Thayne McCulloh

Thayne McCulloh
26th President of Gonzaga University
Incumbent
Assumed office July 15, 2009 Acting: July 15, 2009 – July 16, 2010
Preceded by	Robert Spitzer
Personal details
Born	(1964-08-20) August 20, 1964 (age 57) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Height	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Spouse(s)	Julie McCulloh
Children	3
Alma mater	Gonzaga University (BA) Oxford University (DPhil)
Profession	Academic, psychologist, academic administrator
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Army
Years of service	1983-1986 Active Army
Rank	Sergeant
Unit	Quartermaster Corps

Thayne Martin McCulloh (born August 20, 1964) is an American social psychologist and academic administrator who is currently serving as the 26th President of Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. McCulloh, the first lay President of Gonzaga, was selected as the interim successor of Robert Spitzer, S.J. on July 15, 2009.^[1] A year later, on July 16, 2010, McCulloh was appointed President in his own right.^[2]

Early life and education[]

McCulloh was born in Los Angeles, raised in Claremont, California, Bethesda, Maryland, and Seattle.^[1] He attended Bishop Blanchet High School in Seattle, Washington, graduated from John Marshall (Alternative) High School, and enlisted in the United States Army as a food service specialist, primarily with the 5th Infantry Division at Fort Polk, Louisiana. Honorably discharged a sergeant, his military decorations included the Army Commendation Medal and the Army Achievement Medal. Following his discharge, he earned his bachelor's degree in psychology from Gonzaga University in 1989.^[2] As a student, he was elected Gonzaga's student body president during his senior year.^[2]

In 1989, McCulloh was admitted to study for the master of science degree in experimental psychology at Oxford University.^[2] A member of Wolfson College, McCulloh conducted research under the supervision of British social psychologists Michael Argyle, D.Sc., and Nick Emler. His academic advisor was experimental psychologist Donald E. Broadbent. McCulloh's area of research involved evaluating the power of the social context in gender stereotyping. Other faculty and colleagues with whom he worked include well-known psychologist and television personality Peter Collett, and British Green Party politician Mike Woodin. As a student, he tutored undergraduates, was a member of the Oxford Union and participated in symposia of the British Psychological Society. In 1998, he was granted the degree of doctor of philosophy in experimental social psychology from Oxford University,^[2] and elected to membership in the American Psychological Association.

Career[]

McCulloh joined the staff of Gonzaga University in 1990. He initially worked as a student affairs employee in the residence life department. He taught undergraduate psychology part-time for a number of years while serving in a variety of administrative positions, including dean of student academic services, dean of student financial services, associate academic vice president, and vice president for administration and planning.^[2] McCulloh also served as the interim academic vice president from 2007 until becoming interim president in 2009.^[2] During his career as an administrator, he worked on a number of projects including development of Gonzaga's first office for students with disabilities, the implementation of an integrated computing information system, building new on-campus housing, chairing the decennial regional accreditation self-study, and the creation of a plan for Gonzaga's future development.

President of Gonzaga[]

McCulloh was named interim president of the university by Gonzaga's board of trustees on April 17, 2009. His appointment was effective on July 15, 2009.^[1] McCulloh was elevated from interim president to president of Gonzaga by the board of trustees on July 16, 2010.^[2] His promotion made McCulloh the university's first permanent, non-Jesuit to hold the office in Gonzaga's history.^[2]

One of McCulloh's signature developments as president of Gonzaga has been instilling the importance of thoughts and prayers whenever any sort of tragedy occurs, no matter the severity.

During his tenure, Gonzaga University has had a series of changes in leadership and undertaken a number of significant projects. In service of providing valuable, high quality education, in summer of 2013 the university began construction of a 168,000 square foot University Center. This project supported by what was then the largest gift in Gonzaga's history.^[3] The John J. Hemmingson University Center opened in 2015 and provides a technologically advanced environment reflective of the core components of a distinctly Jesuit education. A LEED Gold certified facility, it prominently features the Center for Global Engagement, reflective of the institution's commitment to international education and study abroad, as well as numerous services to host and support student learning and functions to support student development. The Center also hosts the new, primary residential dining facility for the campus. In 2014, Gonzaga announced a significant bequest, which supported construction of the 52,000 s.f. Myrtle Woldson Center for the Performing Arts.^[4] Recognizing the importance of healthcare as a vital growth area as well as a local economic development focus, McCulloh has worked to support significant developments, such as the launch of a new School of Nursing and Human Physiology in response to growing demand, as well as the creation of a Spokane medical education partnership with the University of Washington.^[5]

In September 2018, Gonzaga University concluded its most ambitious fundraising campaign to date which, when announced in 2015, had a goal of $250 million. The total raised was $355.4 million, of which $110 million was dedicated to fund scholarships for students.^[6]

Gonzaga's part in the Catholic sex abuse scandal came to light during McCulloh's term as President, when an investigative report found that priests with histories of sexual abuse were quietly sent to live on the university campus, shielding them from liability and prosecution.^[7] McCulloh said he had no knowledge of the campus being used to hide abusive priests, and that he understood why some were incredulous that he could have not known.^[8][9] McCulloh established a commission to investigate the University's role and actions,^[8] and, in a public letter, said he was horrified by the abuse by priests, and expressed his feelings of "feelings of sadness, disgust and betrayal" upon learning that they had been housed on campus.^{[10][11][12][13]}

Public service and awards[]

McCulloh currently serves on several non-profit boards and has been recognized for his contributions to higher education. He serves as a commissioner and is current chair of the Northwest Commission of Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), one of the six institutional accrediting bodies in the United States. He is currently a member of the (GSI) board of trustees and has served as the co-chair of its Higher Education Leadership Group. He served as vice-chairman of the board for the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU). His work with the AJCU has included efforts in support of the Jesuit Worldwide Learning (JWL) project, headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. He has served as a member of the board for the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities and the Association of Catholic Colleges and Universities. In 2009 the Archdiocese of Seattle's Fulcrum Foundation recognized McCulloh as a "Champion of Catholic Education," and in 2013 he received the President's Award from Region V of the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators.^[14]

Personal life[]

Dr. McCulloh is married to Julie McCulloh, who also currently works at Gonzaga University.^{[citation needed]} The couple has three daughters.