First Annual
Alumni IMPACT REPORT 2017
Alumni, parents and friends, What a year! In 2016-17, with your help, our Gonzaga Alumni Association hosted hundreds of events and provided a variety of services and programs. We exist to keep you well-connected to Gonzaga, informed and invested in our future. Additionally, to keep you connected to each other, your Zag Network serves as a resource for your career and professional development. This publication shares the Alumni Association’s top priorities, and the moments we’ve celebrated together! Our regional chapter program has grown to 50 locations, our career treks have expanded to eight cities and we’ve given over 1,200 alumni scholarships to legacy students.
We’ve Moved!
Gratefully,
Come check out the Alumni Association’s new home in the BARC on the corner of Hamilton and Desmet. Come take a tour, update your information or just say hi! We have some alumni pride give-a-ways that you’ll want to take home. Gonzaga’s Alumni Association is your home away from home when you visit campus. Welcome back!
Kara Hertz ‘01 Director of Engagement & Alumni Association
1101 N Hamilton St Spokane, WA 99202
We’re proud of all we’ve accomplished as a Gonzaga community, but know it’s only because of your support. You’ve hired our graduates, referred incoming students, provided necessary scholarship support and cheered Gonzaga on from every corner of the globe. Thank you, Zag Nation! You are something special. If you’re not already involved, we hope you’ll find a reason to re-connect within the pages ahead.
Alumni AT A GLANCE
Alumni, Current Parents & Friends
Alumni Only
Washington State
27,977
16,796
Spokane
12,063
7,543
Seattle
10,942
6,253
Other
4,972
3,000
Most alumni continue to live in Washington State after they graduate.
50
Active Chapters
16.1%
Alumni Giving Participation
$6,930,631
Dollars raised from undergraduate alumni (June 2016-May 2017)
Total Living Alumni: 59,081 Undergraduate: 23,082 Graduate: 15,175 Undergraduate & Graduate: 2,165
26%
Non-degreed: 3,347 Other: 15,312
5.5% 3.5%
26%
39%
Alumni Survey Results In August 2016, we sent out an electronic survey to Gonzaga University alumni. We appreciated hearing what our alumni had to say about their student experience, the events they love and how we can make their alumni connection with Gonzaga more meaningful.
Stay Connected. Didn’t get a chance to fill out the survey? We’d love to hear from you. Email alumni@gonzaga.edu and tell us what you think!
2,370 Alumni Responded
66%
undergraduate
45%
1%
55%
male
non degree
female
44%
live in state
62%
live 250+ miles from GU within the U.S.
23% graduate
10%
both undergrad & graduate
4%
live out of the U.S.
52%
live out of state
*Representative of those who responded
97%
of respondents rate their decision to attend GU as a GOOD/GREAT decision.
Our alumni are most loyal to: #1 The university in general #2 GU’s Jesuit Catholic tradition and mission #3 GU’s athletics
Our alumni are passionate about: #1 The value of/respect for their degree #2 Scholarships and financial aid to current students #3 GU’s history and tradition
Favorite GU experiences include: #1 Gonzaga-in-Florence/Study Abroad #2 SEARCH retreats #3 Intramural sports
Alums want support in the following areas: #1 Identifying job opportunities for graduates #2 Mentoring students #3 Networking with other alumni
Our alumni were especially impacted by these faculty/staff members: #1 Dan Brajcich #2 Bud Hazel #3 Sue Weitz
Career Trek Cities Connect with Students & Employers in Your City Career treks are opportunities for students and alumni to connect with employers in key metropolitan areas across the country. Students and alumni interact with partner organizations during corporate visits, career fairs and networking socials. Read what one of our students has to say about our recent Trek to Seattle:
Gonzaga’s job search database: www.gonzaga.joinhandshake.com
Spokane
Seattle
Silicon Valley
Portland
Los Angeles
San Francisco
Denver
“During the Seattle Trek I had the awesome opportunity to go on excursions to both Starbucks and Amazon headquarters. It was a wonderful experience visiting such beautiful campuses and meeting so many great Zag employees who were willing to share their perspectives and experiences with us.
New York
I want to sincerely thank each and every one of the employers and Alumni that joined us for the Seattle Trek. Thank you for sharing your stories, the lessons you’ve learned and the wisdom you wish you’d known earlier. The Treks are such an incredible example of the greater Gonzaga community and how much support exists for Zags as we look to find our place in the world. To all the employers and alumni: thank you for taking the time to be with us on the Trek, and hopefully, the investment you’ll continue to make in many of us Zags as your future employees!” Melissa Reid, GU Senior studying Business Administration, Portland, Oregon
2,738 Mentors...
and Counting Mentoring Program: Then & Now
From its beginnings as a set of index cards in a shoebox, to its current online platform that allows students and mentors to import LinkedIn profiles, Gonzaga Alumni Mentoring Program (GAMP) has given thousands of Zags solid career footing. Here is just a sample of the program’s many success stories.
THEN
1993
NOW
2017
10 Volunteers
2017 TOP 5
Employers of GU Grads
2,700+ Mentors Representing:
No.1
GONZAGA
No.2
BOEING
No.3
148 career fields
MICROSOFT
No.4
All 50 states
SACRED HEART MEDICAL CENTER
No.5
13 additional countries
AMAZON
Yusra Hamidani ’16, Mentee Functional Analyst, Boeing
Gonzaga Alumni at the Boeing Company are truly invested in supporting the students of University in their academic and professional careers. At the annual career fairs you find mostly GU alumni recruiting Zags for internship and post graduate opportunities at the company. The alumni at Boeing have supported me prior to my time with the company by mentoring me through GAMP, hosting Treks and providing resources to better prepare me for internships not only at Boeing, but within the industry. In my experience, the Alumni community at the company has been very similar to what students find on campus. During my internship, I was paired with a mentor who was also a graduate from GU. They provided guidance on how I could use the education and values the school had instilled in my professional career. The Gonzaga presence at Boeing is incredible! The Zags here have helped me develop as a stronger leader and supported me in finding opportunities to advance my career. I am thankful for this network and owe my success to the many GU alums at the company. I look forward to contributing as an Alumna to the Gonzaga community at Boeing and back on campus.
“
The Gonzaga presence at Boeing is incredible! The Zags here have helped me develop as a stronger leader and supported me in finding opportunities to advance my career. Yusra Hamidani ‘16
”
Yusra Hamidani '16
Arnie Mondloch ‘84, Mentor SAP Global Partner Alliance Director, One Commercial Partner Team, Microsoft Mentee: Jenelle Sisco ‘17
Arnie Mondloch (’84) won’t hesitate to tell you that as an experienced mentor, he still leans on his GU network for help in taking that next step in his career. He has the Gonzaga community to thank for his landing at Microsoft in 2000, when he ran into an old friend and former fellow trumpet player in the Gonzaga jazz band. The two struck up a conversation when they happened across each other at a golf tournament, and before long, Mondloch was making the move to join his friend at Microsoft, where he has been for 18 years. Mondloch encourages Zags to leverage the vast network of the Gonzaga community.
Arnie Mondloch '84 and Jenelle Sisco '17
“
“I was 16 years into my career, and it was still a Gonzaga connection that landed me at Microsoft,” he said. “People want to help, and no one should be shy about asking for that help.”
”
Visit our website to learn more about mentoring and find a Trek near you: www.gonzaga.edu/GAMP
Where is
Zag Nation? Alaska Anchorage Arizona Phoenix California Bay Area Los Angeles Orange County Sacramento San Diego San Joaquin Valley Colorado Denver Florida Georgia Atlanta
Minnesota Missouri Kansas City St. Louis Montana Billings Butte Bozeman Helena Missoula Nebraska Omaha Nevada Las Vegas Reno New Mexico
Pennsylvania Philadelphia Tennessee Texas Austin Dallas-Fort Worth Houston Utah Salt Lake City Washington Seattle Spokane Tacoma Tri Cities Wenatchee Yakima Washington DC
Hawaii
New York
Idaho Boise North Idaho
North Carolina
Wisconsin
Ohio Cincinnati Kansas City
Wyoming Cheyenne Canada
Oregon Bend Eugene Portland Salem
Italy Florence
Illinois Chicago Iowa Des Moines Massachusetts Boston
Chapters provide a variety of programming including; game watches, networking events, service projects, activity outings and beyond. With over 50 chapters nationwide (and a few across the pond) our alumni chapter program serves as a way to connect members of the Gonzaga family with their alma mater. Chapters are for all Gonzaga alumni, current and former parents and friends of Gonzaga. There are no fees or dues, membership is free! We just want YOU, your ideas, service, fellowship and camaraderie!
Japan
Explore our chapters at: www.gonzaga.edu/chapters
“This community is one that will be with us for life, and it is important to use your networking skills and connections, because you never know what opportunity might open up thanks to your Gonzaga family.� Julie Donovan, '18
» 27
Events
» 7,000+ People
GONZAGADAY CONNECTION / 02.03.18 / #GONZAGADAY
Visit www. gonzagaday.com to view photos and videos from this year’s celebration.
Gonzaga University supporters worldwide united on Saturday, Feb. 3 to celebrate their connection to the University on the sixth annual Gonzaga Day. Fans in McCarthey Athletic Center and at more than 25 chapter events (Spokane to Seattle, Calgary to Tokyo) cheered on the Zags’ basketball teams to victories over Brigham Young as the men won 68-60 in the Kennel and the women beat BYU 84-70 in Provo, Utah. Thousands of Zags around the world gathered to watch the men improve their record to 21-4 in an ESPN/ESPN2 national broadcast. Gonzaga’s women improved their record to 19-4 in another exciting victory.
On Gonzaga Day, alumni were asked to provide career and other advice with current GU students. Alumni shared their words of wisdom.
“Go for what you want. Don’t hold back. Have faith that God will be there when you need Him. You can do anything Gonzaga has taught you how.” Marianne Chambers, ‘90
Events by the Numbers » 146 events
» 17,240 attendees
» 2,100
largest event
(Final Four Pregame) TM
2016-17 was a monumental year for the Gonzaga Alumni Association with the number of programs and events offered to our alumni. We hosted nine WCC pre-game socials on the road, four coaches tip-off events, regional chapter events, class reunions and the annual Alumni Scholarship Benefit. Sheila (McMenamin) McCanta ‘67 dancing the night away at the 1967 class reunion
Pre-game Socials Total Attendees: 780 Wherever the Zags are, GU alumni rally! Our pre-game socials take place when the men’s basketball team is on the road for conference games or tournaments. This year we hosted nine socials around the country before tip-off to show our Zag spirit and connect with alumni and friends in the area.
Seattle Mariners Tickets sold: 1,151 Amount raised for scholarship: $5,795 $5 per ticket went toward the regional scholarship. This is Seattle’s largest annual chapter event. Zags in the Seattle/ Tacoma area gathered to cheer on the Seattle Mariners, support the Seattle regional scholarship and connect with other alums.
More Events Montana Mass Welcome Reception Hosted by the generous Barnard Family Event Attendees: 100 In partnership with GU Admissions, alumni, friends and family and the incoming freshman class in the area came together to celebrate the upcoming academic season as a community through mass.
Welcome New Alumni Total Attendees: 297 Seniors from the graduating class of 2017 visited the BARC to meet the Alumni Association team, register for their chapter and pick up their senior gift from the Gonzaga Alumni Association.
West Coast Conference Tournament Total Attendees: 3,470 Spirituality on Tap Total Attendees:150 Members of the alumni community and Fr. Stephen Hess, SJ, the Alumni Chaplain, gathered in Spokane and Seattle together to talk about the life and spirituality of St. Ignatius and how his works impact us today.
Zags from around the world gathered in Las Vegas to cheer on the Zags at the West Coast Conference Championship Tournament. Alumni and Friends had the opportunity to attend various events throughout the tournament; including six pregame socials (three for women’s basketball and three for men’s basketball), bowling and golf tournaments and a service project.
Welcome Fr. Stephen Hess, Alumni Chaplain! Fr. Stephen Hess, SJ, serves as the alumni chaplain and is eager to work with you as you carry out the Gonzaga mission in your lives. He is committed to strengthening your connection to Gonzaga by assisting you during every season of your lives, especially in spiritual and pastoral ways.
Final Four™ MAKING HISTORY
Fun Facts » 2,100 Kennelfest event attendees » 25% More students inquiries through
the website
» 2 Million Visits to www.gonzaga.edu website during the NCAA Tournament
» 1,600 Championship rally event attendees
» 875 Travel packages purchased » 10 New regional chapter requests » 57 New Alumni Association members since NCAA
Alumni SCHOLARSHIPS
Alumni Scholars
» $2.25 million has be students since the sc » In 2017: It might have been impossible to imagine back in 1984, when Harry and Harriet Leppek first donated a car to the Alumni Scholarship Benefit, just how far their donation and their impact would reach today. What started out as three $300 awards has become over 45 awards totaling more than $160,000 each year. We consider it our privilege to help continue the Gonzaga legacy for future Zags within our alumni community. For 34 years, the Alumni Association has awarded scholarships to over 1,200 students, made possible by donations and money raised at our annual scholarship event. Held on the first Saturday in June, the Alumni Scholarship Benefit (ASB) is an annual event that brings Gonzaga alumni and friends together to celebrate scholarship award recipients and to raise funds for the Alumni Legacy Scholarship.
» 155 students app
» $142,500 was awa » $47,000+ raised » 225 tickets sold
SPONSORSHIP Together, we can bring even more events and opportunities to our alumni and friends!
ship Benefit
een awarded to 1,200
Sponsorship is a great opportunity to partner the Gonzaga brand with your family or company. Get involved with the Zags while they are on the road while promoting your brand to local or nationwide audiences at pre-game socials, networking events, the West Coast Conference championships or Career Treks. Check out our complete list of sponsorship opportunities at: www.gonzaga.edu/sponsorship
cholarship’s inception
Thank you to these current and past Alumni event sponsors:
plied for the scholarship
arded to 45 students
| 350 attendees
www.gonzaga.edu/givenow
Support the Alumni Scholarship
alumni@gonzaga.edu
Interested in hosting an alumni event?
Gonzaga Will Progress to Date
Stevens Center
Zags Give with their Heart and Soul “It’s an opportunity to support growth and help others become their best selves. When we all give back, GU allows students to find their passion.” David Uhl, ’05 scholarship donor
For Gonzaga alumni, giving back comes naturally. Every day, inspired by Gonzaga’s Jesuit values, you impact your communities. Think back to the scholarships you received: for many of you, those scholarships made your Gonzaga experience possible. Ninety-eight percent of our students rely on financial aid. Today’s Zags need you so they too can dream big.
John J. Hemmingson Center
Approximately four out of ten alumni have made a gift to Gonzaga since graduation. For at least the last seven years, Gonzaga has placed third in the West Coast Conference for the percentage of alumni who give back to their alma mater. Scholarships aren’t the only thing that you support. Every student club, classroom resource, servicelearning opportunity and faith-related program relies on your generosity.
Della Strada Jesuit Community
You know that Gonzaga grads go out and set the world on fire; you did so yourself. It takes a community to light that spark. Visit www.gonzaga.edu/give to join us in supporting today’s and tomorrow’s Zags. Volkar Center for Athletic Achievement
284 new
scholarships
40,000 donors Gonzaga Will in Action
343 million
Raised towards new academic programs, faculty positions, facilities, global engagement opportunities, and student scholarships
Facilities » The Stevens Center
» John J. Hemmingson Center » Della Strada Jesuit Community » Volkar Center for Athletic Achievement » And coming soon: » Integrated Science and Engineering Building » Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center
“I want to do work that brings about positive change, and plan to repay your generosity by reinvesting in Gonzaga, too.” Nick Fritchler, ’19 Engineering
We are proud to announce that we have not only met our original goal, but in true Zag fashion we have exceeded it, raising $343 million dollars. This is monumental. This will change the way our institution operates and allows us to do even more to keep our University competitive and thriving. As Zag Alumni, you know that we are never done. We must grow our endowment, providing more scholarship support than ever before. Our Scholarship Promise to our current and future students and their families is one from which we will not waver. We will not compromise. We will deliver on this promise. On behalf of the entire university, thank you. Our will is strong. With your support, it’s even stronger. To learn more about the Gonzaga Will campaign, visit www.gonzagawill.com.
Connect Call us, tweet us, if you want to reach us! P: 509.313.5999 E: alumni@gonzaga.edu @zagalumni
@zagalumni
@gonzagaalumni
Discover more at www.gonzaga.edu/alumni