Cynthia Reyes-Methvin
Q: You have decided to include Gonzaga in your estate plans, why is that?
A: I was fully responsible for financing my degrees at Gonzaga University. Therefore, from first-hand experience, by gifting back to Gonzaga, it gives me opportunity to support another minority student to receive an education like I did and to clear an easier path for a minority student to fulfill their dream of getting a Gonzaga education.
I feel blessed and fortunate to have received an excellent education from Gonzaga, so I want to in a sense, “pay it forward.”
Q: Why did you choose to pursue your college education at Gonzaga?
A: I attended an area community college for two years and then transferred to another area university. Both of these college experiences left me with an “empty feeling” and I didn’t feel academically challenged.
It wasn’t until I toured the Gonzaga Campus that I felt a real sense of welcome and community; the energy from the campus drew me in. I sensed its strong buzz of learning. The small classroom size and the student-to-faculty ratio were attractive benefits; these were immediate signs of ROI.
Q: What did you earn your GU undergraduate degree in and why did you choose that area of study?
A: My GU undergraduate degree is Bachelor of General Studies. After attending two previous colleges, I entered Gonzaga as an older student and already active in the work-force. My focus was on a broader degree where I could concentrate my studies on organizational leadership, marketing and human services.
The Traditional BGS degree program allowed me to accomplish my educational goal by finishing my degree while still being active in the workforce.
Q: You also earned your MOL from Gonzaga; why did you decide to pursue that degree?
A: I looked at both the MBA and MOL programs at Gonzaga, and at the time, the MOL program better matched my career path. I attended the MOL program on-campus. I feel very fortunate to have been able to do this, since I was able to experience the MOL community of learning through such empowered discussions, phenomenal readings and challenging projects.
I completed my MOL degree in two years. I give thanks to the many, many venti lattes that helped me through the night classes and work the next day!
Q: Who was/were your favorite professor/s and why?
A: I have two favorite professors, Dr. Michael Carey and Dr. Joe Albert from the MOL program.
Both professors inspired and helped me transform into the adult that I am today, by engaging me through their passion-felt lectures, shared vision and common thread: That anyone can become a servant leader.
Dr. Carey and Dr. Albert empowered me both professionally and spiritually. Like our first African American President said, they got me “Fired up and ready to go.”
Q: What extracurricular activities were you involved in as a student and why did you choose them?
A: As a student in the MOL program, I was involved in GAMP. My reason for selecting GAMP was that I had a strong calling to mentor undergrad students on their career path. My goal was to share as much real-life experience as I could to make the mentee’s transition less confusing and less scary.
GAMP helped me personally. After I received my undergrad degree, GAMP helped me to develop a network of business professionals (like an early version of LinkedIn), helped me through the resume and interview process and assisted me in landing a better job. Hence, going through the GAMP system gave me a better understanding of the program.
I am committed to the true spirit of giving back.
Gosh, do you remember your first job interview? Holy Smokes, I do!! I was super nervous and yes, scared.
Q: Any favorite GU memories from when you were a student that you’d like to share?
A: Oh, geez, there were so many GU memories; however, the one that really comes to mind revealed to me the true goodness in people.
It happened when I had major surgery during the Christmas holiday school break, right before my last semester in the MOL program. When I returned back to class mid-January 2001, I still couldn’t drive and goodness, walking a few feet was still a major workout. To this day, reflecting back, I am still amazed on how many fellow students and family members helped me to complete my final semester in the MOL program. Their simple, yet unconditional actions, like driving me to and from school (from the Spokane Valley), carrying my books, helping me walk to and from the parking lot and into the elevator, truly made a difference.
All of these examples represent simple actions of human caring.
Q: Who else in your family is connected to Gonzaga and how?
A: My brother, Raymond Reyes, currently holds the position of the Associate Mission Vice President for Intercultural Relations at Gonzaga University. Raymond has been a member of Gonzaga University since 1988.
Prior to this administrative appointment Raymond was the Associate Vice President of Diversity and Assistant Professor in the School of Education at Gonzaga University.
Q: When was the last time you were on campus and what was your impression?
A: I was on the Gonzaga campus last year, from October 12-22, 2010.
On October 12th, at GU’s Cataldo Hall, I attended with my parents The Gonzaga Institute for Hate Studies Take Action Against Hate Annual Banquet, where my brother Raymond was presented with the “Eva Lassman: Take Action Against Hate Award,” given to an individual who has committed their life to challenging the issues of hate in a community, country and world. My parents and I had NO idea that Raymond was receiving such an honorary award. We were very, very surprised and in complete awe with Raymond’s acceptance speech. This was the first time my parents and I heard Raymond publicly speak; a steady flow of tears streamed down my cheeks as he spoke!
October 14 and 15, I attended the first Gonzaga Alumni Chapter Leadership Summit at the new Alumni Center in Huetter Mansion. The summit brought together alumni chapter leaders from across the country for two-days of meetings and a campus tour.
On Friday, October 22nd, I attended the 26th Inauguration of President Thayne M. McCulloh, D.Phil. and also attended the events that followed: Mass, inauguration ceremony, reception and dinner.
My impression was that the community spirit, passion, and the Jesuit tradition of “care and concern for the dignity of each person” continue to thrive throughout the campus.
Wow, what an October 2010 GU campus visit!! Special memories were forever created!!
Q: How have you applied your GU education to your career path and how has that education served you in your work?
A: I have applied my GU education to my career path; however, it does not just stop with my career path. My GU education extends into my day-to-day life. I’m a telecommuter, so it is vital to have the following strong core values: Empowerment (to do what’s right), excellence (to be the best in quality and in everything I do), passion (to be passionate about making a difference and helping others), ethics (being guided daily by a moral code), and motivation (strong-determined drive to be my own “Rocky Balboa”).
Q: You continue to stay very connected with Gonzaga; in what ways are you involved, and what motivates you to stay connected?
A: After the first couple of years living in Dallas, I couldn’t shake the empty and disconnected feeling I was experiencing. Apparently, I still had not embraced and completely opened my heart to the area and all that it had to offer. So after deep reflection, I realized that this “empty/hollow feeling” was relocation anxiety. I still missed the strong community feeling that I received from attending Gonzaga and living in Spokane. So I thought if I can’t live in Spokane and enjoy both the Spokane and Gonzaga community, how can I bring Gonzaga/Spokane’s magic to me here in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area? What better way than starting a Gonzaga Alumni chapter right here in the Dallas-Ft. Worth area, bringing alumni, friends and family of GU together to share their Gonzaga memories. Why not bring the spirit and energy of our Gonzaga community right here? This was four years ago.
My commitment remains strong in keeping the Dallas-Ft. Worth chapter alive. Strong because: “Together, We are Gonzaga!”
Q: What are you doing now professionally?
A: I am an Account Director for Scarborough Research. Scarborough Research is a “research-based, information solutions company.” The company is a joint venture of marketing research firms, Arbitron and The Nielsen Company.
I am very blessed to be celebrating my 10-year anniversary in July with Scarborough. During these challenging economic times, a decade of service to one company is indeed an accomplishment.
Q: Tell me about your family, current hobbies, community involvement, and anything else you are passionate about.
A: Family:
My parents, Harold and Mary Reyes are my best friends. Even though they live in the Spokane Valley, the distant miles between us do not create a communication barrier, because we remain connected through our daily webcams.
My parents taught me that I could be anything I aspired to be. They instilled in me self-confidence, drive and the importance of service to others.
My brother, Raymond, has always been an inspiration to me. He is a very gifted and a humble individual. I am so blessed that God gave me Raymond for a big brother!
My husband, Chris, helps me remain centered and focused. He is my balance.
My daughter, Jessica, and my two grandchildren, Collin and Katie, are a gift from God. They continuously give me happiness, laughter and complete my life.
Last but certainly not least, Ramsee, my faithful Golden Retriever. He knows all my secrets and continues to love me unconditionally.
Community involvement:
I feel the single most powerful way to succeed in life is to have more concern for others. I remain involved with the local Salvation Army chapter by volunteering my time at the soup kitchen.
The Gonzaga Dallas-Ft. Worth Alumni Chapter keeps me busy with scheduling and hosting the chapter’s monthly events. My goal is to increase our chapter’s attendance and reconnect with area alumni by engaging them in a Gonzaga event such as: Experiencing Local Festivals (like the Addison Oktoberfest), attending a Ranger Baseball Game or other local sporting events (the most popular being Gonzaga game watches – – Go ZAGS!), service projects (giving back to our community – Rebuilding Together, Catholic Charities) and wine tasting events (no better place to host this event than Grapevine TX).
A quote by Marian Wright Edelman clearly expresses my passion for my community involvement: “Service is the rent we pay for being. It is the very purpose of life, and not something you do in your spare time.”
I enjoy long-distance running and daily work outs, traveling both domestically and abroad, visiting family and friends in Spokane and reading. I belong to Oakmont Country Club Book Club and am the longest remaining original member, which shows the Gonzaga true commitment!