Mystery Zag: Jane Rinehart

Readers respond with memories of the "Mystery Zag" from the Winter 2026 issue of Gonzaga Magazine

Jane Rinehart, Professor Emerita of Sociology, 1974-2015

She was a trailblazer, pure and simple. Professor Rinehart laid the foundation for the development of what would become the Women’s and Gender Studies Program. Throughout her distinguished teaching career she was a social justice advocate, encouraging Gonzaga to deal openly with gender equality and other social rights issues. A student favorite, she was among GU’s most influential faculty members. Rinehart encouraged her students to listen well and do the right thing, which she emulated.

Rinehart, 80, lives in Portland, Oregon.

Readers' Responses

"Jane Rinehart is the mystery Zag. I was the first babysitter for Jane and Richard’s two children shortly after they moved here from Long Island, so Richard could teach in the theology department. Jane asked Richard: “What do you know about her?” His reply: “She’s from Yakima, Washington! How bad can she be!?”
- Sharon Fischer ('75)
Spokane

"Absolute legend, Dr. Jane Rinehart! I loved all of her classes and she was a true inspiration: both thoughtful and thought-provoking. A powerhouse of wisdom!"
- Zoey Mdalel (^10)
San Francisco

"Loved Professor Rinehart! I took my first gender studies class with her. Incredibly impactful."
- Carli Schiffner ('96)
Olympia, Washington.

"The one and only Dr. Rinehart! I was fortunate enough to have several classes with Dr. Rinehart as well as have her as an adviser. She was an exceptionally formative part of my university education."
- Stephanie Jamison ('99)
Spokane

"The most amazing woman and professor in my time at Gonzaga. Jane Rinehart taught lessons that went well beyond the classroom that I am teaching my daughter today."
- Michelle K. Proulx-Schuette ('96)
San Jose, California.

Dr. Rinehart is the reason I became a sociology professor at Gonzaga. Her introduction to sociology had me more excited about a class than I’d ever been. I quickly declared it as my major and asked her to be my adviser. I’ll never forget when she told me I had enough credits available that I could take classes that sounded interesting to me. Ended up with an English minor thanks to her.
- Katie Eubank ('04)
Sammamish, Washington.

One of the greats! She encouraged vibrant discussion that moved text out of the classroom into tangible social settings. I was struck by her willingness to challenge what we thought were the “right” answers to a discussion topic, illustrating the bias in our conclusions. The exercises in her classroom ensured students left having honed their critical thinking skills and trained empathy in every interaction. What a blessing it was to have been her student. She was one of the reasons I went on to shift my major to sociology.
- Aliya Quidwai ('07)
Omak, Washington

Jane Rinehart! My absolute favorite professor at Gonzaga and a huge reason I chose to major in sociology, and ultimately why I’m a therapist today. She had this gentle way of allowing so much freedom to think and feel while still completely captivating our attention. We knew we were experiencing something important. We weren’t just learning from a syllabus – we were learning about ourselves, about one another, about love and injustice and how we’re all trying our best to do this life together. We were growing up. I grew up in her classroom. I ran into Prof. Rinehart maybe 10 years after graduation (actually I drove my minivan right past her and totally stopped, jumped out, and interrupted her walk to give her a big hug). The fact that she remembered me and took the time to reminisce meant everything.
- Julia Ruiz Hoffman ('02)
Dallas

Dr. Rinehart is the reason I majored in sociology. She not only taught me about the academic lens of sociology, but also the personal and how it influences your views on family. I will never forget her story about her stance on consumerism and compared it to the need to "fit in" for her child, and how it is a balance. I think about her words of wisdom daily
- Cerra Sand ('02)
Everett, Washington.

Jane Rinehart. One of my favorite professors at Gonzaga.
- Michael Gray ('11)
Tacoma, Washington.

I took classes from her that changed the course of my time at Gonzaga and landed me with a sociology degree! I'll never forget taking "Gender, Difference & Power" as an 18-year-old freshman. An incredible impact on students in her decades as a professor.
- Ellie Takemura ('16)
Bellingham, Washington.

Professor Rinehart! Her classes had some of the best discussions during my time at Gonzaga. She truly cared about what her students thought and would ask thoughtprovoking questions. I learned so much from her. I look fondly back on my time in her classes.
- Melody Crick Peters ('01)
University Place, Washington.