Gonzaga University
In 1887, a Sicilian-born priest named Joseph Cataldo opened the doors of Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. The first class consisted of seven boys taught by seventeen Jesuit faculty members. They lived under strict rules that began at 5:30 AM and ended lights out at 8:30 PM. Mass was required six days a week with double services on Sundays. The school initially excluded Native American students despite Cataldo's original intent to educate them. A city official offered funding only if the institution remained whites-only. Father James Rebmann told another missionary that Indians were not considered Americans for enrollment purposes. By the end of that first year, eighteen white boys remained after two were expelled for rule violations. The campus grew from wooden structures to include a four-story building called New Gonzaga in 1899. Electric power arrived in 1892 alongside a new dormitory and a wood-framed church.
Between the 1970s and 2016, the Cardinal Bea House served as a retirement home for priests accused of sexual abuse. This property sat next to the university campus but operated independently under Jesuit ownership. The Center for Investigative Reporting published evidence showing how these men were kept away from vulnerable populations. No legal liability followed their actions while they resided there until the last abusive priest moved out in 2016. Spokane Spokesman-Review journalist questioned President Thayne McCulloh about his knowledge of the situation during his tenure. The facility functioned as a shield rather than a place of accountability or rehabilitation. Church leaders used the location to quietly manage problematic clergy without public scrutiny. The scandal emerged decades after the initial placements began within the Pacific Northwest region.
Gonzaga University now occupies 152 acres containing 105 buildings along the Spokane River. The John J. Hemmingson Center opened in Fall 2015 with an all-glass exterior covering almost four acres. This three-story structure earned Gold LEED certification for its environmental design standards. Foley Center Library serves as the main graduate and undergraduate library since opening in 1992. Chastek Law Library was erected in 2000 to support the School of Law programs. A performing arts center named after benefactor Myrtle Woldson opened to the public in 2019. It features a 750-seat theater alongside a recital hall for musical performances. Statues of St. Ignatius, St. Joseph, and alumnus Bing Crosby stand across campus grounds. The Rosauer School of Education building completed construction in 1994 to house teacher training programs. Virtual degree programs extend the university's reach beyond physical boundaries in Spokane.
As of 2015, average class sizes held twenty-three students taught by four hundred twenty-seven faculty members. The student-to-faculty ratio stood at 11.5 to one across all departments. Programs span ninety-two fields including business, education, engineering, dentistry, divinity, law, medicine, nursing, and veterinary studies. An Army ROTC program prepares graduates to become commissioned officers upon completion. Study abroad options exist in Florence, Italy plus locations like Australia, China, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Spain, and Zambia. U.S. News & World Report ranked Gonzaga tied for 98th among national universities in their 2025 list. Forbes placed it 153rd best school overall while ranking 87th among private colleges nationwide. The School of Engineering and Applied Science earned a tie for 23rd place in undergraduate programs without doctoral offerings. The MBA in American Indian Entrepreneurship received 14th place ranking in entrepreneurship categories during 2022. Admissions standards describe the institution as more selective compared to peer institutions nationally.
The men's basketball team made its first NCAA tournament appearance in 1995 after John Stockton graduated over a decade earlier. Since then they have participated in every single March Madness tournament through 2025. They reached the Elite Eight in 1999 and advanced again in 2015 before losing to Duke. Adam Morrison won the Oscar Robertson Trophy while Kelly Olynyk became a national Player of Year finalist in 2013. The team secured fifteen All-American honors and produced ten NBA first-round draft picks. In the 2012, 13 season, Gonzaga held the number one ranking by AP for the first time ever. Their highest prior ranking came in 2004 when they finished at number two nationally. Games take place inside the McCarthey Athletic Center located on campus grounds. The women's basketball team reached the Sweet Sixteen round in 2010. National runner-up finishes occurred in both 2017 and 2021 tournaments. Twenty-two West Coast Conference tournament championships mark their dominance within the league.
Tom Foley served as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives after graduating from Gonzaga. Christine Gregoire became Governor of Washington state following her education there. Bing Crosby earned an Academy Award as singer and actor while attending classes in Spokane. John Stockton entered the Basketball Hall of Fame after his playing career concluded. Eli Morgan pitched professionally in Major League Baseball before retiring. Jim Wickwire achieved world-class status as a mountain climber exploring remote peaks. Tony Canadeo joined the Pro Football Hall of Fame representing the Green Bay Packers. Ray Flaherty coached the Washington Redskins and recruited former Bulldogs to play in their backfield. These individuals shaped public life through politics, entertainment, sports, and exploration. Their achievements reflect the diverse paths taken by graduates over more than a century. The university continues to produce leaders across multiple sectors of American society today.
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Common questions
When was Gonzaga University founded and who opened its doors?
Joseph Cataldo, a Sicilian-born priest, opened the doors of Gonzaga University in 1887. The first class consisted of seven boys taught by seventeen Jesuit faculty members.
What happened at Cardinal Bea House between the 1970s and 2016?
The Cardinal Bea House served as a retirement home for priests accused of sexual abuse from the 1970s until 2016. Church leaders used this property to quietly manage problematic clergy without public scrutiny or legal liability.
How many acres does Gonzaga University occupy today and what buildings are on campus?
Gonzaga University occupies 152 acres containing 105 buildings along the Spokane River. Notable structures include the John J. Hemmingson Center which opened in Fall 2015 and the Foley Center Library that has served students since 1992.
What is the student-to-faculty ratio at Gonzaga University as of 2015?
As of 2015, the student-to-faculty ratio stood at 11.5 to one across all departments. Average class sizes held twenty-three students taught by four hundred twenty-seven faculty members.
When did the Gonzaga men's basketball team make its first NCAA tournament appearance?
The men's basketball team made its first NCAA tournament appearance in 1995 after John Stockton graduated over a decade earlier. They have participated in every single March Madness tournament through 2025.