STUDENT DEVELOPMENT
EXPERIENCE GU
www.gonzaga.edu/student-development THE PROGRAM
THE PASSION
The Division of Student Development at GU helps cultivate the intellectual, ethical, social, physical, and spiritual elements of one’s personality. More than 100 extracurricular clubs and organizations invite students’ participation. Academic clubs provide challenging opportunities for students to apply what they learn in the classroom to the real world. Interest groups help students develop leadership skills, while allowing them to organize events and activities for causes they believe are important. Sports clubs offer friendly competition and opportunities for staying physically active. Peer support groups ensure that students always have a time and place to reflect upon personal issues and concerns. This array of activities contributes to Gonzaga’s strong sense of community by providing many opportunities to meet friends outside of the classroom.
Many universities educate people to be proficient in a chosen field. Although classroom learning and professional training are important, Gonzaga University believes there is much more to education. The Division of Student Development champions the holistic learning of the Jesuit tradition embodied here at Gonzaga—an education of mind, body, and spirit.
Gonzaga believes that education takes place both in the classroom and in life outside it. A complete Gonzaga education may include a variety of vibrant experiences: times of prayer and reflection during a University Ministry retreat, the memorable performance of a theatre production, the joy of making music with the University Chorale, the rewards of giving back to a community through service, and the thrill of a game-winning 3-pointer at the buzzer.
STUDENT GOVERNMENT Gonzaga’s Student Body Association (GSBA) is the engine that drives campus life. By participating in GSBA, students develop experience in running campus-wide campaigns and representing their peers in government positions, while designing new and exciting
ways to enhance Gonzaga’s lively atmosphere. GSBA and the Gonzaga Activities Board (GAB) sponsor countless on-campus events, including GU’s annual Spring Bling celebration and numerous concerts and dances. By inviting engaging guest speakers to campus and chartering diverse clubs and organizations, GSBA often leads the student body in tackling current issues that matter to students. GSBA also has a voice in the overall operation of the University. You can find out more about GSBA at gogsba.org.
UNIVERSITY MINISTRY GU’s University Ministry department offers a variety of resources to help students develop in faith. Retreats, small groups, worship and liturgy, Bible study, programs, faith and justice initiatives, one-on-one mentoring, and other ministries attract hundreds of participants each year. Open to people of all faiths, these events and offerings allow students to ask big and meaningful questions, nurture relationships, reflect on their lives, share thoughts and beliefs, and build community in a welcoming and comfortable environment. University Ministry retreats take place regularly each academic year throughout Spokane and
northern Idaho. For example, the Freshmen Retreat runs five times a year at Silver Lake Camp in Medical Lake, Washington. The Montserrat Retreat occurs four times a year at the Immaculate Heart Retreat Center in south Spokane. The annual Pilgrimage, a scenic 11mile hike, concludes at the historic Old Mission in Cataldo, Idaho. The Cardoner Retreat is hosted multiple times each year in Wallace, Idaho. And the Search retreat, Gonzaga’s longest-running retreat program, takes place four times a year at the Bozarth Mansion and Retreat Center, an historic estate in north Spokane, which is owned by the university. Other ministries occur on or near campus. University Ministry’s largest ongoing initiative, the Christian Life Communities (CLC) program, is an Ignatian small groups program with a long history at Jesuit universities. Thirst is a weekly praise and worship group that meets in the Globe Room of Cataldo Hall. Student Masses take place regularly in the University Chapel (on the 3rd floor of College Hall). FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) is another dynamic group. Community partners, such as Young Life, also meet frequently on campus. Whether students are looking to meet new people, share meaningful conversation, learn more about Ignatian spirituality and contemplative prayer, go deeper into Scripture, experience authentic community worship, discover their vocation, take time out from busy campus life, or simply relax, University Ministry can help provide that unique experience. Stop by the office in Crosby or visit facebook.com/umingu to find out more about University Ministry at Gonzaga!