1904 Tennessee Volunteers football team

Transcription

[ Music ] [ Silence ] >> Okay. Again, finally, good evening. My name is Bob Finn. I'm the Director of Alumni, and I'm very excited to be the master of ceremony for tonight's celebration. Again, thank you for being part of this evening where we honor those who have lived the mission of Gonzaga with such great honor. To deliver the invocation, I would like to introduce father Steve Cooter. [ Applause ] >> Can we take a moment and put ourselves in the presence of God? Oh, good and faithful God, we give you glory for your loving gaze upon us, your gaze of grace and gifts. You bless us with so many things, good places, good leaders, good families, and friends. And we ask, oh, God, that you help us count our blessings now, count your blessings everyday. And today, as we count the great blessings you have sent us through these distinguished alumni, and all of these friends gathered together, help us to count the blessings of this festive time of friends, family, and food. We ask this through Christ our lord. Amen. >> We'd like to get started with the program. Hopefully everyone enjoyed their dinner. If you did enjoy the dinner, I picked the menu. If you didn't, Teresa Hudak in the back picked the menu. [ Applause ] >> Oh, thank you. Thank you. Okay, a few things before we get started. I would like to thank the trustees and regents who have attended meetings this week, not only for attending the meetings, but for all your hard work in division and what you do for Gonzaga. Thank you. I would also like to introduce some other distinguished guests in attendance for tonight's program. Mr. Don Nelles, board of trustee, chairman. [ Applause ] >> And his wife Janette. Dr. Thayne McCulloh interim president of Gonzaga University. [ Applause ] >> Father Bernard Coughlin chancellor of Gonzaga University. [ Applause ] >> Mr. Greg Hubert, president, board of regions. [ Applause ] >> I would also like to acknowledge some members of our alumni association board of directors, if you could please stand. I won't call all your names. Mr. Hackney, Izzy [phonetic]. Thank you. [ Applause ] >> Okay. Tonight, we're here to recognize four Gonzaga University alumni who will receive this years Distinguish Alumni Merit Award, also know as DAMA [inaudible]. You gotta be careful how you say that. Established in 1977 to recognize the outstanding professional and personal achievements of graduates or former students. This award is the highest honor bestowed upon GU alumni by the alumni association. To begin the program, it gives me great pleasure to introduce the interim president of Gonzaga University, Dr. Thayne McCulloh. [ Applause ] >> Well, good evening. What a wonderful evening it is too, and thank you so much, everyone, for coming. And I just wanna share with you really, on behalf of the entire university community, what a joy it is to be with you tonight. I've really been looking forward to tonight for a number of reasons. But there are some that are particular and special to this event. Alumni occupy a unique and a very special place in the heart of this institution. And those of you who we honor tonight, and those of you who have previously been honored and have returned to join us this evening on campus, we are so pleased to have this chance to honor you and to show you, together with your families and with your close friends, just how much you mean to us. Before I proceed, could I please ask that all of the past recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Merit Award please stand and allow us to recognize you. [ Applause ] >> Thank you so much for being here tonight. Once again this year, we have four truly remarkable individuals who are being honored. You will hear more about each one of them shortly. But first, I just wanna share the following with you. This fall marks my 19th year at Gonzaga, and I must share with you that Gonzaga University today finds itself in a fantastic place. Gonzaga is more popular than it ever has been. We, this fall, welcomed 1239 freshmen to Gonzaga University. And they are so bright and they are so thoughtful and they are so full of life. We have a fantastic faculty and staff, and our Jesuit community who work with these young people, to inspire them, and to challenge them, and to call them to be their best selves, not only intellectually, but spiritually and morally, and physically and creatively. We are blessed with a generous and gifted trustees and regents, many of whom are here together with us tonight on this special occasion. But as excited as I am about where we find ourselves as a university today, I just want to clearly let you know that this endeavor, this mission of the Society of Jesus, simply would not be possible without you, its alumni. Tonight, I do come before you on behalf of a grateful university to congratulate each of you, our honorees, for your many life and career achievements, to thank you for returning and honoring us by returning as you have tonight, for honoring your alma mater through the lives that you lead and the many ways in which each of you, throughout your careers, have shared your gifts with others. And I want to thank you for keeping the dream of Gonzaga University alive in your hearts. Tonight, Gonzaga celebrates and treasures your success and the ways in which each of you emulate the key values that sit, as you know, at the heart of Jesuit education, to be women and men for others, to provide direction and leadership in contexts that so badly need people who are willing to do so, and to discover joy and to radiate hope in the process. Thank you, Gary and Lisa and Don and Brian. Thank you for the example that you set for our students and for our university. And now, will you join me please and thanking and welcoming back Bob Finn, our alumni director, to join me on stage for the presentation of the awards. Bob. [ Applause ] >> Well, this year, we are pleased to honor four Gonzaga University alumni. We'll start our evening by honoring alumnus Gary Gayton, a member of the class of 1962. Even as a young child, anyone could see the look of precociousness on Gary's face. But what may have not been quite so easy to discern was the determination in his heart. As one of eight children, Gary grew up in a close-knit family in Seattle where their parents instilled in all of them, a respect for education, dedication to family, and intense pride in the black heritage. >> Not only was Gary a smart young whippersnapper in the classroom, but he whipped everyone around the track at Garfield High School, become the all city miler on the school's championship track team. Before he realized the greatness of Gonzaga, Gary went to college at the University of Washington where he was a four-year varsity track athlete under coach Hec Edmondson. See the big guy in the front row? That's not Gary. [ Laughter ] >> During the 1960's, Gary suffered the faith of so many other working males, the fashion of the times. At the urging of Gonzaga Law School Dean Smithmoore P. Myers, Gary came to Gonzaga to complete his JD degree. After Gonzaga, Gary's professional career began in earnest form being appointed assistant US attorney by then US Attorney General Robert Kennedy, to starting a law firm with three other partners in Seattle in 1965, where they represented a number of well-known clients including the Black Panthers, an anti-Vietnam war activist. Throughout his career, Gary's touched the lives of countless individuals. While at the Department of Transportation in Washington DC, Gary wrote the Minority Business Enterprise and Women Business Enterprise Program which were adopted by all government agencies at the urging of then US President Jimmy Carter. Since returning to Seattle in 1980's, Gary has helped organize events for democratic presidential candidates including Carter, Clinton, Kerry, and Obama. Today, Gary is senior vice president of Siebert Brandford Shank & Company, the largest minority and female municipal bond underwriting firm in the country. Having served on more than 18 boards and committees, Gary felt the time had come to ride a camel. So there we are. Humble, gracious, and a friend to all, Gary is a bright beacon to those he surrounds himself with, including his seven siblings, some of whom are here tonight. Wouldn't their parents be proud to know who they each become? For his demonstrated commitment to work and the common good, his service to his community, and to Gonzaga University, we honor Gary Gayton as 2009 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Merit Award. [ Applause ] >> Thank you, Mr. Finn, Mr. President. I wanna give special attention to all the honorees here tonight. This is a wonderful, wonderful school. And for me to be recognized in this manner, you don't know how much it means to me. My mother grew up here in Spokane. She was conceived here, and her mother felt that she'd rather be with her mother, and took a train all the way back to Memphis, Tennessee and gave birth to her, and then brought her back to Spokane, and my mother graduated from Louis and Clark. So this city has always meant a lot to me, and the opportunity I hade here. I'm not catholic, but Smithmoore P. Myers I shall n ever forget, as anyone who knows me knows that the only thing I ever wanted to be, an attorney. My grandfather in 1904 was appointed by Judge Hanford, the first-- the last territorial judge in the state, and the first federal court judge appointed in the state to work at the federal courthouse in Seattle At that time, they didn't him bailiff. They-- I think they called him something like a deputy. But he always talked about attorney. I guess I was somewhat political then because I never recall when he asked my older brother who, since passed away, what he want to be, and he said an engineer. And then when I said I was-- gonna to be an attorney, he grabbed me and hugged me. And from that time-- [ Laughter ] >> From that time on I wanted to be an attorney. It's the only thing I ever wanted to be. And when I left the army and went to the University of Washington, Law School, I never had any academic problem whatsoever. But I still had to earn money to go to law school. I started at the University of Washington, Law School, finished the first year and the second year, I was having difficulty, and the dean said, "Gary, I think you should be a social worker or a track coach." [ Laughter ] >> I did not want to be a social worker or a track coach. All I wanted to be was an attorney. Smithmoore P. Myers had been an attorney in Seattle. He remembered me as an athlete, and I came over and talked to him, and he said, "Gary, come to Gonzaga and I'll make you an attorney." It's the best thing I ever did. He and I had been close. I was at his 90th birthday in Seattle. But from Gonzaga, I had a teacher, Tom Foley. I went and worked at the court house. I sat in Judge Foley's courtroom everyday. I had that opportunity to really get myself ready to know the intricate things as far as law and filing papers and all that you really don't get to learn in law school. But it's the best thing that happened to me because all I did was look at wills and probates all day, and that's the one thing they stressed on the bar exam and I passed that-- [ Laughter ] >> -- right away. But I say all these to say that I've been very fortunate. I don't know, I think many of you have seen that book, Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell. And it's a very interesting book because I-- what I had done, I should contribute, I should help. That book indicates that a lot of people like to think that they get credit. But I had good parents who encourages, I had a great undergraduate education at the University of Washington, I had a coach like Coach Hec Edmundson, a legendary coach at the University of Washington, who sent me letters when I was in the army, a track man, sending letters to me when I was in the army. I came over here and the love and all that this school gave me, the consideration that Smithmoore P. Myers and the other people, Tom Foley, who encouraged me, I had three to four offers when I was finished in law school, he's the one who said, "Take the US attorney's offer even though it pays 500 dollars less." which I had a hard time explaining to my wife at that time. [ Laughter ] >> But I took his advice and we became very good friends. In fact, I helped put together a black caucus for Congressman John Conyers from Detroit in 1968. And I was leaving the-- at that time, the West International Hotel and the Washington delegation was moving then. I had been helping set up the-- these black caucuses prior to the start of the Congressional Black Caucus. So I was going home, I was not a delegate or anything, I bumped into Tom Foley and Brock Adams and they both said you gotta stay, and you've got to-- and I said I don't have a room, I'm not a delegate. Tom Foley fixed me up with a press seat. I sat next to Warren Beatty in the press section for a week, and he gave me a room of one of his aides. I didn't tell Tom this, that the aide continued to charge things to the room. But-- [ Laughter ] >> But I say all that. We became very close. That book, the Outliers, indicates it's the people you come in contact, the opportunity you have, your parents, the school, all of that, I lucked out. And I'm just so thankful that Gonzaga gave me the opportunity. I'll be forever indebted. Thank you, kindly. [ Applause ] >> Our next DAMA honoree is Lisa Janicki, an alumni of the class of 1982. Lisa was raised in Alaska-- [inaudible] Lisa was raised in Alaska by a mom who taught her three daughters the value of hard work, integrity, and staying true to your word. >> When she was just 17 year old-- 17 years old, Lisa enrolled at Gonzaga University. Her youthfulness never allowed her to get into Jack & Dan's until after she graduated. While at Gonzaga, Lisa was a Seton, and also very active in the student body government, becoming president in her senior year. Lisa graduated from Gonzaga with two things in her hand, her diploma with her degree in accounting, and a wedding ring on her finger to alum, Mike Janicki. Lisa's mother and sister were also able to take in the festivities on her graduation day. Despite being told by their premarital counselor that they shouldn't get married, Lisa and Mike tied the knot anyway. They've been married now for 28 years and have five children to show for it. All of their children, except for their youngest, are also alums of Gonzaga. Their youngest, Patrick will become an alum next May when he graduates with a degree in Finance. Talk about pressure. Lisa also has three nieces and one nephew who are current students at Gonzaga. Needless to say, Gonzaga faith runs deep in the Janicki household. For 25 years, Lisa has worked for the Janicki family business in Sedro-Woolley, Washington, where today she is the company's Chief Financial Officer. Through it all, she has stayed active in her children's lives from helping them earn their Eagle Scout honors, to introducing the newest Janicki members. Outside of work, Lisa serves on numerous volunteer boards and works weekly in the local thrift store which she calls the ultimate recycling program. She was recently named the Champion of Catholic Education along with Jamie Moyer and Lenny Wilkins and earned the Skagit Business Leader of the Year, an award chosen by her peers. She is also a member of Gonzaga's Board of Regents. And one day the sun actually came out in Western Washington, so Lisa and Mike took the opportunity, sport both their shades and their pearly whites. For her commitment to family, work, community, and the ability to blend them all so well, we honor Lisa Janicki tonight as 2009 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Merit Award. [ Applause ] >> Well, it's really an honor to be here this evening. I have to admit, it's a little bit like the recent Nobel Peace Prize award though, and Obama says it must be more of what's expected of me than what I've actually accomplished to date. But I do want to thank all of you. I want to thank Father Spitzer, you know, from the bottom of my heart for so involving me in recent years with the university. And you know a story that I have to share. My world-- well we have five children, I was 26 years old when the fifth child was born, and the oldest was four when the fifth child was born. So Mike and I have shared a very busy family life, and everyday in that world of prioritizing things, you know, it's how do you figure out what to do first. And it's faith, family and friends. And sometimes, because we work in a family business, the family and the faith part about doing what's right, you know, is often conflicted. But one day, I was sitting at the kitchen table and my then 18-year old son and his best friend were standing in front of me, and I was sitting reading the paper and trying to get out the door in the morning, and Adam says to me, "Hey, mom. Just think, when I'm your age, me and Tim here, we'll be running the world." [ Laughter ] >> Okay. So I decide I better keep doing what I'm doing and it was probably the most direct challenge I've had to, you know, continue the outreach and the fact that Mike allows me to, you know, the time to spend over here in Spokane-- well, he flew in for tonight's event. He is also flying back early tomorrow morning. I really thank Mike from the bottom of my heart. Our days started early at Gonzaga. I came as a late freshman to the campus walked into then was the Ad Building College Hall, and Mike was with a group at night sitting in the front hallway. I said-- I walked in, I said, "I have no idea where I am supposed to be. I'm freshman." And his-- the first words out of his mouth were, "I'll take care of you." [ Laughter ] [ Applause ] >> Maybe I should say beware, my nieces are here at the table. But he has so-- he has done so well. Gonzaga has taken care of me and I-- my challenge is to continue to take care of Gonzaga. And before I say goodnight, I do want to so thank-- my mother is here. She lives in Anchorage, flew in for the event with Mike, I have my youngest son, Patrick the senior here tonight with his room mate, Mike Lee, three nieces, Maggie, Bret Ashley and Catherine, and then a very dear friend, Don Wick is here. Don and Megan Reebey [phonetic], and myself were hosted when-- Father Spitzer, when he came over in spoke in Mt. Vernon to our economic development association, and I think Don is as close-- I keep telling him he can just step over and become catholic. He's Presbyterian, but you know, it's not just that far of a slide because he comes to all these catholic events anyway. So anyway, thank you once again. Thank you to my table for being here for me tonight. I just really appreciate the whole evening. [ Applause ] [ Silence ] >> Our third DAMA recipient this evening is Don Jans, a member of the class of 1956. Don grew up about one hour west of Spokane, just outside of the small farming town of Sprague, Washington. He was one of three children born to a father who farmed and a mother who was a school teacher. He likes to say that the nine years he spent being educated by the sisters of providence and the Jesuits, forced him to succeed because they wouldn't let him fail. Don credits his mother in particular for being a strong influence in his childhood, providing him with direction, guidance, and the ability to keep a straight face during the holidays. [ Laughter ] >> And here's a great photo of some of the men in Don's family. Obviously, one had a bigger head than all the rest. Don finished high school at Gonzaga Prep, where one of his favorite things to do was to play the trumpet in the marching band, a hobby he continued while he was a student at Gonzaga University. While working towards his degree in electrical engineering, Don somehow found time to form a dance and jazz band called the Stardusters. They weren't a Gonzaga band, but they played in the COG and local high schools, and other hot spots of the day. After graduating from Gonzaga, Don earned a certificate in Business Management from the University of Utah, and completed the advancement management program at the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration. He would go on to scale the corporate ladder in electric utility industry, ultimately becoming the senior vice president and general manager for the Westinghouse ABB Relay Division in Florida, where he led them to one of the top performing units in North America and the world. Today, Don serves as the president for customer focus consultants incorporated here in Spokane. He is also very active on Gonzaga's Engineering Advisory Council, SCORE and Hope 4 kids. Don is also a huge supporter of agriculture and farming, as he owns acreage in eastern Washington and is a member of the American Truck Historical Society. He recently restored his family's 1946 Dodge truck that he used to drive as a teenager as a way to heighten interest in grain farming. In addition to his mother's influence, Don also credits the strength of his wife, Marilyn, and his three children, Alicia, Susan, and Donald, for helping him through the journey. As a long time supporter of both Gonzaga University and Gonzaga Prep, and the relationships he has nurtured with his family, friends, and colleagues and others, we honor Don Jans tonight as the 2009 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Merit Award. [ Applause ] [ Silence ] >> It's not a big one, but you know, we gotta we have our grade lines here. So thank you for the warm welcome. You know, it's truly an honor to be with you tonight. When Bob Finn called saying I had been selected for the DAMA award, all I could say was, "Who is calling? Really?" [ Laughter ] >> And then I heard a voice say, "Go, Zags." I knew it was a real thing and I was in the right place. So I am pleased to receive the award along with other recipients, and be given the privilege of representing other outstanding alumni, who are equal or more deserving. You know, you think about this group and Gonzaga, and I think it's just indicative of Gonzaga's commitment to the graduates. We never lost touch in all the years I moved around different places, 'cause Gonzaga was interested, not in just how I was doing as a graduate, but how I was doing in life. And I think that's where we are tonight. So back in 1956, with a double E degree in hand, Gonzaga helped launch me on a career and a journey by giving me the skills and courage to take on tough assignments and compete against other graduates from all over the United States. And I think of the things that may have broadened me and certainly, you saw a little bit of the dance band, that was an interesting experience, and it taught me a lot about running a business, teamwork, and dealing with temperamental artists. And I think also, in looking at the curriculum, the electives helped small classes, individual attention, the minors in philosophy and in ethics, I think, for my point of view, that put a lot of things together in what we now kind of call the whole person. So key marketing in general management assignments took me to locations throughout the United States and the world with Westinghouse and later, we see Brown Boveri and their transmission and distribution unit, and the customers were electric utilities and industrials. So when I left the farm in eastern Washington, I had no idea where things would lead. Although the journey back to Spokane took me 50 years, I never lost touch and continued to apply the lessons from my education and beliefs. Many desire, thanks for helping me succeed so that I could be humbly accepting this award. Thanks to my parents for the guidance and sacrifices they made to give me a catholic education. And importantly, my teachers who stuck with me during some difficult growing moments. And classmates, mentors, colleagues, and customers, they wanted me to succeed and deliver solutions for their problems. And thanks to lifetime friends, extended family, those who welcomed us back to go Gonzaga and Spokane, many who are with us tonight. And again, a special thanks to my three children and my wife for making the sacrifices to come along for the journey. Now, I hope to give back and help others as they make their journey through life. Thank you, and thank you for coming. [ Applause ] [ Silence ] >> Our final recipient of this Distinguished Alumni Merit Award is Bryan Nestor, alumnus of the class of 1981. Well, let's just get right to heart of the matter. One of Dr. Nestor's favorite memories of Gonzaga was the scotch of the month club, he helped create during his senior year, along with his friends and fathers Mike Williams and Mike Siconolfi. While working towards his degree in chemistry at Gonzaga, Dr. Nestor also met his future wife, Laura. After graduating from Gonzaga, Dr. Nestor earned his medical degree from Georgetown University, School of Medicine, completed his orthopedic surgery residency at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota, and fulfilled a three-year obligation in the US Navy as an orthopedic surgeon at Portsmouth Naval Hospital in Virginia. It was there that Dr. Nestor discovered his passion to teach which took the Nestors to New York for another year of training at the hospital for special surgery. Somewhere along this medical training, Dr. Nestor found the time to convince Laura to marry him, most likely a night he was not on call. Today, the Nestors live in Darien, Connecticut, and Dr. Nestor commutes to Manhattan for his work as an orthopedic surgeon at the hospital for special surgery. The Nestors have three children. Matthew and Katherine are in college, and Peter is still at home as an eighth grader. The Nestors enjoy spending time outdoors, either on the slopes or on the water. And sometimes even on the edge of a seemingly very high cliff. Always open in new challenges, Dr. Nestor celebrated his 50th birthday this past summer by summiting the Grand Teton in Wyoming. For his undying commitment to the health wellbeing and respect to the individual and his continued support of Gonzaga University, we honor Dr. Nestor this evening as a 2009 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Merit Awards. [ Applause ] [ Silence ] >> I wanna start by saying that this genuinely is an honor and a very humbling experience. I was in the book store earlier today and I purchased this hat, I think it pretty much says it all. GU 1887, what a tradition, what a tradition. [ Applause ] >> As my wife and I walked around campus today, we're really impressed and awestruck with the changes that have occurred, and even over the last 10 years then. And so I think at this time, I think we should acknowledge the leadership of Father Spitzer and the board of trustees. You've done an outstanding job. So-- [ Applause ] >> But it was interesting. As we walked around and witnessed all the change, the irony struck me that a lot hadn't changed, and I was impressed with how at home I was here. And like all things that make us feel at home, there's a lot to be grateful for. The chemistry department was a big part of my life here in four years as was pointed out. I was part of the Hexylresorcinol team. It was a football team, and needless to say, with a few extra recruits outside of the chemistry department, we we're pretty good. But I also was a TA, and in my senior year for freshmen, a laboratory class. And I recall late one night, there was a knock in my door, I think I was the RD of Roncalli at the time. And there were two Gonzaga coeds at the door, seeking some help with chemistry. Very attractive coeds, I might add. One of them I recognize from my laboratory class, one I didn't, the other. And the other of course is here with me tonight, my wife, Laura, and thank you. [ Laughter ] [ Applause ] >> My wife is fund, really-- is fund of saying that it's been chemistry ever since. [Inaudible] but as-- when I received word, again, from Bob Finn, the spring of this award, I must admit I was smitten also with a little survivors guilt. Why me? What have I done to deserve this? And as I reflected on this award, it really came to me that it's not about the individuals. This is about Gonzaga University. And again, as I walked around campus here today, nobody does just what education like Gonzaga. And I'm very, very proud to have been from here. The courage to question all things, to pursue truth, the intellectual brilliance, the conviction to seek out social justice, especially for those that don't have a voice, and I think the commitment to service to others are the Jesuit traditions that Gonzaga does ever so well. And those traditions have served me well. I've had the opportunity to enjoy a wonderful career in medicine practicing in Manhattan. I, you know, enjoy what I do. >> I'm very privileged to be able to do what I do, to teach and mentor young doctors into be involved in clinical and basic science research. For all of that, I'm very grateful. And for all of that, I really owe a debt of gratitude to Gonzaga. So thank you for letting me be part of this celebration tonight, which is really a celebration of what Gonzaga is. And I think we all have a lot to be very proud of. Thank you. Go, Zags. [ Applause ] >> Well, again thanks to each one of our DAMA recipients, Gary, Lisa, Don, and Brian, for being here tonight with your families and friends and allowing us to formally recognize the contributions you make to our world, and to thank you for your representation of Gonzaga University. That's pretty much it for the evening. So thank you, have a wonderful evening. Goodnight. If we could-- sorry, if we could have the recipients for pictures afterwards, it will only take a few minutes. Thank you, have a wonderful evening. [ Applause ] [ Silence ] [ Music ] [ Silence ]