Gonzaga University has a long and distinguished history of educating people who answer a higher calling to serve in our Nation’s Armed Forces. Among these is Phil Fassieux, a Regional Development Field officer in the University Relations, Development office. This week, we are celebrating Phil’s return from a special training opportunity that took him away from travelling on behalf of the University. Here is what Phil had to say about his relationship with Gonzaga:
“I have been touched to share a cup of coffee with some of our University’s earliest patriots. It is always humbling to see them reconnect with a buried memory from GU and it’s an honor to have been witness to it. These are the things I think about when I think of GU; the opportunities that have been afforded to me by this fine institution. I am truly grateful.
“I find myself reflecting on how I got here and must conclude that dumb blind luck led me to Gonzaga. Walking between biology and English literature class during my senior year of high school, I overheard a friend mention it as a school they were looking into. I listened intensely for key descriptors: Small, Catholic, liberal arts, and most importantly, not in my home town. After a visit, my fate was sealed. I was gonna be a Zag! No question. I was drawn to the idea of military service and, faced with paying for this fantastic education, I looked into joining Gonzaga’s Bulldog Battalion. I don’t know who bought off the scholarship committee, but if you’re reading this, a long overdue thanks! Years later, I was asked to fill an instructor position for the University’s Army ROTC program, The Bulldog Battalion. I couldn’t believe it. Teaching leadership to cadets was a tremendously rewarding experience. When that assignment ended, my desire to stay at GU remained. Now, I get to spread the Zag Spirit in a professional capacity, visiting with alumni donors and friends of the University.
“Gonzaga has this pretty cool ability to foster spiritual or religious identity and, then, to help you understand and contextualize that identity in the world around you. With that understanding of yourself and the world, it’s like a 3D movie. Everything comes alive and stands out. Life seems fuller and more vibrant. GU gave this to me.
“For me, Gonzaga is a bastion of morality-based education that should be recognized by, accessible to, and available for our local and global communities. Sharing the message about Gonzaga is only part of my larger drive to improve the world we’re living in. I am finding myself becoming more interested helping military veterans find opportunities for higher education (read Gonzaga) after their service. I want to do whatever I can to bring together veterans and other members of our community and in doing so, hope all parties involved will grow from the interactions. Working at GU, I know that we will continue to bring in students of competence and character from all sectors of society and economic backgrounds. My work at Gonzaga focuses on ensuring GU’s financial future is secure. I do this by keeping the friends and family of GU connected to the school. Hopefully, I do this in a way that’s meaningful, authentic, and brings us closer to the school, its mission, and the collective spirit of its student body.”
Contact Phil to schedule a visit: 509-313-5944 or go to our website: www.gonzaga.edu/supportgu