October 2025 | Volume 27 No. 2
In This Issue
The Inauguration of President Katia Passerini
Forever Students
U.S. News & World Report
The Annual Benefits Fair
The annual Benefits Fair is taking place Oct. 14-15 in the Hemmingson Ballroom. There are plenty of opportunities to engage with vendors this year like Kinwell, SupportLinc and TIAA. And a special twist – on-site dental cleanings will be available through Jet Dental. Appointments will be limited, so sign up today here. You can find a full list of wellness seminars that will be offered during the fair by going to GU Training and don’t forget to register for your biometric screenings by going to benefits.gonzaga.edu and clicking on ZAGFit Wellness.
100 Years of DeSmet Hall
Gonzaga’s oldest residence hall, the home of DJ DeSmet and the subject of countless stories and memories over the years – DeSmet Hall officially turns 100 this year. Designed by architect Julius Zittel, the four-story, 72-room building broke ground on March 4, 1925, and opened on October 24, just a few weeks after the start of the school year. In the end, the dormitory cost just $160,000 to build. Not too bad, right? Actually, if built today, it would cost about $3 million. Over the decades, DeSmet has been home to rich traditions – from hosting Navy College Training programs during WWII to the legendary Bulldog Bowl against Catherine Monica Hall. Through it all, the all-male dorm remains a fixture of campus, standing tall along Bulldog Alley.
Updating Campus Maps
Does your department display or distribute a campus map — whether in a lobby, office or online?
The latest version of the campus map is now available and we want to make sure the most accurate map is being used across campus.
If your department utilizes a campus map in any way and would like to double check its accuracy, please email skokan@gonzaga.edu. This helps us ensures visitors, students and staff always have the most reliable information.
Thank you for helping us keep Gonzaga’s campus map current and consistent!
Innovation & Collaboration
The Institute for Informatics and Applied Technology opened the doors of its brand new collaborative space in Herak with a little help from President Katia Passerini, Institute Director Jay Yang, Donor and adviser Dave Reisenauer (’82), Trustee John Hemmingson and Gonzaga Board Chair Mike Reilly (’81).The new space is designed for creation and collaboration, bringing together IIAT’s AI engineers, communications team, and student researchers to build innovative AI and informatics-based products. Just next door, the Human AI Collaboratory (HACLab) welcomes faculty and industry partners into an open, flexible hub for experiential learning and innovation in education. Together, these spaces embody Gonzaga’s commitment to responsible technology that serves people, sparks discovery, and advances the common good.
– Amy Hyde, marketing & administrative specialist, Institute for Informatics and Applied Technology
Dessert of the Month: Apple Cider Donuts
It felt fitting to include a very fall dessert in the October edition. If you’re from Spokane or have lived here awhile, I’m sure you know about the famed donuts at Green Bluff that make a delicious appearance every fall. They go fast, so I thought I’d make it a little easier to enjoy a similar cakey, buttery creation from the comfort of your own home.
Adapted from Sally’s Baking Addiction
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups (360ml) apple cider
2 cups (250g) all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
3/4 tsp baking powder
1 tbsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp apple pie spice*
1/4 tsp salt
2 tbsp (28g) unsalted butter, melted
1 large egg, at room temperature
1/2 cup (100g) packed light or dark brown sugar
1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
1/2 cup (120ml) milk
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
Topping
1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
3/4 tsp apple pie spice*
6 tbsp (85g) unsalted butter, melted
Instructions
Step 1 Reduce the apple cider by simmering in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, until you’re left with about 1/2 cup. Start checking at 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, etc. until you have 1/2 cup. If there are any spices or solids on top of your reduced apple cider, leave them. Set aside to cool for 10 minutes.
Step 2 Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray donut pan (or muffin tin, if using) with non-stick spray. Set aside.
Step 3 Whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, apple pie spice, and salt together in a large bowl. Set aside.
Step 4 Whisk the melted butter, egg, brown sugar, granulated sugar, milk, and vanilla extract together. Pour into the dry ingredients, add the reduced apple cider, and whisk everything together until smooth and combined. Batter will be slightly thick.
Step 5 Spoon the batter into the donut pan — for ease, I recommend using a large Ziploc bag. Cut a corner off the bottom of the bag and pipe the batter into each donut cup, filling about halfway. If making muffins, fill each muffin tin about ¾ full.
Step 6 Bake for 10-11 minutes (18-20 minutes if making muffins) or until the edges and tops are lightly browned. To test, poke your finger into the top of the donut. If the donut bounces back, they’re done. Cool for 2 minutes then transfer to a wire rack. Re-grease the pan and bake the remaining donut batter.
Step 7 For the topping, combine the granulated sugar, cinnamon, and apple pie spice together in a medium bowl. Once cool enough to handle, dunk both sides of each donut in the melted butter, then generously in the apple spice topping.
*If you don’t have apple pie spice or can’t find it in stores, you can make your own with 2 tsp of cinnamon, ½ tsp of cardamom, and 1 tsp of nutmeg.
Around Campus
Oct. 10, 7:30 p.m. Witness the bold, dynamic artistry of Complexions Contemporary Ballet featuring highlights from the company’s 30-year history and “For Crying Out Loud,” a new work set to iconic U2 hits like “Where the Streets Have No Name” and “With or Without You” | Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center
Oct. 10 Mary Crosby, the daughter of Bing Crosby, will be in Spokane to witness Mayor Lisa Brown proclaim “Bing’s Day” and designate a portion of W. Sprague Ave. as “Bing Crosby Way”
Oct. 16, 7:30-9 p.m. Attend the Fall Jazz Sampler concert to hear music from a variety of ensembles, combos and singers | Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center
Oct. 18, 7:30 p.m. Experience the debut of Luminia, a new chamber string orchestra featuring Spokane’s top musicians, led by violinist Jason Moody. The evening concludes with a preview screening of “Love, Eleanor” — a short film by GU faculty with a live, original score | Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center
Oct. 21, 6 p.m. Attend a lecture discussing the link between nutrition and fertility by University of Washington’s nutrition clinic dietician Judy Simon | Hemmingson Ballroom
Oct. 22, 6 p.m. Join the Climate Institute for a screening of “Cooked: Survival by Zip Code,” a powerful documentary that explores the deadly 1995 Chicago heat wave and exposes the deep connections between extreme weather, inequality and systemic racism | Hemmingson Auditorium
Oct. 25, 6:30-9 p.m. Hosted by the Gonzaga Lavender Alumni Community and the Lincoln LGBTQ+ Resource Center, “One October Night” will be a masquerade evening of music, intrigue, hearty appetizers and drinks | Hemmingson Auditorium
Noteworthy
New Hires
Delaney From, international student advisor, ISSS; Jacob Russell, security officer, CSPS; Michael De Vitis, benefits and leaves specialist II, Human Resources; Katia Passerini, president, Office of the President; Bethany Fruci, executive assistant and office manager, Office of the President; Marlis Petersen Spawn, business officer, Jesuit Community; Daniel Salazar, HVAC technician, Plant; Robert Turner, program manager, Center for Engineering Design & Entrepreneurship; Tina Luerssen, HR partner, Human Resources; Heidi Getchell, custodian, Plant; Gary Hilton, HVAC technician, Plant; Natalie Martinez, program coordinator, UMEC; Kameron Lane, HR analyst, Human Resources; Amber Blankenship, custodian, Plant; Dana Parsons, program coordinator, Student Media; Darnell Howard, HR coordinator, Human Resources; David Taylor, director of ticket operations, Athletics; Gabriel McDaniel, residence director, Housing and Residence Life; Harold Martin, residence director, Housing and Residence Life; Jason Bromley, simulation operations specialist, School of Health Sciences; Javiera Rojas Nunez, law clinic paralegal, School of Law; Joshua Hogan, university archivist, Foley; Kevin Ward, security officer, CSPS; Kristin Powell, asst. men’s tennis coach, Athletics; Madelyn Gerdes, custodian, Plant; Madiro Kwenda, admission counselor, Admissions; Melanie Kelley, coordinator, Office of a Pedagogy of Hope; Nelia Wood, communications officer, CSPS; Nikelie Windsor, manager of the Dean’s Suite, School of Law; Rachel Skwira-Brown, coordinator I, Mission Integration; Rachel Ayres, program assistant III, School of Business; Rachel Janice Munda, physics lab specialist, College of Arts and Sciences; Rebecca Haley, residence director, Housing and Residence Life; Ryan Wright, asst. baseball coach, Athletics; Scott Anderson, academic advisor II, Center for Student Academic Success; Thomas Feeney, groundskeeper, Plant; Whitney Johnson, program manager, Center for Lifelong Learning; Daniel Pauw, instructional lab manager, College of Arts and Sciences; Jordan Dunn, director of facilities maintenance, engineering, utility services and fleet services, Plant; Karla Ealy-Marroquin, access and accommodations specialist, Center for Student Academic Success
Position Changes/Promotions
Alexa Gaske, asst. director and data analyst, Admissions; Lonni Marlow, data and evaluation analyst, Center for Community Engagement; Bethany Hickey, asst. director of discrimination and harassment prevention, Inclusive Excellence; Dallan Flake, professor, School of Law; Dillon Knapton, custodial lead, Plant; Genevieve Morris, assoc. professor, School of Law; Ismael Teshome, senior director of service management, ITS; Jadyn Ashcroft, CRM analyst, Graduate Enrollment Management; Justyn Thomason, lease security officer, CSPS; Kenlee Guss, strategic learning specialist, Center for Student Academic Success; Luis Inaraja Vera, assoc. professor, School of Law; Mark Voorhees, women’s crew coach, Athletics; Nathan Mannetter, interim vice president, Enrollment Management; Susan Edwards, senior lecturer-IB, School of Health Science; Tyler Como, groundskeeper irrigation specialist, Plant; William Haberman, financial and business support analyst, Auxiliary Enterprises
Goodbyes
Abigail Johansen, program assistant III, Center for Student Academic Success; Alexia Thiede, program assistant III, ITS; Andrea LaPlant, colleague relations director, Human Resources; Andrea Brower, asst. professor of sociology, College of Arts and Sciences; Andrea Lofgren, assessment and accreditation officer, School of Education; Andrew Derrick, women’s crew coach, Athletics; Ann-Scott Ettinger, senior biology lab coordinator, College of Arts and Sciences; Anne-Marie VanRiper, strategic learning specialist, Center for Student Academic Success; Austin Few, director of basketball analytics, Athletics; Barbara Gongyin, coordinator of Native student accomplishments, Tribal Relations; Brianna Burnette, student services onboarding specialist, Graduate Enrollment Management; Bryce Gill, residence director, Housing and Residence Life; Cesar Vargas Rodriguez, assoc. head coach of men’s tennis, Athletics; Charles Monte, technical director of theatre and dance, College of Arts and Sciences; Christina Brumley, lecturer-AT, School of Health Sciences; Colton Fetzer, program coordinator, Office of Sustainability; Debra Fischetti, budget specialist, University Advancement; Eddie Johnson, general maintenance technician, Plant; Elizabeth Barsotti, senior training and development specialist, Mission Engagement; Emily Hunter, residence director, Housing and Residence Life; Gabriela Marquis, program coordinator, Student Affairs; George Critchlow, distinguished visiting professor, School of Law; Grace McElligott, social media specialist, Marketing and Communications; Jeff Borden, dean, School of Leadership Studies; Josephine Orlando, residence director, Housing and Residence Life; Julia Camilucci, asst. women’s rowing coach, Athletics; Julie McCulloh, vice provost, Enrollment Management; Karianna Freeland, CRM analyst, Graduate Enrollment Management; Karina Maciel, asst. director of marketing, Athletics; Lauren Kaiser, program coordinator, Climate Institute; Lauren Hackman-Brooks, director of mission formation, Mission Engagement; Leif Forrest, AV lead, ITS; Matthew Villareal, creative director of basketball recruiting, Athletics; McCall Sarrett, asst. professor of psychology, College of Arts and Sciences; Moira Rogers, director of study abroad, Center for Global Engagement; Myles Anders, operations and research specialist, Career Center; Robert Finn, senior alumni engagement officer, Alumni Relations; Ryan Hooper, groundskeeper, Plant; Sean Winston, asst. baseball coach, Athletics; Sequoia Camacho, security officer, CSPS
Anniversaries
35 Lori Leonard, welcome desk concierge, GUEST
20 Karen Kaiser, curator of education, Jundt Museum; Eric Loran, custodian, Plant
15 Joseph Smith, chief financial officer, President’s Office; Anna Creed, research and instruction librarian, Law Library
10 Steven Karr, video broadcast and production coordinator, Athletics; Olena Kudlaieva, custodian, Plant; Sean Cochrane, network lead, Infrastructure Operations
05 Tanner Chick, systems data analyst, Institutional Research; Ross Button, men’s golf asst. coach, Athletics; Lillian Morrill, event manager, GUEST
*Please note this list includes position changes for June and July. September position changes will be included in the next edition of Spirit.