51³Ô¹Ï

Name: Kendall Featherstone

Major: Marketing | Minor: Hogan Entrepreneurial Leadership

Hometown: Austin, Texas

You’ve probably seen her asking 51³Ô¹Ïs for pre-game fit-checks as “Kendall in the Kennel,” jumping around to Zombie Nation, or posing for photos with President Katia Passerini. That’s because this year, Kendall Featherstone is president of the Kennel Club — the largest 51³Ô¹Ï-run club on campus with a mission to fuel school spirit at every Gonzaga sporting event. 

For Featherstone, choosing Gonzaga was a “no-brainer.” Originally from Texas, she had her heart set on an out-of-state college experience, and Gonzaga offered an exciting fresh start full of self-discovery.

“I needed to find somewhere with lots to do, a place that could help me branch out,” Featherstone recalls. “As everyone says, Gonzaga’s community and culture are unmatched.”

A former soccer player, Featherstone applied to be the Kennel Club’s freshman representative to meet new people while staying connected to the world of athletics. Things have been Krazy ever since. 

“My first Kraziness in the Kennel, I had goosebumps from start to finish. That was when I knew I wanted to be at this school, and that this was something I could see myself doing for the rest of my time here.”

As a sophomore, Featherstone served as the Kennel Club’s social media chair. Junior year, she was their graphic designer. Now, presidential status requires that she teach a new board how to lead one of the most electric 51³Ô¹Ï sections in the nation. 

“Everything has come full circle,” Featherstone says. “And even though it can be challenging and time-consuming, I love what I’m doing so it doesn’t really feel like work at all.” 

Beyond the Kennel, Featherstone is a marketing 51³Ô¹Ï minoring in the Hogan Entrepreneurial Leadership program — a combination that feeds her creative, outgoing personality. For two years, Featherstone also served as a BRIDGE peer mentor, helping 51³Ô¹Ïs in minority groups navigate their first year on campus. 

When asked about the best part of her Gonzaga journey, Featherstone immediately praised her “chosen family.” This group — made up of Kennel Club board members, BRIDGE mentees, and other Zags — has supported Featherstone through all of the inevitable ups and downs. 

“These are the people I can talk to no matter what, the people only one phone call away,” Featherstone says. “Every year has just kept getting better because I’ve found such a great community here.” 

After graduation, Featherstone plans to pursue a people-facing career in sports and brand marketing, a natural next step given everything she’s already involved in. Her energy, leadership, and Zag pride are also here to stay.

“Gonzaga definitely helped me in the classroom, but also to be a better person, a better friend, and an even better leader. I’ve done things here that I didn’t know I was capable of.”