Parent & Family Initiative: Gonzaga University Family Award of the Year

Honoring an outstanding parent/family reminds the GU community that families are an essential part of the support network for our students. Their dedication and determination help our students achieve their higher education goals. At GU “family” can be defined as individuals and group members who support their student’s success.  Family members include parents, siblings, grandparents, cousins, extended relations, and close friends. The Gonzaga Parent/Family of the Year letter/essay contest is intended to celebrate the supportive role families play in the lives of students and the University community. The Family of the Year Award is one of the P&F office’s favorite initiatives! The parents and families who are nominated are invited to the Student Life awards convocation lunch and awards ceremony in May, where they are recognized with a certificate of nomination! The GU Family of the year receives one $150 bookstore voucher and a congratulatory letter from the V.P. Student Life, Sue Weitz. The Gonzaga Parent Advisor Newsletter proudly publishes the family nomination letter for the GU community to read, engage with and learn from the family’s GU experience!

http://blogs.gonzaga.edu/parents/2012/05/23/2012-family-of-the-year-goes-to/

BRIDGE

BRIDGE (Building Relationships In Diverse Gonzaga Environments) is an inspirational start to freshman year at Gonzaga University. 2012 marks the ninth year of the pre-orientation program that targets incoming students and their families, from underrepresented backgrounds as well as first-generation students.  BRIDGE serves as an intimate introduction to students and families who desire to make a smooth transition to campus life. A range of informational sessions, interactive workshops, and fun activities are all part of the five-day agenda.

This year each B-CORE leader was a former BRIDGE baby. We are working hard to pull everything together so that participants have an amazing welcome to our community and experience sense of belonging. Many volunteers who serve as counselors throughout the week were also former BRIDGE babies. Everyone who has taken partin BRIDGE, either as a participant, counselor, or speaker, continue to express how much BRIDGE has positively impacted them. The chance to build instant community that evolves into a family away from home is a key component that entices many former participants to graciously volunteer year after year.

The magic of BRIDGE starts Sunday, August 19, and due to increasing popularity, registration is already full!  Thanks to those of you who have already committed to helping us keep the tradition of BRIDGE thriving at Gonzaga.

-B-Core Leaders 2012:  Michaela Brown, Naseeb Bhangal & Ruben Yamada

The B-Core student leaders are currently having a blast planning BRIDGE this summer and thrilled about few new enhancements. This year’s BRIDGE theme is Take Part. B-CORE hopes that by “taking part” in campus resources and building networks before classes begin, new students will be able to successfully take part academically, socially, spiritually, and ultimately embrace Gonzaga’s traditions throughout their collegiate experience.