Pictures of Success - Creighton University
Transcription
Pictures of Success - Creighton University
Pictures of Success: Campaign Transforming Creighton Probing Micro Mysteries Spring 2009 Critical Thinking & the Well-Reasoned Life View the magazine online at: www.creightonmagazine.org SPRING 2009 U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n e Creighton Leads Boldly Into the Future........................... 8 A new era has begun at Creighton University, ushered in by the unprecedented support of the transformative Willing to Lead campaign. The campaign surpassed its $350 million goal with more than $395 million so far in gifts and commitments, expanding the University’s boundaries — academically, physically and spiritually — and breaking all kinds of records. Probing Micro Mysteries.................................................20 8 Creighton University undergraduate students are working shoulder-to-shoulder with faculty researchers at Creighton thanks to a national grant through the IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE). Their investigations could shed more light on a range of issues from osteoporosis to cancer. Critical Thinking and the Well-Reasoned Life.................24 To grab the attention of a nation weary from a constant barrage of messages, political candidates too often resort to glib one-liners or catchy sound bites — leaving little to no room for well-reasoned discourse. What would some of the great philosophers think? And how is Creighton preparing engaged citizens who can apply much-needed critical thinking to today’s most challenging issues? Philosophy professor Kevin Graham, Ph.D., examines. 20 24 A Greener Creighton Magazine Editor’s Note: With our spring 2009 issue of Creighton University Magazine, we’ve stepped forward with more green initiatives in its production. The magazine has long been designated “recycled and recyclable” and “printed with soy ink,” but now we’ve added more. Today, the magazine carries the Forest Stewardship Council designation, as well (see logo at the bottom left on this page). According to the FSC website, products carrying the FSC label are independently certified to assure consumers that they come from forests that are managed to meet the social, economic and ecological needs of present and future generations. Creighton University Magazine uses paper made of 30 percent post- consumer waste, which decreases Creighton’s carbon footprint. University News........................................................................ 4 Alumni News.......................................................................... 28 On the Cover: front, senior Neil Bhattarai, with Opus Hall; biology professor Mary Ann Vinton, Ph.D., with the Hixson-Lied Science Building; middle, soccer player Chris Schuler, with Morrison Stadium; Creighton president the Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J., with Criss/Beirne Endowed Chair in Nursing Joan Lappe, Ph.D.; Casper Professor in History John Calvert, Ph.D., with the Rev. Henry Casper, S.J.; top, second-year medical student Dan Reznicek, with James Manion, M.D., Shea Family Endowed Chair in Anesthesiology; and sophomore Amber Bennett, with Mordeson Endowed Chair in Mathematics John Mordeson, Ph.D. CONTACT US: Editor — Rick Davis, (402) 280-1785, [email protected] • Associate Editor — Sheila Swanson, (402) 280-2069, [email protected] View the magazine online at: www.creightonmagazine.org. Message from the University President Extraordinary Times, Extraordinary Opportunities As we enter the latter stages of this decade, we face new economic, social and political realities that pull at the very fabric of our society. Indeed, the challenges that lie ahead are numerous, complex and real. Creighton University and higher education in general are not immune to these external forces, which have shifted the ground beneath us like tectonic plates. But, as I emphasized in my convocation address to the campus community, these extraordinary times also present extraordinary opportunities. I remain bullish about Creighton. The state of the University is solid, and the future is promising. Guided by our mission, animated by our people and strengthened by our tradition of transforming the institution to meet the challenges of the day, we face the future with strong faith, renewed spirit and bold confidence. Lighting our path is a commitment to and vigorous engagement in strategic planning. Renewing our understanding of who we are and where we want to take our collective enterprise gives us the strength to persevere and thrive in the face of both anticipated and unforeseen events. Change is assuredly afoot in our society and our world. There is a sense of cautious optimism. The challenges we face as a nation and a world — now more than ever — require the critical thinking and ethical decision-making skills that suffuse a Creighton education. Our Catholic and Jesuit identity and tradition provide a stable, faith-based foundation, through which our students, faculty and graduates are emboldened to ask the difficult questions and seek solutions that will create a more just world. We will not waver from being guided by that Catholic and Jesuit mission in our intellectual pursuits, patient care and service. Our vision is both simply stated and ennobling: Creighton University will be a national leader in preparing students to enrich and renew society through professional distinction, responsible leadership and committed citizenship. Our strategic commitments, which focus on meeting that vision, include: • Enriching and advancing our Catholic and Jesuit identity, with a call for greater involvement of lay faculty and staff, especially in light of the declining number of Jesuits on campus. • Improving the way we do our business by being more flexible, more proactive and more entrepreneurial. With limited financial resources, we must become more efficient in meeting the demands of our constituents. • Strengthening and delivering transformative education. This may take the shape of greater integration of assessment activities, continued focus on student recruitment and retention, expansion of co-curricular activities that enhance the classroom experience and increased integration of technology. • Enhancing our engagement in academic scholarship, with an emphasis on funding student research opportunities. • Attracting and retaining the top faculty, staff and administrators, who are committed to helping the University fulfill its vision. As mentioned earlier in this column, the global economic meltdown has placed stress on higher education. Creighton University has been proactive about addressing these economic issues. You can read more about the economy’s impact on Creighton and our strategies to move forward in this uncertain environment on Page 5. Suffice it to say, the economy has had a real impact on Creighton, but I believe the steps we are taking will allow us to weather the storm and come out stronger for remaining focused. Finally, I would like to publicly thank and acknowledge our alumni and friends for their unprecedented support of the Willing to Lead campaign. The campaign’s funds have infused our academic mission and revitalized our physical environment. We set a bold and ambitious goal of $350 million, and you responded — with more than 60,000 individuals contributing more than $395 million so far in gifts and commitments. Read more about the campaign on Page 8. As I told those gathered at convocation, we are not done! We are in a new era of philanthropy and growth for this University. Creighton must never settle for what is, but always aspire for the more. As St. Paul writes in a letter to Timothy: “God did not give us a timid spirit … but a spirit of courage.” May that spirit of courage enliven and fill us — as community and as individuals — as we move forward in hope and confidence, blessed by a God who loves us. Please know that you and your families are in my prayers during this spring season. May God’s grace sustain and renew us during this time of rebirth. John P. Schlegel, S.J. President University News U n i v e r s i t y M a g a z i n Volume 25, Issue 1 Publisher: Creighton University; Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J., President; Lisa Calvert, Vice President for University Relations. Creighton University Magazine staff: Kim Barnes Manning, Assistant Vice President for Marketing and Public Relations; Rick Davis, Editor; Sheila Swanson, Associate Editor; Pamela A. Vaughn, Features Editor; Cindy McMahon, Senior Writer. Creighton University Magazine (USPS728-070) is published quarterly in the spring, summer, fall and winter by Creighton University, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178-0001. Periodicals postage paid at Omaha, Neb., and additional entry points. Address all mail to Marketing and Public Relations, Omaha, NE 68178. Postmaster: Send change of address to Creighton University Magazine, P.O. Box 3266, Omaha, NE 68103-0078. For more enrollment information, contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office at 1-800-282-5835, [email protected]. To make a gift to the University, contact the Office of Development at 1-800-334-8794. For the latest on alumni gatherings, contact the Alumni Relations Office at 1-800-CU-ALUMS (800-282-5867) or check online at www.creighton.edu/alumni. Update your mailing address or send alumni news (births, weddings, promotions, etc.) electronically through www.creighton.edu/alumni, call 1-800-334-8794 or mail to Office of Development, Creighton University, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178. View the magazine online at www.creightonmagazine.org www.creighton.edu Copyright © 2009 by Creighton University Recycled and Recyclable Printed with Soy Ink Creighton University Magazine’s Purpose Creighton University Magazine, like the University itself, is committed to excellence and dedicated to the pursuit of truth in all its forms. The magazine will be comprehensive in nature. It will support the University’s mission of education through thoughtful and compelling feature articles on a variety of topics. It will feature the brightest, the most stimulating, the most inspirational thinking that Creighton offers. The magazine also will promote Creighton, and its Jesuit, Catholic identity, to a broad public and serve as a vital link between the University and its constituents. The magazine will be guided by the core values of Creighton: the inalienable worth of each individual, respect for all of God’s creation, a special concern for the poor, and the promotion of justice. 4 Spring 2009 e Zetterman Named Creighton Medical School Dean Rowen Zetterman, M.D., has been named dean of the Creighton University School of Medicine. Zetterman, who has served as chief of staff for the Veterans Affairs (VA) NebraskaWestern Iowa Health Care System since 2002, assumed his new position with Creighton in early January. “Creighton University is extremely fortunate to have someone with Zetterman the leadership and breadth of experience in academic, research and clinical disciplines needed in our School of Medicine to meet an increasingly competitive and demanding health care environment. As an internationally known medical leader, Dr. Zetterman is at the top of his game and will be instrumental as we move our health sciences agenda forward,” said Robert Heaney, BS’47, MD’51, interim vice president for Health Sciences. Zetterman comes to Creighton with a wealth of academic, clinical, research and administrative experience and an extensive knowledge of the health care environment in the Omaha metro area. He has held several appointments with Creighton University, the University of Nebraska Medical Center and the VA system since 1977. He served as chief of medicine for the Omaha Veterans Affairs Medical Center, 19982002, and as chief of staff for the Nebraska Health System, 1997-2000. Zetterman joined the faculty of Creighton’s Department of Internal Medicine in 1977, becoming a clinical professor of internal medicine in 1986. “For me, the opportunity to serve as a medical academic dean, bringing my expertise to bear on the transformation of young minds, is the opportunity of a lifetime,” said Zetterman. An internationally known researcher, his research interests include the care of all types of liver transplantation patients and the evaluation and care of patients with primary bilary cirrhosis, alcoholic hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis and chronic liver disease. In 2008, Zetterman received the Berk/ Fise Clinical Achievement Award, the highest award from the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG). He served as ACG president in 2000. In 2007, he received the Alfred Stengel Memorial Award for Outstanding Service from the American College of Physicians (ACP). This award, given by the nation’s largest medical specialty organization and the second largest physician group in the United States, recognizes loyalty and exceptional contributions to the ACP’s mission. Zetterman graduated from Shickley Public High School in Shickley, Neb. He earned his medical degree from the University of Nebraska in 1969 and completed a medical internship and a residency in internal medicine, both at University Hospital, University of Nebraska College of Medicine; and fellowships in gastroenterology, University of Nebraska College of Medicine, and hepatology and nutrition, New Jersey College of Medicine at Newark. Creighton Unveils New Crest Creighton President the Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J., has unveiled a new University crest that includes elements representing the Creighton family, Creighton’s Jesuit tradition and the Omaha Archdiocese. The crest is for ceremonial use. The gold stripes on the red field, in the upper left-hand quadrant of the shield, comes from the family coat of arms of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus or Jesuits. The lion rampant comes from the Creighton family coat of arms and the three seashells on a field of sable and red comes from the Wareham family coat of arms — giving nod to Creighton University’s founding families. The design for the shield’s final quadrant, in the lower left, comes from the coat of arms of the Archdiocese of Omaha. The starburst behind the shield comes from the seal of the Society of Jesus. University News Creighton Degrees Conferred at Winter Commencement More than 225 students received degrees during commencement ceremonies last December. The University also recognized the following individuals and organization for their contributions to education and the community. Alumni Achievement Citation Robert Townley, MD’55, received the Alumni Achievement Citation. Townley has been a pioneer in the study, research and practice of allergy and immunology for the region with a lifelong career goal of finding a cure for asthma. He has spent the majority of his professional life at Creighton University, serving as chief of the Division of Allergy/ Immunology from 1969 to 2000. Honorary Degree John Gottschalk, chairman of the Omaha WorldHerald Co., received a Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, for his dedication and commitment to the city of Omaha and the state of Nebraska and for his longstanding service to Creighton University and not-for-profit organizations and agencies throughout the nation. During his remarks at the ceremony, he reminded students that you “make a living on what you have; you make Gottschalk a life on what you give.” Presidential Medallion Robert Townley, MD’55, and the Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J., at December commencement. Creighton Responds to Economic Climate Like most industries, higher education has been affected by the national economic downturn. Creighton University, while not immune to these stresses, has taken proactive steps to address today’s economic realities. Creighton University’s approach has been multifaceted. While several aspects of the 2009-2010 budget are still being finalized, of primary concern for the University is keeping a Creighton education affordable for students and their families. In recent years, Creighton University has experienced historic enrollments, and freshman retention recently hit an all-time high. Preliminary indicators for the 2009 freshman class remain positive. The University has taken deliberate steps to continue those trends. Creighton’s undergraduate tuition rate will increase by a modest 3.5 percent next year — the lowest increase in 46 years. Recognizing that any increase will represent a challenge to some students and their families, Creighton is adding $2.4 million to its financial aid pool. In addition, members of the President’s Cabinet have agreed to an average 4 percent contribution from their 2009-2010 salaries to create a financial assistance fund for returning students needing additional aid or resources. “These steps are needed to assist students and their families so they can continue to afford a quality Creighton education during these challenging economic times,” said Creighton President the Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J. Other cost-saving measures have included hiring restrictions, a voluntary separation program, financial enhancement plans from each division, a restriction on capital projects, and no increase in nonsalary expenses for next year. The significant effect of market declines on university endowments has been widely reported in the media. The value of collegiate endowments nationally has declined anywhere from 25 percent to 35 percent for the last half of 2008 alone. During his convocation address to the The Rev. Arturo Aguilar, SSC, regional director for the Missionary Society of St. Columban, USA, accepted the University’s Presidential Medallion on behalf of the Society, which is celebrating the 90th anniversary of its founding. Since 1921, the Society’s United States headquarters have been in the Omaha area, adjacent to Bellevue, Neb. Today, nearly 700 Columban missionaries — priests, seminarians and lay people — work in Australia, New Zealand and countries in Europe, Asia, southeast Asia and South America, in addition to Mexico and the United States. A community of religious women, the Columban Sisters, often work alongside the missionaries. University community, Fr. Schlegel said he is confident that the University will achieve its budget objectives. He then asked all faculty, staff and administrators to remain vigilant. “Everyone has some part to play in our success, whether that is welcoming prospective “These steps are needed to assist students and their families so they can continue to afford a quality Creighton education during these challenging economic times.” — Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J. Creighton President students and their families, preparing the campus for visits or even turning off light switches and watching our spending,” Fr. Schlegel said. Spring 2009 5 University News Creighton University Arts and Sciences senior Danae Mercer of Omaha has received the opportunity of a lifetime — and she plans to make the most of it. She is the recipient of the Davies-Jackson Scholarship for postgraduate study at the University of Cambridge in Cambridge, England, in the fall of this year, the only student in the United States to receive the award. Mercer is quick to credit Creighton for helping her achieve the honor, but her mentors are just as quick to acknowledge her own grit and determination in overcoming tremendous odds. “I’m so grateful to my mentors at Creighton,” Mercer said. “I have developed such strong bonds with faculty and staff here. They have become my family and will be part of me for the rest of my life.” Each year, the Davies-Jackson Scholarship is awarded to one student who is a first-generation college graduate; it is valued at $50,000. After two years of study in sociology, psychology and political science at Cambridge’s St. John’s College, Mercer will be awarded the Cantab degree, which is viewed as the equivalent of a master’s degree in the U.S. The hardships Mercer has faced in her life — and her response — were likely part of the reason she was awarded the exclusive scholarship. Mercer’s undergraduate credentials are impressive: With a double major in political science and journalism and a minor in French, she writes for the student newspaper, The Creightonian; is a leader with the International Relations Club and the Model United Nations team; and is accomplished in math and statistics with published research. Mercer has held multiple part-time jobs throughout her college years, including a current internship with US STRATCOM as a policy designer and Photo by Jim Fackler Student Awarded Scholarship to Cambridge Mercer is the recipient of the Davies-Jackson Scholarship, given to just one U.S. student annually. researcher. For the past two years, Mercer has received Creighton’s Presidential Mentoring Scholarship, which supports students who are planning to apply to prestigious national and international colleges or universities for graduate study. But what sets Mercer apart from many top achievers is that she has achieved her collegiate goals — and then some — without family support. She was raised by her mother, who had been ill for several years before passing away after Danae’s freshman year in college. Mercer said her family had “… bounced around the country, moving from state to state, and I hardly stayed in any one spot — let alone any one school — for more than three years.” She said her mother had not completed high school. “School was a place where I belonged, where I found room to stretch my mind in new and exciting ways, where answers weren’t easy but always worth pursuing. Although I sacrificed much for academics, there had always been balance in my life.” Yet, after her mother’s death, she found this balance changed as she became not only completely responsible for herself, but the primary caretaker for her younger sister. “I discovered I was too academic-focused. Several faculty members stepped in and counseled me to take a break,” she said. “Danae is an amazing young woman and a great example to all students who may have faced challenges over the years,” said Lisa Brockhoff, associate director of career development in Creighton’s John P. Fahey Career Center. “She has definitely endured more hardships than anyone her age should have to experience, but she keeps a positive attitude, stays focused and continues to work hard.” Photo by Dave Weaver Creighton Students Fight Hunger 6 Spring 2009 More than 150 Creighton University students participated in a food-packing event on campus in March to assist those in Haiti struggling with malnutrition, starvation and hunger-related diseases. Working in teams, the students put together 47,520 food packages — each containing six nutritionally complete meals that can be mixed with water. The event was sponsored by the El Legado de Compasion student organization through Kids Against Hunger, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to significantly reducing the number of hungry children worldwide. Each meal cost only 13 cents. University News Creighton Awarded $3.2 Million to Explore Other Causes of Osteoporosis Creighton Receives National Award Creighton University’s new Catholic School Leadership (CSL) certificate has received the President’s Award from the National Catholic Educational Association (NCEA). The award was presented by NCEA president Karen Ristau, Ed.D., at the Archbishop’s Dinner for Education this past fall. Pictured from left are Ristau; Creighton President the Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J.; Timothy Cook, Ph.D., associate chair of Creighton’s Department of Education; Monsignor James Gilg, superintendent of Catholic schools for the Archdiocese of Omaha; and Daniel Curtin, director, Department of Chief Administrators of Catholic Education, NCEA. Creighton to Continue Landmark Study on Vitamin D and Cancer Risk The National Institutes of Health has awarded Creighton University $4 million to continue its landmark study linking vitamin D to a reduction in cancer risk. The study’s findings, reported in June 2007, showed for the first time in a clinical trial that postmenopausal women consuming calcium as well as vitamin D3 supplements at nearly three times U.S. government recommended levels could reduce their risk of cancer by 60 to 77 percent. “The vitamin D3 finding was a secondary goal in the original study,” said Creighton researcher Joan Lappe, Ph.D. “We must now confirm these findings with a clinical trial specifically designed to look at calcium, vitamin D and cancer. Confirmation is necessary in order to have evidence solid enough to change public policy regarding intake levels for vitamin D.” Lappe, holder of the Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss and Drs. Gilbert and Clinton Beirne Endowed Chair in Nursing at Creighton and a professor of medicine, was the principal investigator for the landmark study. She will also head the new study. Kroeger Elected to Creighton Board The Creighton University Board of Directors elected Terry Kroeger to the Board on March 2. Kroeger is president and chief executive officer of The Omaha World-Herald Co. and publisher of the Omaha World-Herald. He will serve a four-year term. An Omaha native, Kroeger has been part of The Omaha World-Herald Co. for more than 20 years, beginning his career as assistant purchasing agent and property manager in 1985. Prior to being named vice president, Kroeger was publisher of The Record, a newspaper in Stockton, Calif. He returned to Omaha in 1999 to lead the construction Kroeger of the Omaha World-Herald’s production facility. In 2001, he assumed management of production, circulation, sales and administration, and in 2005 was named president and chief operating officer. Why do some women develop osteoporosis even when their bone mass is good, they exercise regularly, and they consume plenty of calcium? It is a medical mystery that the Creighton University School of Medicine hopes to unravel with the help of a $3.2 million grant recently awarded the University by the National Institutes of Health. While bone density is an important factor in determining a person’s risk of osteoporosis — a condition in which bones become fragile and prone to breakage — it is not the only factor, said Robert Recker, M.D., the study’s principal investigator and director of Creighton’s Osteoporosis Research Center. “Bone quality defects, other than low bone density, account for more than half of the patients who suffer from osteoporosis and are at risk of low-stress fractures,” Recker said. “These defects have been described but not yet fully explored. We hope to characterize these defects in bone quality and identify how they contribute to low-trauma fractures in postmenopausal women, the population most at risk of osteoporosis.” The five-year study will include 120 postmenopausal women between the ages of 45 and 70 who have osteopenia, considered a precursor to osteoporosis, in which the rate of new bone formation is abnormally low. Participants will include 60 women, who have suffered low- or no-trauma fractures during the previous four years, and a control group that has similar bone density but has not experienced low-trauma fractures. For the study, Creighton will identify the women who have osteopenia through a series of tests and bone biopsies. The biopsies will then undergo examination by researchers from University of California, San Francisco; Johns Hopkins University; INSERM in Lyon, France; Columbia University in New York; and University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Engineering. “We believe this will be the most comprehensive examination to date of bone quality defects that cause bone fractures in otherwise healthy, postmenopausal women,” Recker said. Spring 2009 7 Creighton Leads Boldly Into the A Future new era has begun at Creighton University, ushered in by the unprecedented support of the transformative Willing to Lead campaign. The campaign surpassed its $350 million goal with more than $395 million in gifts and commitments thus far, expanding the University’s boundaries — academically, physically and spiritually — and breaking all kinds of records. “This is an incredible milestone in the life of the University,” Creighton President the Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J., said. “It is the result of many gifts — small, medium and historically large — all of which are testimony to the affection and respect with which this institution is held by our alumni and friends.” Fr. Schlegel emphasized that the Willing to Lead campaign is not a concluding event, but the beginning of a new era of philanthropy and growth for the University. “Our task is not yet complete,” Fr. Schlegel said. “Let me say in no uncertain terms — we are not done. Our Board and donor community are enthusiastically pushing us forward. They are calling on us to double our efforts — encouraging us to build on this unprecedented momentum and reach for our vision with renewed vigor and purpose.” Lisa Calvert, vice president for University Relations, said the support of donors nationwide is allowing Creighton to realize its vision of securing its place at the forefront of the leading Catholic, Jesuit universities in the United States. 8 Spring 2009 Creighton President the Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J., celebrates the success of the Willing to Lead campaign with students at a Feb. 11 event. The multi-year campaign, which began its public phase in December 2005, received historic gifts and participation, with more than 60,000 individuals contributing (more than half being new donors). Creighton also experienced a record number of $1 million or greater gifts and the largest donation in its history, a transformational $50 million gift from an anonymous donor. More than half of the campaign’s contributions infused the University’s academic mission by providing funding for hundreds of student scholarships and endowment for faculty, programs and service projects — including 14 endowed faculty chairs, five professorships and innovative programs such as the nationally recognized Werner Institute for Negotiation and Dispute Resolution. The remaining portion of the extraordinary Willing to Lead results allowed Creighton to achieve key elements of its award-winning campus master plan. The campus has grown by 40 acres and has been revitalized to create a 21st century learning environment that now spans 130 acres. Numerous buildings have been renovated or constructed to support academics and student life. “We have an extraordinary journey ahead of us, with extraordinary challenges and extraordinary opportunities,” Fr. Schlegel said. “I truly believe that more than a few transformative opportunities lie ahead of us.” Photo by Jim Fackler “We have an extraordinary journey ahead of us, with extraordinary challenges and extraordinary opportunities.” – The Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J. Creighton University is supported and encouraged by the members of its Board of Directors and donor community, who, mindful of the current economic environment, are pushing the University to build on the momentum and continue the Willing to Lead campaign — citing that Creighton’s mission is more vital than ever. “I am a believer in our future. … Our bold tomorrow is here, and an even bolder tomorrow awaits us!” Fr. Schlegel said. “I invite you to join us on this journey, to help us write the next chapter in the unfolding history of Creighton University.” Willing to Lead … By the numbers $395 million Amount received in gifts and commitments, as of Feb. 10, 2009 $ 350 million Campaign goal — making it the largest fundraising initiative in Creighton’s history $50 million The campaign’s largest gift and the single largest gift in Creighton’s history 14 and 5 Number of endowed faculty chairs and professorships, respectively, established through the campaign 60,000 Number of contributors to the campaign – more than half were new donors 142,000 Number of gifts received during the campaign (some donors gave multiple times) On the following pages, we share stories of those who are, and continue to be, impacted by donor support and those whose gifts represent a response to this historic call. More can be found online at creighton.edu/development. 40 Number of acres added to campus during the campaign, increasing Creighton’s campus footprint to 130 acres 52 Percentage of campaign dollars directed toward academic priorities; 48 percent directed to land acquisitions, new buildings and renovations Spring 2009 9 Allison Kinney-Walker Rev. Andy Alexander, S.J. Education with a Higher Purpose W hen the Rev. Andy Alexander, S.J., listens to students talk about their Creighton experience, he is heartened and inspired by what he hears. He joyously shares some of their observations: • What happened to me is I learned to reflect here … • What happened to me is I found that I was invited to be a woman for others … • I didn’t expect that when I was going through my rotations, someone would show me how to pray with patients … “That’s what students learn here,” Fr. Alexander said. “That’s what makes it a very special place.” Dan Reznicek was drawn to Creighton and its spirit of cura personalis — or care of the individual person. The Cadillac, Mich., native earned a business degree from Creighton in 2006 and is now attending Creighton medical school. He has found, both at the professional and undergraduate level, a faculty and student body truly concerned about his success. Creighton also has afforded him opportunities to share his talents with others less fortunate. This past summer, Reznicek and nine other Creighton medical students traveled to Romania as part of Project CURA (Creighton Medical School United in Relief Assistance). Project CURA is a student-founded and student-organized effort to provide health services to those in need domestically and abroad. “We got to shadow doctors and help out with the clinics in the 10 Spring 2009 Dan Reznicek area,” Reznicek said. “It was an amazing experience.” Allison Kinney-Walker, BA’06, had been involved in service while in high school. But at Creighton, she found something more — a call to act for justice. “What that means to me is going beyond just serving or helping people, or trying to fix a problem, but really trying to understand the issues that make that service needed,” Kinney-Walker said. She said her Creighton experience — which included several spring and fall break service trips, along with volunteering at a homeless shelter and teaching English as a second language — has emboldened her to “be a voice for those who are often unheard.” The theology and justice and peace studies major is currently attending graduate school at Creighton with the hopes of someday establishing her own “social business that works to bring about financial stability, financial education and financial empowerment for low-income people.” Fr. Alexander said the experiences of Kinney-Walker and Reznicek, while powerful and life-affirming, are not unique. “Our purpose, in the Jesuit tradition, is to help our students become women and men for others,” Fr. Alexander said. “We help them become people of conscience; we help them become people of compassion; we help them grow as people who can make a difference in this world. “Alumni will tell us, ‘I may not have become some deeply spiritual person while I was at Creighton,’” Fr. Alexander explained. “‘But when I faced a crisis … something deep in my experience at Creighton held me together and allowed me to find God.’ And that’s the great jewel in the Creighton experience.” Creighton Leads Boldly Into the Future Dedicated to Patients, Students, Research C reighton University maintains unique strengths in the health sciences, with schools of medicine, dentistry, nursing, and pharmacy and health professions. Across these disciplines, Creighton is educating the health care professionals of tomorrow, contributing to new research and innovations, and providing quality patient care in the Jesuit tradition of cura personalis — or care of the individual. Rowen Zetterman, M.D., dean of the School of Medicine, said Creighton is dedicated to providing the finest medical education in the world. He added that Creighton must stay at the forefront of new discoveries that lead to a healthier society. And Creighton must continue to deliver quality, compassionate care to those suffering from pain, sickness and disease — especially the underserved, the vulnerable and the needy. But, he added, the medical school, as well as Creighton’s other health sciences schools, cannot do it alone. Through philanthropic support, Creighton and its health sciences schools can provide the support necessary to attract the best and brightest students, faculty and scientists. Endowed scholarship support allows students more freedom upon graduation to pursue careers caring for the underserved. Endowed chairs and professorships and enhanced facilities can attract the top researchers, scholars and teachers. Creighton is poised to address the critical shortages of health care professionals and to bring a full complement of health care research, treatments and prevention to new levels of excellence and impact. “Progress to improve human health in the last 100 years has been astonishing,” said Robert Heaney, BS’47, MD’51, interim vice president for Health Sciences and the John A. Creighton University Professor. “Creighton’s scientists, faculty-scientists, scholars and students have contributed to the advancement of health in these critical areas: cancer, osteoporosis, diabetes, obesity, neurosciences and cardiovascular disease. Philanthropic support for research at Creighton University is an investment in our shared future, as we seek new discoveries, new treatments and new options to improve lives.” Joan Lappe Robert Heaney Rowen Zetterman A Healthy Endowment Helps Build Healthy Bones A s the first to hold an endowed chair in nursing at Creighton University, Joan Lappe, Ph.D., MS’85, is keenly aware of the importance of endowed chairs at a university. “Endowed chairs are a symbol for how universities value scholarly endeavors,” said Lappe, who was installed as the first holder of the Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss and Drs. Gilbert and Clinton Beirne Endowed Chair in Nursing at Creighton in 2007. “Pragmatically, endowed chairs help to attract and retain distinguished faculty and outstanding students.” Lappe and her colleagues in the Osteoporosis Research Center at Creighton are conducting cutting-edge research in the area of osteoporosis and bone health; Lappe is the principal investigator for a landmark study linking vitamin D to a reduction in cancer risk. Spring 2009 11 Creighton Leads Boldly Into the Future Sarah Fredrick Budding Scientist, Well-Rounded Person S arah Fredrick absolutely loves science. And thanks to several scholarships, the senior chemistry major from Denver has had plenty of hands-on opportunities to engage in scientific research and inquiry during her undergraduate career at Creighton. But, she says, her Creighton education has provided her something even more. “I’ve appreciated the well-roundedness in my Creighton experience,” Fredrick said. “I’m not leaving here with a science degree. I’m leaving here as a well-rounded human being.” And that’s what she really loves about Creighton — even more than the science. As part of her Creighton education, Fredrick spent three weeks in a small, poor community in El Salvador — studying theology, learning about the culture and doing service work. “Creighton’s hard and it’s been tough academically, but I’ve also been challenged emotionally and spiritually,” Fredrick said. And she’s thankful for that. “I think the opportunities I’ve had at Creighton have pushed me in amazing ways. I’ve been able to pursue my dreams of science, but also have had the best of social justice and theology. “All of that has been so important for my personal development — constantly pushing me to do more, to be more, to be better.” Fielding Athletic Success A s one of only four NCAA Division I men’s soccer programs in the country to have appeared in the NCAA tournament 17 consecutive times — and counting — Creighton is in elite company. And, thanks to the Willing to Lead campaign, Creighton soccer now has a facility that matches that stature — with the Rev. Michael G. Morrison, S.J., Stadium. A gift from Suzanne and Walter Scott Jr. helped make the stadium a reality. “It’s pretty hard not to be impressed with Morrison Stadium,” said Creighton men’s soccer coach Bob Warming. “It’s a first-class facility representing a first-class institution.” “The first time I saw Morrison Stadium was on my recruiting visit,” said Chris Schuler, a junior MIS (management information systems) major from Aurora, Ill., and a second-team All-American defenseman for the Jays. “I flew in at night. I came out on the field; the coach had the lights on. It was an amazing experience.” The facility has enlivened Bluejay spirit on campus; Creighton men’s soccer ranks second nationally in attendance among Division I schools. Morrison Stadium, named after Creighton’s 22nd president, is also a community asset — hosting Nebraska’s high school state soccer championships as well as outdoor concerts and other activities. It has been a welcome environment for Creighton’s men’s and women’s soccer teams. Creighton University athletics, as a whole, has found equal success 12 Spring 2009 Chris Schuler, Bob Warming and Seth Sinovic inside the classroom — earning national recognition from the NCAA. “Creighton is a great institution,” said Seth Sinovic, a senior economics major and midfielder from Leawood, Kan., who earned second-team Academic All-American and all-conference honors last season. “The faculty is extremely supportive.” For Coach Warming, support for Creighton — whether for scholarships, for facilities or for programs — is a wise investment. “What you’re investing in at Creighton is social capital, because you are investing in the future of America.” Juggling Life, Pursuing Justice S cholarships have helped Lecia Robinson Wright, BA’07, juggle a busy life as a wife, mother and second-year Creighton law student. She is a recipient of the Frances Ryan Scholarship and the John P. Fahey Annual Law Scholarship. “That has really helped me because we’ve had a lot of expenses as a young couple,” Wright said. “It’s enabled me to remain at Creighton — which is the institution that I love — and has helped me pursue my career goals.” And those goals are lofty. Wright has dreamed of attending law school since she was about 12 years old. The Bellevue (Neb.) East High School graduate hopes to use her legal degree to tackle issues relating to civil rights and race relations. “I’m very passionate about civil rights and race relations and having the scholarship has enabled me to pursue that career path and make a difference,” Wright said. Wright came to Creighton for her undergraduate education on a Creighton University Diversity Scholarship. She earned her undergraduate degree in psychology and sociology in 2007. When she began investigating law schools, Creighton was a natural choice. “It’s just an atmosphere that’s very welcoming,” Wright said. Lecia Robinson Wright Anthony Hendrickson Steven Friedrichsen Creighton Education Seeks ‘The More’ W ith nine schools and colleges and more than 70 undergraduate, graduate and professional programs, Creighton University is the only institution of its size to offer such a broad range of academic opportunities. However, in this diverse environment, Creighton heralds a common commitment: to seek the magis — or “the more” — in its education, service, research and patient care. “We think we do a superb job of giving our graduates that education to go out and be very successful in today’s business environment,” said Anthony Hendrickson, Ph.D., dean of the College of Business. “But above and beyond that, we believe in building extraordinary lives.” For Hendrickson, that means a Creighton business graduate, perhaps nearing the end of her or his career, could look back and reflect with pride: “Yes, I was financially successful and did the things that I wanted to do from a business standpoint, but I also had the right relationships with my faith, my friends, my family, my community. I gave back in some way.” The Creighton School of Dentistry is considered a national leader in preparing dentists for practice, which hasn’t gone unnoticed by interested students. Nearly a third of the nation’s dental school applicants last year applied to Creighton. Steven Friedrichsen, D.D.S., dean of the School of Dentistry, said clinical excellence is only part of the equation: “We really want our students to view dentistry … as a vocation in service to mankind.” Donor support allows Creighton’s deans to pursue new academic initiatives, expand critical research, attract and retain world-class faculty, and draw the best and brightest students. “My dream is that the best of the nation’s dental students who walk across the stage at graduation, walk across at Creighton,” Friedrichsen said. Spring 2009 13 Creighton Leads Boldly Into the Future John Calvert Professorship Bridges Cultural Divide A s a leading scholar in the study of the modern Middle East, with a particular focus on Islamic fundamentalist movements, Creighton history professor John Calvert, Ph.D., believes he has an opportunity to bridge the gap between cultures. Being chosen as the first to hold the Fr. Henry W. Casper, S.J., Professorship in History has allowed him to more robustly pursue that goal. “It’s really important that Creighton establish relationships with scholars from other cultures,” Calvert said. “We live in an increasingly pluralistic and multicultural world. Not only are School of Law Service and Justice Fund S everal years ago, law professor Ron Volkmer, BS’66, JD’68, heard this momentous call: “Students … must let the gritty reality of this world into their lives, so they can learn to feel Ron Volkmer 14 Spring 2009 Americans more and more going out into the world, to make their careers and so forth, but the world is coming to us in all kinds of ways.” The Casper Professorship was established through a $1 million gift from Wayne, BS’49, MS’51, and Eileen Ryan. The gift honors the late Fr. Casper, a former history professor at Creighton. Calvert said the professorship has allowed him to bring worldclass speakers in the area of Middle East studies to Creighton, where they have delivered public lectures and met face-to-face with students. “This professorship has really allowed me to bridge the gap — create bridges — between the United States and the Islamic world,” Calvert said. “And I think the fruit of that has been a widening of knowledge.” In addition to being quoted in the national media, Calvert is the author of Islamism: A Documentary and Reference Guide and co-editor and translator of Sayyid Qutb’s A Child from the Village, and he recently submitted a manuscript for a new book on the radical Islamic thinker Qutb. He added that the professorship has been “invaluable” in advancing his scholarship. “I think endowed professorships are very important in retaining quality faculty at the University,” Calvert said. “I think these professorships also gain Creighton a national reputation. “Quality professors stay at the University; they produce nationally, internationally renowned work; and that enhances the reputation of Creighton at a national level. It also helps to attract and draw students to the University.” it, think about it critically, respond to its suffering and engage it constructively.” For “when the heart is touched by direct experience, the mind may be challenged to change.” The speaker was then the Very Rev. Peter-Hans Kolvenbach of the Society of Jesus, and Volkmer took these words to heart. How could he bring this gift of vision to his students? How might he inculcate in them the fact that most of the world lives in poverty — and why should it matter to the students at Creighton law? These questions inspired Volkmer, who began taking lifechanging cultural “immersion” trips with students to the Dominican Republic. Funds for the trips were always cobbled together, until a Creighton law alumnus came knocking on Volkmer’s door. He wanted to do something special for the law school to honor his favorite professor. Volkmer’s response? “I said that whatever the alumnus did would be wonderful, but if he wanted to know what I was passionate about for the students and the school, it would be related to social justice.” And that’s exactly the kind of gift the donor has made to the school in Volkmer’s name, without fanfare — or, for that matter, even attribution. The anonymous gift, which honors Volkmer, established the new Service and Justice Fund in the School of Law. Creighton Leads Boldly Into the Future Endowments at Work on the Prairie S enior Abby Locke had a unique opportunity to study tallgrass prairie this summer as a full-time research assistant to Creighton biology professor Mary Ann Vinton, Ph.D., thanks to the Ferlic Summer Scholarship for Undergraduate Research. The scholarship provides funding for 10 to 15 undergraduate students in the sciences to work shoulder-to-shoulder with Creighton faculty on research full time during the summer. It was established during the Willing to Lead campaign through the generous support of Creighton alumnus Randolph Ferlic, BS’58, MD’61, and his wife, Teresa Kolars Ferlic. “Tallgrass prairies are one of the most endangered ecosystems,” Locke explains, while looking out over her “lab” — a beautiful expanse of prairie located on the outskirts of Omaha. “Invasive species can greatly alter the native landscape and displace the native biota and animals. We want to understand how these invasive grasses invade and work, so we can better understand how to prevent them from displacing native plants.” Creighton has been recognized nationally for providing opportunities for undergraduate students to engage in research. Vinton said that undergraduate research, supported by endowments, helps prepare students for a variety of disciplines, as they learn to sift through and analyze evidence and ask critical questions. “I really think it enriches the Creighton experience for our students,” Vinton said. Neil Bhattarai Abby Locke and Mary Ann Vinton Enhancing the Campus Environment S ince 2000, Creighton University has invested about $225 million into campus improvements, through the renovation and construction of facilities, and added 40 acres to its physical footprint — with one primary goal in mind. “They were all done to directly enhance the student experience,” said Dan Burkey, vice president for Administration and Finance. “I can probably best sum up the reaction that we get from various people who come to campus as, ‘Wow!’” “I think the expansion and modernization of the facilities have really added to the Creighton experience,” said Neil Bhattarai, a senior biology major. Bhattarai is the current president of IRHG, Creighton’s inter-residence hall government, and lives in Opus Hall. He said the new town homes for juniors and seniors — Opus Hall and Davis Square — have been “extremely popular” with students. Opus Hall was made possible by a generous gift from the Opus Corporation and Creighton alumni Mark Rauenhorst, BA’75, a member of Creighton’s Board, and his wife, Karen Dolan Rauenhorst, BSN’75, a 2008 Alumni Achievement Citation recipient. Davis Square is named for Thomas Davis, one of Omaha’s early business leaders, and is funded by the Davis and Lauritzen families, founders and top executives of First National Bank of Omaha. Bhattarai said that living on campus allows him to be more available to freshman and sophomore students and use his leadership skills to serve as a mentor to those students adjusting to college life. He added that, living in Opus, he can more fully participate in campus events and activities and enjoy the feeling of community. Scholarships Open Opportunities for First-Generation Students A Amber Bennett s the first member of her family to attend college, scholarship recipient Amber Bennett feels a sense of pride and responsibility in attending Creighton University. “Being a first-generation college student, I do have a lot of expectations placed upon me,” said Bennett, a sophomore from Omaha and a recipient of two scholarships, including the Haddix Scholarship, established by George Haddix, Ph.D., MA’66, and his late wife, Sally Hansen Haddix. “My family is extremely proud that I attend Creighton. It was actually their number one choice, and they’re very proud that I am here.” Bennett, a sociology major, eventually hopes to attend law school. “I want to be a voice for those who have to face discrimination, inequality and injustices,” she said. Bennett said that without scholarship assistance, she would not have been able to attend Creighton. “This has given me an opportunity to further my education, to advance as a person, and not fall into some statistical category,” she said. “The education I’ve received at Creighton thus far has been excellent. It’s amazing.” Waite Leadership Scholars Program, Chair in Jesuit Education “A nna and I are big believers in education,” Donald Waite, BSC’54, said by phone from his California office. “This is what we want, not just for our kids but for everyone. “When it comes to dollars that could be put to use for others, the leadership program was just a wonderful idea. And we owe that idea to Creighton and people like Bob Moorman (Ph.D.) in the College of Business. Dr. Moorman just took this idea and carried it to fruition.” When Don Waite and his wife, Anna, approached Creighton several years ago to fund a program in Creighton’s College of Business, the idea of building leadership skills throughout a student’s college career was a perfect match for them. What’s more, the Waites wanted those skills to reflect a Jesuit education, with its underpinnings of ethics and service to others. And they wanted to help meet students’ expenses during each undergraduate year. Today, that dream the Waites sowed with their generous funding is being realized … in the lives of the hundreds of students who have gone through the Anna Tyler Waite Leadership Scholars Program. This year alone, 20 scholarships are funding students as they develop the values and skills needed to lead effectively in a socially responsible way. The Waites also see very clearly the character that the leadership program can build, as students develop confidence in their decisions. It’s a trait that Don believes Creighton naturally builds in its students. But the Waites have not stopped giving to Creighton — and society — with the Leadership Scholars Program. 16 Spring 2009 Students at the Waite Leadership Symposium Chair in Jesuit Education “Anna and I wanted to do more,” Waite said. “So, we approached Fr. Schlegel, asking, ‘How can we continue to help?’” The Creighton president’s answer was quick and forthright: a chair in Jesuit education. And that’s what the Waites have funded. The Anna and Donald Waite Chair in Jesuit Education will bring qualified Jesuit scholars and teachers to Creighton beginning this fall. To be inaugurated when the Rev. Frank Brennan, S.J., an Australian Jesuit lawyer and aboriginal rights specialist, comes to the Creighton School of Law, the Waite Chair will be filled through the years with outstanding Jesuits from around the world. Thanks to the Waites, the Creighton University community will be infused with the best the world has to offer in Jesuit scholarship, spirituality and mission. Creighton Leads Boldly Into the Future Leo and Joy McCarthy McCarthy Endowed Scholarship T he years Leo McCarthy, BSBA’59, JD’63, spent at Creighton University made a lasting impression on him. “Leo was very grateful to Creighton for the education the University gave him,” said his wife, Joy Westendorf McCarthy of Dubuque, Iowa. McCarthy, an attorney for 43 years in Dubuque prior to his retirement, passed away in December 2006. The Leo and Joy McCarthy Endowed Scholarship Fund was established in 2007 by bequest and is designated for three School of Law students per year. The McCarthys stipulated that scholarships be awarded to first-, second- and third-year students each year who demonstrate high academics and financial need. “Leo was most appreciative of the scholarship help he received as a Creighton student,” said Joy McCarthy, “and he took the opportunity to return the favor.” The McCarthy Endowed Scholarship Fund will continue to give in perpetuity. Joy recalled a childhood memory that has been a primary motivator in the couple’s philanthropy: “Years ago, my grandmother and mother were visiting about a local school board referendum that would raise the taxes in their small town. Mother asked Grandma if they were going to vote for it, since their children were raised. Grandma replied, ‘When we were young, we were unable to afford all the education our children needed, and the older generation helped us. Now it is our turn to help.’ That left a lasting impression on me. It has to be the older generations that help the younger ones. Leo and I have tried to instill that idea in our children.” Two of the McCarthys’ three children attended Creighton: Scott, BSBA’87, MBA’00; and Jill, BSBA’96; as well as Scott’s wife, Laurie Williams McCarthy, BA’88, MBA’91. The McCarthys’ second son, Ross, also attended a Jesuit university. One of the couple’s earlier gifts to Creighton was the Leo McCarthy Endowed Book Fund, which provides books for the law library. Leo was also generous with many organizations in the Dubuque area, helping foster numerous nonprofits. The community honored him as First Citizen of Dubuque in 2006 in tribute to his charitable spirit. Werner Institute Making a Difference L ocated in the School of Law, but attracting professionals from a variety of fields, the Werner Institute for Negotiation and Dispute Resolution is one of the fastest growing and most prestigious centers of its kind in the nation. The Werner Institute offers graduate programs in a variety of specialties — from health care to education to international negotiation. The Werner Institute was established through a gift from Omaha businessman C.L. Werner and his daughter, Gail Werner-Robertson, BA’84, JD’88, a member of Creighton’s Board. “My hope is that Creighton and Omaha become a major center in all the world for the study and advancement of approaches to conflict resolution,” said Arthur Pearlstein, the Institute’s director, “dealing with disputes both at the very personal, local level — family conflict, for example — to the international level — peace-building and peace-building processes. “And I think we’re well on our way to realizing that dream, where Creighton is very much on the map in the world of conflict resolution.” For Elisabeth Cortese, her reasons for enrolling in the Werner Institute were personal. Her father died in 2002, after battling leukemia and health care bureaucracy. He needed a bone-marrow transplant that, at the time, was considered experimental. His insurance company, after weeks of discussions, refused to pay for the transplant. He eventually paid for it himself. The transplant was a success, but, his body weakened, he contracted a viral infection and died at the age of 61. “I never want to feel that helpless again,” said Cortese, who is pursuing both a law degree and health care collaboration and conflict resolution specialization. Arthur Pearlstein Elisabeth Cortese Spring 2009 17 Creighton Leads Boldly Into the Future Building on Our Success A By Lisa D. Calvert, Vice President for University Relations s vice president for University Relations, I have been privileged to witness our alumni and friends enthusiastically answer Creighton University’s bold call, through the Willing to Lead campaign, to “dream big” and to transform this University. We thank you for being such great ambassadors for Creighton University and for helping us to reach a defining milestone in a remarkable journey. Thanks to you, Creighton is securing its place at the forefront of the leading Catholic, Jesuit universities in the United States. In December 2005, the Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J., Creighton’s president, publicly announced the launch of the Willing to Lead campaign. With a $350 million goal, the campaign represented the largest fundraising effort in the University’s history. Our alumni and friends responded in dramatic fashion. Our benefactors embraced Creighton’s vision of being one of the outstanding Jesuit universities in the United States and displayed an outpouring of love and commitment that exceeded our dreams. We are inspired and humbled by this generosity and are very, very grateful. For Creighton to realize this successful campaign is the result of many gifts — small, medium and historically large — all of which are testimony to the affection and respect with which this institution is held. Creighton is also very fortunate to have an engaged and Lisa Calvert dedicated Board of Directors and campaign leadership. Now our Board and donor community are pushing us to build on this momentum — to move forward confidently in pursuing our vision and mission. As Fr. Schlegel has said, this campaign is not a concluding event, but the beginning of a new era of philanthropy at Creighton. Indeed, colleges and universities today, especially in these economic times, face extraordinary challenges. But these are also times of tremendous opportunity because our mission is needed more than ever. We thank you for your support, we are optimistic that more transformative opportunities lie ahead, and we look forward to your continued partnership as we realize Creighton’s ambitious dreams for tomorrow. Thank You to the Campaign Steering Committee “Creighton has long believed that through the power of vision we could achieve great things. Those of us with big dreams continue to have the opportunity to wed our imaginations to our resources and make choices that will bring Creighton to a place of national prominence.” — Bruce Rohde, BSBA’71, JD’73, Chair, Campaign Steering Committee Left to right: Charles Heider, BSC’49; Kenneth Stinson; Lisa Calvert; Bruce Rohde, BSBA’71, JD’73; Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J.; Mimi Feller, BA’70; and William Fitzgerald, BSBA’59. 18 Spring 2009 Creighton Leads Boldly Into the Future Moving Forward, the Journey Continues By the Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J., Creighton University President “S cholarship and philanthropy are each, separately, among the most powerful forces at work shaping the future of our society. In combination, they are unsurpassed in their capacity to improve the human condition,” stated former University of Oregon President William B. Boyd. When I announced the Willing to Lead campaign in 2005, no one could have foreseen the depth of your commitment and support for this wonderful University. Your enthusiasm has allowed us to dream big dreams and reach unprecedented heights. You have made it possible for Creighton to embrace its potential and expand its boundaries — academically, physically and spiritually. Together, through your generosity, we have secured Creighton’s place on the national stage as a University recognized for quality education, groundbreaking faculty research, remarkable student accomplishment and consistent athletic success. Thank you for bringing Creighton to this defining moment. However, this task is not yet complete; let me say in no uncertain terms — we are not done. The Willing to Lead campaign will continue. Creighton must never settle for what is, but always aspire for the more, the magis, as St. Ignatius of Loyola called it. We have known from the outset that this campaign would not be a concluding event but the beginning of a new era for this great University. We are harnessing your energy and good will. We will remain vigilant and continue to secure the philanthropic support needed to address new strategic initiatives. We will do so mindful of the economy’s impact across higher education and sensitive to what it means for our donors, as well as for our students and their families. It is encouraging to note that you, our donors, continue to give generously. Our Board and the Creighton community, at all levels, are pushing us to build on our momentum. With the complexity of the issues we face today as a nation and world, we are being challenged to look beyond what we have achieved and pursue several transformative opportunities that lie ahead. Our Catholic, Jesuit mission calls us to redouble our efforts to provide the fertile ground from which our students, graduates, scholars and scientists can address major issues facing our economy and humanity. Indeed, institutions today face extraordinary challenges. Universities confront cuts in public funding, decimated endowments, new pressures on student financial aid and rising capital costs. Hospitals and academic medical centers have the added burden of rapidly shifting health care economics. But these are also times of tremendous opportunity. Our Board and the Creighton community have clearly stated that the University’s mission is more vital than ever. Over its 131-year history, Creighton has provided an educational and research climate that supports and encourages the critical thinking, ethical decision-making, new discovery and entrepreneurial spirit necessary to move our world forward. I have Rev. John Schlegel, S.J. “We have known from the outset that this campaign would not be a concluding event but the beginning of a new era for this great University.” – The Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J. faith and confidence in the power of a Catholic, Jesuit education. We develop, empower and embolden students and graduates to become leaders who face and solve the challenges of today and tomorrow and create a more just world. In the short-term, by increasing general contributions for current use, and in the long-term, by growing a robust endowment, philanthropy will allow us to continue to retain and attract the best and brightest teachers, scholars and students. We must continue to assist students and their families who seek the quality education Creighton provides during these challenging economic times. These and other emerging priorities are among the academic imperatives Creighton is pursuing, as part of a focused and strategic process. We will continue our dialogue with you, our Creighton community, listening to your interests, recommendations and concerns and capitalizing on the momentum created by the Willing to Lead campaign to boldly address the challenges facing our nation and world. For my part, I believe in our future and know the human genius can grasp and solve problems. I believe each member of the Creighton community — including our benefactors — has a role to play and a responsibility in moving Creighton’s mission forward. I invite you on this journey. Our bold tomorrow is here, and an even bolder tomorrow awaits us! Together, let us write the next chapter in the unfolding history of Creighton University. Spring 2009 19 Probing Micro Mysteries By Eugene Curtin Nationally funded program has undergraduate students working in the lab with faculty mentors W hile the riddles of the micro-world — that cellular universe of miracle and mystery — can be inscrutable, Creighton University researchers are hot on the trail of some of its secrets. Funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Creighton professors and students are stretching cells with laser beams, spying on pathogens that kill plants, tracking cell clusters that mold the embryonic human heart, and testing the breakthrough proposition that gene-regulating riboswitches, previously discovered only in plants, fungi and micro-organisms, might also exist in mammals. The investigations carry significant implications for the treatment of osteoporosis (too little bone tissue) and osteopetrosis (too much bone tissue); for understanding 20 Spring 2009 how pathogens cause disease in the human body; how smoking — and even nicotine patches — can damage a developing human heart; and how a better understanding of a genetic “messenger” known as a riboswitch might offer more effective antibiotics and perhaps even new cancer treatments. These are the kinds of investigations the U.S. government hoped to inspire through its IDeA Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) grant program, a project of the NIH that is currently established in 22 states and Puerto Rico. Department of Biomedical Sciences, Reedy and his student team expose early stage chicken embryos to a level of nicotine more in line with what a heavy smoker might impart to her fetus. They then assess nicotine’s effect on the ability of neural crest cells to migrate to the heart. Since early heart and neural crest development are quite similar between birds and mammals, information obtained from the chicken embryo studies will serve as the basis for subsequent experiments in mouse or rat embryos. Olley, a junior, said his involvement with INBRE has given him a “profound” sense of purpose and inspired him to seek a Ph.D. in coming years. “The opportunity to conduct research as an undergraduate has revolutionized my college experience,” he said. “The experience I have gained will propel me to the forefront of scientific discovery. I will definitely pursue a doctorate in the field of biology.” Tran is interested in how the neural crest cells operate during normal development, which involves studying the Natalie German, Julie Soukup, Ph.D., and Kelley Wanzeck are investigating genetic “messengers” known as riboswitches. Lan Tran, Mark Reedy, Ph.D., and John Olley are studying nicotine’s effect on the developing heart in chicken embryos. Nicotine and the Developing Heart mechanisms involved in guiding their migration to the developing heart. Her involvement, Tran said, has introduced her to the world of research, experience and learning she hopes to use as she pursues a career as a physician. “It’s taught me how to do experiments and how to interpret results,” she said. “I’m hoping that I can continue to be involved in research as a physician.” Photos by Brandon McKenna, BA’95 Julie Soukup, Ph.D., BSChm’93, associate professor of biochemistry, said the INBRE program has contributed about $1.5 million to Creighton’s undergraduate programs since the University first became involved seven years ago. The program works on several important levels, she said, since the scientific community receives valuable research results and students gain critical laboratory experience. “To be a really good scientist, you need as much lab experience and training as you can get,” Soukup said. “A key part of this program is that (the students) spend part of the time at a Ph.D.-granting laboratory, so they get a good idea of what graduate school will be like — working all summer, weekends, really diving into the project, and having them work around graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.” The INBRE program also pays the students for their work, which allows them to focus on their studies rather than work in an unrelated job, and funds the purchase of equipment. Senior Lan Tran and Junior John Olley are busily boosting their resumes under the INBRE program. They are helping Associate Professor of Biology Mark Reedy, Ph.D., study the migration mechanisms of cells and whether the absorption of nicotine, through smoking or nicotine patches, damages the development of the fetal heart. And if so, how. Reedy and Olley are studying a cluster of cells known as neural crest cells that are critical for transforming the embryonic heart from a simple tube into a fully functioning heart. Specifically, they want to know whether nicotine prevents the neural crest cells from doing their job properly, thus causing heart defects in newborns. “Most previous research has been on nicotine’s effect on the developing central nervous system, but the research has tended to use nicotine exposure levels far in excess of what we might reasonably expect a fetus to encounter,” Reedy said. Instead, in collaboration with Philip Brauer, Ph.D., in the ‘Stretching’ Bone Cells A stream of students has worked with Mike Nichols, Ph.D., associate professor of physics, over the past five years trying to understand the mechanics of a process that was codified as Wolff’s Law in the 19th century. Developed by German anatomist Julius Wolff (1836-1902), the law states that bone mass strengthens or weakens in response to the pressure, or lack of pressure, placed upon it. This, Nichols said, is why exercise is deemed critical to bone health. Spring 2009 21 Probing Micro Mysteries 22 But Nichols and senior Timothy Smith want to know how Wolff’s Law works. They want the three types of bone cells known to be involved in the process to yield their secrets. Which cell is the “mechanosensor” — responsible for directing the increase or decrease in bone mass? Are all three mechanosensors? The answers to these questions could conceivably lead to drug therapies that might stimulate particular cells to strengthen bone mass, thus striking a blow against osteoporosis. Their key investigative tool is an optical stretcher that uses laser beams to stretch bone cells. The pressure exerted by the stretching stimulates the cells, thus allowing the research team to test the degree of their elasticity as well as observe what they do. There is another possible benefit to the research, Nichols said, relating to cancer. “Cancer cells need to become elastic in order to migrate to other parts of the body,” he said. “Measuring the elasticity of cells can potentially be a cancer detector in the very early stages.” The earlier that unusually elastic cells can be identified, the data and assisted in simple experiments. In the second year, he was given his own project, and 18 months later worked during the summer with a professor on even more complex experiments. “My education at Creighton has been primarily in the biophysics lab and the INBRE program,” he said. “As an aspiring physician, the most important thing I will take with me is the ability to think critically, a skill that has been developed through reading scientific papers and carrying out experiments.” The research of Mike Nichols, Ph.D., and Timothy Smith on bone-cell elasticity could yield benefits in areas from osteoporosis to cancer. McKenzie Jarecki and Karin van Dijk, Ph.D., are investigating how the plant pathogen Pseudomonas syringae causes cell damage. better the chance of identifying and treating cancer, he said. Being able to identify such cells among the billions of cells in the human body would be a major challenge for future researchers, Nichols said, but if the principle of elasticity can be confirmed, then a major step will have been taken. Smith said the opportunity to engage in research, after being recruited as a freshman, led him slowly but surely into the world of medical language, something that will serve him well in his effort to become a physician researcher. “As a freshman, it appeared to me that the older students and professors were speaking another language,” he said. “The papers I was being asked to read were beyond anything I had encountered. “As time progressed, though, I became more comfortable and developed the ability to dissect technical writing for the necessary information.” As a freshman recruited to the program, Smith processed While Pseudomonas syringae is a plant pathogen and poses no danger to humans, the process by which it causes cell damage is similar to the method used by some human pathogens and can therefore be instructive, van Dijk said. “As soon as you know how a pathogen causes disease then in the future you could potentially design drugs that target the proteins that allow the pathogens to do their damage,” she said. Jarecki said the Pseudomonas syringae project is part of a “hot area” in biological research and is helping her decide what area of study she would like to pursue in the future. Jarecki applied for the INBRE program. Since being accepted, she said, she has had a solid introduction to what life is like for a graduate student. Weekend trips home, for example, have become rare. “In the past, I would go home almost every weekend,” she said. “But sometimes, INBRE projects, especially when you’re trying to troubleshoot and get some results, can take many Spring 2009 Prodding Plant Cells While chicken embryos and bone cells are keeping some of Creighton’s INBRE research teams busy, Karin van Dijk, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology, and junior McKenzie Jarecki are poking, prodding and bombarding plant cells. They are picking on the imposingly named Pseudomonas syringae, a plant pathogen (a germ or bacterium) that causes plant disease by “bombarding” plant cells with proteins. Probing Micro Mysteries hours. There just isn’t time for that during the regular week, so it has to be the weekend.” Uncovering the Secrets of Riboswitches Soukup, in addition to being Creighton’s voice on the INBRE governing panel, is a participant, working with two students on projects that propose the existence of a mammalian riboswitch. While this might be just medical jargon to anyone outside the biological sciences, for those who have ears to hear, this could be a very big thing. Riboswitches are known to play an important role in genetic expression, though so far their presence has been proved only in bacteria, plants and some forms of fungi. Soukup is working on two INBRE projects connected to riboswitches — one with senior Natalie German, the other with junior Kelley Wanzeck. Soukup and German are trying to map the threedimensional structure of a whole new class of riboswitch that came to the attention of biologists in the past two years. If they can create that map — if, in the language of biologists, they can determine where small molecules bind to RNA molecules — then the door might eventually swing open to stronger and more effective antibiotics for humans. The project involves a very high-resolution technique that seeks to identify every atom in a biological molecule. If successful, Soukup said, “you might be able to design drugs that would be able to target bacterial infections currently resistant to known antibiotics.” German said her involvement with INBRE has honed her problem-solving skills. “Whenever the results aren’t as expected, or a reaction doesn’t work, I get the opportunity to try to make sense of the issue at hand,” she said. “The biochemical research I’m involved in is challenging, mentally stimulating and really enjoyable.” In a second assault on the secrets of the riboswitch, Soukup and Wanzeck are investigating the intriguing possibility that mammals might also have riboswitches, not just plants, Program Inspires Graduates to Continue Scientific Pursuits Rachel Patterson, BS’07, Rebecca Meyer, BS’07, and Ann Jizba, BS’08, are all graduate students — Patterson at the University of California-San Diego, Meyer at Emory University in Atlanta, and Jizba at UCLA. All are also Creighton alumni who attribute their desire to pursue graduate studies largely to the INBRE program. “It significantly impacted my academic career,” Patterson said. “That program gave me the chance to become a scientific investigator involved in carrying out a project, troubleshooting, critically analyzing results and presenting data at conferences. It’s a large part of why I am a secondyear graduate student in biology at UC San Diego.” For Meyer, INBRE was the road to a realization of what she wanted to do with her life. “I realized that the lab was the bacteria and fungi. No mammalian riboswitches have yet been identified, which would make the discovery a notable event. Soukup said the project came about accidentally while listening to a presentation about a mammalian biological system important to cancer cell growth. While certain mechanisms of the system seemed puzzling, “It sounded like a riboswitch to me,” she said. So she and Wanzeck are looking into things, trying initially to determine if the puzzling mechanism has the molecularbinding attributes of a riboswitch. “The INBRE program has been a tremendous opportunity to get involved with biomedical research as an undergraduate.” — Kelley Wanzeck There lies a long road ahead, but the potential payoff is a new way to regulate genetic expression, which could lead to new cancer therapies, Soukup said. For Wanzeck, the opportunity to gain experience in genetics and nucleic acid biochemistry, the two disciplines she intends to study in graduate school, was irresistible. “The INBRE program has been a tremendous opportunity to get involved with biomedical research as an undergraduate,” she said. “I am really excited about the project I am working on. Its focus on the potential mammalian riboswitch is of great interest.” And so it goes for Creighton students fortunate enough to be accepted into Creighton’s INBRE program: An introduction to the world of biological research, a taste of life as a graduate student, lost weekends and summers, long hours, an opportunity to present findings at state and even national conferences, and a jump on other students entering the demanding world of biomedical research. place I wanted to be,” she said. “I was able to become involved in research that fascinated me.” And, Meyer pointed out, INBRE funds not only allowed her to focus on her studies but also enabled her to travel to conferences and major scientific meetings. “These meetings inspired me to be a better scientist as I was able to see the phenomenal research being performed at institutions around the country and had the opportunity to present and defend my own work.” Jizba is convinced that she was far more prepared for graduate school because of INBRE than other students in her first-year Ph.D. class. “The presentations we had to give for the summer INBRE conference were a good introduction to how scientists share their research,” she said. “It was fantastic preparation for graduate school. I feel that because of the INBRE program I am more prepared for graduate school than many other people in my starting class here at UCLA.” Spring 2009 23 Critical Thinking 24 Spring 2009 Photo/Illustration by Mike Kleveter & What images come to mind when you read the phrase, “political debate”? Do you think of political pundits facing off against one another on television talk shows, vying to interrupt, insult or shout down each other? Do you picture candidates for public office seeking engage in political debate that is serious, substantive grab the attention of the viewing public for five or It is common to blame the news media, political the glib one-liner or catchy sound bite that will and likely to shape our nation’s public policy. 10 seconds on the evening news? Or do you recall consultants or public officials themselves for the ads from the past election cycle that tried to cause to keep in mind, however, that it is hardly surprising some of the countless 30-second political television us to view one candidate more positively only by impoverishment of political debate. It is important that journalists seek to cover politics in ways that viewing her or his opponent more negatively? will attract viewers and readers; that political the majority, of what passes for political debate in candidates they serve and against their opponents; Such examples make up a great portion, perhaps our society today. Our nation faces great challenges economically, environmentally, socially and diplomatically around the world. Now more than ever, citizens of our democracy need to wrestle with consultants seek to motivate voters to vote for the or that public officials seek to sway public opinion in support of their projects and against their opponents’ projects. All of these people can be counted on to try to achieve their goals as effectively and economically these challenges and to help determine how the as possible. If we, the citizens, do not demand a ever, our political debate is so deeply impoverished deserve the impoverished, superficial political United States will confront them. Yet now more than that it seems unimaginable for ordinary citizens to richer, more substantive political debate, then we debate that we get. the Well-Reasoned Life By Kevin Graham, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Philosophy Left: Creighton philosophy professor Kevin Graham, Ph.D., positioned between television images of political pundits Chris Matthews and Bill O’Reilly, writes that our political debate today is “deeply impoverished.” Critical Thinking and the Well-Reasoned Life Creighton University seeks to educate its students to be engaged students who will be prepared to lead society in accord with Jesuit ideals and values. But how optimistic should we be about the chances of our students’ success in this effort, given the impoverished state of political debate in contemporary discourse? Different political philosophers in the Western tradition have taken conflicting views about the subject. Plato’s Take The Greek philosopher Plato (427-347 B.C.E.) took a fundamentally pessimistic view about the possibility of engaging citizens in broad, rational political deliberation. In Plato’s dialogue Republic, the character Socrates describes an ideal city, or political association, as being divided into three classes: the majority, who are farmers, laborers, artisans and merchants; a smaller class of soldiers, who defend the city from its external enemies; and an elite class of guardians, who rule the city by virtue of the wisdom gained from their liberal education. Socrates argues that his ideal city is just, because each of the three classes minds its own business, without interfering with the functions of the others. Political deliberation is solely the responsibility of the guardian class: It would be unjust for any other citizen to participate in such deliberation because he or she would lack the necessary wisdom. Socrates describes political life using the metaphor of a cave in which the majority of citizens live their entire lives. Average citizens sit imprisoned in fetters and shackles, unable to turn their heads, facing a wall — upon which political leaders cast shadow-puppet shows. Socrates suggests that the leaders will deceive the citizens into believing that the shadows are real. Only citizens who break free of their chains and escape the cave will be able to discover the true nature of reality — what is real and what is simply a shadow on a wall. They then can return to the cave to govern, from a more enlightened point of view, those who remain imprisoned. Plato’s Socrates is pessimistic about the possibility of a city or political association governing itself democratically because he believes that the majority of citizens are disqualified by both nature and education from deliberating about the common good. Socrates believes that the elite ruling class of guardians is capable of governing the money-making class and the soldiers from an enlightened viewpoint. He doubts, however, that the elite can share their enlightenment with average citizens, allowing them to participate in governance. Jean-Jacques Rousseau Writing more than 20 centuries later, French philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778 C.E.), whose life overlapped the American Revolution, developed a theory of political 26 Spring 2009 deliberation that contrasts sharply with Plato’s. The key concept of Rousseau’s view is the “general will,” which is a will shared by all citizens of a single political association for the common good. According to Rousseau, all citizens, regardless of class or education, are able to help discover what the general will is through political deliberation. Rousseau argues that if all the citizens of a political association are well-informed about the challenges that confront them and assemble together to deliberate as one body, without breaking into factions or political parties, they will discover the general will. While this may sound encouraging, Rousseau believed that strict conditions must be met in order to achieve success. For one, he thought that all citizens must regularly convene in plenary assemblies, where they could deliberate together, face-to-face, in a single venue about the common good. For this reason, he argued that the size of a political association should be sharply restricted, preferably to the size of a single small city. For Rousseau, the election of legislative representatives to deliberate on behalf of the citizens would not serve as an adequate substitute for the plenary deliberative assembly. Instead, he argued that the creation of representative government was an attempt to alienate the political sovereignty of the citizens and confer it on the representatives. Since Rousseau believed that the citizens cannot alienate their sovereign legislative power, the attempt to alienate this power is tantamount to a suicide attempt by the political association. Rousseau’s views about political deliberation may seem more optimistic than Plato’s — with all citizens contributing to the discernment of the common good. But the conditions under which Rousseau believes that citizens can discern the common good are so unlikely to be realized in modern nationstates that, for practical purposes, he seems equally pessimistic about the prospect of citizens governing themselves in, say, the contemporary United States. Creighton’s Commitment Despite the evident pessimism of some of the leading thinkers in the Western philosophical tradition, Creighton University is committed to the ideal that actively engaged citizens can help to discern and achieve the common good. The Creighton Credo states, in part, “We believe that laws exist for the benefit and well being of individual persons, that legal systems must express the common good, and that all government must be subject to the courageous, though respectful and loyal, criticism of intelligent and responsible citizens.” Creighton University expresses its commitment to this democratic ideal by striving to educate its students for engaged citizenship in the service of the common good. The University’s commitment to this ideal is deeply rooted Critical Thinking and the Well-Reasoned Life in Jesuit and Catholic values. A Creighton education is meant to form students as men and women for others, who place the common good above their own private interests — in effect, living out the faith that does justice. In order to help our students contribute to the discernment and achievement of the common good, we prepare them to seek the union of hearts and minds across the many barriers of race, gender, class, creed and ideology that divide our society. This is how we educate the young women and men who walk through our doors to emerge as agents of change in the world. Our commitment to the ideal of engaged citizenship in the service of the common good is not naïve to the challenges that lie in the way. Plato was surely right to think that political and social leaders are capable of deceiving citizens. Creighton is, however, committed to the idea that students can learn to think critically about efforts to deceive and manipulate them, and thus become able to act as citizens participating in their own self-government. Likewise, Rousseau was surely right to think that the size and scope of modern nation-states create serious challenges to fostering meaningful political deliberation about the common good. Creighton is, however, committed to the goal of preparing our students to think creatively about how 21st century social and political institutions can surmount these challenges. The first step toward helping our students to realize these learning goals is to teach them how to think critically — across a variety of academic disciplines. Our Critical and Historical Introduction to Philosophy course, for example, introduces undergraduate students to basic logical concepts and methods of analyzing and evaluating arguments. Students learn to look for clues to identify when a speaker or writer is presenting them with evidence in support of a certain conclusion. For instance, consider the following statement: “Since the Democrats hold large majorities in both houses of Congress, the president’s budget is likely to pass.” The word “since” serves as a “premise indicator,” suggesting that the statement immediately following it is being offered as evidence for a further conclusion. Our students also work on distinguishing the premises of the argument from the conclusion. Consider the following passage: “Republicans generally oppose both tax increases and increased spending on entitlement programs. Therefore, Republicans are likely to oppose the president’s budget.” Here, the word “therefore” delineates the conclusion of the argument — that “Republicans are likely to oppose the president’s budget” — from the premise that precedes it. Finally, students learn to discriminate between strong arguments, which provide good evidence for their conclusions, from weak or fallacious arguments. Consider the following argument: “If you support radical Islamist terrorist organizations, then you oppose the policies of former President George W. Bush. Many Democrats oppose the policies of former President Bush. Therefore, many Democrats support radical Islamist terrorist organizations.” This form of reasoning, called affirming the consequent, is fallacious. Even if the first premise is true, it tells us nothing about what is generally true about those who oppose the policies of President Bush; it tells us only about what is true of those who support radical Islamist terrorists. Acquiring these critical-thinking skills helps students to steel themselves against the kind of manipulative political discourse found in Plato’s Republic. As a result, our graduates are prepared to demand a culture of political debate that relies less on manipulation of our emotions and more on arguments and evidence to establish conclusions. Creighton University also seeks to prepare its graduates to think creatively about how our 21st century society can overcome the obstacles to meaningful political deliberation. Sociology courses, such as Professor Jim Ault’s Technology and Human Values, help our students to reflect on how and whether new media and information technologies can serve as barriers or catalysts to sound political deliberation. Journalism and mass communications courses, such as Jeff Maciejewski’s In order to help our students contribute to the discernment and achievement of the common good, we prepare them to seek the union of hearts and minds across the many barriers of race, gender, class, creed and ideology that divide our society. This is how we educate the young women and men who walk through our doors to emerge as agents for change in the world. Media Ethics, help students to reflect on how journalists can promote political deliberation rather than impede it. Political science courses, such as Graham Ramsden’s The American Presidency and Richard Witmer’s Congress and the Legislative Process, examine to what extent the institutions of U.S. government can surmount the challenges that Rousseau perceived. And philosophy courses, such as my own Classics of Political Thought, examine and evaluate what political philosophers from Plato to Marx have said about the conditions under which human beings can govern themselves effectively. In 2000, the Very Rev. Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, S.J., former Superior General of the Society of Jesus, called on the American Jesuit colleges and universities to rise to the challenge of educating the whole person for solidarity with the real world. One way in which Creighton seeks to meet this challenge is by preparing all of its students to think more critically about the perils of political debate and to think more creatively about how to overcome them. In this way, we hope to help our students to become agents for change in the world, for the greater glory of God. Spring 2009 27 Alumni News Alumni Items 48 James “Jim” Bristol, JD, Waukon, Iowa, has retired after 60 years of practicing law. He was a partner at the law firm of Jacobson, Bristol, Garrett and Swartz in Waukon. 52 Ann Lammers Lasek, MD, Toledo, Ohio, was awarded a 50-year Distinguished Life Fellowship from the American Psychiatric Association for her many years of service to the psychiatric profession. 55 William E. Ramsey, BS, Omaha, co-wrote the book, Doorway to Freedom: The Story of David Kaufmann-Merchant-Benefactor-Rescuer, published in June by Mosaic Press. 59 James F. Arens, MD, Bayfield, Colo., was presented the 2008 Distinguished Service Award by the American Medical Association for his support of health care quality and patient safety in the field of anesthesiology. Bruce E. Haney, BSBA, Omaha, celebrated 50 years in the investment industry. John M. Peck, BusAd, Columbus, Neb., retired from First National Bank and Trust in Columbus. He currently remains on the board of directors for the bank. 60 Sr. Mary Virginia Daly, R.S.M., BA’45, MA, Omaha, celebrated 60 years in the Sisters of Mercy on Sept. 7, 2008. John L. Grady, MD, Benton, Tenn., was honored with the title of “Count of the Holy Roman Church” by the Sovereign Pontiff Pope Benedict XVI. 61 James D. Reardon, MD, Waiuku, New Zealand, has joined Mental Health Services Awhinatia Health in Auckland, New Zealand, as a consulting psychiatrist. 64 ❂ Frank D. Kapps, BS’60, MD, North Oaks, Minn., has retired after 42 years in the field of pathology. 67 Carol Muske Dukes, BA, Los Angeles, has been named California’s poet laureate by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Matt Reres, BA’64, JD, Chantilly, Va., has received the rank of Presidential Distinguished Executive, the highest civilian award for a senior executive in the federal government. 69 Gregory D. McElroy, BA, St. Paul, Minn., has received the MAP Board Star Award for his work as a volunteer board member with the West Bank School of Music. MAP for Nonprofits is a management service organization that provides board recruitment services and consulting to other nonprofit organizations. 28 70 Spring 2009 Mary Mincer Hansen, BSN, Panora, Iowa, has become a full-time associate professor at Des Moines University. She joined the university as a part-time professor last fall. Paul J. Strawhecker, BA, Omaha, has received the Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award from the Nebraska Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. 74 Louis A. Gamino, BA, Temple, Texas, has received the national Clinical Practice Award for excellence in clinical care of the dying and the bereaved from the Association for Death Education and Counseling. Hon. Gary B. Randall, JD, Omaha, has been elected chair elect of the National Conference of State Trial Judges. Thomas J. Sanders, BASOC, Wichita, Kan., became a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Fellow status represents achievement of the highest standard of professional development. 76 ✽ Daniel P. Chesire, JD, Omaha, was inducted into the American College of Trial Lawyers. Rory J. Conces, BA, Omaha, an associate professor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha was a Fulbright Scholar teaching conflict resolution at the University of Pristina in Kosovo during the fall of 2008. 77 Mary Pat Statz McCarthy, BSBA, Leawood, Kan., has been named executive director of KPMG, LLP Audit Committee Institute in Kansas City, Mo. 78 Mark L. Ells, JD, Lincoln, Neb., project leader and research assistant professor in the Center on Children, Families and the Law at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, will oversee a five-year, $8.7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Children’s Bureau to establish the Midwest Child Welfare Technical Assistance Implementation Center. Gregory L. McClinton, BA, Honolulu, has been named senior trial attorney for civil rights/employment litigation at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in Honolulu. 80 Patricia Kell Doyle, BS, Worthington, Ohio, has been named president of the Diocesan Council at the Society of St. Vincent DePaul. Dennis P. Lee, BA’77, JD, Omaha, has been inducted into the 2008 Nebraska Horse Racing Hall of Fame for lifetime achievement. Mark S. Wisniewski, BA, Lake Peekskill, N.Y., had his short story “Straightaway” published in The Best American Short Stories 2008. 81 Brig. Gen. David G. Ehrhart, JD, Dayton, Ohio, has retired after 33 years in the U.S. Air Force. Jeffery M. Hurst, BA’77, DDS, Lakewood, Colo., has been named president of the Colorado Dental Association. Richard L. Lavery, BSBA’78, JD, Evanston, Wyo., has been elected president of the Wyoming State Bar. Kevin J. O’Brien, BA, Baltimore, has been appointed as the first president of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. 82 Kevin J. Wiley, BSBA, Chicago, has been appointed chief executive officer of Interlink Electronics, Inc., in Camarillo, Calif. 83 Jean E. Faure, MA, Great Falls, Mont., has been named attorney and managing partner at Faure Holden Attorneys at Law, P.C., in Great Falls. Hon. J.E. Sullivan, JD, Morgantown, W.Va., has joined the Social Security Administration as a U.S. administrative law judge. 84 Joseph G. Castelli Jr., BSBA’83, MBA, Northville, Mich., has been named vice president of light commercial vehicles and fleet at Nissan North America in Farmington Hills, Mich. 85 Steven J. Paul, BA’81, JD, Colorado Springs, Colo., has joined Dewhirst & Dolven, LLC, as special counsel. David R. Schieffer, BSBA, Shawnee Mission, Kan., has joined Resources Global Professionals as director of recruiting. 86 Eileen Lechner Phillips, MBA, Lawrence, Kan., has received the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award from Archbishop Joseph Naumann. The award recognizes the contributions of adults who serve Catholic youth through Girl Scouts. 88 Diana Kelly-Pecha, BA, Bellevue, Neb., has been promoted to captain with the Omaha Police Department. 89 Steven Budd, BA, Nutley, N.J., is founder and medical director of the nonprofit organization Solaid International based in Kampot, Cambodia. 90 Lt. Cmdr. Steven C. Clifford, BSChm, Storm Lake, Iowa, has been promoted to lieutenant commander in the U.S. Navy. Kandace C. Gerdes, BSBA’89, JD, Denver, has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Catholic Lawyer’s Guild of Colorado. Steven J. Sanchez, BA, Fenton, Mo., has been named assistant provost of Saint Louis University in St. Louis. 91 Sr. Theresa Betz, S.N.D., MA, Clearwater, Fla., is ministering with her religious community in Bataan, Philippines, where the community is building an International Novitiate Retreat Center. 93 Barbara Cronin Faber, BSN, Melbourne, Fla., has been named performance improvement coordinator at Health First. 95 Owen E. Girard, JD, Omaha, has been named senior vice president of Fidelity National Title Group, a subsidiary of Fidelity National Financial. Tory L. Lucas, JD, Bellevue, Neb., will serve as a visiting professor at Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Fla., during the 20082009 academic year. Lucas also will serve as associate director of Bellevue University’s Center for American Vision and Values. Kathleen Schumacher Marble, BA, Omaha, wrote and illustrated the children’s book, What Kind of Dinosaur Are You?, published through Outskirts Press. Daniel J. McCann, BA, Omaha, wrote the children’s book, Balloon on the Moon, which was released in May 2008. Susan Coyle Naatz, MS, Omaha, was the recipient of the 2008 Sophia Wisdom Award from the Knowles Mercy Spirituality Center in Waterloo, Neb. Travis Sing, BA, Omaha, is the author of Creighton University Athletics: A History in Photographs, a photographic journey through Creighton athletics. More information on the book can be found at www.osageorangepublishing.com. Amy Friedman Wilson, PharmD, Omaha, has been promoted to associate professor Edward and Mary Lucretia Creighton Society The Edward and Mary Lucretia Creighton Society is Creighton University’s premier donor recognition club. Donors at the Creighton Society level sustain the University through their unrestricted annual gifts. These generous contributions to the University are crucial to ensuring that Creighton is a leader in providing the highest quality Catholic, Jesuit education to our students. Alumni donors recognized at the Creighton Society level are identified as follows: † – Ignatian Circle ($10,000 and above) ❂ – Jesuit Circle ($5,000 to $9,999) ❖ – Founders’ Circle ($2,500 to $4,999) ✽ – Sustaining Circle ($1,000 to $2,500) Alumni News with tenure at Creighton University’s School of Pharmacy and Health Professions. She is currently the director of the Center for Drug Information and Evidence-Based Practice. 97 Laura Rodman Huaracha, BA, Beach Park, Ill., has joined Carthage College in Kenosha, Wis., as an assistant professor of communication and digital media. Mark A. Kelehan, BSBA, New York, has received his Master of Business Administration from the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H., and joined J.P. Morgan in New York as an associate for investment banking. Christine Meis McAuliffe, Esq., BS, Tempe, Ariz., has been named partner at the Scottsdale law firm of Holme, Roberts and Owen, LLP. Frank A. Oliverio, JD, Morgantown, W.Va., has joined the Mountaineer Athletic Club at West Virginia University as director of development. 98 M. Susan Cannella, BSBA, Omaha, has joined DAAKE Design as an account executive. Christina Hassing Farrow, BSBA, Honolulu, has been named president of Pacific Aisles, Inc., a wedding consultation and design company in Hawaii. James M. Humphrey IV, JD, Parkville, Mo., was selected as a Missouri and Kansas Rising Star by Super Lawyers magazine. Michael R. Weitl, BS, Combermere, Ontario, Canada, has made final promises of poverty, chastity and obedience in the Madonna House Apostolate. 99 Carmen Kwong Gaston, JD, Portland, Ore., has been named assistant vice president of alumni relations and planning at the University of Portland. Samuel T. Lopez, DPT, Charlotte, N.C., has been named director of multicultural academic services at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. James A. Mello, MBA, Lebanon, Conn., has been promoted to assistant provost for financial planning at the University of Hartford in Hartford, Conn. J. Kevin Miller, JD, Fort Myers, Fla., has been promoted to shareholder and senior attorney at the law firm of Becker & Poliakoff, P.A. 00 Christopher M. Gibbs, MD, Loves Park, Ill., has joined Rockford Gastroenterology Associates, Ltd., as a gastroenterologist. Capt. Erica R. Iverson, BA, Columbia, S.C., has received the Meritorious Service Medal for completing 18 months of Company Command at Fort Jackson, S.C., and has been selected for a one-year government interagency fellowship. She is currently working at the State Department in Washington, D.C. Patrick E. Jankowski, DDS, Eudora, Kan., has earned his fellowship in the Academy Online alumni news Ramsey Brings History to Life Computers abound in this suite of offices, but certainly not on one desk. Here, an old typewriter, circa 1940, is ready for a sheet of paper and the clickety-clack of the keys. It is the tool of the trade for Omaha public relations fixture and author Bill Ramsey, BS’55, of Bill Ramsey Associates. His latest book, with Betty Dineen Shrier, chronicles the extraordinary life of David Kaufmann, a German Jew who immigrated to Nebraska in the early 1900s. alumni.creighton.edu/jay2jay/bramsey of General Dentistry. Meghan Beatty Klassen, BA, Austin, Texas, was featured in Rare Magazine for her work with students with disabilities at the Rise School in Austin. Michael W. O’Hare, BSBA’97, JD, Elkhorn, Neb., has joined O’Hare Tax & Financial Services Inc. in Omaha as an accountant. Lorna L. Perez, BA, Buffalo, N.Y., has joined Buffalo State College as an assistant professor of English. 01 Amy Gruber Dunn, DPT, Dodge City, Kan., has been promoted to director of therapy services at Western Plains Medical Complex. Renee Ross Keller, BSBA, Jackson, Miss., has been named manager of management reporting at Cellular South in Ridgeland, Miss. Steven D. Mahlen, PhD, Bothell, Wash., has become a certified diplomate of the American Board of Medical Microbiology. Kathleen M. Malloy, BA, Colorado Springs, Colo., has joined T. Rowe Price as a trainer. 02 Mark J. Bergeron, MD, St. Paul, Minn., has received his Master of Public Health degree from the University of Minnesota and completed his neonatal-perinatal medicine fellowship. He is currently practicing neonatology with Associates in Newborn Medicine in St. Paul. Jennifer R. Falbo-Kilgore, BFA, Columbia, Mo., has joined Stephens College in Columbia as assistant professor of lighting design. Karen L. Frizzell, MA, Omaha, has been named associate curator at Durham Museum. Sarah C. Lukas, BA, Omaha, has been named senior public relations account executive at Ervin & Smith Advertising and Public Relations. Christopher A. Sievers, JD, Omaha, has joined the law firm of Engles Ketcham Olson and Keith, P.C. 03 Rachel Schlak Alexander, BA’00, JD, Vermillion, S.D., has been named director of legal writing at the University of South Dakota School of Law. Kristin Myers Gerber, BSBA, Boston, has received her juris doctor degree from Boston College law school and has joined Brown Rudnick Berlack Israels, LLP, as a first-year associate. Ryan M. Luetkenhaus, BSBA, MBA, Bennington, Neb., has received his Master of Science in taxation from Golden Gate University in San Francisco. Thomas L. Sanchez, BA, Los Angeles, produced and directed his first independent Spanish-speaking feature film, “La Navaja de Don Juan.” 04 Ann Burkhardt, OTD, New York, has been named director of the postprofessional master’s degree program in occupational therapy in the School of Health Sciences at Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Conn. David S. Ebenhoh, MA, St. Louis, has joined StillWater Speaks Consulting as a consultant and executive coach. Joseph D. Kohout, BA’98, JD, Omaha, has joined Kissel/E & S Associates in Lincoln, Neb., as a partner. Lt. Cmdr. Jennifer J. Lyon, PharmD, Anchorage, Alaska, has been promoted to lieutenant commander in the United States Public Health Service. She is currently a pediatric pharmacist at the Anchorage Native Primary Care Center. 05 Adam A. Rolf, BS, Independence, Mo., has joined Centerpoint Medical Center as an outpatient physical therapist. Adam K. Tschuor, BSBA, Muncie, Ind., has been named director of ticket sales for intercollegiate athletics for Ball State University. 06 Robert J. Osborne, BSBA, Omaha, has joined Frankel Zacharia, LLC, as a senior accountant. Rachel L. Theilmann, BA’03, JD, Denver, has joined Moye White, LLP, in Denver as an associate attorney. 07 Randall R. Schwartz II, BSBA’05, JD, Orland Park, Ill., has joined Baker & Daniels, LLP, in the firm’s Chicago office as a corporate finance attorney. Amanda Prescott Smith, JD, Sioux Falls, S.D., has joined Davenport Evans Hurwitz & Smith, LLP, as an associate attorney. Traci R. Swartz, OTD, Atlanta, has joined Georgia Institute of Technology as a research scientist. Natalie M. Thomas, BSN, Papillion, Neb., has received The Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses at Children’s Hospital and Medical Center in Omaha. The Daisy Award is a national program to recognize hospital nurses and support evidence-based nursing research. Spring 2009 29 Alumni News Williams Found ‘Special Spirit’ at Creighton School of Medicine was a special spirit of cooperation and support.” Residency in internal medicine at Cook County Hospital in Chicago and a surgical nutrition support fellowship focused Williams’ interest in bioethics. It was her fellowship When September Williams, MD’84, was a girl, the medical at the University of Chicago’s MacLean Center for Clinical drama series Ben Casey, was her favorite television show. At Medical Ethics that spawned her pursuit of filmmaking. She that time, being a physician was not on her radar, but the began to explore the impact of film and nonprint media on scripts the TV doctor and his colleagues followed planted cross-cultural expectations of medicine and science. She next seeds in her. studied in master’s programs in directing and screenwriting Williams, a physician, clinical medical ethicist and at Columbia College Chicago and screenwriting at Boston filmmaker, has combined her interests into a multi-faceted University. career. As an attending physician at the San Francisco Williams’ public-medicine career of 25 years is symbiotic Department of Public Health’s with her film work. She is Laguna Honda Hospital and committed to providing best Rehabilitation Center, Williams practice to the sickest, poorest has an impressive resume in patients. Her film work, through internal medicine, geriatrics, Ninth Month Productions, gives palliative care and clinical voice to those most affected by medical ethics. But there is lack of access to care, the need more to the Creighton School for appropriate use of technology of Medicine graduate than and the application of bioethics remarkable medical credentials. in medicine. In 1978, having just completed Williams has been a consultant her bachelor’s degree in science, to filmmakers and television which she had financed through directors, producers and writing, dancing and photography, writers. She has appeared in, Williams was faced with her and provided research for, grandfather being terminally ill. movies and television programs, She was impressed by the care he including Frontline, AIDS Report received from oncology intern/ and Nightline. She has consulted writer/actress Lynn Baker, M.D., in with the Centers for Disease Los Angeles. Williams’ grandfather Control and Prevention and the died of cancer, but his end-of-life Harvard AIDS Institute, among process launched her medical others. Along with feature film career. “I took the MCAT on the scripts and shorter pieces, she is day of my grandfather’s memorial the writer/director of the service,” she said. medically based short films Creighton alumna September Williams, MD’84, has combined “I went into medicine for the Shared Decisions, A Conversation on a passion for public medicine with a passion for filmmaking — same reason I later went into Moral Intuition, Dance for Joy and gaining national acclaim for her work. clinical medical ethics and film,” the feature-length documentary Williams related. “I wanted to have a way to enhance the When We Are Asked, the source material for The Robert Wood humanity around caring for people with life-threatening Johnson Foundation-funded APPEAL project (A Progressive illnesses. I also wanted the tools to convince people there Palliative Care Educational Curriculum for the Care of Africanare ways to prevent getting some life-threatening illnesses.” Americans at Life’s End). She is submitting several scripts to Like Williams, Baker also had a dual arts-science the Sundance programs this year. background. As a mentor, Baker recommended Creighton “We need to communicate that palliative care is part of as an environment that would embrace Williams’ atypical medicine — that medicine is not just curative. Medicine has cross-disciplinary talents. Williams trusted Baker’s to promote health, cure, and when it’s time, prepare people assessment, in part, because Sandra Organ, the first Africanfor life’s end,” Williams said. “Creighton was already ahead American ballerina of the Houston Ballet and daughter of in teaching end-of-life care in the early ‘80s. End-of-life care the renowned former Creighton chief of surgery the late is a natural extension of faith-based education. Claude Organ, MD’52, MSM’57, had danced at Creighton. “When is it appropriate to stop medicine based on Williams said when she arrived at Creighton, “Things stood curative care and start medicine that is based on palliative out,” in her professors and her fellow students. “Creighton care? It is sometimes hard to say, but as a filmmakerpeople were, as a group, remarkably kind and humane. There physician-clinical ethicist, I work on communication tools that strive to say it better.” 30 Spring 2009 Alumni News 08 Emily E. Brush, JD, Omaha, has joined Lamson, Dugan and Murray, LLP, as an associate attorney. Colleen L. Byers, BA’05, MBA, JD, Winston Salem, N.C., has joined the law firm of Bell, Davis & Pitt, P.A., as an associate attorney. D. Ashley Frison, JD, Omaha, has joined the law firm of Baird Holm, LLP, as an attorney in the education section. Angela J. Miller, BA’03, JD, Omaha, has joined Lamson, Dugan and Murray, LLP, as an associate attorney. Claire Fredricks Osborne, BSBA’06, JD, Omaha, has joined Croker, Huck, Kasher, DeWitt, Anderson & Gonderinger, LLC, as an associate attorney. Cole A. Smith, JD, Sioux Falls, S.D., has been named vice president at Traco Medical, Inc., an international medical equipment refurbishing and brokering company. Daniel J. Waters, JD, Omaha, has joined Lamson, Dugan and Murray, LLP, as an associate attorney. Marriages 72 Sonya S. Stejskal, BA, and James Mercer, Aug. 8, 2008, living in Omaha. 83 91 93 95 96 97 Annette Corriveau and James D. Dati, Esq., JD, Aug. 22, 2008, living in Bonita Springs, Fla. Jolie B. Palensky, BSMth, and Alex J. Beckey, BSBA’93, Sept. 29, 2007, living in St. Paul, Minn. Rachel A. Wilkins, BA, and Henry J. Morales II, Oct. 7, 2007, living in Aberdeen, S.D. Christine M. Block, BSBA, and Todd J. VanDorn, Nov. 3, 2007, living in Omaha. Robann T. Thomas, BS, and Jason Spencer, March 19, 2005, living in LaVista, Neb. Jodi M. Fougeron, BA, and David Seevers, Oct. 19, 2007, living in Gretna, Neb. Lisa A. Hughes, BSEvs, and James C. Warren, May 19, 2007, living in Denver. Laura M. Rodman, BA, and Ernesto Huaracha, June 14, 2008, living in Beach Park, Ill. Lori A. Wies and Mark A. Kelehan, BSBA, June 28, 2008, living in New York. 98 99 Meghan A. Hurley, BSBA, and Timothy Thompson, June 14, 2008, living in Dallastown, Pa. Jennifer L. Gradoville, BSBA’99, and Stephen R. Gardner, Oct. 18, 2008, living in Omaha. Teddi Ann Miskulin, BA’96, JD, and Nicholas A. Barry, June 7, 2008, living in Avon, Colo. Julie F. Oswald, BA, and Jose Bautista, Sept. 27, 2008, living in Kansas City, Mo. Meredith Shepard, BS, and Matthew Geiger, April 19, 2008, living in Omaha. 00 Sarah Bradford, BA, and Jeffrey Hunter, Sept. 13, 2008, living in Omaha. Renee E. Mellen, BS, and Steven P. Hahn, July 7, 2007, living in Omaha. Jennifer Roberts, BA’97, JD, and Michael Creager, Sept. 19, 2008, living in Commerce City, Colo. Katie Weckman and David J. Wenthold, BSBA, July 26, 2008, living in Bloomington, Minn. 01 Molly A. Krahmer and Ryan M. Zabrowski, BSBA, May 16, 2008, living in Omaha. Kristin Meiser, BSW, and Joshua Kaplan, July 25, 2008, living in Washington, D.C. 02 Kennina Ceasar, BSBA, and Kenard Killingsworth, Aug. 23, 2008, living in Olympia Fields, Ill. Marla Eck, BA, and Aaron Althaus, Sept. 27, 2008, living in Plano, Texas. Sarah Eipe and Scott A. Yahraus, BSBA, April 26, 2008, living in Woodland Hills, Calif. Melanie A. Perry, BA, and Michael T. Lotspeich, Nov. 14, 2008, living in Omaha. Leanne N. Schumacher, BSBA, and Joseph Gehlen, Nov. 3, 2007, living in St. Louis Park, Minn. 03 Bridget Bazal, BSBA, and Enrico Johnson, Aug. 16, 2008, living in Inver Grove Heights, Minn. Kimberly Carlson, BSN, and Michael Olsufka, May 10, 2008, living in Omaha. Emily A. Janda, BA’01, MA, and Jack Monteiro, Aug. 2, 2008, living in Bryan, Texas. Sarah R. Russell, OTD, and Alphonse Fouche, June 28, 2008, living in Glenwood, Iowa. 04 Capt. Rebecca Hopmann, BSN, and Andrew I. Christensen, Aug. 30, 2008, living in Omaha. Erin T. Koncak, BSBA, and Timothy J. Sleddens, Oct. 18, 2007, living in Prairie Village, Kan. Lindsey Martinson, BSBA, and Joshua J. Boesch, BSBA, Sept. 13, 2008, living in Omaha. Megan M. Van Hecke, BS, and Anthony J. Hanson, Sept. 28, 2008, living in Chaska, Minn. 05 Leslie B. Herrmann, BSN, and Nathan D. Lee, BA’03, MD’07, May 26, 2007, living in Phoenix. Christine N. Johnson, BA, and Jamie R. Stogdill, Feb. 28, 2004, living in Omaha. Stacia A. Slezak, BA, and Seth A. Luther, May 10, 2008, living in Omaha. 06 Jennifer L. Cornelius, DDS, and John C. Boain, DDS, Aug. 15, 2008, living in St. Charles, Mo. Sarah M. Lewis, BA, and Brian A. Gockley, BS’05, Dec. 15, 2007, living in Stephenville, Texas. Michelle L. Walding, BA’03, OTD, and Thomas J. Craig, BSBA’04, Sept. 22, 2007, living in Omaha. 07 Kelly A. Lukas, BS, and Matthew B. Dennis, June 20, 2008, living in Omaha. Kathleen A. Manion, BS’03, MD, and Samuel A. Dubrow, MD, June 21, 2008, living in Port Jefferson Station, N.Y. Amanda S. Portner, BA, and Thomas C. McGannon, BSBA, Aug. 30, 2008, living in Kansas City, Mo. Amanda M. Prescott, JD, and Cole A. Smith, JD’08, Nov. 17, 2007, living in Sioux Falls, S.D. Andrea R. Robbins, BS, and Michael D. Boyd, June 14, 2008, living in Mission, Kan. Amanda “Mandy” Squire, BSN, and Jordan J. Arens, BS, Aug. 1, 2008, living in Memphis, Tenn. Katherine M. Trautschold, BS’01, MS, and Craig P. Christenson, Nov. 7, 2008, living in Omaha. Victoria S. Ward, BSChm, and Daniel J. Jasion, BSChm, Aug. 8, 2008, living in Irvine, Calif. Megan A. Wegner, BA, and Anthony “A.J.” Steele, BA, Aug. 16, 2008, living in Omaha. 08 Claire Fredricks, BSBA’06, JD, and Robert J. Osborne, BSBA’06, Aug. 30, 2008, living in Omaha. Jill M. Olson, BA’05, JD, and Brandon D. Mason, BSBA’05, JD, Aug. 16, 2008, living in Omaha. Kimberly K. Ryan, BSN’04, MS, and Scotty Hagner, June 7, 2008, living in Omaha. Heather Sexe, MBA’07, PharmD, and Jonathan R. Hancock, BSBA’03, MBA’05, Aug. 9, 2008, living in Omaha. Births 84 Vito J. LaBella, BA, and Kim Jalet LaBella, Brooklyn, N.Y., a daughter, Morgan Jalet, Aug. 18, 2008. 88 Hon. John E. Huber, BA’85, JD, and Kristin Amend Huber, JD’00, Omaha, twin sons, Andrew Robert “Drew,” and Brody Lawrence, July 25, 2008. 90 Lt. Cmdr. Steven C. Clifford, BSChm, and Shawna McKenna Clifford, BS’93, Storm Lake, Iowa, a daughter, Cailin Mae, July 25, 2008. Tri H. Tran, BS, and Tami C. Tran, Omaha, a daughter, Elizabeth Helene “Liz,” June 18, 2008. 92 Patrick T. O’Rourke, BA, and Robin Doughty O’Rourke, BA, Highlands Ranch, Colo., a son, Ryan Terrence, Dec. 22, 2003, and a daughter, Rachel Anne, March 15, 2007. Chad C. Ueding, BSBA, and Michelle M. Ueding, BA, JD’95, Omaha, a son, Aiden Jeremiah, June 10, 2008. 93 94 William J. Ostdiek, BS, and Colleen Ostdiek, Omaha, a son, Samuel Joseph “Sam,” Sept. 17, 2008. Sergio M. de Lourenco, BA, and Amy de Lourenco, Colorado Springs, Colo., a daughter, Aviana Regina, Aug. 12, 2007. ✽ Michael S. Freimuth, DDS, and Ann Workman Freimuth, BSBA’90, Lakewood, Colo., a daughter, Elizabeth Jane “Betsy,” Jan. 10, 2008. Brett Mason and Lori Nickla Mason, BA, St. Helens, Ore., a daughter, Devon Victoria, July 6, 2008. James K. Mogler, BSBA, and Jobeth Mogler, Aledo, Texas, a daughter, London Rose, Sept. 15, 2008. 95 Tim Carr and Amy Wunderlich Carr, PharmD, Lawrenceburg, Tenn., a son, Maxwell Anderson, May 14, 2008. Christopher M. Chmiel, BS’91, DDS, and Melanee A. Chmiel, St. Paul, Minn., a son, Henry Christopher Richard, Feb. 29, 2008. Joseph Dey and Mary C. Dey, BA, Wheaton, Ill., a son, Peter William, April 23, 2008. Gregory G. Eckert, BS’91, MD, and Molly Dougherty Eckert, BA’93, Omaha, a daughter, Clare Shiuvaun, May 30, 2007. Matthew P. Franzese, BA’92, JD, and Sydney Franzese, Wheaton, Minn., a son, Andrew Pascal, June 26, 2008. Paul Kaspar and Jackie Rybin Kaspar, BSBA, Bedford, Texas, a son, Joshua, Sept. 14, 2008. Kevin S. Mar and Julie Knott Mar, BSRT, Elkhorn, Neb., a daughter, Chloe Kathryn, July 3, 2008. Andrew Warren and Ann Dougherty Warren, BA, West Des Moines, Iowa, a daughter, Kathleen Ann, Sept. 4, 2008. Andrew T. Wilson and Amy Friedman Wilson, PharmD, Omaha, a daughter, Caroline Rose, March 3, 2008. 96 Clifton L. Brunt, BA, and Christina Mushi-Brunt, BA’97, Indianapolis, a daughter, Evangelina Grace, Oct. 15, 2008. Douglas E. Pittman and Anne Luebbert Pittman, BSBA, Olathe, Kan., a son, Drew William, Sept. 18, 2008. Peter B. Rastrelli, BA, and Candice Thiele Rastrelli, ARTS, Round Lake, Ill., a son, Miller Pierson, Aug. 29, 2008. Tony Solliday and Julie Conover Solliday, BSBA, San Clemente, Calif., a son, Anthony James, July 12, 2008. Erin D. Underwood, BS, and Jody Raymo Underwood, Centerville, Ohio, a daughter, Emily Marie, June 27, 2008. Joseph Y. Williams III and Carrie Critchfield Williams, BA, Austin, Texas, two sons, Joseph Yates “Yates,” Feb. 2, 2007, and Levi Field, June 18, 2008. 97 John A. Cheney, BA, and Anne Cheney, Corvallis, Ore., a son, Gavin Milo, Sept. 11, 2008. Nathaniel F. Chua, BA, and Kelly Finnicum Chua, BA’99, Indianola, Iowa, a son, Alexander Franklin “Alex,” Oct. 8, 2008. Kurt Claussen and Cristen Wuebben Claussen, BSBA, Omaha, a son, Benjamin David, June 17, 2008. Michael J. Freivogel, BSBA, and Mary Carstensen Freivogel, BSChm’98, Littleton, Colo., Spring 2009 31 Alumni News a son, Nolan John, June 27, 2008. Scott Hanson and Kindra A. Ramaker, BA, Rochester, Minn., a daughter, Zurich, April 8, 2008. Matthew Petrick and Kristin Hill Petrick, BA, Omaha, a daughter, Madeline May “Madie,” Jan. 25, 2008. Peter Pirsch and Lori Mueller Pirsch, BSBA, Omaha, twin sons, Allen Dean and Maxwell Edmund “Max,” Sept. 15, 2008. Sherif Tewfik and Angela Dahms Tewfik, BA, Grimes, Iowa, a son, Hassan Sherif, May 29, 2008. Yusuf Yazici and Angela Tetmeyer Yazici, PharmD, Hastings on Hudson, N.Y., a daughter, Leyla Brynn, May 28, 2008. 98 Frederick Emmetsberger and Molly Tighe Emmetsberger, JD, Denver, a daughter, Lila Shea, Feb. 16, 2008. David Freund and Nicole Cannon Freund, BA, Wichita, Kan., a daughter, Dale Kathryn Cannon, Jan. 25, 2008. Steven C. Haskett, BS, and Amy Rasmussen Haskett, BA, BSOT’01, Kearney, Neb., a daughter, Olivia Delaney, Sept. 28, 2007. Brad J. Hilliard, BSBA, and Carri Hilliard, Charlotte, N.C., twin sons, Brody James and Davis Finley, Jan. 16, 2008. Nick Knudtson and Lisa Dispense Knudtson, BS, Lone Tree, Colo., a son, Dylan Nicholas, Oct. 23, 2008. Joshua P. Kollars, BS, and Catharine Kollars, Ypsilanti, Mich., a son, Jacob Joshua, Aug. 30, 2008. Gerald L. Kratochvil, JD, and Andrea Babic Kratochvil, BSBA’93, MBA’94, JD, Overland Park, Kan., a son, Wesley James “Wes,” Oct. 2, 2008. Howard Oubre Jr. and Elizabeth Kohout Oubre, BSN, Lafayette, La., a daughter, Meredith Catherine, Aug. 21, 2008. Adam Pfab and Alissa Berry Pfab, BSBA, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a daughter, Eleanor Marie “Elly,” July 21, 2008. Ron A. Skelton, BSBA, and Julie Ortman Skelton, BSN, Littleton, Colo., a son, Thomas Vincent “Tommy,” Nov. 10, 2008. Joel Weber and Amy Thiele Weber, BA, Dorchester, Neb., a daughter, Sophia Marie, Sept. 11, 2008. 99 Michael I. Brandon, BS, and Lisa Brandon, Bellevue, Neb., a son, Irick David, Feb. 12, 2008. Mark Butcher and Michelle Weigand Butcher, BS, Grain Valley, Mo., a son, Zachary Owen, June 24, 2008. Mark Clifft and Kristie Davis Clifft, BSOT, Fairway, Kan., a son, Cooper James, Dec. 11, 2007. Jonathan Eames and Stephanie Mader Eames, BA, Portland, Ore., a daughter, Molly Jane, June 30, 2008. Patrick Gaston and Carmen Kwong Gaston, JD, Portland, Ore., a son, Maxwell Victor “Max,” June 29, 2007. Matt Geiger and Meredith Shepard Geiger, BS, Omaha, a daughter, Sydney Rowan, Aug. 28, 2008. Dave Heinen and Amy Haas Heinen, BS, Lenexa, Kan., a son, Issac Joseph “Ike,” Sept. 32 Spring 2009 26, 2008. Christopher Hoffman and Colleen Maley Hoffman, BS, East Stroudsburg, Pa., a daughter, Caitlin Charles, Aug. 7, 2008. Ricardo Pradez and Ann M. Schneider, BA’93, MA, Chicago, a son, Oliver Schneider, Dec. 24, 2007. Joseph A. Quattrocchi Jr., BS’95, DDS, and Vickie Allen Quattrocchi, BSN’95, Omaha, a daughter, Josie Victoria, Aug. 19, 2008. Todd M. Sauer, MD, and Margaret “Megann” Walker Sauer, BS’98, MD’02, Omaha, twins, a son, Peter Joseph, and a daughter, Margaret Caroline “Maggie,” Aug. 6, 2008. Brett Wright and Melissa M. Schultz, BSChm, Wooster, Ohio, a daughter, Lila Rosemary, March 23, 2008. 00 Charles D. Boone Jr., BSBA, and Elizabeth Crouchley Boone, PharmD, Omaha, a son, William Edward, Sept. 29, 2008. Ryan L. Fogt, BSATS, and Andrea Stirm Fogt, BA’02, Longmont, Colo., a daughter, Anna Mae, June 27, 2008. Christopher M. Gibbs, MD, and Lori Gibbs, Loves Park, Ill., a daughter, Paige Keller, Sept. 20, 2008. Jacob M. Kusmak, PharmD, and Amy Trankle Kusmak, BA’97, JD, Marshfield, Wis., a son, Luke Donald, July 14, 2008. Robert Schrempp and Samantha Mason Schrempp, BSChm’95, PharmD, Oak Creek, Wis., a son, Mason Alexander, Aug. 19, 2008. Rob C. Swaney, PharmD, and Erin Swaney, Omaha, a son, Braden Christopher, June 23, 2008. Raymond J. Taddeucci, BS’95, MD, and Katie Shamblin Taddeucci, Lincoln, Neb., a son, Vincent Florio, April 11, 2008. 01 Jeffrey Bertrandt and Lindsay Spilinek Bertrandt, BA, Milwaukee, a son, Carson Davey, May 30, 2008. Andrew C. Cromwell, DDS, and Meghan Johnson Cromwell, DPT’02, Anaconda, Mont., a son, Teague Francis, Jan. 29, 2008. Matthew E. Eck, BSBA’99, JD, and Brandy Chambers Eck, BS’00, BSN, Omaha, a son, Alex Charles, July 28, 2008. Victor Fazzino and Melanie S. Weseman, JD, Stuart, Fla., a daughter, Alexandra Noel, March 7, 2008. John Janulewicz and Erica Shonsey Janulewicz, DPT, Urbandale, Iowa, a daughter, Leah Marie, Aug. 14, 2008. David L. Jones, BA’97, DDS, and Alicia Knott Jones, BS’97, DPT, Council Bluffs, Iowa, a daughter, Eva Muriel, Aug. 14, 2008. Thomas P. Keating, BA’96, DDS, and Jennifer Keller Keating, BSN’97, Henderson, Nev., a daughter, Nora Marye, Aug. 8, 2008. Joshua I. Leighr, PharmD, and Tara Stamp Leighr, BSN’00, Kansas City, Mo., a daughter, Katelyn Elizabeth Louise “Katie,” July 31, 2008. 02 Justin P. Ahern, BSBA, and Patricia Ahern, Omaha, a son, James Patrick, March 13, 2008. Carl R. Anderson and Natalie S. Freed, BS, Cleveland Heights, Ohio, a daughter, Elaine Noelle “Lainey,” Oct. 11, 2008. Jason P. Caplan, MD, and Jane McCabe Caplan, MD’01, Tucson, Ariz., a son, Evan Liam, July 13, 2007. Jonathan W. Cramer, BS, and Katrina Robertson Cramer, BA’01, Jeffersonville, Ind., a daughter, Erin Elizabeth, Sept. 19, 2008. Patrick S. Cross, DPT, and Audrey Mroczek Cross, OTD, McCook Lake, S.D., a daughter, Chloe Audriana, Oct. 29, 2008. Philip M. Higa and Lynnette Pascua Higa, BS’00, BSN, Mililani, Hawaii, a daughter, Madison Elyse Pascua, April 8, 2008. Ryan B. Jacobsen, PharmD, and Melissa Jacobsen, Iowa City, Iowa, a son, Logan Michael, July 9, 2008. John Liebert and ✽ Carmin D. Ballou, JD, Chicago, a son, Samuel Ballou, June 14, 2008. Stephen P. McAvoy, BS’98, MD, and Heather Sorensen McAvoy, BA’01, Milwaukee, a daughter, Claire Caroline, Oct. 9, 2008. Mark S. Sudeta, BSBA’98, MBA, and Amber Sudeta, Omaha, a son, Luke Patrick, June 27, 2008. Grant Turner and Kay C. Turner, DPT, Sitka, Alaska, a daughter, Mia Von, Oct. 12, 2007. John Weland and Jaime R. Weland, PharmD, Omaha, a daughter, Jaclyn Elizabeth, Aug. 3, 2008. Jeff Zoucha and Christine Barrett Zoucha, PharmD, Sacramento, Calif., a daughter, Madeline James, June 9, 2008. 03 Sebastian O. Fischer, BSBA, and Leslie Morrow Fischer, BA’02, Rolling Meadows, Ill., a son, Maximilian Klaus “Max,” July 23, 2008. Steven R. Kelly, BS’96, MD, and Kristine Gruidl Kelly, BA’96, Woodbury, Minn., a daughter, Kathryn Elizabeth, Sept. 27, 2007. Doug Moore and Megan Steffensmeier Moore, BSBA, Wisner, Neb., a son, James Douglas, May 23, 2008. Philip Walleck and Abby Goettsch Walleck, BSBA’01, JD, Milford, Iowa, a son, Simon Arthur, Oct. 26, 2008. 04 Michael L. Cantrell Jr., JD, and Ariana Jimenez Cantrell, JD’03, Brandon, Fla., a son, Eli Thomas, Aug. 12, 2008. Michael C. Danahay, BS’00, DDS, and Jillianne Muller Danahay, BSN’00, Omaha, a daughter, Madeline Claire, Nov. 3, 2008. Brian D. Ehrhart, BA, and Kara Grimsley Ehrhart, BA’02, Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, a daughter, Mia Christine, Aug. 26, 2008. Amos M. Ferguson, BA, and Ashlee A. Ferguson, Sioux Falls, S.D., a daughter, Ezzie Lynn, July 18, 2008. Christopher P. Hogrefe, BS, and Amy Lux Hogrefe, BSN’03, North Liberty, Iowa, a son, Carter Sherman, July 30, 2008. Glen M. Palmer, BA’01, JD, and Victoria Faust Palmer, BS’01, Omaha, a daughter, Lilliana Frances “Lily,” July 26, 2008. David C. Semerad II, BA’00, MD, and Lauren Worth Semerad, BA’02, DDS’06, Dupont, Wash., a son, Maxwell Donald, Feb. 17, 2008. Corey J. Thieman, PharmD, and Aysha Motilla Thieman, PharmD, Dakota Dunes, S.D., a son, Gavin Matthew, June 18, 2008. Joshua Wells and Kellie Wasson Wells, JD, Phoenix, twin daughters, Brooklyn Kate and Reagan Emily, Sept. 28, 2008. 05 Olaf Kaufman and Diana Hoover Kaufman, BS’01, MD, Omaha, a daughter, Rowan Kay, July 12, 2008. Shane A. Schutt, BS’01, MD, and Melissa Williams Schutt, BSN’02, Mission, Kan., a son, Elliot James, June 12, 2007. Jamie R. Stogdill and Christine Johnson Stogdill, BA, Omaha, a son, Jackson Robert, Nov. 22, 2004, and a daughter, Lauren Ann, Nov. 8, 2006. Chad A. Wissler, DPT, and Megan Weibel Wissler, DPT, Nashua, N.H., a son, Brayden Robert, July 10, 2008. 06 Adam B. Smith, MD, and Melissa A. Smith, BSN, Omaha, a son, Spencer Mark, Sept. 20, 2007. Deaths 37 38 Andrew G. Balk, Arts, Plymouth, Minn., Oct. 3, 2008. Millard F. Beeson, BSC, Denver, July 28, 2008. Ruth L. (McClintock) Carnall, SJN, Atlanta, Aug. 6, 2008. Gertrude M. Pedersen, BA, Omaha, Nov. 4, 2008. 39 40 Sarah M. (Gemma) Lohrman, BusAd, Omaha, Aug. 2, 2008. Capt. Arthur C. Mullen, U.S. Navy (retired), Arts, Chesapeake, Va., April 17, 2008. Frederick Saunders, MD, White Plains, N.Y., July 9, 2008. Louis B. “Westie” Westendorf, DDS, Carroll, Iowa, Aug. 11, 2008. Sr. Mary Martina Woulfe, RSM, BSN, Johnston, Iowa, June 22, 2008. 41 Florence (York) Hyberger, SJN, Beatrice, Neb., Nov. 12, 2007. † Rosemary (Mulligan) McCann, BSC, Portland, Ore., Nov. 10, 2008. 42 Dorothy M. Jackson, PhB, Ridgecrest, Calif., Nov. 1, 2008. Merle L. (Ballard) Pettigrew, SCN, Salida, Calif., Aug. 15, 2008. 43 John Eustermann, MD, Mankato, Minn., Nov. 1, 2008. Jim Farlee, BSC, Kansas City, Mo., May Alumni News Reflections on a Presidential Journey What’s life like on the national campaign trail, working to elect a candidate for president of the United States? For 24-year-old Creighton alumna Katie Bradley, BA’07, who worked on President Barack Obama’s campaign, it was the opportunity of a lifetime. It wasn’t all glamorous, as Bradley will quickly tell you. There were long hours and seemingly endless details. But for Bradley, the rewards were well worth it — a chance to put her ideals into action and, to some degree, influence not only a political election but the direction of this nation. She shared her personal thoughts on her experience with Creighton University Magazine. You can read an excerpt from her reflection below and her entire essay online at www.creightonmagazine.org. Creighton alumna Katie Bradley, BA’07, worked on President Barack Obama’s campaign, served on his presidential transition team and is now the deputy associate director in the White House’s Office of Management and Administration. 31, 2008. Stephen J. Kappenman, DDS, Sioux Falls, S.D., Sept. 25, 2008. 45 Robert W. Gorham, BusAd, Naples, Fla., July 20, 2008. Susan Potter, BSN, Fresno, Calif., Nov. 28, 2008. Corwin D. Rogers, BA, Omaha, September 2008. 46 Thaddeus T. Bozek, BSM’45, MD, Iowa City, Iowa, Nov. 12, 2008. Dorothy J. (Peter) Faulk, BS, Omaha, Aug. 25, 2008. Robert F. Tokarski, Arts, San Mateo, Calif., Nov. 7, 2008. 47 Robert L. Brietenbauch, BSC, Omaha, Aug. 11, 2008. Donald E. Crocker, MD, Orange, Calif., Sept. 8, 2008. 48 James E. Barrett, JD, Reston, Va., Oct. 5, 2008. Donald H. Erickson, JD, Omaha, July 11, 2008. Eugene Ingold, BS, San Diego, June 21, 2008. Hugo F. Mann Jr., BSC, Arlington, Neb., Aug. 21, 2008. John G. McBride, BA, Lincoln, Neb., Aug. 28, 2008. If you watched the 2008 presidential election on TV, you saw the confetti cannons and the red carpet, but what remained after the confetti was swept away and the CNN trucks headed home? I had the unique opportunity to see a candidate behind the scenes. I spent weekends delivering yard signs, missed family birthdays, rang in the New Year on an all-staff conference call, ate delivery pizza six nights a week ... and loved every minute of it. Behind the glitz and glamour TV version of the election, I saw real people who were suffering; I saw that real change was possible; and I felt that what I was doing was really going to make a difference. I had the privilege of working on Barack Obama’s historic presidential campaign. I began as a volunteer in the state where it all began — Iowa — and then moved into a paid position with the campaign, setting up and taking down offices across the country. My most enduring memory of this two-year odyssey will always be captured in the campaign’s motto: Respect, Empower, Include. 49 Robert G. Meserschmidt, BSC, Albuquerque, N.M., Aug. 15, 2008. John W. Mossman, BSC, Omaha, July 27, 2008. Robert E. “Bob” Sherman, Pharm, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Sept. 27, 2008. 50 Dwayne W. Brown, BS, Omaha, Dec. 18, 2008. Robert W. Campbell, BSC’49, JD, Calgary Alberta, Canada, Aug. 29, 2008. Robert P. Gruber, Arts, Omaha, Nov. 26, 2008. Richard C. Hill, BSPha, Omaha, Sept. 23, 2008. John J. Kane, BSC, Omaha, Nov. 21, 2008. Eugene “Gene” R. Retz, JD, Overland Park, Kan., July 5, 2008. Edmund J. Sobetski, BusAd, Omaha, Sept. 11, 2008. 51 Sheldon J. Harris, JD, Omaha, Nov. 9, 2008. Patrick C. Lemmers, Arts, Omaha, June 26, 2008. Philip Lubman, BS’48, MSEdu, Omaha, July 2008. Sr. M. Paula Radosevich, RSM, BA’44, MSEdu, Johnston, Iowa, July 14, 2008. Sr. M. Stephen Purcell, MSEdu, South Bend, Ind., June 16, 2008. 52 Vital E. Haynes Jr., MD, San Diego, Aug. 7, 2008. Donna (Clapp) Skomal, Arts, Omaha, September 2008. Henry H. Urashima, BSPha, Kailua, Hawaii, Nov. 26, 2008. 53 Nicholas L. Nelson, MD, Seattle, July 22, 2008. William E. Vacek, BSC, Hermosa Beach, Calif., July 5, 2008. 54 A. Lee Bloomingdale, BSC’52, JD, Omaha, Dec. 2, 2008. Grace (Haniszewski) Goldman, Arts, Omaha, July 6, 2008. Dolores (Koley) “Dee” O’Leary, SCN, Mesa, Ariz., Aug. 8, 2008. John “Jack” Tooley, MD, Issaquah, Wash., March 17, 2008. 55 William J. Gouger, BSPha, Omaha, Sept. 16, 2008. Milton H. Lloyd, BS’50, MS, Oak Ridge, Tenn., Aug. 15, 2008. Doris M. “Dorty” (Maher) McDonald, SCN, Omaha, Dec. 10, 2008. Frances M. (Schwartz) Wingert, SJN, Saylorsburg, Pa., Sept. 27, 2008. 56 John S. Broz, MD, Omaha, Oct. 23, 2008. Col. Jack G. Hastings, DDS, Elmore, Ala., Oct. 25, 2008. Donald M. Hrella, DDS, Vancouver, Wash., June 30, 2008. Lynn L. Leibel, BS’51, MD, Council Bluffs, Iowa, June 26, 2008. William V. Pryich, MD, Rock Springs, Wyo., June 20, 2008. 57 James R. Avis, BSPha, Pueblo West, Colo., March 13, 2008. Bernadine C. (Wise) Burley, BSMT, Omaha, Oct. 1, 2008. Edward F. Kenney, BS, Omaha, Aug. 4, 2008. Joanna K. (Franco) Vacanti, BS, Omaha, Nov. 23, 2008. 58 59 Fred L. Friedrichsen, BSBA, Glenville, Minn., June 24, 2008. Hon. James A. Buckley Jr., JD, Omaha, Aug. 7, 2008. William P. Leonard, MA, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Dec. 10, 2008. William A. Nelson, Law, Omaha, Nov. 28, 2008. Daniel C. Sims, BSBA, Bellevue, Neb., Oct. 3, 2008. James J. Theisen, DDS, Omaha, Oct. 21, 2008. Herbert E. von Spring 2009 33 Alumni News Message from Estate and Trust Services Benefactors’ Careful Planning Yields Impressive Results “Today, I am pleased to announce that, as of Feb. 1, Creighton University has received more than $395 million in gifts and commitments to the Willing to Lead campaign.” With these words, Creighton President the Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J., announced at the 2009 Founders Week Convocation that support from the University’s many alumni and friends had surpassed the campaign’s $350 million goal. As with prior campaigns, deferred gifts Rusten, DDS, Oakland, Calif., July 5, 2008. Janice R. Wendl, BA, Omaha, Sept. 19, 2008. 60 Dr. William J. Kanger Jr., BS, Green Valley, Ariz., Aug. 8, 2008. Ralph H. Lutz, BSBA, Omaha, Dec. 12, 2008. Maj. Gen. David C. Morehouse, U.S. Air Force (retired), JD, San Antonio, July 15, 2008. 61 William J. Mangen, BusAd, Omaha, July 3, 2008. Leland A. Mick, BSBA, Newton, Kan., Aug. 9, 2008. James R. Ray, BS, Omaha, Nov. 23, 2008. Maurice Hart, JD, Waukon, Iowa, April 14, 2008. William E. Manhart, Arts, Omaha, Nov. 9, 2008. Keith W. Teague, MBA, Council Bluffs, Iowa, Aug. 2, 2008. 66 67 68 Clayton E. Jones, DDS, Pueblo, Colo., Aug. 10, 2008. Michael M. Collins Sr., MD, Omaha, Aug. 5, 2008. Zita (Eutenuer) Holzbach, SJN, Vienna, Va., June 28, 2008. Col. John P. Madden, U.S. Army (retired), DDS, Spokane, Oct. 27, 2008. 69 64 Stephanie K. Gillespie, BSMT, Omaha, Nov. 1, 2008. Georgia J. “Jo” (Loeffler) Jung, BA, Red Bluff, Calif., Sept. 14, 2008. John F. Nilsson Jr., BSPha, Omaha, July 8, 2008. Sr. M. Audrey Tramp, O.S.B., MA’62, MSGuid, Yankton, S.D., Sept. 16, 2008. 65 John F. Goldoni, BSBA, Urbandale, Iowa, July 18, 2008. Joseph A. Reida, BA, Omaha, Aug. 12, 2008. 62 Bruce F. Anderson, JD, San Rafael, Calif., Sept. 7, 2008. Louis L. Oswald Sr., BSBA, Louisville, Ky., Aug. 18, 2008. Mary K. (Hoevet) Downing, BSN, Blair, Neb., July 6, 2008. Thomas Vander Woude, BS, Nokesville, Va., Sept. 8, 2008. Constance J. Catherall, BSBA, Fairbury, Neb., Nov. 24, 2008. Sr. Marjorie Hart, RSM, MSEdu, Johnston, Iowa, June 3, 2008. 34 played a key role in helping Creighton to exceed the campaign goal, and I am pleased to report that of the $395 million goal, $87 million came from deferred gifts. The foresight and planning of individuals providing these gifts not only linked their legacy with that of the University, but also helped to augment vitally needed operating support, as well as having a major impact on building the endowment. In light of tax legislation that became effective Jan. 1, 2009, and current economic conditions, now is an opportune time to review your estate plans and beneficiary designation forms and consider a charitable bequest to Creighton. In 2009, the first $3.5 million of your estate is exempt from federal tax, up from $2 million in 2008. The pairing of this large increase in the exemption amount, coupled with today’s current economic conditions, could have drastic, unintended consequences. Typically, a wellcrafted, tax-savvy estate plan includes a provision to place 100 percent of the exempt amount in a so-called “credit shelter trust.” While this trust often provides the surviving spouse with steady income, there usually is limited access to the principal. If the majority of your assets are allocated to this trust, ultimately it could compromise your spouse’s standard of living. Regardless of your financial situation, now is the time to evaluate your estate plan and Spring 2009 71 72 73 74 beneficiary designation forms. The most effective way to make a significant future impact on Creighton students and programs is to name Creighton as a beneficiary of your IRA, 401(k) or other qualified retirement plan. (Retirement assets generally are subject to income taxes, regardless of the size of your estate, so they are ideal contributions.) I encourage you to review your estate plan and to explore your dreams for the University’s future with us or with your qualified professional adviser. If you already have included Creighton in your estate, I extend my personal thanks and invite you to join the Creighton University Heritage Society — our recognition group for those who have remembered Creighton in their estate plans. If you would like to learn more about how, through careful estate planning, your legacy can help advance the mission of Creighton University, or if you are interested in becoming a member of the Heritage Society, please call 402.280.1143 or 800.334.8794. The Office of Estate and Trust Services provides confidential assistance with your plans. It will be our pleasure to be of service. Larry L. Feldhacker, BA’67, MA, Papillion, Neb., Dec. 12, 2008. William Parsons, BA, Omaha, Nov. 10, 2008. Steven R. Hahn, JD, Burlington, Iowa, Dec. 10, 2008. Maj. Mary E. McGrath, BA, Marietta, Ga., Aug. 24, 2008. Ronald E. Walters, MSGuid, Santa Fe, N.M., June 12, 2008. 75 Richard K. Kitchin, BSBA’73, JD, Omaha, Dec. 9, 2008. Mary J. (Mullin) Masters, MSEdu, Omaha, Sept. 7, 2008. Anthony F. Porto Jr., MD, Mission Hills, Kan., June 21, 2008. 76 Robert C. Brown, DDS, Cheyenne, Wyo., Sept. 28, 2008. Richard D. Cost, MBA, Des Moines, Iowa, Aug. 17, 2008. 80 Gary N. Barker, BSN, Canton, Ohio, May 14, 2008. Radcliffe O. Eastman, DDS, Auburn, Calif., Sept. 10, 2008. Bro. Norman L. McCarthy, F.S.C., MSCHRSP, Tulsa, Okla., Oct. 13, 2008. Steve Scholer, JD‘79 Executive Director of Estate and Trust Services 81 83 86 88 89 Dianne (Lenert) Hurrell, BSN, Sugargrove, Ill., Jan. 20, 2007. Susan Nagel, BSN, Santa Ana, Calif., Nov. 29, 2008. Sr. Marcia A. Guest, O.S.M., MMin, Omaha, Aug. 31, 2008. Robert J. McQuillan, BA’84, MD, Omaha, Jan. 3, 2009. Diane (Harris) Bruderer, BSOT, Omaha, July 7, 2008. H. Claire Murphy, PhD, Omaha, July 1, 2008. 94 Raymond D. Krysh, JD, Elk Grove Village, Ill., Dec. 7, 2008. Rev. Jeffrey “Jeff” Voorhees, BA, Zeeland, Mich., Nov. 21, 2008. 01 02 05 Mary L. Dettman, BSOT, Aurora, Neb., July 10, 2008. Daniel Jamela, BSN, Omaha, July 1, 2008. Eric J. Will, JD, Omaha, Aug. 10, 2008. “I strongly support Creighton’s initiatives for Catholic schools. American bishops and all recent national reports including one published by the White House agree that Catholic university partnerships are vital to the future of Catholic elementary and secondary schools. Creighton has already demonstrated leadership in this field and their national vision for the proposed institute will greatly benefit a diocese like ours, which does not have a local Catholic university. I am particularly pleased that this initiative includes plans for online coursework and professional development for leaders and teachers, as well as ongoing research on critical issues.” The Most Rev. Blase Cupich Bishop of the Rapid City, S.D., Diocese “Strong K-12 Catholic schools have a positive and irreplaceable impact on the vibrancy of the Catholic Church in the Archdiocese of Omaha and on the vitality of their local communities. We are blessed to have a strong Catholic university like Creighton in our own backyard as well. Creighton’s initiatives for K-12 Catholic schools are a tremendous service to the Church as they provide resources, expertise and support that are essential for our Catholic schools to flourish in the future.” The Most Rev. Elden Curtiss Archbishop of the Omaha Archdiocese “We are blessed to have two Magis teachers this year at St. Patrick’s School in North Platte (Neb.). They are positive, enthusiastic and responsive to fellow teachers and the students. They are committed to their Catholic faith and are excellent role models for our students, their fellow teachers and parents. Magis and other Creighton Catholic school initiatives are a godsend, especially to Catholic schools in rural areas.” Left to right, the Most Rev. Blase Cupich, the Most Rev. Elden Curtiss and the Most Rev. William Dendinger Proposed Creighton Institute Supports Catholic Education Creighton University’s proposed Institute for Catholic School Initiatives is a unique, multifaceted endeavor aimed at preparing the next generation of teachers and leaders for the specific apostolate of Catholic education. Initiatives include a nationally award-winning, online leadership certificate program for Catholic school administrators not educated in Catholic schools; Magis Catholic Teacher Corps, in which students earn a master’s degree in education at Creighton tuition-free while working in under-resourced Catholic schools; and one of the nation’s only certification programs for Catholic school religion teachers. Learn more about Creighton’s Institute for Catholic School Initiatives online at: www.creightonmagazine.org/CurrentIssue/ CatholicSchool.pdf. The Most Rev. William Dendinger Bishop of the Grand Island, Neb., Diocese www.creighton.edu/development r Make You Plans Now nd eeke W n o i n u e R 2009 Omaha, NE Creighton University Reunion Weekend for the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Business, Graduate School, School of Law, School of Nursing, and School of Pharmacy and Health Professions Reunion Weekend Oct. 1 - 4, 2009 For information on the Reunion Weekend schedule of events, visit http://alumni.creighton.edu. Destination Creighton CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY | REUNION WEEKEND 2009
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