Give Gratitude

Back in the 1950s there was a young man coming to Eye Street in the winter without an overcoat on. Coach Joe Kozik quietly pulled the young man aside and asked him why and the boy said, "My family can't afford to get me a coat, Coach."  

That day, Joe Kozik gave the young man a coat. Thirty years later, Dick Loftus of the Class of 1956 came to Gonzaga with a check large enough to pay the tuition for several students who otherwise would not be able to afford to come. He handed the check to Kozik. "That's for the coat, Coach," he said.

How many of us, given the chance, wouldn't express our gratitude to the men and women on Eye Street who formed us? 

Gonzaga is a school blessed with many traditions. Perhaps its greatest one is an attitude of gratitude that has helped us sustain quality Jesuit education in the nation’s capital for 200 years.

This year, 11 beloved teachers and staff members are retiring from Gonzaga, including five who have spent more than 30 years each on Eye Street: Ms. Helen Free, Mr. Mike Howell, Coach Joe Jackson, Coach Alvin Maddox, and Mr. Jim Rogers. Although we will miss them dearly, we are grateful for their dedication, patience, humor, positivity, and persistence—especially during the challenges of this past year.

Now, as we say goodbye to another generation of legendary Gonzaga educators, please consider saying, "Thanks" with a gift to the Gonzaga Fund.

As we approach our fiscal year-end on June 30, Gonzaga is launching a campaign to celebrate our retirees, thank them for their service, and ensure that Gonzaga continues to attract and retain such outstanding faculty and staff for generations to come. 

Every gift will go directly to the Gonzaga Fund, which supports our dedicated teachers and provides tuition assistance to deserving Gonzaga students. Our goal is 1,821 gifts in May and June—a nod to our school’s 200 years of outstanding Jesuit education in the nation’s capital.

Please make your gift today, and ensure that Gonzaga’s tradition of gratitude continues to thrive.

Here's how you can help! Spread the word about this campaign and encourage your friends and classmates to get involved.

Step 1: Sign up to be an advocate.

Step 2: While logged into your advocate account, use the Facebook, Twitter, Text, and Email buttons to help spread the word.

Step 3: Check back to the ‘advocates’ tab to see how many clicks, dollars, and donors you’ve generated for the Gonzaga Fund.