Anniversary Activities & Events Presidential Speaker Series Thomas L. Friedman September 4, 2012 Pulitzer prize-winning reporter and author Thomas L. Friedman. Administration building, 1900
Jane Goodall, April 9, 2013 Famed primatologist and conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall. Anniversary Celebration Week September 12 – 20, 2012 Mass of the Holy Spirit, Pilgrimage, Historic First Day and School of Law Centennial Speaker, acclaimed author Scott Turow.
Engineering Club, 1960
Celebrate 125 years with us The 2012-13 academic year marks the 125th anniversary of Gonzaga University and the School of Law Centennial. Gonzaga and Spokane have grown up together and it is a privilege to welcome the community to celebrate this milestone with us.
engineers, scientists, attorneys and community members have earned degrees at Gonzaga. And the people of Spokane have been among Gonzaga’s greatest and longeststanding supporters.
Tradition
Transformation
1881 was a pivotal year for both Gonzaga and Spokane. Father Joseph Cataldo, S.J., founded Gonzaga College that year with $936 in silver dollars. Although small in stature and in chronic poor health, he possessed that fighting Bulldog spirit Gonzaga is known for dedicating his life to missionary work and growing the University. That same year, Spokan Falls (what we now know just as “Spokane”) was incorporated as a city – of about 1,000 residents.
Today, Gonzaga University is a nationally known, private, fouryear university encompassing more than 130 picturesque acres in the heart of Spokane. Gonzaga students annually provide up to 100,000 hours of community service and the University is Spokane’s fifth largest non-governmental employer.
Generations of civic leaders, educators, business owners,
1887 Fr. Cataldo founds Gonzaga University
1905 GU’s first basketball team
Gonzaga and Spokane continue to grow in positive ways. Our commitment began – and continues – right here, in the community we have always been a part of. We look forward to what the next 125 years holds for us all.
1921 The Bulldog becomes the official mascot
Who knew?
40 percent of Gonzaga’s students participate in some type of studyabroad program.
Zagapalooza All-Class Reunion & Fall Family Weekend October 19 – 21, 2012 Come back to campus to re-live the Gonzaga Experience with family and friends, both old and new. National Gonzaga Day TBA, Fall/Winter 2012/13 The entire Spokane Community is invited downtown (location TBA) to cheer on the men’s basketball team and celebrate Gonzaga. Zags nationwide will be gathering to show their pride too!
Legendary rock band Led Zeppelin played one of their first-ever U.S. shows at Gonzaga in 1968….as an opening act!
More than 24 different types of faiths (including Buddhism) are represented on Gonzaga’s campus.
1948
1963
2010
2012
Gonzaga opens its doors to women as full-time students
Gonzaga-in-Florence program begins
Thayne M. McCulloh, D.Phil. becomes the first lay president
Gonzaga celebrates it’s 125th anniversary
Join the celebration at
gonzaga.edu/125