “GUSR on the Sand” is the title for this year’s spring play, and excitement for the event is at an all-time high.
When asked about how she felt about the event, Kate simply responded, "I am ecstatic!"
It doesn’t stop there for Kate. Her role in GUSR will change next year, and she will be the club’s new training officer. She just accepted a new role as the Gonzaga Student Body Association Weekday Event Coordinator where she will be putting together events for the students on campus. She also was recently accepted into the Comprehensive Leadership Program. CLP is a multi-year program to develop students to "lead with intention" according to CLP. The program is highly competitive and part of GU’s highly regarded School of Leadership Studies.
It is through programs like these—made possible by the generosity of Gonzaga donors—that Kate has helped integrate into the community and solidly begin her GU journey. She has already established many great connections and has made friends both in and out of the classroom. She’s been described as unbelievably passionate, funny, thoughtful and the kindest person on campus.
It is clear she has a fantastic future ahead of her.