Overview
A Community-Oriented, State-of-the-Art Campus Combines with the Vibrant Setting of Spokane to Offer Students Enrichment
Student life at Gonzaga University is rich, fulfilling, and fun, made so by a campus that is designed to meet the academic, technological, and recreational needs of students. Stellar on-campus housing options and a picturesque setting in the beautiful city of Spokane, Washington, round out the active campus life for students. All first- and second-year students at the University are required to live on campus, a provision that creates a dynamic and vibrant campus life.
Gonzaga students are highly-involved, engaging in a wide range of activities and regularly creating and participating in a diverse assortment of student organizations, clubs, and interest groups. Among the many organizations and groups in which students may engage are academic honor societies, student awareness groups, cultural groups, arts and literature groups, religious groups, academic clubs, and a wide range of others that reflect the unique, distinctive personalities of a diverse student body.
Outside of the University's many clubs and groups, there is a long history of volunteerism among Gonzaga students as well as a variety of retreats and ministry opportunities. The Washington institution also features a large and diverse intramural sports program that is among the most popular activities on campus.
When seeking to get away from campus for a while, Gonzaga University students regularly visit the city of Spokane, a friendly, down-to-earth metropolitan area with a population of over 460,000. The downtown area is connected by a large skywalk system, and students can visit over 100 shops, restaurants, galleries, and a 20-screen AMC movie theatre. For outdoor enthusiasts, Spokane offers students a number of recreational options and features a 100-acre park on the Spokane River. Additionally, the 37-mile Centennial Trail borders the Spokane River and Gonzaga's campus and easily facilities various manners of outdoor exercise.
Other outdoor activities in which Gonzaga students regularly engage include hiking, fishing, camping, skiing, snowboarding, horseback riding, tubing, rock climbing, and mountain biking. Cultural events are also plentiful in Spokane, and students can enjoy ballet, opera, coffeehouse entertainment, galleries, and dance studios.
A Dedicated Faculty, Rich Curriculum, and History of Academic Excellence are Gonzaga's Calling Cards
Gonzaga University academics are built upon a humanistic philosophy that is nurtured and instilled in students via a challenging and supportive faculty. Students receive a strong liberal arts core regardless of their chosen major and may choose from five undergraduate schools that include the College of Arts and Sciences and the Schools of Business, Education, Engineering & Applied Science, and Professional Studies.
An environmental studies major has recently been added to the University catalogue, and the exercise science program has been revamped and renamed human physiology. Among the most popular programs at Gonzaga are business administration, biology, psychology, history, political science, communication arts, human physiology, nursing, engineering, and special education.
Regardless of a student's chosen major, a low student to faculty ratio (11:1) ensures that students receive the level of personal attention that is required in a true scholarly environment, and professors teach all classes at Gonzaga, including labs.
The University carries education beyond the Pacific Northwest as well, as nearly half of Gonzaga students are engaged in study abroad programs, which offer a wonderful opportunity to combine service with studies in places like Zambia and Benin, as well as the University's own campus in Florence, Italy.
Internships, Scholarships, and Financial Aid Create Opportunity for Students
At Gonzaga University, administrators understand the need to quickly and easily disseminate information to students about the sometimes-complex issue of financial aid. With a variety of forms, deadlines, and red tape often associated with the process of applying for and receiving financial aid, Gonzaga has taken the unique step of dedicating a newsletter, termed "Money Matters," to the issue of student aid.
The newsletter goes beyond merely highlighting the relevant issues associated with financial aid and actually speaks to students concerning the issue of financial responsibility. It is an excellent resource for University students, almost all of whom receive financial aid in some form. In addition to traditional financial aid packages, Gonzaga also offers a variety of merit-based scholarships. Students also regularly engage in work study and internship programs to assist with their financial needs, and internships can simultaneously result in both credit hours and wages.
Gonzaga Graduates Enter the World Well-Educated and Well-Prepared
Gonzaga University enjoys an excellent nationwide reputation for academic success and continuously receives accolades, awards, and top rankings in various categories from a variety of publications. As a well-known University with a history of excellence, Gonzaga prepares its students for the world at large, and alumni regularly comment on the advantages they are afforded due to their Gonzaga degree.
The University takes the post-collegiate pursuits of its graduates very seriously and, to that end, maintains a highly-functional website called "ZagTrax" that assists students in creating a portfolio, locating appropriate employment opportunities, and applying for jobs quickly and easily.
