Gonzaga College High School
Encyclopedia
Gonzaga College High School is a Jesuit
high school for boys located in Washington, D.C.
The school is named in honor of St. Aloysius Gonzaga
, an Italian
saint
from the 16th century. Gonzaga is the oldest boys' high school in the District of Columbia and also is the oldest college in the original federal city of Washington.
, a Jesuit, in 1821, though there is some evidence the school began a few years earlier. It is the oldest educational facility in the original federal city of Washington and was at first called Washington Seminary, operating under the charter of Georgetown College (now Georgetown University
), which was becoming too crowded for its space at the time. Gonzaga's original location was on F Street near 10th Street, N.W., in a building adjoining Saint Patrick's Church. The school was immediately popular among Catholic families and was well enough known in its early years to attract the attention of President John Quincy Adams
, who visited the school to test the boys' Latin and Greek. However, there were financial problems that caused the Jesuits to withdraw in 1827: their order prohibited the charging of tuition for a day school youth education. Although it continued to be run by laity, Gonzaga did not come back under the control of the Jesuits until some twenty years later (with the ordinance regarding tuition changed) and President Zachary Taylor
presided at the commencement exercises in 1849.
In 1858, Gonzaga was granted its own charter by Congress as a college empowered to confer degrees in the arts and sciences, which accounts for its name (Gonzaga College) to this day. Although some students did receive bachelor's degrees in the 19th century, Gonzaga no longer confers degrees, other than honorary doctoral degrees presented to commencement speakers or other notable guests. In 1871, the school moved to a building (now called Kohlmann Hall) in the Swampoodle
area north of the U.S. Capitol
, just down the block from St. Aloysius Church, which had been built in 1859 and is now on the U.S. Register of Historic Buildings. Enrollment declined owing to the distance of the new neighborhood from the center, but the Jesuits persevered and by the end of the century the school was once again flourishing. A theater was built in 1896, and a large new classroom building (previously the Main Building and now called Dooley Hall) was opened in 1912.
The curriculum of Gonzaga from its founding until the late 20th century was at once rigorously classical and emphatically Catholic. Mastery of Latin
and deep involvement in the Catholic religion were at its core. Standards were high, and many hopeful boys who lacked the necessary qualities for success were denied admittance. To this day, Gonzaga admits approximately one third of those who apply.
Gonzaga benefited greatly from the fact that the row houses built in Swampoodle were largely occupied by Irish Catholics from the late 19th century on. Although Gonzaga always drew students from other parts of the city as well, the departure of the Swampoodle Irish for the suburbs in the mid-20th century and more especially their replacement by poorer non-Catholics, brought on another period of difficulties. A decline in enrollment and the great inner-city riot of 1968 led some to suggest that Gonzaga should be closed, or moved to a more affluent area. However, the Jesuits once again persisted, and the school survived. In the last years of the 20th century, the school even expanded, adding several new buildings and a large playing field and field house. Today Gonzaga has regained its former status. A recent Wall Street Journal editorial referred to the institution as "the premier Catholic high school of Washington."http://www.gonzaga.org/html/history.html
is the work of Constantino Brumidi
, who is famous for painting the fresco
es on the interior of the United States Capitol dome
.
Gonzaga's 2007-2008 varsity basketball season was most successful in the school's history. The team, which the Washington Post said had no stars, won the D.C. Classic, the WCAC Championship, the D.C. City Title, and the Alhambra Catholic Invitational Tournament, finishing with a 34-1 record. Climbing the national rankings throughout the season, the Purple Eagles closed the season ranked 4th in the nation by ESPN and 10th in the nation by USA Today. The team also developed a massive following during the season, peaking with a cheering section made up of an estimated 500-600 students of the total 930 for the WCAC Championship game at American University vs. O'Connell.
Also in the 2007-2008 school year, Gonzaga's Athletic Program was ranked #18 in the country according to Sports Illustrated's "Top 25 High School Athletic Programs for 2007-2008".
During the 14-year run of the City Championship Football series (1948–1962), Gonzaga appeared 4 times: 1948 - lost to Central 26-6; 1949 - defeated Wilson 12-7; 1955 - tied Cardozo 6-6; 1959 - defeated Eastern 7-6.
Gonzaga Hockey won the state championship 3 years repeated from 2005 to 2007, and again in 2010
An Eastern Motors TV commercial with Clinton Portis
and others was filmed at Gonzaga's athletic fields. You can notice the school to the left of the field and the Gonzaga purple flag in the background.
The Gonzaga Soccer team won 4 consecutive WCAC championships from 2007-2010 and is consistently one of the best teams in the Washington area.
Gonzaga Rugby has won 12 consecutive Potomac Rugby Union Championships and finished the 2010 season ranked #2 in the nation. In the middle of the 2011 season, Gonzaga beat the #1 ranked team in the nation and rival, Xavier, and became the #1 team in the nation. During the 2011 National Championship in Salt Lake City, Utah, Gonzaga finished 3rd with many injuries.
In 2009, Gonzaga Crew's Senior Eight captured the silver medal at the prestigious Stotesbury Cup Regatta on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia. This was the second time the boat qualified for the grand final (the first being in 2003) and the first medal in the Senior Eight division in team history. At the same regatta, the Freshmen Eight qualified for its second grand final and medaled for the first time in team history capturing the bronze medal. The next week, Gonzaga's Senior Eight made history again by advancing to and winning in the grand final at the Scholastic Rowing Association of America (SRAA) Nationals at Mercer Lake, New Jersey. This was the first National Championship won by a Gonzaga team in school history.
and Georgetown Prep. Their historic rival, however, is St. John's
. The schools' football teams have been playing each other annually since 1918, in what is believed to be the oldest high school rivalry between two Catholic high schools in the United States. In rowing, Gonzaga's rivalry with St. Alban's School is annually contested for the Foley Cup (known amongst students as the "God Cup") with Gonzaga currently leading 4-2.
Georgetown Visitation is the "sister school" of Gonzaga. Students of the two schools frequently attend each others' dances and athletic events and participate in school dramatic and choral productions. Gonzaga students also spend their time with the girls of such schools as the Academy of the Holy Cross and the girls of Stone Ridge. Gonzaga's allegiance, however, mostly belongs to the girls of Georgetown Visitation. Even though the two schools will never meet in a sporting event, the drama programs of the two rival each other as the two top high school programs in the D.C. metro area.
, Oakcrest, Good Counsel
, Woodrow Wilson H.S., Stone Ridge
, Connelly School of the Holy Child
, and O'Connell
, as well as several home schooled girls. GDA actors and actresses often go on to accomplish great things in professional theater, and the Gonzaga Dramatic Association Hall of Fame was established in 1999 to honor these individuals (as well as those who continue to add to the theater at Gonzaga or elsewhere in their lives). The GDA inspires great loyalty in its members and five of eight current members of the production staff were involved in the GDA during their high school years. Older members of the GDA also help out in raising money for the Dr. John C. Warman Scholarship for performing arts students by putting on benefits where they sing songs from shows they were in.
It's Academic - Gonzaga's It's Academic
Team has been solid in Virginia-D.C.-Maryland tournaments in the past several years. Additionally, they have made a good showing on the It's Academic television show on NBC, receiving third place in the 2006 final and winning in 1998. The team practices twice a week using practice questions that encompass geography, history, mythology, literature, art, and more. Their wins-losses in individual games have also been improving in the past few years; in the 2002–2003 school year the team went 80-26; in the 2003–2004 season they went 91-22; in 2004–2005 they went 110-27; and in the school year 2005–2006 they went 106-32 and finished as a quarter-finalist at PACE
national championships.http://www.pace-nsc.org/ With the 2006–2007 season ending in June 2007, the team is now recouping to form another solid team for the 2007–2008 season. The team finished at 151-35 after competing in two national tournaments, where they placed tied for 5th and tied for 8th at the PACE-NSC tournament and the NAQT High School National Scholastic Tournament, respectively, leading to the best record and winning percentage ever attained by Gonzaga's team in one school year.http://www.naqt.com/hsnct/2007/2007-hsnct-results.html Throughout the year the team also won the most tournaments ever won by Gonzaga's quizbowl team, winning prestigious tournaments at Princeton University and Yale University. http://www.gonzaga.org/teachers/kmeehan/its_academic.html
Speech and Debate - Gonzaga's Speech and Debate Team has competed mainly in Student Congress debate for many years. The team has gained prominence for the school's individual and group accomplishments. Among Gonzaga's greatest achievements is the team's victory for the Harvard Cup, which symbolizes the best overall effort on the part of one school out of the more than 100 schools that participate in the competition.
The Aquilian - Gonzaga's student newspaper, The Aquilian, was founded in 1940. Published throughout the school year, The Aquilian also possesses an online presence on AquilianOnline.com.
Center, So Others Might Eat
, or other similar projects aimed at helping the surrounding community, including the Sursum Corda Cooperative
- an adjacent DC neighborhood infamous for its violence and poverty. Gonzaga's emphasis on community service reflects its students' desire to carry out their school motto, "Men for Others." In 2005 Gonzaga became the first high school to participate in the Campus Kitchen
service project, a program previously undertaken only on the college level.
Society of Jesus
The Society of Jesus is a Catholic male religious order that follows the teachings of the Catholic Church. The members are called Jesuits, and are also known colloquially as "God's Army" and as "The Company," these being references to founder Ignatius of Loyola's military background and a...
high school for boys located in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
The school is named in honor of St. Aloysius Gonzaga
Aloysius Gonzaga
- Early life :Aloysius Gonzaga was born at his family's castle in Castiglione delle Stiviere, between Brescia and Mantova in northern Italy in what was then part of the Papal States. He was a member of the illustrious House of Gonzaga...
, an Italian
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
saint
Saint
A saint is a holy person. In various religions, saints are people who are believed to have exceptional holiness.In Christian usage, "saint" refers to any believer who is "in Christ", and in whom Christ dwells, whether in heaven or in earth...
from the 16th century. Gonzaga is the oldest boys' high school in the District of Columbia and also is the oldest college in the original federal city of Washington.
History
Gonzaga was officially founded by Father Anthony KohlmannAnthony Kohlmann
Anthony Kohlmann was a German Jesuit. He is known for his part in the establishment of confessional privilege in United States law. He spent nearly a quarter of a century in the USA as an educator.-Life:...
, a Jesuit, in 1821, though there is some evidence the school began a few years earlier. It is the oldest educational facility in the original federal city of Washington and was at first called Washington Seminary, operating under the charter of Georgetown College (now Georgetown University
Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
), which was becoming too crowded for its space at the time. Gonzaga's original location was on F Street near 10th Street, N.W., in a building adjoining Saint Patrick's Church. The school was immediately popular among Catholic families and was well enough known in its early years to attract the attention of President John Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams was the sixth President of the United States . He served as an American diplomat, Senator, and Congressional representative. He was a member of the Federalist, Democratic-Republican, National Republican, and later Anti-Masonic and Whig parties. Adams was the son of former...
, who visited the school to test the boys' Latin and Greek. However, there were financial problems that caused the Jesuits to withdraw in 1827: their order prohibited the charging of tuition for a day school youth education. Although it continued to be run by laity, Gonzaga did not come back under the control of the Jesuits until some twenty years later (with the ordinance regarding tuition changed) and President Zachary Taylor
Zachary Taylor
Zachary Taylor was the 12th President of the United States and an American military leader. Initially uninterested in politics, Taylor nonetheless ran as a Whig in the 1848 presidential election, defeating Lewis Cass...
presided at the commencement exercises in 1849.
In 1858, Gonzaga was granted its own charter by Congress as a college empowered to confer degrees in the arts and sciences, which accounts for its name (Gonzaga College) to this day. Although some students did receive bachelor's degrees in the 19th century, Gonzaga no longer confers degrees, other than honorary doctoral degrees presented to commencement speakers or other notable guests. In 1871, the school moved to a building (now called Kohlmann Hall) in the Swampoodle
Swampoodle
Swampoodle was an Irish neighborhood in Washington, D.C.. A geographic approximation of its borders would be K Street to the north, G Street to the south, 1st Street NW to the west, and 2nd Street NE to the east. Through the center of it ran the principal branch of Tiber Creek...
area north of the U.S. Capitol
United States Capitol
The United States Capitol is the meeting place of the United States Congress, the legislature of the federal government of the United States. Located in Washington, D.C., it sits atop Capitol Hill at the eastern end of the National Mall...
, just down the block from St. Aloysius Church, which had been built in 1859 and is now on the U.S. Register of Historic Buildings. Enrollment declined owing to the distance of the new neighborhood from the center, but the Jesuits persevered and by the end of the century the school was once again flourishing. A theater was built in 1896, and a large new classroom building (previously the Main Building and now called Dooley Hall) was opened in 1912.
The curriculum of Gonzaga from its founding until the late 20th century was at once rigorously classical and emphatically Catholic. Mastery of Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
and deep involvement in the Catholic religion were at its core. Standards were high, and many hopeful boys who lacked the necessary qualities for success were denied admittance. To this day, Gonzaga admits approximately one third of those who apply.
Gonzaga benefited greatly from the fact that the row houses built in Swampoodle were largely occupied by Irish Catholics from the late 19th century on. Although Gonzaga always drew students from other parts of the city as well, the departure of the Swampoodle Irish for the suburbs in the mid-20th century and more especially their replacement by poorer non-Catholics, brought on another period of difficulties. A decline in enrollment and the great inner-city riot of 1968 led some to suggest that Gonzaga should be closed, or moved to a more affluent area. However, the Jesuits once again persisted, and the school survived. In the last years of the 20th century, the school even expanded, adding several new buildings and a large playing field and field house. Today Gonzaga has regained its former status. A recent Wall Street Journal editorial referred to the institution as "the premier Catholic high school of Washington."http://www.gonzaga.org/html/history.html
St. Aloysius
St. Aloysius is a parish church physically attached to Gonzaga. It was built in 1859. It is often used for school assemblies, masses, concerts, and graduation. The large painting above the altarAltar
An altar is any structure upon which offerings such as sacrifices are made for religious purposes. Altars are usually found at shrines, and they can be located in temples, churches and other places of worship...
is the work of Constantino Brumidi
Constantino Brumidi
Constantino Brumidi was an Greek/Italian-American historical painter, best known and honored for his fresco work in the Capitol Building in Washington, DC.-Parentage and early life:...
, who is famous for painting the fresco
Fresco
Fresco is any of several related mural painting types, executed on plaster on walls or ceilings. The word fresco comes from the Greek word affresca which derives from the Latin word for "fresh". Frescoes first developed in the ancient world and continued to be popular through the Renaissance...
es on the interior of the United States Capitol dome
United States Capitol dome
The United States Capitol dome is the massive dome situated above the United States Capitol which reaches upwards to in height and in diameter. The dome was designed by Thomas U...
.
Athletics
Gonzaga College High School Eagles are the athletic teams representing Gonzaga College High School. Gonzaga currently fields seventeen different varsity teams, most of which compete in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference.Gonzaga's 2007-2008 varsity basketball season was most successful in the school's history. The team, which the Washington Post said had no stars, won the D.C. Classic, the WCAC Championship, the D.C. City Title, and the Alhambra Catholic Invitational Tournament, finishing with a 34-1 record. Climbing the national rankings throughout the season, the Purple Eagles closed the season ranked 4th in the nation by ESPN and 10th in the nation by USA Today. The team also developed a massive following during the season, peaking with a cheering section made up of an estimated 500-600 students of the total 930 for the WCAC Championship game at American University vs. O'Connell.
Also in the 2007-2008 school year, Gonzaga's Athletic Program was ranked #18 in the country according to Sports Illustrated's "Top 25 High School Athletic Programs for 2007-2008".
During the 14-year run of the City Championship Football series (1948–1962), Gonzaga appeared 4 times: 1948 - lost to Central 26-6; 1949 - defeated Wilson 12-7; 1955 - tied Cardozo 6-6; 1959 - defeated Eastern 7-6.
Gonzaga Hockey won the state championship 3 years repeated from 2005 to 2007, and again in 2010
An Eastern Motors TV commercial with Clinton Portis
Clinton Portis
Clinton Earl Portis is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the second round of the 2002 NFL Draft...
and others was filmed at Gonzaga's athletic fields. You can notice the school to the left of the field and the Gonzaga purple flag in the background.
The Gonzaga Soccer team won 4 consecutive WCAC championships from 2007-2010 and is consistently one of the best teams in the Washington area.
Gonzaga Rugby has won 12 consecutive Potomac Rugby Union Championships and finished the 2010 season ranked #2 in the nation. In the middle of the 2011 season, Gonzaga beat the #1 ranked team in the nation and rival, Xavier, and became the #1 team in the nation. During the 2011 National Championship in Salt Lake City, Utah, Gonzaga finished 3rd with many injuries.
In 2009, Gonzaga Crew's Senior Eight captured the silver medal at the prestigious Stotesbury Cup Regatta on the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia. This was the second time the boat qualified for the grand final (the first being in 2003) and the first medal in the Senior Eight division in team history. At the same regatta, the Freshmen Eight qualified for its second grand final and medaled for the first time in team history capturing the bronze medal. The next week, Gonzaga's Senior Eight made history again by advancing to and winning in the grand final at the Scholastic Rowing Association of America (SRAA) Nationals at Mercer Lake, New Jersey. This was the first National Championship won by a Gonzaga team in school history.
Relationship with other schools
Gonzaga is considered rivals with DeMathaDeMatha Catholic High School
DeMatha Catholic High School, named after Saint John of Matha, is a four-year Catholic high school for young men located in Hyattsville, Maryland, USA. DeMatha is known for academic achievement, music, arts, service and athletics...
and Georgetown Prep. Their historic rival, however, is St. John's
St. John's College High School
St. John's College High School in Washington, D.C., established in 1851, is the second oldest Catholic Christian Brother's school in the United States, and the oldest JROTC school. It was founded by Brother John of Mary, F.S.C., and two other Christian Brothers in St. Matthew's parish, 15th and G...
. The schools' football teams have been playing each other annually since 1918, in what is believed to be the oldest high school rivalry between two Catholic high schools in the United States. In rowing, Gonzaga's rivalry with St. Alban's School is annually contested for the Foley Cup (known amongst students as the "God Cup") with Gonzaga currently leading 4-2.
Georgetown Visitation is the "sister school" of Gonzaga. Students of the two schools frequently attend each others' dances and athletic events and participate in school dramatic and choral productions. Gonzaga students also spend their time with the girls of such schools as the Academy of the Holy Cross and the girls of Stone Ridge. Gonzaga's allegiance, however, mostly belongs to the girls of Georgetown Visitation. Even though the two schools will never meet in a sporting event, the drama programs of the two rival each other as the two top high school programs in the D.C. metro area.
Other clubs and activities
The Gonzaga Dramatic Association (GDA) - One of Gonzaga's oldest and proudest institutions, the Gonzaga Dramatic Association was officially formed in 1863 (though the school had been putting on plays for the previous forty-two years). There are two productions each year: a smaller comedy or classical play in the fall and a larger musical in the spring. The theater program is housed in the Gonzaga Theater (formerly known as Gonzaga Hall), which is the oldest continuously-operated theater in the District of Columbia (operated continuously since 1896).http://www.gonzaga.org/students/drama/GDAWEB/gdahistory/theaterhistory.html The GDA has a rich tradition of drawing upon girls from all the region's schools to play the female parts in its performances. In its most recent production of Li'l Abner, the girls schools represented included: Georgetown Visitation, Academy of the Holy CrossAcademy of the Holy Cross
The Academy of the Holy Cross, a Catholic college preparatory school sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Cross and founded in 1868. The Academy is located on a campus in Kensington in Montgomery County, north of Washington, D.C.- History :...
, Oakcrest, Good Counsel
Our Lady of Good Counsel High School (Montgomery County, Maryland)
Our Lady of Good Counsel High School is a private, Catholic, college-preparatory high school in Olney, an unincorporated area in Montgomery County, Maryland. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington....
, Woodrow Wilson H.S., Stone Ridge
Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart
Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart is a pre-K through 12 independent, Catholic school for girls located in Bethesda, Maryland, in the Washington, DC suburbs. It is located in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington. Stone Ridge offers a competitive college preparatory curriculum within...
, Connelly School of the Holy Child
Connelly School of the Holy Child
Connelly School of the Holy Child is a Catholic, independent, college-preparatory school for girls, grades 6-12 located in Potomac, Maryland, USA...
, and O'Connell
Bishop Denis J. O'Connell High School
Bishop Denis J. O'Connell High School was founded in 1957 in Arlington County, Virginia. It was operated by the Catholic Diocese of Richmond, but has been under the direction of the Diocese of Arlington since 1974. The school is named for Bishop Denis J...
, as well as several home schooled girls. GDA actors and actresses often go on to accomplish great things in professional theater, and the Gonzaga Dramatic Association Hall of Fame was established in 1999 to honor these individuals (as well as those who continue to add to the theater at Gonzaga or elsewhere in their lives). The GDA inspires great loyalty in its members and five of eight current members of the production staff were involved in the GDA during their high school years. Older members of the GDA also help out in raising money for the Dr. John C. Warman Scholarship for performing arts students by putting on benefits where they sing songs from shows they were in.
It's Academic - Gonzaga's It's Academic
It's Academic
It's Academic is a televised academic quiz competition for high school students, currently airing on two NBC affiliates in Washington, D.C. and Central Virginia and one CBS affiliate Baltimore, Maryland . The show has been on the air since October 7, 1961, making it the longest...
Team has been solid in Virginia-D.C.-Maryland tournaments in the past several years. Additionally, they have made a good showing on the It's Academic television show on NBC, receiving third place in the 2006 final and winning in 1998. The team practices twice a week using practice questions that encompass geography, history, mythology, literature, art, and more. Their wins-losses in individual games have also been improving in the past few years; in the 2002–2003 school year the team went 80-26; in the 2003–2004 season they went 91-22; in 2004–2005 they went 110-27; and in the school year 2005–2006 they went 106-32 and finished as a quarter-finalist at PACE
Partnership for Academic Competition Excellence
The Partnership for Academic Competition Excellence is a nonprofit organization which runs the National Scholastics Championship , an end-of-year championship for North American high school quizbowl teams...
national championships.http://www.pace-nsc.org/ With the 2006–2007 season ending in June 2007, the team is now recouping to form another solid team for the 2007–2008 season. The team finished at 151-35 after competing in two national tournaments, where they placed tied for 5th and tied for 8th at the PACE-NSC tournament and the NAQT High School National Scholastic Tournament, respectively, leading to the best record and winning percentage ever attained by Gonzaga's team in one school year.http://www.naqt.com/hsnct/2007/2007-hsnct-results.html Throughout the year the team also won the most tournaments ever won by Gonzaga's quizbowl team, winning prestigious tournaments at Princeton University and Yale University. http://www.gonzaga.org/teachers/kmeehan/its_academic.html
Speech and Debate - Gonzaga's Speech and Debate Team has competed mainly in Student Congress debate for many years. The team has gained prominence for the school's individual and group accomplishments. Among Gonzaga's greatest achievements is the team's victory for the Harvard Cup, which symbolizes the best overall effort on the part of one school out of the more than 100 schools that participate in the competition.
The Aquilian - Gonzaga's student newspaper, The Aquilian, was founded in 1940. Published throughout the school year, The Aquilian also possesses an online presence on AquilianOnline.com.
Community service
One important aspect of Gonzaga student life that sets it apart from that of other private schools in the area is the school's commitment to community service. Each senior must complete at least forty hours of service before graduation, and although there is no requirement for non-seniors, many students volunteer in programs like 'Food and Friends,' the Father Horace McKennaHorace McKenna
Horace B. McKenna S.J., Founder of S.O.M.E. and advocate of the Sursum Corda Cooperative. He was born on January 2, 1899 and died on May 11, 1982....
Center, So Others Might Eat
So Others Might Eat
So Others Might Eat is a non-profit organization which seeks to help deal with poverty in Washington, D.C.. SOME provides food, clothing, and health-care services to the poor and homeless...
, or other similar projects aimed at helping the surrounding community, including the Sursum Corda Cooperative
Sursum Corda Cooperative
Sursum Corda Cooperative is a small neighborhood located in Washington, D.C., bounded by North Capitol Street on the east, First Street NW to the west, K Street NW to the south, and New York Avenue NW to the north. It consists of 199 housing units constructed as an experiment in cooperatively...
- an adjacent DC neighborhood infamous for its violence and poverty. Gonzaga's emphasis on community service reflects its students' desire to carry out their school motto, "Men for Others." In 2005 Gonzaga became the first high school to participate in the Campus Kitchen
Campus Kitchen
A Campus Kitchen is an on-campus student service program that is a member of the nonprofit organization, The Campus Kitchens Project. At a Campus Kitchen, students use on-campus kitchen space and donated food from their cafeterias to prepare and deliver nourishing meals to their communities.The...
service project, a program previously undertaken only on the college level.
Alumni
Over the years many famous men have passed through the doors of Gonzaga, including athletes, senators, congressmen, a governor, and Presidential candidates.Athletes
- Darryl HillDarryl Hill (football player)Darryl Andre Hill is a former American college football player and is considered the "Jackie Robinson of Southern college football"....
, first African American football player at the Naval Academy and in the Atlantic Coast Conference (Class of 1960) - Jon MorrisJon MorrisJon Morris is a former American college and professional football player. At Gonzaga College High School in Washington, DC, he was a three-sport athlete in football, basketball and baseball. After Gonzaga he played center and linebacker for three seasons at the College of the Holy Cross...
, Former NFL player for the New England PatriotsNew England PatriotsThe New England Patriots, commonly called the "Pats", are a professional football team based in the Greater Boston area, playing their home games in the town of Foxborough, Massachusetts at Gillette Stadium. The team is part of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National...
(Class of 1960) - Paul SheehyPaul SheehyPaul Sheehy was an American rugby player for the USA Eagles at the 1991 Rugby World Cup.Sheehy also played for the Washington Rugby Football Club from 1991 to 1993 and is now a member of the Washington Rugby Football Club Hall of Fame His position of choice was fullback.Sheehy was a four year...
, former rugbyRugby unionRugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
player for the USA Eagles at the 1991 Rugby World Cup1991 Rugby World CupThe 1991 Rugby World Cup was the second edition of the Rugby World Cup, and was jointly hosted by England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and France; at that time, the five European countries that participated in the Five Nations Championship making it the first Rugby World Cup to be staged in the...
(Class of 1981) - John Thompson IIIJohn Thompson IIIJohn Thompson III is the current head coach of the men's basketball team at Georgetown University. He grew up in Washington, D.C. and was named first team All-Metro by The Washington Post while playing for Gonzaga College High School in 1984. Thompson was hired on April 20, 2004 to replace Craig...
, Head Basketball Coach at Georgetown UniversityGeorgetown UniversityGeorgetown University is a private, Jesuit, research university whose main campus is in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Founded in 1789, it is the oldest Catholic university in the United States...
(Class of 1984) - Roman ObenRoman ObenRoman Dissake Oben is an American football offensive tackle who retired in 2008. He co-hosts the New York Giants pre and post game show on WFAN in the fall as well as being a television color football analyst for MSG Varsity high school sports television network...
, NFL player for the San Diego ChargersSan Diego ChargersThe San Diego Chargers are a professional American football team based in San Diego, California. they were members of the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
and Super Bowl Champion with the Tampa Bay BuccaneersTampa Bay BuccaneersThe Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
(Class of 1990) - Malcolm Johnson, former professional football player for the Cincinnati BengalsCincinnati BengalsThe Cincinnati Bengals are a professional football team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the AFC's North Division in the National Football League . The Bengals began play in 1968 as an expansion team in the American Football League , and joined the NFL in 1970 in the AFL-NFL...
, New York JetsNew York JetsThe New York Jets are a professional football team headquartered in Florham Park, New Jersey, representing the New York metropolitan area. The team is a member of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
, and Pittsburgh SteelersPittsburgh SteelersThe Pittsburgh Steelers are a professional football team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The team currently belongs to the North Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Founded in , the Steelers are the oldest franchise in the AFC...
(Class of 1994) - Curome CoxCurome CoxCurome Cox is an American football safety who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Atlanta Falcons as an undrafted free agent in 2004. He played college football at Maryland....
, NFL free agent (Class of 1999, and current University of Maryland football coach - Billy GladingBilly GladingBilly Glading is a professional lacrosse player with the Washington Bayhawks of Major League Lacrosse, and the Philadelphia Wings of the National Lacrosse League.- Professional career :...
, All-American and current midfield for the Washington Bayhawks (Class of 1999) - Mike BannerMike BannerMike Banner is an American soccer player who currently plays for Chicago Fire in Major League Soccer.-College:...
, currently plays for the Chicago Fire, previously played for SIU-EdwardsvilleSouthern Illinois UniversitySouthern Illinois University is a state university system based in Carbondale, Illinois, in the Southern Illinois region of the state, with multiple campuses...
. (Class of 2002) - Joey HaynosJoey HaynosJoey Haynos is an American football tight end who is currently a free agent. He was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2008...
, NFL tight endTight endThe tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
for the Miami DolphinsMiami DolphinsThe Miami Dolphins are a Professional football team based in the Miami metropolitan area in Florida. The team is part of the Eastern Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
(Class of 2003) - Arman ShieldsArman ShieldsArman Shields is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. Prior to his selection in the fourth round of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders, he played college football for the University of Richmond Spiders...
, NFL player for the Oakland RaidersOakland RaidersThe Oakland Raiders are a professional American football team based in Oakland, California. They currently play in the Western Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
; drafted in the 4th round of the 2008 draft (Class of 2003) - Colin ClohertyColin ClohertyColin Joseph Cloherty is an American football tight end who is currently a member of the Jacksonville Jaguars. He was signed by the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent in 2009...
, NFL tight endTight endThe tight end is a position in American football on the offense. The tight end is often seen as a hybrid position with the characteristics and roles of both an offensive lineman and a wide receiver. Like offensive linemen, they are usually lined up on the offensive line and are large enough to be...
for the Indianapolis ColtsIndianapolis ColtsThe Indianapolis Colts are a professional American football team based in Indianapolis. They are currently members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League ....
(Class of 2005) - Dwayne Eley, CFLCanadian Football LeagueThe Canadian Football League or CFL is a professional sports league located in Canada. The CFL is the highest level of competition in Canadian football, a form of gridiron football closely related to American football....
wide receiverWide receiverA wide receiver is an offensive position in American and Canadian football, and is the key player in most of the passing plays. Only players in the backfield or the ends on the line are eligible to catch a forward pass. The two players who begin play at the ends of the offensive line are eligible...
for the Saskatchewan RoughridersSaskatchewan RoughridersThe Saskatchewan Roughriders are a Canadian Football League team based in Regina, Saskatchewan. They were founded in 1910. They play their home games at 2940 10th Avenue in Regina, which has been the team's home base for its entire history, even prior to the construction of Mosaic Stadium at Taylor...
(Class of 2005) - Nate Chambers, Equestrian; United States Eventing Champion 2007 (Class of 2005)
Entertainment
- David CostabileDavid CostabileDavid Costabile is an American actor. Born in Washington, D.C. He is best known for his recurring television roles on The Wire , Flight of the Conchords , Damages , and Breaking Bad...
, Actor (Class of 1985) - John Heard, Actor (Class of 1964)
- Stephen LeeStephen LeeStephen Lee is a professional snooker-player from Trowbridge, Wiltshire, England, whose smooth cue action is regarded by some pundits as the most natural in the game. He has won four ranking titles, and spent 10 seasons in the Top 16 of the world rankings before dropping out for the snooker...
, Musician and creator of the podcast LifeTake5 - Brian HallisayBrian HallisayBrian Hallisay is an American actor best known for his role as Will Davis in The CW television series Privileged.-Early life:...
, Actor (Class of 1996) - Johnathan RiceJohnathan RiceJohnathan Rice is a Scottish-American singer-songwriter. His first album, Trouble is Real, was released on Reprise Records on April 26, 2005. His follow up, Further North, was released by Reprise on September 11, 2007...
, Musician & Actor (Class of 2001) - The Haunted Boy,http://www.strangemag.com/exorcistpage1.html the victim of the alleged possession chronicled in the book and movie "The Exorcist."
Journalism and Publishing
- David Culver, television anchor/reporter at WAVY-TVWAVY-TVWAVY-TV, channel 10, is a television station licensed to Portsmouth, Virginia, serving as the NBC affiliate for the Hampton Roads area . WAVY is owned by LIN Television Corporation, and is a sister station to Fox affiliate WVBT...
, the NBC affiliate in Norfolk, Va. (Class of 2005) - Bob ConsidineBob ConsidineRobert "Bob" Bernard Considine was an American writer and commentator. He is best-known for co-writing Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo and The Babe Ruth Story.-Biography:...
, journalist and author - Pat ConroyPat ConroyPat Conroy , is a New York Times bestselling author who has written several acclaimed novels and memoirs. Two of his novels, The Prince of Tides and The Great Santini, were made into Oscar-nominated films.-Early life:...
, author, attended but did not graduate - Joseph EllisJoseph EllisJoseph John Ellis is a Professor of History at Mount Holyoke College who has written histories on the founding generation of American presidents. His book Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation received the Pulitzer Prize for History in 2001.-Background and teaching:He received his B.A...
, Pulitzer Prize-winning Author and Professor of History at Mount Holyoke College (Class of 1961) - Michael KellyMichael Kelly (editor)Michael Thomas Kelly was an American journalist, a columnist for The Washington Post, and an editor at The New Republic, National Journal, and The Atlantic. He came to prominence via his reporting on the first Gulf War, but suffered professional embarrassment for his role in the Stephen Glass...
, late Washington Post columnist, editor of The New RepublicThe New RepublicThe magazine has also published two articles concerning income inequality, largely criticizing conservative economists for their attempts to deny the existence or negative effect increasing income inequality is having on the United States...
, and editor-at-large of The Atlantic MonthlyThe Atlantic MonthlyThe Atlantic is an American magazine founded in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1857. It was created as a literary and cultural commentary magazine. It quickly achieved a national reputation, which it held for more than a century. It was important for recognizing and publishing new writers and poets,...
(Class of 1975) - Lance MorrowLance MorrowLance Morrow is professor of journalism and Fellow of the University Professors at Boston University, a writer for Time Magazine, and author of several books. He won the 1981 National Magazine Award for Essay and Criticism and was a finalist for the same award in 1991.Morrow joined Time in 1965...
, journalist and writer for Time Magazine (Class of 1958) - Peter RuehlPeter RuehlVincent Peter Ruehl, known as Peter Ruehl was an American-born Australian newspaper columnist, best known for the humorous column he wrote thrice weekly for The Australian Financial Review, in which he offered an American view on life in Australia...
, columnist for the Australian Financial Review
Military
- John M. LohJohn M. LohJohn Michael Loh is a retired four-star general in the United States Air Force who last served as Commander, Air Combat Command from June 1992 to July 1995...
, former Air Force Vice Chief of Staff, former commander of Air Combat CommandAir Combat CommandAir Combat Command is a major command of the United States Air Force. ACC is one of ten major commands , reporting to Headquarters, United States Air Force ....
(Class of 1956) - Captain Humbert Roque "Rocky" Versace, USA, POW, Medal of HonorMedal of HonorThe Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
recipient, Pentagon Hall of Heroes inductee, Ranger Hall of Fame inductee (Class of 1955) - Navy SEALUnited States Navy SEALsThe United States Navy's Sea, Air and Land Teams, commonly known as Navy SEALs, are the U.S. Navy's principal special operations force and a part of the Naval Special Warfare Command as well as the maritime component of the United States Special Operations Command.The acronym is derived from their...
Lieutenant CommanderLieutenant CommanderLieutenant Commander is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander...
Erik S. KristensenErik S. KristensenErik S. Kristensen was a Lieutenant Commander in the United States Navy SEALs who was killed in action during Operation Red Wings...
who died while fighting in Afghanistan (Class of 1990)
Politics
- William BennettWilliam BennettWilliam John "Bill" Bennett is an American conservative pundit, politician, and political theorist. He served as United States Secretary of Education from 1985 to 1988. He also held the post of Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy under George H. W...
, author, radio host, former Secretary of Education, and first "drug czar" of the United StatesUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
(Class of 1961) - Don BeyerDon BeyerDonald Sternoff "Don" Beyer, Jr. is the U.S. ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein. In addition, he owns automobile dealerships in Virginia, and has a long record involved in community, political and philanthropic work....
, former Lieutenant Governor of VirginiaLieutenant Governor of VirginiaThe Lieutenant Governor is a constitutional officer of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Lieutenant Governor is elected every four years along with the Governor and Attorney General. The office is currently held by Republican William T. Bolling. The governor and lieutenant governor are elected...
and current U.S. ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein (Class of 1968) - Pat BuchananPat BuchananPatrick Joseph "Pat" Buchanan is an American paleoconservative political commentator, author, syndicated columnist, politician and broadcaster. Buchanan was a senior adviser to American Presidents Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, and Ronald Reagan, and was an original host on CNN's Crossfire. He sought...
, Reform Party presidential candidate (2000), author, and syndicated columnist (Class of 1956) - Ken CuccinelliKen CuccinelliKenneth Thomas 'Ken' Cuccinelli II is a U.S. politician and the Attorney General of Virginia. From 2002 until January 16, 2010 he was a Republican member of the Senate of Virginia, representing the 37th district in Fairfax County...
, Virginia State Senator, 37th District, Current Attorney General of VirginiaAttorney General of VirginiaThe Attorney General of Virginia is an executive office in the Government of Virginia. Attorneys General are elected for a four-year term in the year following a presidential election . There are no term limits restricting the number of terms someone can serve as Attorney General...
(Class of 1986) - Lawrence Hogan, Maryland CongressmanMaryland's 5th congressional districtMaryland's 5th congressional district comprises all of Charles, St. Mary's, and Calvert Counties, as well as portions of Prince George's and Anne Arundel Counties. The district is currently represented by Democrat Steny Hoyer, the House Minority Whip....
, (Class of 1946) - Patrick N. HoganPatrick N. HoganPatrick N. Hogan in Silver Spring, MD, near Washington, D.C., was a member of the Maryland House of Delegates for District 3A, which covers a portion of Frederick County, Maryland.-Background:...
, former member, Maryland House of Delegates (Class of 1997) - Martin O'Malley, Former Mayor of Baltimore and current Governor of MarylandGovernor of MarylandThe Governor of Maryland heads the executive branch of the government of Maryland, and he is the commander-in-chief of the state's National Guard units. The Governor is the highest-ranking official in the state, and he has a broad range of appointive powers in both the State and local governments,...
(Class of 1981) - Ben QuayleBen QuayleBenjamin Eugene "Ben" Quayle is an American politician and U.S. Representative for Arizona's 3rd congressional district. He is a member of the Republican Party. Ben Quayle is son of former U.S. Vice President Dan Quayle and former U. S...
, United States Representative for Arizona's 3rd congressional districtArizona's 3rd congressional districtArizona's 3rd congressional district is a congressional district located in the U.S. state of Arizona and contains most of the northern portion of the city of Phoenix as well as some of its northern suburbs...
(Class of 1994) - William Nathaniel Roach, U.S. Senator from North Dakota
- Charles L. Schultze, former chairman, United States Council of Economic AdvisersCouncil of Economic AdvisersThe Council of Economic Advisers is an agency within the Executive Office of the President that advises the President of the United States on economic policy...
, Bronze Star recipient, Purple Heart recipient, World War II (Class of 1942) - Steve ShannonSteve ShannonStephen C. Shannon is an American politician. From 2004 to 2009, Shannon represented Virginia’s 35th District in the Virginia House of Delegates. He was the 2009 Democratic nominee for Attorney General of Virginia...
, Virginia House of Delegates, 35th District, attended, did not graduate - Richard WallachRichard WallachRichard Wallach was an American politician who served as the first Republican Mayor of Washington, D.C.-History:...
, mayor of Washington, D.C. during the Civil WarAmerican Civil WarThe American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
(Class of 1823)
Science
- James PillingJames PillingJames Constantine Pilling was a Congressional stenographer-transcriptionist and a pioneering ethnologist chiefly known for compiling a series of extensive bibliographies of the cultures, mythologies and languages of the North and Central American aboriginal peoples...
(1846–1895), pioneer ethnologistEthnologyEthnology is the branch of anthropology that compares and analyzes the origins, distribution, technology, religion, language, and social structure of the ethnic, racial, and/or national divisions of humanity.-Scientific discipline:Compared to ethnography, the study of single groups through direct...
who compiled extensive bibliographies on Native American languages and culture - B. Alvin DrewB. Alvin DrewColonel Benjamin Alvin Drew is a United States Air Force officer and a NASA astronaut. He has been on two spaceflights; the first one was the Space Shuttle mission STS-118 to the International Space Station, in August 2007. Drew's second spaceflight took place in March 2011 on STS-133, another...
, United States Air ForceUnited States Air ForceThe United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
captain, NASANASAThe National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
astronautAstronautAn astronaut or cosmonaut is a person trained by a human spaceflight program to command, pilot, or serve as a crew member of a spacecraft....
(Class of 1980)
Others
- Eric O'Neill, former AmericanUnited StatesThe United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
FBI operative who played a major role in the arrest and life imprisonment conviction of FBI agent Robert HanssenRobert HanssenRobert Philip Hanssen is a former American FBI agent who spied for Soviet and Russian intelligence services against the United States for 22 years from 1979 to 2001...
for spyingEspionageEspionage or spying involves an individual obtaining information that is considered secret or confidential without the permission of the holder of the information. Espionage is inherently clandestine, lest the legitimate holder of the information change plans or take other countermeasures once it...
, the story of which was made into a major motion pictureFilmA film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
, BreachBreach (film)Breach is a 2007 American historical drama directed by Billy Ray. The screenplay by Ray, Adam Mazer, and William Rotko is based on the true story of Robert Hanssen, an FBI agent convicted of spying for the Soviet Union and later Russia for more than two decades, and Eric O'Neill, who worked as his...
. - Thomas R. Fitzgerald, S.JThomas R. Fitzgerald (Jesuit)Thomas R. Fitzgerald, S.J was the 6th President of Fairfield University located in Fairfield, Connecticut form 1973 to 1979 and the 30th President of Saint Louis University from 1979 to 1987....
, sixth president of Fairfield UniversityFairfield UniversityFairfield University is a private, co-educational undergraduate and master's level teaching-oriented university located in Fairfield, Connecticut, in the New England region of the United States. It was founded by the Society of Jesus in 1942, and today is one of 28 member institutions of the...
and the 30th president of Saint Louis UniversitySaint Louis UniversitySaint Louis University is a private, co-educational Jesuit university located in St. Louis, Missouri, United States. Founded in 1818 by the Most Reverend Louis Guillaume Valentin Dubourg SLU is the oldest university west of the Mississippi River. It is one of 28 member institutions of the...
. - David HeroldDavid HeroldDavid Edgar Herold was an accomplice of John Wilkes Booth in the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. After guiding fellow conspirator Lewis Powell to the home of Secretary of State William H. Seward, whom Powell intended to kill, Herold fled and rendezvoused outside of Washington, D.C., with Booth...
, hanged for participation in Lincoln assassination. - Dr. Richard Mudd, grandson of Dr. Samuel MuddSamuel MuddSamuel Alexander Mudd I, M.D. was an American physician who was convicted and imprisoned for aiding and conspiring with John Wilkes Booth in the 1865 assassination of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln. He was pardoned by President Andrew Johnson and released from prison in 1869...
(Class of 1917).