Three Engagements, One Department!

Meet the Gonzaga HR colleagues who are all engaged at the same time – each with their own sweet, funny and heartfelt love story, from snowy Valentine’s dates to living-room proposals.

Kameron Lane, HR analyst, is engaged to Kathryn Watson. They’ve been together for a little over a year.

KL: I spent most of my days working at Indaba Coffee downtown. On my walk there, I passed the large glass windows of her workplace and often saw her at the front desk. For a couple of months, we smiled and waved at each other almost every day without ever exchanging names. One day she came into the coffee shop, and on my way out I finally introduced myself. A few weeks later, I asked her to dinner downtown on a Friday night, which happened to be Valentine’s Day, completely unplanned. It was snowing. I was late because I had driven up to the South Hill to buy flowers and write a poem for her in a card. I rushed back down, embarrassed but holding flowers. She looked beautiful. We ate, laughed, talked, and ended the night sitting in my car listening to music. We haven’t really left each other’s side since.

What do you love most about your significant other?

KL: Her confidence in who she is and the humility she carries it with. She brings light into rooms and peace and clarity into my life. She’s creative, thoughtful, and has real depth. She makes ordinary moments feel slower and more human. Being known by her feels like rest. She loves people deeply and treats everyone she encounters with genuine kindness.

How did you propose?

KL: I proposed in the living room of my home. It was quiet and intentional, just the two of us.

Rachel Maddox, benefits and leave specialist II, is engaged to Eric Peluso. They’ve been together since May 2025.

How did you meet?

RM: We grew up together in the same small town, Medical Lake, Wash. I was already really comfortable with him from the beginning. Having that in common made the relationship safer than meeting a complete stranger. We are both divorced with kids, and after things settled down regarding that, we started posting more about our lives on Facebook. He friended me in November 2024, and I immediately noticed his posts more and more, “liking” or “loving” them. He did the same with me. We started noticing each other more and more. I kept thinking, “He has to reach out to me at some point. I’ve been liking his posts for months!” And then one day, he reached out to me over Messenger, and it took off from there. We both did not want to just date. We didn’t have time for that because of our kids. We had to really test whether this was it or not. So, we challenged ourselves and got all the important stuff out of the way pretty early on. Our kids then met, and we decided to join forces and give our kids the summer of a lifetime. I had a camper trailer, and he had a boat, so all summer long we just made the most of it. As summer was nearing its end, we had to make a decision about our future quickly because of school arrangements with our kids, so we pulled the trigger, and he and his kids moved into my house. We would definitely say that was the biggest step (more so than marriage) in deciding on long-term goals together. After a couple of months all under the same roof (blended family of 5 kids and 5 pets), he proposed!

What do you love most about your significant other?

RM: He is truly a provider, and he motivates me to be the best I can be. That trait spills into our kids as well. He can’t sit until everyone has what they need. And even then, he is still moving and acting to improve our lives every minute of every day. His attitude towards life is something I admire greatly.

We have the best time together. He is truly my best friend and always makes me laugh. Even in our most challenging times, we come together and manage to make it out laughing and even closer. I tell him, “The English language only has one word to express love: ‘Love.’ But it’s not a strong enough word to describe how I feel.”

He is super compassionate – all he wants to do is make the people he loves happy.

Also, and most importantly, even though he does not drink coffee, he has brought me coffee in bed every morning since we’ve been together. And he continues to make sure I have my coffee waiting for me on my bedside table.

How did he propose?

RM: I knew he had a ring, but I didn’t know how long he’d had it. He had a lot of good opportunities to propose, but he never did. So, I started giving him crap for not proposing already! Then one night in October, we went out to a fancy dinner and got into a conversation about marriage. I was being gracious because I didn’t want to pressure him. I know it’s a very nerve-racking thing to do, even though he knew I was going to say yes. But he threw me off the scent by implying he would think about it. Then when we got back to our house, I guess he just could not wait another second because before I could even get my coat off, right in the middle of the house, he got down on one knee and proposed. Later, he said he considered doing it at the restaurant but thought I might not like all the attention it would have drawn. And he was right. I think doing it at home, in an intimate setting, was perfect for us!

Michael De Vitis (’21), leave and accommodation specialist, is engaged to Grace Camera (’22). They’ve been together for six years.

How did you meet?

MDV: On a good old fashioned dating app.

What do you love most about your significant other?

MDV: I love her thoughtfulness and compassion.

How did you propose?

MDV: I proposed in the Duncan Gardens at Manito Park while on a walk with our golden retriever, Thistle.

Dessert of the Month: Raspberry Linzer Cookies

Adapted from alsothecrumbsplease.com

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter
1 cup powdered sugar, sifted
2 large egg yolks
½ tsp salt
½ tsp cinnamon
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
1 cup almond flour spooned and leveled
½ cup apricot or strawberry jam
Powdered sugar for decoration (optional)

Instructions

Step 1 In a large mixing bowl, use a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a whisk or paddle attachment to beat the butter on medium speed until creamy, about 1-2 minutes. Add the sugar and mix to combine. Stir in the egg yolks until blended. Add the salt, cinnamon, vanilla and lemon juice, mixing just until incorporated. On low speed, stir in the flour and almond flour until just combined.

Step 2 Divide the dough in half and shape each portion into a 1-inch (2.6 cm) thick disc. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour or up to 2 days.

Step 3 Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line two or three baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

Step 4 On a lightly floured surface, roll out one dough disc at a time to ¼ inch thickness. Using a 2-inch cookie cutter, cut out cookies and place them 1-2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.

Step 5 Bake one sheet at a time for 9-10 minutes, until the cookies appear dry. Cool on the baking sheet for 5 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 6 To fill, spread jam on the bottom of one cookie and top with another. Sprinkle with powdered sugar, if desired. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week or freeze for up to three months.

Around Campus

Feb. 9, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Join Microsoft Alumni for a free, on-campus networking event with free food, a career panel discussion, workshop and networking | Hemmingson Ballroom

Feb. 11, 12:15–1:15 p.m. Learn about real-world career paths in economics at a free talk featuring President Katia Passerini | Wolff Auditorium

Feb. 12-14, 7:30 p.m. Experience The Vagina Monologues, a powerful theatrical performance of stories about womanhood and violence against women with proceeds benefiting the Spokane YWCA | Magnuson Theatre

Feb. 20, 6 p.m. Cheer on the Spokane Chiefs as they take on the Vancouver Giants at Zags Night featuring a limited-edition "shirsey" with proceeds supporting the Gonzaga Spokane Chapter Scholarship Fund | Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena

Feb. 20, 7:30 p.m. Kindling Productions presents “Rising Tide,” a dynamic dance performance celebrating female choreographers and artistic storytelling | Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center

Feb. 20, 3 p.m. School of Leadership Studies is hosting a Leadership Symposium, an academic exploration of leadership themes for students and scholars

Feb. 23, 10 a.m. Beronda Montgomery will lead faculty in “Cultivating Classroom Engagement,” a reflective and practical conversation | College Common, Humanities Building

Feb. 24, 6 p.m. “Holding to Our Values in a Changing Climate,” a public lecture on climate resilience and values-based environmental stewardship | Hemmingson Auditorium

Feb. 26, 7:30 p.m. Stop by for a night of vibrant jazz ensemble performances at the Winter Jazz Fusion Concert | Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center

Feb. 28, 2-3:30 p.m. “Echoes of Light and Shadow,” the wind ensemble and wind symphony concert showcasing seasonal works | Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center

Event Spotlight

The Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra Concert is a must-see evening of orchestral brilliance featuring world-renowned violin virtuoso Gil Shaham as soloist, performing Brahms’ Violin Concerto alongside a rich program including Mozart’s Overture to Don Giovanni, Mussorgsky’s Night on Bald Mountain, and Saint-Saëns’ Danse Bacchanale. According to Kevin Hekmatpanah, director of the Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra, “The Gonzaga Symphony Orchestra has had a long tradition of collaborating with some of the most renowned and important musicians in the world. The University and the greater Spokane community are indeed fortunate that Mr. Shaham is offering to share his unparalleled skills and profound depth of music-making with our very own orchestra.”

Feb. 10, 7:30 p.m. | Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center | Tickets

Noteworthy 

New Hires

Aiden Keefe, creative director of basketball recruiting, Athletics; David Amaro, CRM marketing administrator, ITS; Edward Knaggs, asst baseball coach, Athletics; Elsie Kovalchuk, student financial services counselor, Student Financial Services; Randy Richards, groundskeeper, Plant; Samantha Brown, custodian, Plant; Terra Hill, program assistant III, Center for Student Academic Success; Alexandra Wigington, asst athletic trainer, Athletics; Breanne O’Doherty, sr. alumni engagement officer, Alumni Relations; Cambria Sheridan, lecturer-AT, Foley; Casey Collins, asst women’s soccer coach, Athletics; Cole Harrison, asst director of marketing, Athletics; Danielle Jensen, lecturer-AT, College of Arts and Sciences; Gabrielle McDonald, HR partner, Human Resources; Kathleen Rinne, program coordinator of outdoor programs, Student Affairs; Kazi Sabrina Haq, lecturer-AT, sociology, College of Arts and Sciences; Kylie Loe, graduate student services specialist, Graduate Enrollment Management; Sean Sato, dispatch officer, CSPS; Winifred Fitzgerald, student services specialist, Graduate Enrollment Management

Position Changes/Promotions

Daniel Marx, associate CIO of agile strategy and delivery excellence, ITS; Rebecca Doyle, senior visit coordinator, Admissions; Jolanta Weber, special advisor to the president, Provost; Pamela Gilchrist, head of technical services librarian, School of Law

Goodbyes

John Bongard, technical director of theatre and dance, College of Arts and Sciences; Joseph Dumoulin, lecturer-IR, computer science, School of Engineering and Applied Sciences; Kevin Schenk, asst women’s soccer coach, director of operations, Athletics; Patrick Kearns III, senior international student advisor, Center for Global Engagement; Peter Dunau, digital content strategist, Marketing and Communications; Rhonda Corbin, payroll administrator, Controller’s Office; Rudy Morrow, business manager, Housing and Residence Life; Theresa Randles, office coordinator, University Ministry; Tye McGee, manager of grounds and solid waste, Plant; Chelcee Lewis, program asst III, College of Arts and Sciences; Daniel Lopez IV, agile coach, ITS; Jacob Gendusa, director of business operations, Athletics; Javiera Rojas Nunez, law clinic paralegal, School of Law; Kaihehau Uahinui, DBA & ERP architect, ITS; Meghan Ridgely, asst to the CDO & office manager, Inclusive Excellence; Michael Thompson, director of payroll, Controller’s Office; Robert Joyce, IT technician III, ITS

Anniversaries

5 Tracy Culp, administrative assistant to the CMCO, Marketing & Communications; Nathan Albano, facilities coordinator I, GUEST; Anthony Brown, director of risk & emergency management, Risk Management; Kathryn Benz, head women’s soccer coach, Athletics; Jennifer Binczewski, lecturer-AT, history, College of Arts and Sciences

10 Roger Coston, enterprise applications administrator, Infrastructure Operations; Margaret Marten, law admissions specialist, School of Law; James Weston, senior lecturer-IB, mechanical engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science; David Tagnani, senior lecturer-AC, English, College of Arts and Sciences; Jimmy Smith, professor of kinesiology and sport management, College of Arts and Sciences; Tara Hiller, director of counseling services, Health & Counseling Services

20 Robert Hardie, technical support specialist, Athletics; Jana Clarry, payroll administrator, Controller’s Office; Dan Stewart, professor of entrepreneurship, School of Business Administration; Jay Ciaffa, professor of philosophy, College of Arts and Sciences

25 Sergey Tsyukalo, painter, Plant

30 Hugh Lefcort, professor of biology, College of Arts and Sciences