ROBERT JOSEPH SPITZER, S.J., PH.D.
President, Gonzaga University

Fr. Spitzer became president of Gonzaga University in 1998, but he began his career there in 1970 as an undergraduate student. He has based his vision for the university on his experience of its spirit, its academic and mission-oriented strengths, the Jesuit philosophy of education, and the particular visions of its many stakeholders.

Fr. Spitzer spends much of his time communicating this vision to the various stakeholder groups of Gonzaga; sharing its spirit with the wider community; and finding the resources necessary for implementing the vision.

Fr. Spitzer has founded or co-founded five institutes of higher education and higher learning. Since 1999 he has published twelve articles and two books:

  • The Spirit of Leadership: Optimizing Creativity and Change in Organization
  • Healing the Culture: A Commonsense Philosophy of Happiness, Freedom, and the Life Issues

Degrees and Honors

  • Ph.D., Philosophy, Catholic University of America, 1988
  • Th.M., Scripture, Weston School (Cambridge), 1984
  • M.Div., Theology, Gregorian University in Rome, 1983
  • M.A., Philosophy, St. Louis University, 1978
  • B.B.A., Public Accounting and Finance, Gonzaga University, 1974
  • Bunn Medal for most outstanding professor, Georgetown University, 1989
  • Outstanding faculty member in the College of Arts and Sciences, Seattle University, 1996
  • Two endowed chairs of ethics at Seattle University and Gonzaga University
  • Washington Society of Certified Public Accountants award for service, 1997

Service

  • Involved in these boards of trustees:
    • Gonzaga University
    • Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce
    • Spokane Higher Education Leadership Group
    • Washington Campus Compact
    • Association of Washington Business
    • Spokane Symphony
    • Spokane Economic Development Council
    • Spokane Task Force on Race Relations
  • Gives approximately 130 business and public presentations per year
  • Advisory work with over 300 companies, e.g., Boeing, Toyota, Costco, and Caterpillar (using his experience as professor of business ethics and director of Seattle University's Institute of Professional Ethics)

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