April 2025 | Volume 26 No. 8
In This Issue
The Making of Gonzaga's New Commercial
50 Years and Counting
Hired to Teach
A Shared Calling
Honoring Anniversarians
Human Resources Recognized for Retirement Plan Transition
Gonzaga’s HR benefits team received a first-place award from industry publication Pensions & Investments for work accomplished last year to transition to a target date retirement fund. Entries for this recognition are evaluated by a panel of industry experts, plan sponsors, writers and editors who selected Gonzaga for the HR team’s commitment to increasing employees’ knowledge of retirement plan options.
Lisa Schwartzenburg, assistant vice president of HR, commented, “It is exciting to be recognized at a national level for the work our team does. Caring for our employees is at the core of who we are as a university as we strive to offer benefits that care for the whole person.”
Congrats!
Exemplifying Gonzaga's Mission
The Work Values recognition honors those who fulfill the University Mission in their daily work. Congrats to the champions named from October to February!
October
Jessie Mancilla, director, Unity Multicultural Education Center
Chris Almgren (not pictured), facilities coordinator I, Auxiliary Enterprises
November & December
Melkam Tesfaye, assistant director, Student Conduct and Conflict
Laura Hutton, manager, Foley Library User Services
January
Ayaka Dohi, director, Payne Center for Leadership Development
Yu-Kyung Kang, associate professor of English
Alex Giffin, academic advisor, School of Health Sciences
Mandy Baird, program manager, School of Leadership Studies
February
Dante Jester, climate resilience program manager, Institute for Climate, Water and the Environment
Juliane Mora, associate professor of communications studies
Angela Velasco-Early, mental health counselor, Health and Counseling Services
You are invited: Meet President-elect Katia Passerini, Ph.D.
Dessert of the Month: Neapolitan Cookies
These are a bit more complex, but still pretty manageable, and the color and flavor make them the perfect addition to any Easter brunch spread!
*Recipe adapted from the Vanilla Bean Blog by Sarah Kieffer
INGREDIENTS
2 1/2 cups plus 1 tablespoon [364 g] all-purpose flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup of freeze-dried strawberries, which equals 8 grams (measured before pulsing)
1 cup [2 sticks | 227 g] unsalted butter room temperature
1 3/4 cup [350 g] granulated sugar
1 large egg plus 1 large yolk
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 or 3 drops red food coloring optional
2 tablespoons Dutch-process cocoa powder
Sprinkles or granulated sugar for rolling
INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1 Preheat the oven to 350F. Line a baking sheets with parchment paper.
Step 2 In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt.
Step 3 In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a blade or in a blender, pulverize the strawberries into a powder.
Step 4 In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy, about 1 minute. Add the sugar and beat on medium speed until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the egg, yolk, and vanilla, and beat on medium speed until combined. Add the flour mixture and beat on low speed until just combined.
Step 5 Dump the dough out onto the counter and divide it into three equal portions. Put one-third of the dough back into the mixer and add the powdered strawberries and food coloring, if using. Mix on low speed until totally combined, then remove the dough and wipe out the bowl of the mixer. Add another third of dough to the mixer. Add the cocoa powder and mix on low speed until totally combined.
Step 6 Pinch a small portion (about 1/2 oz [15 g]) of each of the three doughs, and press them gently together, so they adhere to each other, but keep their unique colors. Gently roll into a ball, then roll the ball into granulated sugar. Place 6 or 7 cookies on each sheet pan. Bake the cookies one pan at a time, rotating halfway through baking. Bake until the sides are set, and the cookies are puffed in the middle, about 10 to 11 minutes.
Step 7 Transfer the sheet pan to a wire rack and let the cookies cool for 5 to 10 minutes on the pan, then remove them and let them cool completely on the wire rack.
Around Campus
April 5, 2 p.m., 7:30 p.m. Don’t miss five actors from one of the oldest Shakespeare touring theater companies in the world take the stage to perform Hamlet | Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center
April 9, 7:30-9 p.m. Brown University chemistry professor Sarah Delaney will discuss her work in DNA research and human disease at the annual Timothy J. O’Leary, S.J. Public Lecture hosted by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry | Wolff Auditorium
April 11-12, 7 p.m. Enjoy a variety of work presented by the 51³Ô¹Ï choreography class of spring 2025, boundless dance classes and more | Magnuson Theatre
April 12, 7:30-9 p.m. The Gonzaga Music Department is hosting a gala including performances by the Gonzaga choirs, the wind ensemble, the symphony orchestra and the jazz ensemble | Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center
April 13, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Join the annual Zag alumni and friends for an Easter egg hunt | Herak Quad
April 15, 6 p.m. Attend another installation of the “Our Common Home” lecture series, this time Anna Johnson with the Laudato Si Movement will discuss divesting from fossil fuels | Hemmingson Auditorium
April 25, 4-6 p.m. Check out the Honors Senior Research Showcase to see a range of interdisciplinary projects | Bollier Center
April 25-26, 7:30 p.m. Attend the Spring Dance Concert featuring works by Gonzaga Dance faculty ahead of dance program director Suzanne Ostersmith’s retirement | Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center
May 1, 12-5 p.m. Attend the 2nd annual Office of Inclusive Excellence Symposium on finding solidarity through diversity.
Noteworthy
New Hires
Amanda Zulas, data scientist, Institute for Informatics & Applied Technology; Anne McCulloh, 51³Ô¹Ï financial services counselor, Student Financial Services; Christopher Lopes, AI engineer, Institute for Informatics & Applied Technology; Esther Paul, gift accounting assistant, University Advancement; Jackie Smith, academic program coordinator, School of Leadership Studies; James Garces, assistant men’s soccer coach, Athletics; Jennifer Brown, academic advisor, Center for Student Academic Success; Jesus Montesino Serpa, custodian, Plant; Julia Boyle, study abroad advisor, Center for Global Engagement; Klaire Mitchell, assistant volleyball coach and director of volleyball operations, Athletics; Kyla Parkins, partnership coordinator, CCE; Madeline Gatewood, outreach and engagement coordinator, CCE; Mckenzie Brewer, assistant volleyball coach, Athletics; Nicholas Cemenenkoff, AI engineer, Institute for Informatics & Applied Technology; Rachel Clark, facilities coordinator I, Auxiliary Enterprises; Shelby Hurn, benefits specialist II, Human Resources; Tatum Gary, assistant volleyball coach, Athletics
Changes/ Promotions
Alan Tripp, IT technician II, ITS; Elizabeth Duke, program assistant III, Plant; Erick Stubbins, working maintenance supervisor, Plant; Mary Hunt, administrative assistant to the Chief Financial Officer; Melissa Waite, finance systems administrator, Controller’s Office; Nesiba Besic, manager of custodial and special services, Plant; Ruby Holschen, security officer, Campus Public Safety and Security; Russell Wood, working maintenance supervisor, Plant; Ty McGee, manager of grounds and solid waste, Plant
Goodbyes
Michiko Tra, enterprise application developer III, ITS
Anniversaries
35 Julia Bjordahl, director of operations, President’s Office
15 Jane Button, senior budget director, Budget and Financial Analysis
10 Matthew Trimble, assistant system administrator, HECC; Tere Graham, program manager for social justice, UMEC