What You Said

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June 17, 2021
Kate Vanskike, Gonzaga Magazine Editor

In 2020, our 50,000 alumni, parents and constituents who receive Gonzaga Magazine had the opportunity to complete a reader survey, facilitated by CASE (Council for the Advancement and Support of Education). 700+ participants provided ample food for thought, through data and an impressive number of free-form comments. We appreciate the insights!

 “It is readable, relatable and relevant. I so appreciate the connection to GU. The magazine brings me ‘home.’ ”

The Data

76% prefer reading our magazine in print vs. online; some even asked for more frequent or longer issues
70% read every issue
69% read all or most of each issue

GU readers’ rate of engagement is higher than the 208 other schools benchmarked in this survey, on 8 of 10 measures. Engagement examples include recommending the school to a potential student, making a donation, sharing feedback with the editor, visiting the magazine’s website, and sharing an article or issue with others.

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Topics for Discussion

The overwhelming majority of open-field comments centered on these areas, both specific to the magazine, and more broadly representative of Gonzaga itself:
- Political bias
- Diversity & social justice
- Catholic/Jesuit mission

  • “Be more progressive. History will not look well upon a hesitancy toward justice.”
  • “It feels like you are honoring the Catholic faith in the right light.”
  • “My friends and I refer to it as ‘The Social Justice Quarterly.’ We joke about how many times ‘social justice,’ ‘diversity’ and ‘equity’ appear. Those three topics dominate the magazine.”
  • “It looks like GU is going down the path of socialism and intolerance to conservative values.”
  • “Take on more diversity on campus and white privilege. These may paint Gonzaga in not-so-great light, but you can’t change them if you don’t acknowledge them.
  • “GU has abandoned its Catholic heritage by promoting leftist ideas.”

See more From the Editor here, in "Wrestling with Identity."

Wanting More

Themes that emerged from open-field comments showed a strong desire for more content on these aspects of university life:
- STEM, research
- Student life, especially community engagement
- Campus changes, buildings and history

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Paper and Sustainability

We are committed to crafting a publication that continues to engage our extended family while also embodying the university’s commitment to sustainable practices. In 2018, Marketing & Communications began printing Gonzaga Magazine on 100% recycled, compostable paper. Starting with the Spring 2021 issue, the magazine is printed using 100% carbon-neutral practices, meaning that greenhouse gas emissions from the paper lifecycle, the transport and the printing have been offset through investments in energy efficiency and non-fossil-fuel energy technologies. We also selected a slightly lighter paper weight, which reduces not only the print cost, but mailing expenses as well. For readers who prefer to avoid the paper version altogether, content is online at gonzaga.edu/magazine.

Winners!

Congrats to Alan Brown (’93 J.D.) and Christina Gardner Delsman (’10), who won the drawing for a free print from our Gonzaga Photo Store.

You can choose an iconic Gonzaga image for your home or office, too. Click here to download or order prints.

Chime In

We love Letters to the Editor. We read and reply to each one, and share more broadly when appropriate. Submit yours at editor@gonzaga.edu. 

Next Up

5, 10, 20-year Projections and Reality
Do you recall where you, as a new graduate, thought you’d be in 5, 10 years (or more)? How did that image hold? Share how life unfolded in touching, surprising or funny ways compared to how you thought it might. Email editor@gonzaga.edu and possibly be part of an upcoming feature.