UNITY

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inside this issue...Director’s CornerC.L.A.S.S. Summit

Diversity Monologues Where Are They Now?

Real Talk: If these GU Halls Could Talk Service SpotlightAlly Connection

MULTICULTURALEDUCATIONCENTERVolume 5, Issue 4 May 20, 2015newsletter

Summit 2015C.L.A.S.S.

March 21, 2015 marked the second Gonzaga Act Six C.L.A.S.S.. Summit. This half-day conference is led by Gonzaga Act Six scholars. The overall goal of C.L.A.S.S. is to educate participants (students, faculty and staff members) on diversity and multiculturalism, and to empower them to be agents of social change in an increasingly diverse and global community. There were four student presenters, two alumni presenters, and one faculty presenter this time around. The next summit will take place in spring 2017. The mission of the summit was once again a hit for all attendees. “Through a series of workshops focusing on Cultural-awareness, Leadership, Activism, Social justice, and Service (C.L.A.S.S), we seek to empower Gonzaga students to be dynamic members of their community by becoming agents of change. We seek to create an inclusive and nurturing atmosphere for students from all backgrounds on this campus, by expanding knowledge of human difference to draw us closer to the human family of which we are all a part of.”

¡Hola! As my first year comes to a full circle at Gonzaga University, I find myself in a reflective state and thought it appropriate to share one of my favorite poems. A poem that constantly reminds me that I am truly in a vocation where I can say that I have fallen in love with what I do and who I serve:

“Nothing is more practical thanfinding God, thanfalling in Lovein a quite absolute, final way.What you are in love with,what seizes your imagination, will affect everything.It will decidewhat will get you out of bed in the morning,what you do with your evenings,how you spend your weekends,what you read, whom you know,what breaks your heart,and what amazes you with joy and gratitude.Fall in Love, stay in love,and it will decide everything.” (Rev. Pedro Arrupe, S.J.)

Director’s Corner continued on page 7

Director’s Corner

Gonzaga university unity multicultural education center

Diversity MonologuesHow Do You Come To Know Your History?

When I started writing my monologue, I found myself listening to my favorite spoken word pieces. I listened to “Repetition” by Phil Kaye, a spoken word piece where he discusses how he developed a stutter after his parents’ separation. Listening to him explain how he felt as if his house had lost its sense of gravity was the most relatable comparison I ever heard. From this, I drew inspiration to write my monologue, and I wrote about growing up in an abusive household.

I always knew I had a story, but I never felt like I was strong enough to share it. However, right before going on stage, when I was in the green room with all the other contestants and we got in a giant group hug, I felt all the love that we have for each other, and I knew I could do it. Though it had only been my second time meeting some of them, after being so vulnerable and sharing a piece of myself I had never told anyone, we were all connected. Being on stage, waiting to perform my monologue, I was in awe not only because of the amount of people that showed up, but because of the amount of love and support I felt from everyone in the crowd.

After reflecting on my first year at Gonzaga, Diversity Monologues has been one of the most empowering experiences I have ever been a part of. I was finally granted closure on a situation that had been dragging me down for the last 10 years of my life.

Pictured below: Participants of the 5th annual Diversity Monologues with guest speakers Michael Benitez, Jr. and Rudy Mondragon.

STUDENT REFLECTION BY AMAYRANI CHAVEZ, GU FIRST-YEAR STUDENT AND DIVERSITY MONOLOGUES PARTICIPANT

502 e boone ave msc#2466, spokane, wa 99258 (509) 313-5836 unityhouse@gonzaga.edu

Catching up withGonzaga Alums

Activities while at GU: The Black Student Union, L.E.A.D.S. Mentoring Program, B.R.I.D.G.E. pre-orientation program (participated as an incoming freshman, as a counselor, and as the program lead coordinator), Gospel Choir, Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery volunteer, intramurals, The Gonzaga Bulletin (staff writer and editor), Diversity Monologues, Culture Shock, Chi-Urban Excursion. .

What are you currently doing since graduating? I am currently finishing up my first year of the M.S. Speech-Language Pathology graduate program at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in Chapel Hill, NC. I have completed my first practicum placement at a re-education center for children age 6-13 from disadvantaged backgrounds with severe emotional and behavioral problems and other mental health diagnoses. I attend a treatment conversation group for adults living with aphasia (a communication disorder that robs a person of their access to language; it is most commonly acquired after stroke and/or traumatic brain injury) every Wednesday. I will continue to work with adults as a speech-language pathology intern in the medical setting this summer.

What do you miss most about Gonzaga? I miss the community. I miss the small campus and the sense of familiarity. I obviously did not know every person on campus but it was not uncommon to recognize hundreds of faces. I also met some of my best friends at GU. I know that many miles separate us now that we are no longer able to walk across campus to meet up but I know that they will always be a part of my journey through life. We grew up together, we cried together, and we triumphed together. I will forever be thankful for the gift of friendship and family that GU gave to me.

What was your favorite moment at Gonzaga? My favorite moment at Gonzaga was being a part of the first Diversity Monologues. I remember students crammed tight in Jepson, some sitting in the stairways, some standing against the wall. We were definitely violating some kind of fire code but the energy was indescribable. I was nervous beyond belief but I felt so inspired sitting among my fellow poets and storytellers as we each told our truths to our peers and GU faculty and staff. I have never felt so accepted, so acknowledged, so connected, and so very proud than in that moment.

What was one challenge you faced while at Gonzaga? I faced my first academic failure during my first semester as a freshman at GU. I came in declaring a major in Human Physiology but I soon found out that Chem 101 and Biology 101 in the same semester (with my ineffective study habits) would leave me with letter grades on my transcript that I had never seen before. I felt ashamed. I felt inadequate. I questioned my capabilities and my intelligence. I had lost quite a bit of confidence even though I had always excelled in academics up to this point.

Where Are They Now? continued on page 4

Name: Jordan Love

Year Graduated: 2014

Majors: Psychology (minor: Philosophy)

From: Lakewood, WA

Where Are They Now?

Gonzaga university unity multicultural education center

Were you able to overcome them? How so? I took my academic “hiccup” to heart, not in the sense that I let it define me but I chose to learn from it. I did switch majors but I adapted my studying techniques, I took advantage of office hours, I took my papers to the Writing Center, and I capitalized on forming study groups with my classmates. I did everything I could to become a better student. That brief encounter with failure only further fueled my work ethic and drive. I believe I am a stronger student because I am aware of my strengths as well as my weaknesses and I now know how to compensate and strategize. I retook Chemistry and Biology and did much better the second time around and I am now in a graduate program in a school of medicine that incorporates science (mostly anatomy) into everything that I do.

What was your biggest takeaway from your Gonzaga experience that is most applicable to you after graduating?My biggest takeaway from GU was learning how to apply the principles of an holistic education to my every day life and my continuing education. I was exposed to so many different disciplines, perspectives, theories, and mantras while at GU but I continue to use a humanistic lens in my graduate program studies and as I am being trained to be a future healthcare professional. The world is interconnected and each person we encounter has their own story, culture, belief system, experience, etc. We are human beings. We are all innately imperfect. We desire connection, purpose, and autonomy. This mindset continues to inspire me and influence how I approach new challenges and how I interact with my surroundings.

What advice do you have for current Gonzaga students? Don’t ever sell yourself short. You are in an environment of limitless resources, mentors and opportunity. Engage in your community, participate in discussion, reach out to people, and be sure to be present in your experience. Your identity and your passions are so important and so valuable. Foster them while you are there and share them with others. The outside world is different but it needs you to spark the fire, challenge its systems, spread your insight, and exemplify how to live life while serving others.

What’s next for you? I will be working as a speech-language pathology intern at a hospital this summer. I will begin my second year of the program in the fall and hopefully graduate with my Master’s degree in the summer of 2016. I will then complete a year of clinical fellowship and begin my career as a speech-language pathologist. I hope to be working in a setting that serves our veteran population.

Where Are They Now? continued...

502 e boone ave msc#2466, spokane, wa 99258 (509) 313-5836 unityhouse@gonzaga.edu

Student Reflection

As a white, LGBTQ+ person, I really enjoyed being included in the Real Talk conversation. On the surface, many of my fellow classmates perhaps believe I have nothing to add in way of dialogue surrounding marginalized students. So being allowed to speak from my own identity and from my own experience really added a great deal to my last few weeks at Gonzaga. The opportunity to join my voice with voices of fellow students from different backgrounds and identities deepened my appreciation for the diversity already present at GU while also making me yearn for greater representation.

The last question of the evening, “how has your identity affected your Zag experience?” really opened up the chance to speak more broadly about our Gonzaga culture. As a senior, I still do not fully comprehend this idea of being a “Zag.” There is no universal checklist of all the experiences a Gonzaga student must go through before gaining this ideal “Zag” identity. As an LGBTQ+ student I do not feel attached to the dominant culture’s concept of Gonzaga identity. Rather I believe my place in society allows me a unique perspective. As an open bisexual my most memorable Gonzaga experiences are those that include great dialogue, beautiful tension and the chance for growth. All of those occurred during my time on the Real Talk panel and it will always remain one of the defining moments in my college career.

BY SHANNON CLARK, GU SENIOR AND REAL TALK PANELIST

Pictured above: Real Talk panelists talking with the audience on April 23, 2015.

Gonzaga university unity multicultural education center

For my spring break, I went to St. Louis, Missouri on Mission: Possible. Mission: Possible is advertised as a spring break alternative where students can learn about spirituality, social justice, simplicity, and community. To be honest, going into this experience I was not very excited because I really needed a relaxing break from my crazy academic schedule. As I was on my way to the airport at 5:45AM, I realized I couldn’t even name all of the people going on the trip with me and that really made me scared and sad. Once we landed, I could now name all of the people I was with and I was ready to serve the people of St. Louis.

On our first day, we went to the store and got the food for the week and we sure did want to live simply! I remember an activity we did where my group had to buy a meal for all four of us for $4.50. That was an extremely hard challenge that I could not believe people have to go through everyday. We also did a race curriculum where it was so great to see the predominately white and privileged students of Gonzaga learning and diving in these hard topics that I personally go through everyday. Overall, I think my experience was wonderful. I am so truly grateful for UMEC and your generosity to my Mission: Possible trip. My group still meets frequently and we have such a wonderful time. During our trip, we went to a sports pub to watch a Gonzaga Men’s Basketball game and when we walked in, the lady asked if we were there to watch the Gorgonzola basketball game. We all could not stop laughing and from then on we call ourselves the Zola’s! #GoZolas

Service Spotlight

BY LASHANTAY WALLS, GU FIRST YEAR STUDENT AND ACT SIX SCHOLAR

Mission: Possible Reflections

There’s a lot that I could say about Mission Possible, but I think the best way for me to put it is that it was very hard, yet very rewarding. Physically it was hard with the time change, having to wake up early, walking all over New York (New York is huge btw), and give our time and energy for others. Even more exhausting than the physical part, was the mental exhaustion to go along with my inner fight of my past demons. If you did not know, the main reason why I wanted to go to New York and work with Sr. Tesa was because of my past, and how it seemed to mirror the lives of some of the women in the program. My mom had her own problems, and I believe that with the support of these programs, my life and hers would be very different to this day. This trip allowed me to experience an amazing city that I have never gotten to know as well as an opportunity to learn, coincide and serve with the program Hour Children and grow so much more as a person.

Going on Mission Possible was such an amazing experience and I am truly grateful. I got to see such a wonderful city (that I would never live in though), and meet some amazing people and hopefully impact their lives as much as they impacted mine. Meeting these woman and having them council me as well as provide words of encouragement truly helped me in my fight against the demons I had and I cannot truly thank them enough. Mission Possible was so much more than service for me personally, it was also a chance for me to grow as a person and let go some of the demons I had been harboring for years.

BY AUSTIN JOHNSON, GU FIRST YEAR STUDENT AND ACT SIX SCHOLAR

My name is Ray Rast, and I’m a lecturer in the History Department and the interim internship coordinator for the College of Arts and Sciences. As the grandson of Mexican immigrants, I was proud to be the first in my family to graduate from college - but then I didn’t stop until I had my Ph.D. from the University of Washington. After teaching in California for five years, I’ve enjoyed being back in the Pacific Northwest.

My family and I came to Gonzaga three years ago, and it’s been a great fit. Gonzaga’s mission resonates with my own personal values and professional goals. I appreciate Gonzaga’s small classes, sense of community, and efforts to balance tradition with innovation. All of these things make me a better teacher and scholar.

Gonzaga’s commitment to diversity also resonates with me and my work. I teach several courses in U.S. history, and each emphasizes the importance of social, economic, political, and religious diversity to the American experience. Beyond the classroom, I have been working with the National Park Service to preserve historic sites associated with American Latina/o history, including sites tied to Cesar Chavez (such as the church where he first learned about Catholic social doctrine). Thinking about how far we’ve come since Chavez began his social justice work in the 1950s – and how far we have to go – inspires me to work harder every day. Look for me in the History Department if you’d like to talk about history, internships, or anything else!

Professor Ray Rast, History Department

502 e boone ave msc#2466, spokane, wa 99258 (509) 313-5836 unityhouse@gonzaga.edu

AllyConnection

To our recent graduates, as you embark on your post-graduation journey, I hope you will find a vocation that will provide you with fulfillment and will continue to nurture your being. Thank you for your gifts shared with the Gonzaga University community, we look forward to welcoming you back as alumni in the near future.

To our continuing students, take this summer and think about what is it that you want to focus on next year? What brings you joy and gratitude, and how do you want to leave a mark at GU? How can you pay it forward? And do rest, and be energized for a year of resiliency and accomplishments that 2015-2016 will be!

So this summer, I invite you all to fall in love as Fr. Arrupe praises and let this love lead your path as you continue to figure out how you wish to “go forth and set the world on fire”. Have a wonderful summer!

Juanita Jasso,Director, UMEC

Director’s Corner continued...