New effort details mission at Gonzaga

Last fall, Fr. Stephen Hess, S.J., attended a conference at Creighton University in Omaha, Neb., where officials from the 28 Jesuit colleges across the country came together with the hope of discovering new ways for students to get in touch with their campus' Jesuit roots.

Fr. Hess was confident Gonzaga's community understood the University's Mission Statement to call all men and women, in the Jesuit tradition, to work with Christ in loving service of the human community. But he believed there should be a concentrated effort to detail that mission to students. After the conference, he developed several programs to help staff incorporate this idea in their work.

The goal of the programs is "centered around the theme of Jesuit higher education," Hess said. "It is important to help the people in our community learn and know more about how they can integrate the Mission into their studies."

Two seminars at the beginning of the semester gave faculty an introduction to the Jesuit educational mission of Gonzaga. Other programs will include gathering faculty and staff for conversation and reflection on how to feature the Mission in their personal studies and classes. These sessions will focus on discussions of historical roots, principles, and values of Jesuit higher education.

These upcoming events will allow Gonzaga's faculty, staff and students "to continue in companionship with the Society of Jesus at Gonzaga," said Fr. Craig Hightower, S.J., director of University Ministry. "Students will learn from [them], so it is important that faculty and staff also have opportunities to grow as individuals and community members."

Faculty members are not the only ones who will benefit from Hess' programs.  Specifically geared toward the students will be what Hess said is a Jesuit Awareness Week in the spring which will promote the Jesuit philosophy.

 "Jesuit Awareness Week will include a week of activities and programs designed to help students better understand the tradition we pride ourselves on," Hess said.

 He hopes that it will ultimately improve the student's experiences with Gonzaga's family and core values.

     Another one of Hess' programs is linked with the Easter season and includes weekly Lenten reflections. These reflection times invite staff to gather in one of the chapels on campus each week to share their successes and struggles of incorporating the Jesuit nature in their daily lives.

     "Continuing to strengthen the Ignatian concept of Magis will only help Gonzaga both inside and outside of the classroom," Hightower said.

     However, strengthening the Jesuit mission on campus does not come without challenges.  Starting programs is easy compared to rallying the community to get excited about the growth of core values as a Jesuit University.

     "Looking to find the resources and finances and getting wonderful groups of people to take time to talk and plan is the biggest challenge," Fr. Mark McGregor, S.J., said. "This community base is really the strongest to find the possibilities.  The good will is there… it's finding the time."

     Keeping the Jesuit message alive in and out of the classroom requires faculty and students to work together for the common good. With this philosophy in mind, the greatest number of people will be able to reap the benefits of the Jesuit Mission in their everyday lives.

     "Everything we do is ad majorem Dei gloriam, for the greater glory of the Kingdom of God," Hightower said.  "To instruct with this focus and actually make it the desired result of education is a challenge for all of us. As faculty and staff deepen their own faith life, our students will only benefit."

     So far, the positive response to the programs has surprised University Ministry.  The number of faculty members and students participating in the events has continued to increase since the beginning of the semester. Hess' face lights up every time he talks about the effect the programs are having on Gonzaga's community.

     "We have a real rich tradition," Hess said. "Finding new and creative ways to attempt to adapt to the times and tap into this generation is beyond exciting. In the end, we are here for the students and to forward the mission of Gonzaga on to the students."