The Gonzaga Path

As a graduate of Gonzaga University in 1989, Thayne McCulloh is a prime example of living the Jesuit mission to the fullest. President McCulloh is the President of Gonzaga and has been since 2010. He was the first non-Jesuit to become the president of Gonzaga, which is uncommon and admirable. President McCulloh went to Gonzaga as an undergraduate student with a clear idea of what he wanted to do with his future, but like many students that quickly changed. Discovering his purpose and continuing to educate himself, President McCulloh went to graduate school. He attributes his time at Gonzaga for making possible the opportunity to expand his education and create, in his words, “horizons of imagination." 

Exploring the theme of pathways and striving to charter your own way, President McCulloh speaks on the importance of moving towards one’s own goal. He encourages individuals, “don’t be bounded or restricted by well-worn paths of those who have done things before, I like the idea that part of an educational experience at a place like this is an opportunity for people to create their own paths and to forge their own way forward. I think there’s a disadvantage to following the script." Gonzaga’s mission motivates students to not be afraid to choose their own path forward and think differently.  

In the midst of filming around campus, our group caught President McCulloh racing on foot across the College Hall parking lot. The day prior, we joked that he would be the ideal interview subject. Not thinking this would manifest to reality, we approached (or ambushed) President McCulloh inquiring if he had a few minutes to talk with us. After a moment pause, he said yes. The camera started rolling and he had absolutely no idea what was about to take place. His reflective and thoughtful answers are a true testament to his character as the president. His words and actions show that his experiences at Gonzaga have truly shaped him.  

Students at Gonzaga all follow different paths. Coming from different backgrounds and striving for different futures, we come together as a community to study and grow together. Gonzaga’s mission and vision for its students includes being open-minded and brave. President McCulloh encourages students to think creatively and differently about goals and dreams, and to evolve one’s own sense of direction because that itself might serve as a distinguishing characteristic. 

- Koehler, Chvilicek, Russell, and Fox