Sherman Alexie to speak at Gonzaga's 124th Commencement - May 14

SPOKANE, Wash. – Sherman Alexie, pre-eminent poet, novelist, and filmmaker of contemporary Native American reservation life, will deliver the keynote address at Gonzaga University’s undergraduate commencement ceremony at 9:30 a.m., Sunday, May 14 in the Spokane Arena. The ceremony is among Gonzaga’s three 124th commencement exercises May 13-14.

At the undergraduate ceremony, Alexie will receive an honorary Doctor of Letters degree to honor how his fearless encounter of social issues and his generous willingness to share what he has learned make him a messenger of hope and new possibilities. His writing consistently fosters a mature commitment to the dignity of the individual and illustrates what it can mean to be a person for and with others, a fundamental Jesuit value.

Also at the undergraduate ceremony, Gonzaga will present Board of Trustees Emeritus member Timothy Barnard with an honorary Doctor of Laws degree, recognizing his commitment to the advancement of Jesuit and Catholic education, and the creativity, work ethic, vision, service and leadership he and his family have offered Gonzaga for more than three decades.

Law School Commencement, May 13

Trial lawyer Thomas W. Hillier, II, a 1973 Gonzaga Law School alumnus, will deliver the keynote address at the Law School commencement, starting at 9 a.m., Saturday, May 13 at the McCarthey Athletic Center. Hillier will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree, recognizing his extraordinary career of public service and deep commitment to justice, professional excellence, and serving others. Retired Washington State Supreme Court Justice Richard P. Guy, a 1959 Gonzaga Law alumnus, will receive the Law Medal at the ceremony, recognizing his exceptional lifetime commitment and service to justice.

Graduate Commencement, May 13

Stephanie Russell, Ed.D., vice president for mission integration for the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities and a lay leader in Jesuit higher education, will deliver the graduate commencement address at noon May 13 at the McCarthey Athletic Center. Russell will receive an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in recognition of her deep understanding of Ignatian pedagogy and lifelong commitment to Jesuit higher education.

Gonzaga to Confer 2,197 Degrees

Gonzaga expects to confer a total of 2,197 undergraduate, graduate and law degrees (2,025 in May 2016), including: 1,283 bachelor’s degrees (1,146 in 2016), 774 master’s degrees (752 in 2016), 32 doctorates (15 in 2016), and 108 law degrees (112 in 2016).

Other Gonzaga Commencement Events

• SOCIAL JUSTICE MISSIONING CEREMONY: 3:30, Friday, May 12, in University Chapel (third floor of College Hall). This event honors seniors who are embarking on service work through organizations including the Peace Corps, Jesuit Volunteer Corps and others.
• ROTC COMMISSIONING CEREMONY: 5 p.m., May 12, St. Aloysius Church; guests welcome; reception follows in Cataldo Hall.
• SCHOOL OF LAW COMMENCEMENT MASS: 5:30 p.m., May 12, University Chapel in College Hall (all welcome).
• UNDERGRADUATE, GRADUATE COMMENCEMENT MASS: 3:30 p.m., May 13, McCarthey Athletic Center (all welcome); reception follows on Quad Lawn.
• NURSING PINNING CEREMONY: 9 a.m., May 13, St. Aloysius Church; ceremony welcomes newly graduated nurses into their profession; reception follows in Cataldo Hall. 

Sherman Alexie (Photo by Lee Towndrow)