Thank You,
Father Planning! For the past ten years, Father Planning has served as President of Gonzaga, leading the community with a deep commitment to our Jesuit mission, an inspired vision for the future, an even hand, and a good sense of humor. During his tenure, the school has gone through tremendous growth and changes—both physically to the campus as well as in terms of our curriculum and technology. We have experienced great losses and wonderful triumphs. And through it all, Father Planning has led with compassion and grace. We invited several colleagues, parents, alumni, and past students to reflect on his tenure.
“F
ather Planning is leaving Gonzaga better than he found it. The top of the list of his accomplishments during his decade of service would be the school’s improved financial position. He has been a tireless advocate for Gonzaga in many ways, but the most significant moment of his impact for me, personally, occurred overseas. Father joined the rugby team on trips to Santiago and Barcelona. On the journey to Spain, we traveled to Manresa, the Jesuit order’s cradle city, where Father delivered a beautiful Mass in the historic St. Ignatius chapel. In it, he articulated the mission of Gonzaga: ‘We want our
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students to find moments when they can experience Christ on Eye Street.’ It was a profound and inspiring statement. I had never heard the school’s mission stated so simply and clearly. It caused me to reflect about my own time on Eye Street and how the mission connected with me. Father helped shape Gonzaga into the school it is today and has always stayed true to its core mission. Thank you, Father!” —Paul Sheehy ’81 (P ’15, ’16, and ’18), Gonzaga Board of Trustees “More than a few times, Fr. Planning and I have found ourselves in a hospital room visiting a sick
