The Act Six scholars will contribute to Gonzaga's diverse student body. Students of color represent nearly 20 percent (19.5 percent) of this year’s freshmen, putting Gonzaga within reach of its goal of 20 percent ethnic and racial diversity in the fall 2010 entering class. Photo by Jennifer Raudebaugh.

SPOKANE, Wash. – Amid a continuing national economic struggle and the specter of deep cuts proposed in state higher education funding, families of 33 diverse urban student leaders across Washington have new reason for hope and celebration this week.

The Act Six Leadership and Scholarship Initiative announced today that 14 Spokane students will join 19 students from the Puget Sound region to receive full-tuition, full-need scholarships to four Washington colleges. Gonzaga University, which joined the program two years ago, will welcome its second cadre of eight students. Whitworth University, the first college to join the program in 2002, will welcome its eighth cadre of 10 students. Other participating Washington colleges include Pacific Lutheran University and Northwest University. Collectively, the scholarships will provide nearly $5 million in financial aid over four years.

The newest Act Six scholars will be recognized in community celebrations in Spokane on Tuesday, Feb. 9, at 7 p.m. at Lewis and Clark High School, and in Seattle on Thursday, Feb. 11, at 7 p.m. at Mount Tahoma High School. The media and public are invited with RSVP.

Launched in 2002 by the Northwest Leadership Foundation (NLF) in Tacoma, Act Six seeks to develop urban leaders to be agents of transformation on campus and in their home communities. Since the program’s inception, 12 cadres of ethnically diverse and mostly first-generation, low-income Act Six scholars from urban Tacoma, Seattle and Spokane have enrolled at five Washington colleges.

Act Six develops leaders through a simple, but powerful, four-step strategy:

Recruit and select diverse, multicultural cadres of Washington’s most promising emerging urban leaders.

Train and prepare these groups of students in the year prior to college, equipping them to support each other, succeed academically, and grow as service-minded leaders and agents of transformation.

Send and fund the teams together to select faith-based colleges in Washington on four year, full-tuition, full-need scholarships.

Support and inspire by providing strong campus support and ongoing leadership development to nurture these young people as they find their vocation and grow into the next generation of community leaders.

To date, 94 percent of the scholars in the first three cadres have graduated. Overall, 92 percent of the 107 scholars originally selected for the program have graduated or are still enrolled – reflecting graduation and retention rates that far exceed national averages. Act Six scholars have been elected student-body presidents two of the past four years at Whitworth and have been involved in numerous other leadership roles on and off campus.

“Our scholars are having a profound impact through their leadership on campus, and, as they begin to graduate, we look forward to their impact in the community,” says Tim Herron, founder and national director of Act Six. “This is what we envisioned when we launched Act Six and what we are now seeing replicated around the state and nation.”

Nationally, Act Six initiatives are also active at George Fox University in Newberg, Ore., and Warner Pacific College in Portland, Ore.
Following are this year’s Act Six recipients:

Gonzaga University (Cadre Two)
Rene Alvarez Jr., Washington High School
Devanta Black, Highline High School
Michaela Brown, Gonzaga Preparatory School
Justin Garcia, Gonzaga Preparatory School
Myra Questel, Lakes High School
Mohamed Sambou, Evergreen High School
Leah Simeon, North Central High School
Cathy Truong, Central Valley High School

Whitworth University (Cadre Eight)
Gifti Abbo, Ferris High School
Zanovia Clark, Rogers High School (Spokane)
Michaela Cowger, Central Valley High School
Ryan Mendoza, Northwest Christian High School
Hanh Nguyen, Rogers High School (Spokane)
Helya Peyman, Ferris High School
Ingrid Sub Cuc, Ferris High School
Konstantin Tachan, North Central High School
Amber Tooley, Rogers High School (Spokane)
Mailia Yang, Lewis and Clark High School

Pacific Lutheran University (Cadre Three)
Kareem Dixon, Wilson High School
Ailua Evans, Washington High School
Hodo Hussein, Highline High School
Wendy Martinez, Mount Tahoma High School
Jose Medrano, Clover Park High School
Dominic Napat, Chief Sealth High School
Laurie Reddy, Ingraham High School

Northwest University (Cadre Two)
Christian Dawson, Christian Faith High School
Martese Hightower, Bellarmine Preparatory High School
Clayton Hines, Washington High School
Justin Mburugu, Curtis High School
McKinzie Quiocho, Life Christian Academy
Illona Trofimovich, Henry Foss High School
Samantha Wallace, Washington High School
Imar White, Bellarmine Preparatory School

Following next week’s celebrations, scholars begin an intensive seven-month training program that involves weekly meetings with Act Six staff, retreats and campus visits.

Learn more about Act Six online .

Those wishing to attend next week’s community celebrations should RSVP with Crystal Ben, Act Six assistant director, at (253) 272-0771 ext. 111 or cben@northwestleaderhip.org.

The Northwest Leadership Foundation is a faith-based non-profit headquartered in Tacoma, Wash. Since 1989, the foundation has worked to move individuals and organizations from good intentions to effective outcomes in its effort to encourage, strengthen and develop leadership for the spiritual and social renewal of the city.

Gonzaga University ranks No. 7 in the nation among small colleges and universities providing graduates who serve in the Peace Corps. Nineteen undergraduate alumni of Gonzaga currently serve in the federal agency.

SPOKANE, Wash. – Gonzaga University ranks No. 7 in the nation among small colleges and universities providing graduates who serve in the Peace Corps with 19 undergraduate alumni currently serving in the federal agency established in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy.

Year after year, Gonzaga places in the Peace Corps’ Top College rankings. Since the Peace Corps was founded, 273 Gonzaga alumni have joined the Peace Corps.  Gonzaga also is ranked the No. 3 best university in the West in U.S. News & World Report’s annual college rankings. U.S. News & World Report also ranks Gonzaga as the No. 3 best value in the West, No. 3 in alumni giving and as the top-rated Jesuit university in the Northwest.

For the fourth consecutive year, University of Washington claims the top rank for large schools with 101 undergraduate alumni currently serving as Peace Corps volunteers.

In the medium-sized school category, The George Washington University ranks No. 1 for the second consecutive year with 53 undergraduate alumni serving.

For small schools, St. Olaf ranks highest, with 26 currently serving undergraduate alumni volunteers. This is the first time that St. Olaf has topped the small school category since the Peace Corps began ranking the schools based on enrollment in 2003.

Watch and Listen to People of the Peace Corps

Historically, University of California, Berkeley maintains the number one all-time rank, with 3,412 Peace Corps total volunteer alumni. View the entire top 25 rankings for each school size category, as well as all-time and graduate school rankings.

“For nearly 50 years, enthusiastic college alumni have contributed to the success of Peace Corps programs and our mission to promote world peace and friendship in host communities around the world,” said Peace Corps Director Aaron S. Williams. “Peace Corps service is a life-changing leadership opportunity and a great career foundation in almost every field, ranging from international development, education, public health, engineering, agriculture, and law, to name a few. I am proud of our historic relationship with over 3,000 colleges and universities in the United States and look forward to recruiting and training the next generation of Peace Corps volunteers.”

As the Peace Corps approaches its 50th anniversary, its service legacy continues to promote peace and friendship around the world with 7,671 volunteers serving in 76 host countries. Historically, nearly 200,000 Americans have served with the Peace Corps to promote a better understanding between Americans and the people of 139 host countries. Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment. For more about the Peace Corps, visit its Web site .

Bren Murphy will discuss “Veiled Threats: The Image of Women Religious in U.S. Popular Culture?” at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 17 in the Jepson Center.

Bren Murphy, associate professor of communication studies and women’s studies at Loyola University, Chicago will discuss “Veiled Threats: The Image of Women Religious in U.S. Popular Culture?” at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 17 in the Jepson Center’s Wolff Auditorium at Gonzaga University.

The lecture, which is free and open to the public, is part of the “Thinking Out Loud with Visiting Scholar In-Residence” series sponsored by Gonzaga’s Master of Arts in Communication and Leadership Studies program and the Gonzaga School of Professional Studies.

In this talk, Murphy will share and discuss parts of her new documentary film, “A Question of Habit,” and explore questions regarding the role of leadership. Murphy is interested in the representation of women in popular culture and issues of feminism through film.

Murphy examines the communication components of the “glass ceiling”; communication ethics; mass media and gender socialization; popular culture and the mediation of history. She examines these topics from a perspective of rhetorical and critical theory.

For more information about the Gonzaga master’s program, visit the Web site for the Department of Communication and Leadership Studies or contact Connie Caddis at (509) 313-3684. For more information on the speaker visit her Web site or contact Professor John Caputo, Walter Ong Scholar, at (509) 313-6656.

Gonzaga University students A.J. Treleven (left) and Justin Tai sell T-shirts to benefit the charity work of Coaches vs. Cancer. This is Coaches vs. Cancer Week through Saturday (Feb. 6). Photo: Peter Tormey.

Gonzaga University’s Kennel Club members are out in force this week, selling T-shirts to benefit Coaches vs. Cancer, an organization that raises money to support cancer patients and cancer research. This week, Jan. 31-Feb. 6, is Coaches vs. Cancer Week.

The students say they are trying to sell enough T-shirts to “paint the Kennel and Spokane with BELiEVE white T-Shirts” when the Zags take on Portland at 8 p.m., today, Feb. 4. The shirts are $10 each.

Zags’ Coach Mark Few and wife Marcy have been tireless supporters of cancer patients and cancer research through Coaches vs. Cancer.  

Gonzaga students and Kennel Club members A.J. Treleven and Justin Tai said Kennel Club members plan to wear red T-shirts for the game against Portland, and aim to paint the rest of the Kennel white with the “BELiEVE” T-shirts so the organization can help more people with cancer.

The Kennel Club members plan to turn the Kennel white tonight by selling fans and students alike white T-shirts supporting Coaches vs. Cancer. Kennel Club members, however, will stick with their traditional red T-shirts. The game against Portland begins at 8 p.m. today.

 Through the efforts of the Fews, along with help from assistant coaches’ wives Robin Rice and Chanelle Lloyd, Coaches vs. Cancer has raised nearly $4 million from an annual BasketBALL and Gala held at the historic Davenport Hotel in Spokane since 2002. The weekend features golf and a black-tie gala and auction with all proceeds staying locally to benefit the American Cancer Society.

Mary J. Kight, 59, earned a Master of Science degree in human resources management from Gonzaga in 1977. She also becomes the first African-American female National Guard adjutant general in the nation. Photo courtesy California National Guard.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Gonzaga University alumna Brig. Gen. Mary J. Kight today became the first female adjutant general of the California National Guard, the largest National Guard force in the nation, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger announced in a ceremony.

The 59-year-old Kight, who earned a Master of Science degree in human resources management from Gonzaga in 1977, also becomes the first African-American female National Guard adjutant general in the nation.

“Brigadier General Mary Kight is a proven courageous, loyal and honorable leader. She has a long and distinguished history of service to our state and nation and I am proud to have her as the first female adjutant general of our military forces here in California,” said Schwarzenegger. “I am confident that with General Kight’s leadership, the California National Guard will continue to be fully prepared, standing ready and able to assist our local communities and our country when called upon in times of emergency.”

Kight has served the California National Guard for nearly 25 years. She has been assistant adjutant general since 2006 and previously held the positions of assistant adjutant general, air for the California National Guard Headquarters from 2004 to 2006, 201st Mission Support Squadron detach commander for all members on Title 10 from 2001 to 2004, 144th Mission Support Group commander in Fresno from 1999 to 2004 and first aircraft generation squadron commander for the 144th Fighter Wing from 1994 to 1998.

Prior to that, Kight was an aircraft maintenance officer from 1990 to 1994, a field maintenance officer from 1987 to 1990 and an avionics maintenance officer from 1984 to 1987. She was a wing executive officer for the Nebraska Air National Guard from 1981 to 1984 and served the U.S. Air Force from 1974 to 1981.

“I wholeheartedly share in the governor’s commitment to public safety and ensuring that our armed forces are well-trained and equipped to provide support and assistance here in California and abroad at a moment’s notice,” said Kight. “I am honored to take on this new position serving the California National Guard as adjutant general and I look forward to using my knowledge and experience to uphold California’s military forces’ outstanding legacy of service.”

Kight, a Republican who lives in Sacramento, also earned a Master of Strategic Studies from Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., and a Bachelor of Arts degree in social welfare from California State University, Chico and an Associate of Arts degree in general studies from Monterey Peninsula College. She also graduated from Squadron Officers School, Air Command and Staff College and Air War College. This position requires Senate confirmation and the compensation is $180,201.

The Military Department is responsible for the command, leadership and management of the California Army and Air National Guard whose purpose is to provide military service support to California as well as the nation. The California National Guard protects the public safety of the people of California by providing military support to civil authorities during natural disasters and other emergencies, and provides support to the local communities.

The California National Guard has an assigned strength of approximately 16,606 Army National Guard and 4,757 Air National Guard members.

Dane Breslin Dylan Kinsella harmonized. Photo by Dale Goodwin

The Gonzaga University Student Body Association organized a free concert Friday evening (Jan. 29) featuring Gonzaga’s popular student a cappella group the Big Bing Theory as part of the University’s multi-tiered response to support both the immediate and ongoing needs in the Haiti relief effort.

The concert, titled “Harmonizing for Haiti” began at 8 p.m., in the Spokane Room of the COG. The concert is free and open to the public with a suggested donation of $5. All proceeds from the benefit will be donated to the Haiti Relief Fund through Catholic Relief Services, the charitable organization that Gonzaga has chosen to funnel funds raised to help Haiti.

The concert began with an open-microphone portion featuring various student and local musicians and end with the Big Bing Theory (BBT). All members of the Gonzaga community were encouraged to attend the concert and further help support Haiti and victims of the devastating 7.0-magnitude earthquake that struck the country Jan. 12.

Gonzaga students, faculty, and staff are responding with a campuswide fundraising relief effort. Also, Gonzaga reached out to the family of Rev. Craig Hightower, S.J., and 1989 and 1994 (M.A.) alumna Therese Hightower, whose niece Molly Hightower died in the quake while volunteering in Haiti. Rev. Hightower is Gonzaga’s director of University Ministry.

The body of Molly Hightower – a graduate of Bellarmine Prep in Tacoma and the University of Portland (2009) – was found in the rubble of a collapsed orphanage where she volunteered to help the organization “Friends of the Orphans.”

Click here to view the embedded video.

In addition to the concert, a “Haitian Teach-In” will be held at 6 p.m., Monday, Feb. 22 in the Jepson Center’s Wolff Auditorium. A Homecoming Dance and Haiti Fundraiser will be held on Friday, Feb. 26, in the Crosby Student Center; tickets are $5. GSBA is also planning a “Hairy for Haiti” fundraiser, to be announced, and the executive committee of the staff assembly will donate $1,000 to benefit Haiti instead of using the money to pay for a meal at a staff assembly gathering this spring.

‘Harmonizing for Haiti’

Click here to view the embedded video.

Gonzaga continues to develop plans to aid the Haitian people in this time of their greatest need. The University was reminded by President Thayne McCulloh of its mission to be women and men for others and of the intrinsic dignity of all people.

A look ahead at the next two weeks at Gonzaga University.

GONZAGA FORTNIGHTLY
The Next Two Weeks at Gonzaga University

Visit Gonzaga’s Newly Designed News Web Site

Feb. 1 

• 4 p.m. ‘Collection Addition’ Exhibition Open thru April 4
• 10 a.m. ‘Holy Family’ Exhibition Runs thru March 13 in Arcade Gallery, Jundt Art Museum

 Feb. 2

• 7 p.m.   Education Advocate and Public Speaker Preacher Moss Will Perform, “End of Racism” from His Comedy and Lecture Tour. 
• 7-9 p.m. Just Desserts: Human Trafficking in the Washington/California Room of COG
• 7:30-9 p.m. Poet Sharon Olds Reads

 Feb. 3

• 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Open House for new University Ministry Team Members

 Feb. 4

• All Day Support Coach Few’s Coaches vs. Cancer Initiative; wear a BELiEVE shirt
• 7:30-10 a.m. Spring Nonprofit Workshops
• 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Spring Service Fair
• 8-10 p.m. Men’s Basketball: GU vs Portland

 Feb. 5

• 9 a.m. Cardoner Retreat in Wallace, Idaho thru Feb. 7
• 7:30- 9:45 p.m. ‘Weaving Our Sisters’ Voices’

 Feb. 6

• 7:30- 9:45 p.m. ‘Weaving Our Sisters’ Voices’

 Feb. 7

• 2- 4:30 p.m. ‘Weaving Our Sisters’ Voices’

 Feb. 10

• Deadline for One World, Gonzaga’s Social Justice Magazine

 Feb. 11

• 7:30-10 a.m. Spring Nonprofit Workshops
• 8-10 p.m. Men’s Basketball: GU vs. Saint Mary’s

 Feb. 13

• 8- 10 p.m. Men’s Basketball: GU vs. San Diego

St. Ignatius Statue at Gonzaga University.

SPOKANE, Wash. — After a successful recruiting and interview process, Gonzaga University’s Comprehensive Leadership Program is pleased to announce its Class of 2013.

These 43 first-year students were chosen from a highly qualified pool of applicants. The CLP Class of 2013 is another amazing group of students. They enter the program with excellent past leadership experiences and a desire to further their knowledge of leadership through this unique scholarly environment.

Most of these students have extensive community service experience, 20 were captains of high school sports teams, two were Valedictorians, 16 held leadership positions in their high school student body association, and 25 were members of the National Honors Society.

The class of 2013 is a solid academic cohort, with a 3.7 cumulative high school grade-point average. Many also have been leaders within their faith communities. This is a group with seemingly diverse political views, and there appears to be a strong commitment to civic and political engagement.

The new CLP freshman class also possesses geographic diversity with students representing 10 different home states, including: Washington, Hawaii, Oregon, California, Arizona, Illinois, Massachusetts, Colorado, Wisconsin, Florida and one foreign country, Mexico.

A typical strength of the CLP is the broad range of academic majors its students represent as they explore leadership. This group is no different with 23 majors represented, including: business, biology, civil engineering, computer science, communications, environmental studies, English, economics, engineering management, history, human physiology, international relations, international business, international studies, journalism, mechanical engineering, nursing, philosophy, psychology, political science, public relations, sociology and special education.

These achievements and leadership positions are merely a starting place for the new CLP freshman class. Over the next three and one-half years, these students will be challenged in their thinking about leadership and have opportunities to put leadership knowledge into practice. The CLP’s primary mission is to foster the development of men and women who will be leaders for the common good. Program leaders believe the CLP class of 2013 holds great promise in this endeavor.

Established in 2002, the Comprehensive Leadership Program at Gonzaga is a three-year academic concentration designed to offer students curricular and co-curricular learning opportunities to develop knowledge and skills for leadership. For more information about the CLP, please contact Josh Armstrong, Ph.D., at (509) 313-6493, or visit the following Web page.

GONZAGA UNIVERSITY 2013 CLP STUDENTS

1. Kelly Alderman, Medical Lake, Wash.
2. Logan Anderson, Makawao, Hawaii
3. Haris Ansari, Federal Way, Wash.
4. Maxwell Baer, River Bend, Ore.
5. Alyson Binversie, Manitowoc, Wisc.
6. Kayla Camenzind, Lebam, Wash.
7. Nancy Carl, Moraga, Calif.
8. Gabriel Castellanos, Tempe, Ariz.
9. Hannah Cooper, Poway, Calif.
10. Kathleen Covert, Spokane
11. John Culver, Newberg, Ore.
12. Michael Dirkson, San Jose, Calif.
13. Ayaka Dohi, San Jose, Calif.
14. Katherine Dorner, Glenview, Ill.
15. Natasha D’souza, Covington, Wash.
16. Megan Edmonds, Arlington, Wash.
17. Catherine Erbes, San Diego, Calif.
18. Lindsay Fague, Andover, Mass.
19. Ethan Ferrel, Spokane
20. Connor Flanagan, Redmond, Ore.
21. Laura Forester, Modesto, Calif.
22. Nathan Greene, Burien, Wash.
23. Kurt Guenther, Scottsdale Ariz.
24. Nicole Hall, Pleasant Hill, Calif.
25. Nathan Heinrichs, Lake Oswego, Ore.
26. Anna Hester, Tacoma, Wash.
27. Kyle Holbrook, Vancouver, Wash.
28. Julia Hubbard, Colorado Springs, Colo.
29. Kristie Infantine, San Diego, Calif.
30. Alex Johnson, Renton, Wash.
31. Mary Langfield, Boise, Idaho
32. Jordan Madrid, Milwaukie, Ore.
33. Elizabeth Martinez, Fairfield, Calif.
34. Kate Mulvaney-Kemp, Viroqua,Wisc.
35. Kenny O’Connell, Bradenton, Fla.
36. Jacob Perry, Vancouver, Wash.
37. Patrick Ronay, Los Angeles
38. Ben Shattuck, Portland, Ore.
39. Patrick Spencer-Rios, Snohomish,Wash.
40. Thuy-Ann Vo, Spokane
41. Sloan Westerman, Wenatchee, Wash.
42. Joseph Worthey, Aloha, Ore.
43. Jake Zaragoza, Milton-Freewater, Ore.

Front Row left to right: Paul Kanellopoulos, Tim Harper, Alexis DiSanza,Leah Moczulski, Karina Momary, Izak Dunn (coach), James Joseph. Back Row left to right: Jim Sydnor, Andrew Myers, Abe Corrigan, Glen Frappier (coach), Steve Pointer (coach), JW Trull. Not pictured: Charles Olney (coach), Chris Zhang.

SPOKANE, Wash. – The Gonzaga University debate team picked up a few small victories in two different time zones last weekend (Jan. 22-24), placing second at the Denver University Debate Tournament and by advancing to the quarterfinals of the California State University-Fullerton Debate Tournament.

The freshmen teams of Chris Zhang and J.W. Trull and Alexis DiSanza and Tim Harper represented Gonzaga in Denver while junior Leah Moczulski and sophomore Paul Kanellopoulos traveled to Fullerton. In Denver both teams posted a 5-1 record in preliminary debates, advancing as the second and third seeds into the semifinals. The higher-seeded team of Zhang and Trull advanced to the final round where they debated the University of Wyoming. The senior team from Wyoming proved too tough in the finals, and Gonzaga claimed the second-place trophy.

“Overall, it was a very strong performance by the younger Zag debaters,” said Gonzaga debate coach Glen Frappier.

Meantime, in Fullerton, the team of Moczulski and Kanellopoulos posted a 5-1 record in the preliminary debates – losing only to Columbia University – and advanced to the elimination debates as the No. 4 seed. In the first elimination debate, the Zags defeated in-state rival and No. 13-seed Whitman College on a split decision. The Gonzaga debaters advanced to the quarterfinals where they suffered a mild upset by No. 5-seed University of Iowa.

“This was a great showing overall, despite the loss to a very talented Iowa team.”

The Zags will end their regular season Feb. 5-9 at the University of Texas. Then they will begin preparation for their conference tournament – hosted by Weber State University Feb. 25-28 – followed by the National Championship tournaments March 20-29 at University of California, Berkeley.

Finishing fall semester ranked No. 7 in the nation, Gonzaga slipped to No. 11 in the National Debate Tournament rankings after a few early spring losses. The performances this past weekend will likely send them back into the top 10 when the rankings are released later this week, Frappier said.

Photo credit: istockphoto.com

Gonzaga’s Unity Multicultural Center will conduct its first annual “Iron Chef GU: A Cultural Cooking Battle” from 2-4 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 31 on the main floor of the Crosby Student Center.

This will be a unique opportunity for contestants to creatively share a cultural dish that will be judged by three professional chefs. All members of the GU community are invited to taste samples and cast a vote for their personal favorite. The deadline has already passed for entry to the competition this year.

The Iron Chef GU grand prize recipe will be selected by the judges’ panel and the winner will receive a $100 cash prize. The “People’s Favorite” also will receive an impressive array of gift certificates from area restaurants. Both the grand prize and the People’s Favorite winners will have their respective dish featured in the COG one night.

“Iron Chef GU: A Cultural Cooking Battle” will become an annual competition. The event is expected to become a “can’t miss” fun Gonzaga tradition for the entire campus, while simultaneously encouraging students to share, learn and appreciate culinary fare from various cultures.

For more information, contact Kathy Casey at UMEC by phone: (509) 313-4105; or via e-mail.