Katherine “Kat” Joyce (’18) came to Gonzaga University from Tacoma, Wash. to study biochemistry. During freshman orientation in the fall of 2013, she kept fairly close to her comfort zone.
“I found myself spending time with high school friends and not branching out as much as I wanted to,” said Joyce. Aboard the boat cruise on lake Coeur d’Alene, she decided to take action, joining a table full of people she had never met before. “Unbeknownst to me,” she said, “the girl seated across the table from me would become my best friend.”
That girl was Kellyn McDonald (’18). McDonald is an environmental studies major from Auburn, Calif. and as Joyce learned, she had a great deal in common with her. “It was almost eerie how similar we were!” said Joyce.
Kat and Kellyn
Both ladies are the recipients of merit scholarships and they both play for the Gonzaga club volleyball team, among other similarities. Kat and Kellyn quickly became an inseparable pair.
“We hung out every day until we went home for breaks,” said Joyce, who stayed with McDonald and her family over spring break and is grateful that Gonzaga brought the two of them together.
“People always told me that the best friendships are formed in college and now I know that to be true,” said Joyce. “I’m so excited to spend the next three years at Gonzaga with my best friend!”
Gonzaga is proud to be the place where so many friendships begin. GU is grateful for the scholarships that make so many of those friendships possible. Learn more about the donors who support the University by viewing the Honor Roll of Donors and the list of Names that Live. You can join them by making a gift at gonzaga.edu/give.