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Legendary Benefactors Don, Carol Herak Honored

Posted on May 19, 2010 in: @Gonzaga, Academics, Alumni, Events, Faith, Feature Stories, Service


Click the following link to view the video of the 2010 Ignatian Spirit Award recipients.

SPOKANE, Wash. –  Legendary Gonzaga University philanthropists Don and Carol Herak were honored with the Ignatian Spirit Award at the third annual Ignatian Gala in which the University celebrated the spirit of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits, and its many generous benefactors.

Don Herak, Gonzaga’s longest-tenured current Trustee, accepted the award at the April 15 event on behalf of Carol, his wife of 54 years who passed away in 1998.

Don and Carol have always given back to Gonzaga. They provided the lead gift to expand and renovate the Herak Center for Engineering and Applied Science in 1984, and have supported the Engineering Fund along with more than 75 other areas of University need. They established and contributed to endowments for student scholarships, including the Carol L. Herak Scholarship, helped fund construction of the Jepson Center for the School of Business Administration and the Gonzaga School of Law building — among many other gifts.
Don and Carol Herak

Don and Carol Herak

Don, a 1946 civil engineering alumnus, came to Gonzaga from a Montana homestead near St. Ignatius Mission Church in Charlo, the town where the couple married in 1944. Don built a highly successful career as an engineer and entrepreneur. Don and Carol were truly the love of each other’s life.  Gonzaga honored Don in 1982 with its Distinguished Alumni Merit Award. The Heraks raised three children: Donna Herak, Jerry Herak (1981 alumnus) and the late Toni Robideaux (1979 alumna). After Carol’s death, their daughters created a rose garden in front of the Herak Center in her memory.

More than 425 Gonzaga benefactors attended the black-tie gala for Gonzaga’s signature event.

For more inspiring GU stories, visit Gonzaga’s Zag Spirit Web site.

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