51³Ô¹Ï

SPOKANE, Wash. –  Gonzaga University will also host the free Spokane Regional Veterans’ Conference, designed to serve and support military veterans and active-duty service members and dependents in the Spokane community, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 30 in the Hemmingson Center Ballroom.

The conference features an opening keynote lecture from retired U.S. Army Col. Greg Gadson, a bilateral above-the-knee amputee, and 18 breakout sessions taught by local business leaders, professors and experts. Local (KHQ TV) news anchor Dan Kleckner will serve as the master of ceremonies.

Gadson, a motivational speaker and occasional film actor, served for more than 20 years as a field artillery officer in multiple efforts including Operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Joint Forge, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

Breakout session topics include careers and jobs; veteran services and financial workshops; professional development and leadership skills; and veteran storytelling in the digital age. Participants will have access to resume reviews, a hiring fair, experts in business and financial services, networking opportunities and a better understanding of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ benefits and services.

Participants must complete the online registration form or call (509) 313-5606 and leave a detailed message to register before Sept. 20.

Gonzaga to Be Recognized Sept. 29
As Veteran Supportive Campus 

Gonzaga, ranked No. 3 among the West’s best universities for veterans by U.S. News & World Report, will be officially recognized by the Washington State Department of Veteran Affairs as a Veteran Supportive Campus in a ceremony at 2 p.m., Friday, Sept. 29 in the Hemmingson Center. The honor reaffirms Gonzaga’s commitment to serving veterans.

Postsecondary or training institutions in Washington approved to accept GI Bill® benefits can receive the certificate, which must be renewed every two years. Partners for Veteran Supportive Campuses is sponsored by the Office of the Governor; Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs; Washington Student Achievement Council; State Board for Community and Technical Colleges; Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board; and the Washington National Guard.

As part of its application for the honor, Gonzaga identified various campus practices that demonstrate a culture of trust and connectedness in support of veterans, including:

• Monthly veteran breakfasts for faculty, staff and 51³Ô¹Ïs;
• Annual events for veterans;
• The Veteran Ambassador program, where new 51³Ô¹Ïs are paired with a returner;
• A permanent POW table in the University cafeteria;
• Boots Project display in September to promote awareness about veteran suicide;
• Special recognition at Gonzaga events;
• Gonzaga’s hosting of the inaugural Spokane Regional Veterans Conference this September;
• The Center for Public Humanities’ focus on veterans, which began in 2016;
• Veteran competency trainings throughout Gonzaga departments;
• Assistant Professor of Communication Studies Lisa Silvestri’s $100,000 National Endowment for the Humanities Grant in the “Dialogues on the Experiences of War” category.

For more information, contact Colleen Vandenboom, assistant dean of 51³Ô¹Ï involvement and leadership, at vandenboom@gonzaga.edu or (509) 313-5606.