Gonzaga Witness

Issue date: 4/28/09 Section: Features

The end of an academic year is always filled with fond farewells of some sort or another. This year however, Gonzaga bids a farewell to not just a friend, but a mentor, teacher, and colleague; our leader, our president, Father Robert J. Spitzer. Having served as President for more than a decade, the Witness realized that the student body really doesn't know Gonzaga without Fr. Spitzer, nor can many of us imagine it without him (those poor incoming freshman, they have no idea what they'll be missing). At our request, Father graciously agreed to an interview, and like anything Spitzer, I think we can break it down into three points: past, present, and future.

-Past-
After hearing Father speak for the first time at Mass my first year at GU, I had to wonder, "Where exactly did this guy come from?" Did he just appear? Did he just "start Spitzer?" He has such a grasp of theology and scripture, such dynamics as a speaker, and so personable and receptive face-to-face. Perhaps he sprung forth full grown from the mind of Zues? . . . Alas, no. As it turns out, a significant part of Father's history takes place right here at Gonzaga University.
Spitzer's four years as an undergraduate at GU would influence his life in ways even he never would've imagined. "I never would have discovered my vocation as a teacher, and certainly not a priest, without Gonzaga," he said. As many of us know from hearing Father talk at Mass, he was not always destined for either of the above vocations. Finance was his intended direction, "I wanted to make money," says Spitzer, "who doesn't?"
The first of three experiences (not two, not four, but three) most influential to his future began when a friend at GU asked Spitzer to teach 9th grade catechism, to which he answered "no." His friend's response, "Great Bobby, do nothing for anyone for the rest of your life." Ah the power of language.
Spitzer then agreed to the task. Though unconfident in theology and scripture, Father's growing passion was how the Universe worked (thanks to another GU professor), and "kids really wanted to know why the universe needs a creator." After the first day of lecture, one student raised his hand and asked, "Are you going to be our religion teacher next year?" A surprising word escaped Father's mouth: "Yes!" Thus began Robert Spitzer as teacher.
Another influential event, thanks to GU, occurred while Father (by chance, or divine providence) was walking past a classroom and heard the words "proofs for the existence of God." "I found myself veering into the classroom," said Spitzer.

Continued...

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