SPRING 2001

UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE

COVER STORY

REVELATION: IT’S ALL 14 ABOUT STARS … AND THE EVILS OF CITIES World-renowned biblical scholar and Creighton theology professor Bruce J. Malina, Ph.D., writes that to fully under- stand this last book of the Bible one must first know the culture in which it was written.

ABOUT THE COVER This early 15th century painting depicts Saint John on Patmos, part of present- day Greece, where he experienced the vision described in Revelation. The painting shows a triumphant Christ surrounded by 24 elders crowned and dressed in white. In the eagle’s beak is a traveling writing desk. Photo by Giraudon/Art Resource, NY Photo by Monte Kruse, BA’83

ST. FRANCIS SEEN IN ASSISI 22 Creighton professor Joan Mueller, OSF, describes her behind-the-scenes role as the historical consultant for Francesco: Il Musical, a new theatrical production celebrating the life of St. Francis that opened in Assisi, Italy, last summer. Francesco: Il Musical Photo courtesy of

2 SPRING 2001 INSIDE

4 • LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

5-13 • UNIVERSITY NEWS

7 • TOBACCO SETTLEMENT Creighton University is working with the University of Nebraska on a bill to use some of Nebraska’s tobacco settlement money on biomedical research.

10 • HERNIA STUDY Creighton University is leading a $6 million, national study on inguinal hernias.

Photo by DonDoll, S.J. 40-43 • DEVELOPMENT NEWS

CREIGHTON SOCCER IN THE FINAL FOUR 40 • HAUSER SCHOLARSHIP A new scholarship The Creighton men’s soccer team gave Bluejay 28 honoring longtime theology fans a thrill in the championship game of the NCAA professor the Rev. Richard J. Tournament in December. Creighton photographer Hauser, S.J., will assist the Rev. Don Doll, S.J., followed the Bluejays through students looking for careers their experience in the College Cup, soccer’s version in religious education. of the Final Four. 44-54 • ALUMNI NEWS

49 • WORKING ABROAD 1996 College of Business Administration graduate Phil Pogge serves as a finance manager for Western Union in the company’s Paris office.

55 • THE LAST WORD

51 • ECONOMIC SLOWDOWN Will the slowing U.S. economy experience a “soft”

Photo by or “hard” landing? Creighton economist AP Wide World Photos Ernest P. Goss, Ph.D., examines the issue.

LIFE AND DEATH … THE NEXT 100 CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE’S PURPOSE 32 YEARS IN BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES Creighton University Magazine, like the University itself, is committed to Dr. Robert P. Heaney, the John A. Creighton excellence and dedicated to the pursuit of truth in all its forms. The maga- zine will be comprehensive in nature. It will support the University’s mis- University Professor, takes a wide-ranging sion of education through thoughtful and compelling feature articles on a look at the future of medicine — from the spe- variety of topics. It will feature the brightest, the most stimulating, the most cial concerns of an increasingly elderly popula- inspirational thinking that Creighton offers. The magazine also will promote Creighton, and its Jesuit Catholic identity, to a broad public and serve as a tion to the promises of gene therapy. This is the vital link between the University and its constituents. The magazine will be first in a yearlong series for Creighton University guided by the core values of Creighton: the inalienable worth of each indi- vidual, respect for all of God’s creation, a special concern for the poor, and Magazine examining the state of the nation’s the promotion of justice. health care.

SPRING 2001 3 LETTERS

RILEY DESERVING OF HONOR hollow and meaningless promise. It reminds us that the engine We are at a time when awards and honors are as numerous that drives the machinery of criminal justice is not the judiciary as the breezes of a summer’s day. Many times, too many, those or prosecutors, but the individual lawyer who provides already graced with position or prestige are singled out for “Assistance of Counsel” as guaranteed by the Sixth Amendment, acclaim in the often misguided hope that the who breathes life into all of the other guarantees of the Bill of glory of the recipient will reflect back on the Rights, and who ensures that those rights will never be taken organization bestowing the honor. Many away simply because the rest of us may have taken them for times, too many, awards and plaques are granted. given by organizations to their own in a self- John P. Murphy, JD’74, laudatory attempt to elevate the organization District Judge, 11th Judicial District midst what the poet may call “the idle smoke North Platte, Neb. of self praise.” But once in a while someone gets this busi- ness of honors and awards exactly right. STOICISM ARTICLE REKINDLES MEMORIES Creighton Law School has done so by naming I wanted to tell you how much I thoroughly enjoyed the article Thomas C. Riley, Douglas County public defender, the recipient “The Rebirth of Stoicism” by William of the 2000 Alumni Merit Award. 0. Stephens, Ph.D. (Creighton “Riles” he was, back in those days of our law school youth. He University Magazine, Winter 2000). was the lad from Massachusetts, where families idle away two Many years ago, in the 1960s, when hours of a Chicopee Sunday afternoon listening on the radios to I was an undergraduate student at the somewhat inartfully named “Irish Hour.” “Riles” he was, Creighton University, my professors with a voice so lovely that when he sings “Danny Boy” even the in history and philosophy told me most cold-hearted and soulless denizen of John Bull’s England that the education process at must give pause and quietly wipe away a tear. Creighton worked slowly and that I Fortunately for all, brother Riley remained in Omaha and has would begin to appreciate my histo- dedicated his career to tirelessly representing those that too many ry and philosophy more and more of us view as “the least among us.” His passion for the law is each year after graduation. matched only by his skill in the courtroom. He has an amazing I have extended my interest in willingness to represent vigorously and skillfully the most both philosophy and history. unpopular of defendants in the most unpopular and difficult cas- Professor Stephens’ article on stoicism es. He does so with grace and dignity, unmoved by any romantic brought back my Creighton days and reinforced for me the great notions of an unrealistic justice, but always honoring the human- importance of philosophy in modern day life. ity of each individual he represents. Again, thank you for that article. No other Creighton law graduate is more deserving, whether Richard A. Hess, MD’70, Peoria, Ariz. it be judge or professor, successful corporate lawyer or politician, and no other graduate better exemplifies Creighton University’s ideal of service to others. Tom Riley is a lawyer we Creighton law Letters to the Editor can be e-mailed to Editor Rick Davis graduates can admire and one whose passion and commitment at [email protected], faxed to (402) 280-2549, or mailed to we would all do well to emulate. He does the school proud, and Creighton University Magazine, 2500 California Plaza, for him the Irish proverb rings true: “The work praises the man.” Omaha, NE 68178. Letters may be edited, primarily to The law school’s selection is all the wiser, for it not only recog- conform to space limitations. Please include your name, nizes an outstanding lawyer and public servant, but also shines a city, state, year of graduation (if applicable) and telephone bright and necessary light on those who give of themselves to number on all letters. ensure that the right to a fair trial for all citizens is more than a

Publisher: Creighton University; Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J., President; Michael E. Leighton, Vice President for University Relations. CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE staff: Stephen T. Kline, Executive Editor; Rick Davis, Editor; Sheila Swanson, Associate Editor; Pamela A. Vaughn, Associate Editor. Editorial Advisors: Charles J. Dougherty, Ph.D.; Kathryn Kersenbrock Bertolini; M. Roy Wilson, M.D.; Mark Huber; Diane Dougherty; Rev. Donald A. Doll, S.J.; Ruth Purtilo, Ph.D.; Valda Ford; Tamara Buffalohead-McGill; and Therese Vaughn.

Creighton University Magazine (USPS728-070) is published quarterly in February, May, August and November by Creighton University, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178-0001. Periodicals postage paid at Omaha, Nebraska, and additional entry points. Address all mail to Public Relations and Information, Omaha, NE 68178. Postmaster: Send change of address to Creighton University Magazine, P.O. Box 3266, Omaha, NE 68103-0078. RECYCLED Alumni news and address changes can be e-mailed to: [email protected]. AND RECYCLABLE COPYRIGHT © 2001 BY CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY

4 SPRING 2001 UNIVERSITY NEWS

ECONOMICS PROFESSOR AND CHAPLAIN REV. NEIL CAHILL DIES The Rev. Neil Cahill, S.J., BSC’43, MDiv’77, an assistant calls from Cahill, his voice booming: “There’s an old teacher’s professor of economics and chaplain of Creighton axiom, ‘You can’t teach empty chairs.’” University’s College of Business Administration, died at He also had an eagle eye for pure speculation on a paper Mercy Care Center in Omaha Jan. 13 after a long illness. or a test. For that occasion, he had a special stamp made that He was 77. he could apply to the words in question. “Twaddle!” the The longtime Creighton professor was remembered by stamp read. friends, former students and colleagues for his dedication to But those who knew Fr. Cahill also knew he had a love the priesthood and his commitment to teaching. Fr. Cahill, for Creighton alumni and students that went well beyond in his 1996 book, Creighton University College of Business the classroom. Omaha alumnus Jon Jacobsen, BSBA’83, who Administration: The First Seventy-Five Years, professed his along with many others regularly visited Fr. Cahill at Mercy “love and zeal” for Creighton. Care Center, estimated that the “I am only one of many class- Creighton Jesuit performed some 500 mates, former students, faculty and baptisms and 350 weddings. Photos staff who glory in being members of of those he married and babies he ‘the Creighton Family,’” he wrote. baptized covered his walls. That same Creighton family gath- “If there was one disciple who ered during Fr. Cahill’s final hours took his mission to baptize seriously, and after his death. it was Fr. Cahill,” said the Rev. “These four elements of Neil Thomas Manahan, S.J., assistant to Cahill are the principal strands out the dean in the College of Business of which the fabric of his active, Administration. professional, and religious life was Fr. Cahill also was recognized for woven: Jesuit, priest, teacher and his contributions to Creighton’s Phi counselor,” Creighton President the Kappa Psi fraternity. A room in the Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J., said at fraternity’s new house has been the funeral Mass. (His complete named in honor of Fr. Cahill. Fr. Neil Cahill — 1923-2001 homily can be found online at Fr. Cahill was born in Woonsocket, www.creighton.edu/President/Speeches/FrCahill.html.) S.D., on May 5, 1923. After graduating from high school he Fr. Cahill served as chaplain and as an economics professor moved to Omaha to attend Creighton University. After in Creighton’s College of Business Administration for nearly receiving a bachelor of science degree in 1943, he entered the 40 years, until his retirement last June. St. Stanislaus Seminary in Florissant, Mo., where he complet- As chaplain, Fr. Cahill was charged with the spiritual and ed work for a bachelor of arts degree. In 1950 he earned a personal well-being of students, faculty and staff. In 1993 he master of arts degree in economics and the licentiate in received the Distinguished Faculty Service Award from the philosophy from Saint Louis University. president of Creighton. He was named Outstanding Teacher From 1950 to 1953, Fr. Cahill taught at Campion Jesuit of the Year in the College of Business Administration in 1979. High School in Prairie du Chien, Wis. He then attended St. “Fr. Cahill was totally committed to Creighton, to his Mary’s College in St. Marys, Kan., where he received the friends and alumni, and to our mission as an institution,” licentiate in theology. said Robert Pitts, Ph.D., dean of the College of Business He was ordained in June of 1957, completing his final year Administration. “Even though he retired last June, we still of Jesuit training at St. Andrew College in Lavantal, Austria. had a class scheduled for him this semester. He wanted to He did graduate studies at Johns Hopkins, Georgetown and carry on despite his illness. He really represented the spirit Laval University in Quebec. In 1991, he earned a Doctor of of this College for decades.” Ministry degree from the San Francisco Theological Seminary His teaching interests, which included economic princi- in San Anselmo, Calif. ples, labor economics, history of economic thought, economic Memorials to the Neil Cahill, S.J. Endowed Scholarship history and business ethics, led to travels all over the world. Fund for the College of Business Administration can be sent The outwardly gruff Cahill could be a tough taskmaster in to Creighton University’s Office of Development, 2500 the classroom. Students who skipped class were known to get California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178.

SPRING 2001 5 UNIVERSITY NEWS

CIVIL RIGHTS LOCATELLI ADDRESSES JUSTICE LEADER SPEAKS AT EDUCATION AT CREIGHTON LECTURE CREIGHTON Calling the world “a scandal of injustice,” done.” Reconciliation with God means In celebration of Martin Santa Clara University President the Rev. reconciliation with others, Locatelli said. Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. Paul Locatelli, S.J., spoke at Creighton Since 1975, when the “Faith That Does 15, the Rev. C.T. Vivian was University on Oct. 30, giving the annual Justice” slogan was adopted by the Society invited to campus to deliver Markoe-DePorres Social Justice Lecture. of Jesus, that vision has been expanded to a lecture entitled “Dr. Martin Locatelli told a near-capacity audi- Luther King Jr.: 21st Century ence in the Skutt Student Center Man.” Rev. Vivian also Ballroom that “half the nations are offered a reflection worse off today than they were 10 at a multi-faith years ago.” gathering held To stem this worldwide decline, later in the day at Locatelli called for “people with tal- St. John’s Church. ent and magnanimity,” not those The theme of with just a sense of self-advancement. the service was Echoing the words of the Very Rev. “Call to Advocacy Rev. Vivian Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, S.J., superior and Unity.” general of the Society of Jesus, Vivian is a living legend of Locatelli said, “Tomorrow’s whole the Civil Rights movement. A person must have a well-founded Baptist minister, his first use solidarity with the real world.” He of non-violent direct action said our world as Ignatius envi- Photo by Dave Weaver was in 1947 to end segregat- sioned it features “God ‘in the thick ed lunch counters. Later, he Fr. Locatelli visits with students after his of things,’” in a world “not only of lecture on Oct. 30. founded the Nashville suffering, but of wonder.” Christian Leadership Speaking to an audience of students, include justice for the environment, women Conference, organizing the faculty, staff and administrators, Locatelli and others marginalized in the area of first sit-ins in 1960 and the outlined his vision for a faith that does human rights, he said. first Civil Rights march in justice and is securely based in the “We need to make it clear that all voices 1961. He rode the first Creighton curriculum. are welcome, all views respected, that all “Freedom Bus” into Jackson, Locatelli, who has served as a principal parties recognize the limits of their own per- Miss. Vivian went on to work initiator of the national project on justice ceptions,” in order to keep that vision alongside Dr. Martin Luther education in American Jesuit universities, vibrant. Thus, dialog is essential to the life King Jr. as a member of Dr. believes justice education does more than and the vision of the university in the area King’s executive staff. supply the student with a factual under- of social justice, Locatelli said. Over the years, Vivian’s standing of social problems. It goes on to Justice education is more than just com- leadership and activism have produce a wider sense of having learned munity service, he added. Done right, edu- not waned and today, he is from the underserved community. It is a cating for justice “opens us to the problems board chairman of the Black reflective experience, he said. of the world … and teaches us to live in Action Strategies and An essential question Jesuit universities solidarity with that world.” Information Center (BASIC), must ask, Locatelli said, is “How should all The lecture was a project of the Justice the Center for Democratic of us live together in this world?” and Peace Studies Program at Creighton Renewal and the Southern The recipe for a peaceful world calls not and was a Jubilee 2000 event. It also was Organizing Committee. only for love of God, but love of our neigh- sponsored by the Justice Education An eloquent and uplifting bors, he said. “Without justice and love of Committee at Creighton, the Office of the speaker, he continues to our neighbors, love of God is a farce. You President, the Office of the Vice President speak out for racial justice cannot separate faith from justice. Our for Academic Affairs, and the College of and democracy. Judeo-Christian faith requires that justice be Arts and Sciences.

6 SPRING 2001 UNIVERSITY NEWS

TOBACCO SETTLEMENT MONEY TO BENEFIT BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH Trisha Frisch can walk again, thanks to treatment from a It capitalizes on the strengths of each partner and puts the Creighton University surgeon. best scientific minds to work for the benefit of all Nebraskans. The 19-year-old Creighton, Neb., woman was confined to The plan has the endorsement of Gov. Mike Johanns. her bed or a wheelchair all last spring and summer. The By annually allocating about a third ($16 million) of the steroids she takes for a kidney ailment caused her bones tobacco settlement money to biomedical research, all to become brittle and to break. Nebraskans stand to benefit as a result of ground-breaking A Creighton surgeon treated her fractured vertebrae by medical discoveries, improved disease prevention, diagnosis inserting a small balloon to create and treatment. In addition, the education a space where a type of plastic can By annually allocating about a of future health care professionals will be be injected, lifting and supporting third ($16 million) of the tobacco enhanced with the latest techniques and the vertebrae. The treatment approaches. turned Frisch’s life around. She is settlement money to biomedical With a portion of the state’s tobacco now back in college. research, all Nebraskans stand settlement money targeted to biomedical That is just one example of the to benefit as a result of ground- research, Nebraska researchers will con- life-changing and life-saving work breaking medical discoveries, tinue investigations into established being done in the field of biomedi- areas of expertise, such as hereditary cal research in Nebraska. For the improved disease prevention, cancers, osteoporosis, neurological dis- last century, biomedical research diagnosis and treatment. eases and the genetic underpinnings of has served as the foundation for health and disease. Funding to initiate superior health care and education in the United States. new projects can be leveraged into further support from the Nebraska has the good fortune to be home to two academic federal government and private sponsors. health centers where patient care, teaching and research are “This historic partnership would enable our scientists to top priorities. join forces with their colleagues from UNMC, UNL and Boys Creighton University and the University of Nebraska Town to work on many diseases that affect so many Medical Center, along with Boys Town National Research Nebraskans today,” said M. Roy Wilson, M.D., interim vice Hospital and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, are working president for health sciences at Creighton University and with the Nebraska Legislature to advance a bill that if passed dean of the School of Medicine at the University. would direct a portion of the state’s tobacco settlement money At least 26 other states have committed or are considering to biomedical research. investing tobacco settlement funds in biomedical research This initiative is one of the first major public/private part- projects. The biomedical research initiative in Nebraska will nerships in the state targeting the field of biomedical research. help the state keep pace with the rest of the nation.

JESUIT HONOR SOCIETY INDUCTS NEW MEMBERS The Creighton University professor of communication Chapter of Alpha Sigma Nu, studies; Bernadette the Jesuit Honor Society, (Maxwell) Pryor, MSEdu’71; inducted eight honorary Lawrence Raful, J.D., pro- members and 49 student fessor of law; and Loretta members at a ceremony and Jeanne (Feeney) Tarbox, banquet held Dec. 2. Arts’51. Receiving honorary mem- Brayman, Fr. Hart, Pryor Brayman Fr. Hart Pryor Tarbox berships to the society were: and Tarbox were nominated Jeannie S. (Blakey) Brayman, MA’73; the Rev. Don Doll, S.J., pro- by the Creighton Alumni Chapter of Alpha Sigma Nu, while Fr. fessor of fine arts-photography and holder of the Charles and Doll, McGill, Pawlowski and Raful were nominated by the Mary Heider Endowed Jesuit Chair; the Rev. Robert P. Hart, S.J., Student Chapter. adjunct assistant professor of theology; Virginia (Dotterweich) Those inducted into Alpha Sigma Nu embody scholarship, loy- McGill, BA’88, administrative director for the Institute for Latin alty and service and demonstrate an intelligent appreciation of American Concern (ILAC); Donna Pawlowski, Ph.D., associate time and commitment to the ideals of Jesuit higher education.

SPRING 2001 7 UNIVERSITY NEWS

WINTER COMMENCEMENT CELEBRATED More than 190 students participated in December com- A student of Western history, Trimble served on the mencement ceremonies Dec. 16. The ceremony was held at board of trustees of the Nebraska State Historical Society the Omaha Civic Auditorium’s Music Hall. for seven years and was president from 1995 to 1997. The December graduates established a new milestone at Dr. Wolpert DeFilippes graduated cum Creighton University, pushing the number of degrees laude from Creighton University in 1963 awarded from Creighton to more than 60,000 since 1891. with a bachelor of science in pharmacy. This commencement also marked the first for new She currently is chief of the Grants and Creighton President the Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J. Contracts Operations Branch in the During the ceremony, Creighton presented an honorary Developmental Therapeutics Program of doctor of cultural science degree to Charles E. Trimble of the Division of Cancer Treatment and Omaha, and presented the Alumni Achievement Citation Diagnosis at the National Cancer to Mary Katherine Wolpert DeFilippes, Ph.D. Institute. Wolpert Trimble is president of Charles Trimble Co., a national From 1976 to 1981, Wolpert DeFilippes DeFilippes consulting firm dedicated to fostering eco- was a pharmacologist in the Drug nomic development on Indian reserva- Evaluation Branch of the National Institutes of Health, tions. Trimble also is president of the Red where she became deputy chief of the Drug Evaluation Willow Institute, a non-profit corporation Branch in 1982. created to provide technical and manage- From 1985 to 1988, she was a pharmacologist in the Office ment assistance to Native American non- of the Associate Director. In 1986, she was issued a patent on profit organizations. He serves as tetraplatin, a platinum anti-cancer drug used in the treat- president of the John G. Neihardt ment of testicular cancer. Foundation and as a board member of the Trimble For the next nine years, she served as program director Nebraska Community Reinvestment and then branch chief for the Grants and Contracts Coalition; the Red Cloud Indian School, in Pine Ridge, S.D.; Operations Branch of the National Institutes of Health. the St. Vincent de Paul Family Emergency Shelter; and the Dr. Wolpert DeFilippes has strong family ties to Red Cloud Indian Heritage Center. Creighton. Her father, three brothers and two sisters, along In 1969, Trimble founded the American Indian Press with a niece, have all graduated from Creighton University. Association and served as its executive director until 1972, Her father, Paul L. Wolpert, BSM’34, MD’36, also was a when he was elected executive director of the National recipient of the Alumni Achievement Citation. He received Congress of American Indians in Washington, D.C. the award in 1975.

COLLEGE OF BUSINESS PARTNERS WITH DELOITTE & TOUCHE Creighton’s College of risks and controls. Deloitte & to share knowledge and create privacy and legal issues of Business Administration Touche also will provide hard- industry-specific programs. e-commerce also are addressed (CoBA) and its Master of ware, software, access to firm The degree is designed to in the curriculum. Science in Electronic resources and experts who will prepare students for leadership Deloitte & Touche provides Commerce program are team- lecture on specific e-commerce positions in the field of assurance and advisory, tax ing up with Deloitte & Touche security topics. e-commerce as it relates to and management consulting and its Enterprise Risk Services The degree program, which business, government and services, and has been recog- (ERS) for risk management is offered through CoBA with institutions. Students are nized as one of the “100 Best solutions. the support of the Joe Ricketts taught the strategies and tac- Companies to Work for in Deloitte & Touche will assist Center in Electronic Commerce tics of e-commerce and how America” by Fortune magazine Creighton with the design and and Database Marketing, start- to apply them in the ever- for three consecutive years. development of an Internet lab ed in January 2000. The Joe changing business environ- Deloitte & Touche is part of appropriately configured to Ricketts Center was created in ment. Marketing, diagnostic Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu, one simulate e-commerce traffic May of 1999 to partner with techniques, strategic business of the world’s leading profes- and the associated security local and national businesses models and the security, sional services firms.

8 SPRING 2001 UNIVERSITY NEWS

CREIGHTON AMONG MOST PRAYERFUL SCHOOLS According to surveys conducted by the Princeton Review, Creighton University is among five Catholic col- leges that have made the top

20 in a list of colleges where

Photo by Dave Weaver students pray on a regular basis. U.S. AMBASSADOR TO THE Creighton ranked 11th DOMINICAN REPUBLIC DELIVERS LECTURE out of the top 20. The other The United States Ambassador to the Dominican Republic, the Hon. Charles T. Catholic colleges and their Manatt (pictured above), spoke at Creighton on Nov. 20. Ambassador Manatt’s rankings are: University of lecture was titled “Contemporary U.S. Dominican Relations.” The event was spon- Dallas in Dallas (3rd); sored by Creighton’s Montesinos Center for the Study of the Dominican Republic. College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, Mass. (8th); Loyola Marymount PHARMACY EDUCATION FOCUS OF GRANT University in Los Angeles What courses are best suited direct this program for the student’s mastery of practice (14th); and St. Louis to meet the educational needs School of Pharmacy and Allied skills. University in St. Louis (19th). of today’s pharmacy students? Health Professions. The grant will allow the No Catholic colleges make What is the most effective In the United States, there School of Pharmacy and the Princeton Review’s top 20 method of teaching the skills are more than 80 pharmacy Allied Health Professions to list of colleges where stu- students will need on the job? schools or colleges educating develop an accurate assess- dents ignore God on a Those questions will be put to more than 22,000 students. The ment or testing program cus- regular basis. the test at Creighton American Council on tomized to each year of a The rankings are included University’s School of Pharmaceutical Education pharmacy program. The in Princeton Review’s 2001 Pharmacy and Allied Health (ACPE) recently revised assessment also will consist of edition of “The Best 331 Professions, thanks to a three- accreditation standards for cases in which the students can Colleges,” published by year, $156,000 grant from the schools with an emphasis on showcase their cognitive, com- Random House. The guide- Department of Education’s measuring what and how stu- munication and critical think- book, which profiles the Comprehensive Fund for the dents learn. ing skills. nation’s top schools, also Improvement of According to the ACPE The student performance ranked schools in 60 other Postsecondary Education. guidelines, assessment should data gathered, as well as the categories including best The purpose of the grant is measure the student’s skills in cases developed, and the rec- dorms, best libraries and to create a performance-based cognitive learning, communi- ommended curricular changes best campus. testing program for evaluating cation, and the use of data in will be distributed via the pharmacy curricula. Michael S. critical thinking and problem Internet for all pharmacy Monaghan, Pharm.D., will solving, as well as measure the schools to share.

SPRING 2001 9 UNIVERSITY NEWS

CREIGHTON TAKES LEADING ROLE IN HERNIA STUDY When a physician diagnoses a patient with an inguinal hernia fifth edition of Hernia, generally regarded as the single most — a common affliction among men characterized by a bulge or authoritative book on the subject. knot in the groin area of the lower abdomen — the recommended Inguinal hernias occur when weakened or torn muscles (often treatment is almost always surgery. the result of a congenital defect or a strain or injury) allow a But is that surgery — which can cost anywhere from $2,000 to person’s intestines to protrude through the abdominal wall. $8,000 and can limit a patient’s physical activity for up to six While approximately 700,000 inguinal hernia surgeries are per- weeks — always necessary? formed annually in the United States, the severity of the hernia Robert Fitzgibbons, MD’74, the Harry E. Stuckenhoff Professor can vary greatly. of Surgery at Creighton University and a leader in the study of The $6 million study headed by Creighton University will hernia, is directing a national study investigating just that ques- examine those patients with minor, or minimally symptomatic, tion. inguinal hernias who may benefit from a “watchful waiting” “We are trying to determine if we, as physicians, can safely tell approach. The study is being carried out in collaboration with the a patient, ‘If an inguinal hernia is not bothering you, it’s OK to American College of Surgeons, Northwestern University and the delay surgical treatment, as long as we keep a close eye on it,’” Veterans Administration Cooperative Studies Program. Study Dr. Fitzgibbons said. participants are being recruited at medical centers in Omaha, Dr. Fitzgibbons is the immediate past president and founding Dallas, Los Angeles, Albuquerque, N.M., and Marshfield, Wis. member of the American Hernia Society and the lead editor of the Patients will continue to be enrolled until July 2002.

CREIGHTON ALUMNI TOUR OF IRELAND Join Mike Leighton, BA’70, vice president for University Relations, for this 10-day tour of the Emerald Isle.

When: Depart Friday, Aug. 24 Return Sunday, Sept. 2

Cost: $2,639 (twin rate) $2,939 (single rate)

Itinerary at a Glance: Day 1 Overnight Flight to Shannon Day 2,3 Bunratty Castle Hotel, Bunratty Day 4,5 Great Southern Hotel, Killarney Day 6 Granville Hotel, Waterford Day 7 Kinnitty Castle, Birr Day 8,9 Radisson SAS St. Helen’s Hotel, Dublin Day 10 Depart from Dublin

Questions: Contact the Office of Alumni Relations at 1-800-282-5867 or 402-280-2222.

To make reservations: Contact Collette Tours, 180 Middle St., Pawtuckett, RI 02860 Attn: Midwest Sales Team-NAZ or call 1-877-894-1244.

10 SPRING 2001 UNIVERSITY NEWS

SPORTS SHORTS

Arch Madness his 100th win as the head MVC all-newcomer team; and Softball team looks to The Creighton men’s bas- coach of the Creighton men’s Gabb, Mullan and Henning, defend titles ketball team will be shooting basketball team with a 96-50 MVC scholar-athlete first The Creighton softball team for its third straight Missouri season-opening victory over team. In addition, Mullan began swinging for its fourth Valley Conference Western Illinois Nov. 20. straight regular-season con- Tournament title when it Altman became the sixth C.U. ference title and third consec- travels to St. Louis for Arch head coach to record 100 or utive MVC Tournament Madness. The State Farm more wins at the University. crown when it opened play Missouri Valley Conference Feb. 16. The Bluejays finished Tournament will be played Women’s hoops 31-28 last season, after earning March 2-5 at the Savvis The 2001 State Farm their second straight NCCA Center (formerly Kiel Center) Missouri Valley Conference Tournament berth. For sched- in St. Louis, with the 8 p.m. Women’s Basketball ule information, go to (CST) championship game Tournament will be in was named the MVC all- www.gocreighton.com. scheduled to be broadcast live Springfield, Mo., March 8-10, tournament MVP and on ESPN March 5. The at the John Q. Hammons NSCAA second-team All- Baseball squad opens season Bluejays were chosen by the Student Center. As of the America. See the photo spread Ten years after its appear- league’s coaches and media as magazine’s press time, the on Creighton’s appearance in the ance in the 1991 College the preseason favorite to win Creighton women were shoot- College Cup, soccer’s Final Four, World Series, the Creighton the conference crown. ing for their ninth beginning on page 28. baseball team is looking to Creighton ranks straight appearance return to the pinnacle of col- first among league in the MVC Women’s soccer, lege baseball in 2001. The schools with six Tournament volleyball honors Bluejays, fresh off back-to- all-time MVC under head coach Senior Kersten Flink and back appearances in the Tournament Connie Yori. For freshman Lulu Quigley were titles (1978, 1981, more information on named to the MVC all- 1989, 1991, 1999, obtaining tickets to tournament team for the 2000) and is attempt- the MVC Tournament, 9-11-0 Creighton women’s ing to become only the second contact the Creighton Athletic soccer team this past season. team in Valley history to win Department at (402) 280-2720. Flink also received all-MVC three in a row. Southern first team honors, while Illinois first completed the Men’s soccer accolades Quigley and Franny Hylok feat in 1995. This year’s team The 22-4-0 Creighton men’s were named to the league’s also has a chance to become soccer team picked up a host all-freshman team. Kori NCAA Tournament (1999, the first in Creighton’s history of honors on its way to win- Dahlkoetter, Flink and 2000), opened play Feb. 16. to reach the postseason four ning a conference title and fin- Heather Houska garnered For complete schedule informa- straight years. Creighton qual- ishing as national runner-up first-team scholar-athlete hon- tion, visit www.gocreighton.com. ified for the NCAA in the NCCA Tournament. ors. … Junior Melissa Walsh Tournament in 1999 and 2000 Among those receiving hon- earned conference all- Did you know? and the NIT in 1998. For more ors were: Mike Tranchilla, tournament and first-team Creighton is one of three information on obtaining tickets Brian Mullan, Ishmael Mintah scholar athlete awards, and Division I institutions that has to the MVC Tournament, con- and Mike Gabb, NCAA all- teamed with junior Kailey sent its men’s soccer, men’s tact the Creighton Athletic tournament team; Peter Reyes to make the all-MVC basketball and men’s baseball Department at (402) 280-2720. Henning, Lane Peercy and first team for the 16-12 teams to the NCAA Mintah, MVC all-tournament Creighton volleyball squad. Tournament in each of the last Altman gets 100th team; Henning and Mullan, Walsh also was named to the two years. The other two Creighton win all-MVC first team; David Verizon/CoSIDA academic schools to boast the achieve- Dana Altman picked up Wagenfuhr and Matt Jewett, all-district VII first team. ment are UCLA and Stanford.

SPRING 2001 11 UNIVERSITY NEWS

AROUND A Creighton study found Theology faculty publish book Greenspoon, Klutznick CREIGHTON that having two to four alco- Practical Theology: Perspectives Chair in Jewish Civilization, holic drinks per week can from the Plains has been pub- and Dennis Hamm, S.J., Fr. Agresti resigns as increase bone density in lished by Creighton University Department of Theology, have Arts & Sciences dean post-menopausal women. Press and contains articles by published The Historical Jesus For reasons of health, Fr. Al Reported in the November Creighton fac- Through Catholic and Jewish Agresti, S.J., resigned as dean issue of the American Society ulty members. Eyes. The Historical Jesus of the College of Arts and Sci- for Clinical Nutrition, the study The subjects includes essays on questions in ences on Dec. 31. He remains showed that moderate alcohol addressed in historical Jesus research on the faculty. consumption is the key to bone the book answered from the Catholic “This is a great disappoint- benefits. Other research has include church, and Jewish perspective. ment for Fr. Agresti, the shown that heavy drinking authority, gen- College and all those who can increase the likelihood der, the envi- Former faculty, worked closely with him. Fr. of osteoporosis and bone ronment and gambling. Prep Jesuit pass away Agresti has renewed the fractures. Faculty contributing to the John F. Sheehan, Ph.D., for- College and moved it forward Dr. Prema Rapuri, a book include: Michael Lawler, mer professor and chairman of in many positive directions. postdoctoral fellow and author Ph.D.; Wendy Wright, Ph.D.; the Department of Biology at We are grateful for his accom- of the study, said that moder- Bruce Malina, S.T.D.; Ronald Creighton, died Oct. 31 at the plishments and wish him good ate alcohol intake probably Simkins, Ph.D.; Susan Calef, age of 94. Sheehan began his health and success in the affects certain hormones that Ph.D.; Dennis Hamm, S.J.; career at Creighton in 1930 as a future,” said Charles trigger the breakdown of bone David Schultenover, S.J.; John biology instructor. In 1958, he Dougherty, Ph.D., vice presi- tissue. Dr. Rapuri worked with O’Keefe, Ph.D.; Rusty Reno, became a research associate dent for Academic Affairs. Dr. J. Christopher Gallagher, Ph.D.; Julia Fleming, Ph.D.; professor of clinical cytology While a search for a new professor of medicine, and Roger Bergman; Todd Salzman, and later a professor of pathol- dean is conducted, Patricia other Creighton researchers Ph.D.; Joan Mueller, Ph.D.; and ogy in the School of Medicine. Fleming, Ph.D., associate dean on the study. Richard Hauser, S.J. The book He retired in 1987. Sheehan of the College of Arts and Further research is needed was edited by Dr. Lawler and was the first recipient of Sciences, will serve as interim to understand the effects of Gail Risch, both of Creighton’s Creighton’s Golden Jubilee dean of the College. alcohol on bone health. In the Department of Theology. Service Award, which com- meantime, health care profes- memorated his 50 years of ser- Moderate alcohol intake may sionals encourage people to A Look at the Historical Jesus vice at the University. increase bone density get enough calcium into their Bryan Le Beau, Ph.D., Fr. Charles F. Mullen, S.J., Milk may not be the only diet, to exercise and to avoid Kenefick Faculty Chair in the a longtime member of the drink that keeps bones strong. smoking. Humanities, Leonard Creighton Prep Jesuit commu- nity who lived at Creighton for more than three years, died ILAC RECEIVES AWARD, GRANT Nov. 28. The Brugal Foundation recognized the ILAC award of 1 million pesos. With both awards, Dr. John S. Baumstark, a Mission as the best organization in the ILAC received 1.3 million Dominican pesos professor emeritus in the Dominican Republic for its continuous effec- (approximately U.S. $90,000) to help develop School of Medicine, died in tive service in struggling rural communities. agriculture projects in rural communities. November. Dr. Baumstark was The Brugal Foundation is based in the Fr. Ernesto Travieso, S.J., executive director an eminent researcher in the Dominican Republic. of Creighton’s Institute for Latin American field of protein biochemistry, Among more than 200 private non-profit Concern, also accepted a 1.5 million and was the first recipient of organizations, ILAC was selected with four Dominican pesos grant offered to ILAC by the Creighton’s Distinguished others in an initial award given by categories Japanese Embassy for the construction of a Research Career Award, as including education, social assistance, culture Youth Vocational Center in the town of selected by his peers. He and arts. The prize for each of these five orga- Juncalito located in the central mountain was promoted to professor nizations was a check for 300,000 Dominican range. This center will provide training and emeritus of obstetrics and pesos. From the five organizations, ILAC was jobs for many young people who otherwise gynecology, pathology and then selected as the best with the maximum would abandon the rural areas. biochemistry in 1995.

12 SPRING 2001 UNIVERSITY NEWS

WE ARE ALL ‘WATER COUSINS’ By John M. Scott, S.J. Do you consider your body to be your own personal prop- race, plus no doubt a few zebras and roosters. erty? Does it belong to you alone and to no one else? Does it Some people may find it somewhat humiliating to realize have the sort of permanence that reminds you somewhat of that you cannot call your body your “own.” It is made the Rock of Gibraltar or the stone faces on Mt. Rushmore? of “reused” and “reusable” molecules, molecules forever “on Now consider some interest- the move”; molecules that have ing facts. Your body is some 70 been part of other people in the percent water. The water you past and will be part of other drink is as old as the hills. The people in years to come. water in your glass is older than This should give us a sense of the pyramids, older than the unity and close association with ancient dinosaurs. all the world and the people who It is true that water is made live on it. Through water, we are undrinkable by the waste made a cosmic family. We become poured into streams. But let it “water cousins.” evaporate into the atmosphere, Remember, your body is only and it becomes clean and a temporary resting place for refreshing again. vagabond water molecules from When you turn on your the deep sea, the wide lake and faucet, you are getting water the blue sky. from ancient seas, the final Dr. Deepak Chopra, a source and reservoir of medical doctor and the author Earth’s water. of such best-selling books as This means that the water The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success, you drink today, you may drink puts it this way. “In order to stay in years to come. If not the exact alive, your body must live on cupful, some of the same the wings of change. At this molecules. This hydrological moment, you are exhaling atoms cycle has a starting point. There of hydrogen, oxygen, carbon has been no more and no less and nitrogen that just an instant water on Earth. Water is not before were locked up in solid used up but simply changed matter; your stomach, liver, heart, from one form to another. Some of the water in your glass lungs and brain are vanishing into thin air, being replaced today may have passed the lips of a Crusader or lapped the as quickly and endlessly as they are broken down. The boards of Noah’s ark. skin replaces itself once a month, the stomach lining every Some of the molecules coasting through your bloodstream five days, the liver every six weeks and the skeleton every this very moment may once have flowed through the veins three months. of Saint Louis, king of France. Perhaps some of the water “To the naked eye, these organs look the same from molecules in your head once slaked the thirst of a mighty moment to moment, but they are always in flux. By the end elephant as he drank by a river’s edge in Africa. Molecules of this year, 98 percent of the atoms in your body will have of water in your right hand may once have been in the been changed for new ones.” hand of Alexander the Great or Richard the Lion-Hearted. We sometimes refer to our spaceship as “Mother Earth” Through water molecules, you are linked to the millions and well we may. Not only did God make this sphere for our of people who have lived before you. You don’t belong cruise through space, He continually uses materials from entirely to yourself. You are “part” of others, a part of our planet Earth to make our bodies. spaceship, planet Earth. You are cosmic. —About the author: Fr. John Scott, S.J., is a former high school There is no such thing as “private water” that is “yours physics teacher living in the Jesuit community at Creighton and only.” Through water, you are united to the whole human the author of numerous books.

SPRING 2001 13 COVER STORY

IT’S ALL ABOUT STARS ... AND THE EVILS OF CITIES

By Bruce J. Malina, Ph.D. Professor of Theology

Editor’s note: A world- can II reads, “The renowned biblical scholar, interpreter must inves- Creighton’s Dr. Malina tigate what meaning takes a timely look at this the sacred writer often-confusing last book intended to express of the Christian scrip- and actually expressed tures. After all, this text in particular circum- — with its images of stances as he used apocalypse — may figure contemporary literary once more into our popu- forms in accordance lar culture as end-of-the- with the situation of world forecasters have his own time and cul- made their voices heard ture” (Vatican II, On with the arrival of a new Revelation 12, following millennium. Pius XII and repeated in the Pontifical Bibli- n the Roman Catholic cal Commission’s On Itradition, the first task Reading the Bible in the in a considerate reading Church, 1993). of the Bible is to discov- Because meaning in er and understand what a written document is the human author said always rooted in and and intended to say. derives from the social After all, a gap of mil- system of the author, to lennia separates us understand the literal

from the Bible’s original Photo by Monte Kruse, BA’83 meaning of a biblical writers, who also lived Creighton theology professor Dr. Bruce Malina writes that to author one has to understand the literal meaning of the book of Revelation one in and were shaped by must know the culture in which it was written. know the social system cultures totally different of that author, in that from our own. Thus, when a 21st- and behold the writer’s world with author’s time, place and culture. century American ponders such a new eyes. What is the first-century, literal book as Revelation, he or she must The Catholic Church agrees. In meaning of the book of Revelation? abandon the prevailing culture fact, the Church’s statement in Vati- To begin to understand this closing

14 SPRING 2001 COVER STORY Photo Giraudon/Art Resource, NY Photo Giraudon/Art Resource, This 14th century French depiction of Satan besieging the city is from the Apocalypse of Angers tapestry, a 300-foot long by 14-foot high wall-hanging that illustrates some 70 scenes from the book of Revelation. St. John, like many of his contemporaries, had a distrust of the cities, which were mainly the gathering places for wealthy landowners and their retainers. book of the New Testament, one their capricious influences. mation from that period, we learn must step into the author’s first- What did first-century Mediter- that they saw a round earth at the century Mediterranean world. That ranean, Hellenistic peoples know center of creation; it was encapsu- world was at the center of the uni- lated within the vault of the sky verse, as our first-century author — along which stars, in constellated or authors (for Revelation was com- tars and form, moved in regular pathways. piled by more than one writer) — One pathway fell above the earth’s understood it. planets not only equator, the celestial equator. The Stars and planets not only swung across the other ran along the pathway of the swung across the sky in well- sky in well-known sun, the ecliptic, forming the zodiac. known patterns, but were under- (See old world map, page 18.) stood to affect directly the affairs patterns, but were Many believed that where these of the people below and could be understood to affect pathways crossed were the “gates called upon for protection — or a directly the affairs of heaven” — or the place of access show of mercy. For the stars and to a transcendent reality, the other planets could also be forces for ill, of the people side of the firmament where God as the first-century Mediterranean below... (or the gods) was enthroned. In the understood them, and a citizen of region below the firmament and this world needed to know a above the moon (which was seen to prophet or seer who could read the about the sky and its denizens? be a planet) moved the six other stars’ intentions and could control From abundant astronomical infor- planets, in the first century

SPRING 2001 15 COVER STORY The Granger Collection, New York This colored woodcut, reminiscent of 16th century engravings, illustrates the old belief that the earth was surrounded by a vast star-studded dome with the realm of God located just beyond.

Let us consider the visions of
 acts with an astral being of constel- John of Patmos, the chief author of The Cosmic Role of Jesus the lational proportions (like a “Son of Revelation, with our 21st-century Messiah. John himself begins with a man,” hence like a human being in “cultural filters” exchanged for letter (1:4-8), followed by a descrip- shape). This personage is much like those of a first-century Mediter- tion of his introductory or inaugural the Resurrected Jesus described in ranean. We adopt the role of a priest vision (1:10-20), duly noting the cir- the late first-century writing, the of a Jesus-group, and we eagerly cumstances of his personal condi- Gospel of Peter. await what a trusted holy man has tion (altered state of awareness) and This Cosmic Lord Jesus directs to say to us: time (the Lord’s day — that would John to write edicts to the control- be the Sabbath). He sees and inter- ling angels (or priests) of seven

16 SPRING 2001 COVER STORY

understood to be the sun, Mars, inhabitants were believed to direct- prominence and significance to our Mercury, Jupiter, Venus and Saturn. ly influence the lands over which early “Jesus-group” seer of Revela- To our first-century Mediter- they were located. The constella- tion. (John was a member of one of raneans, Night and Day, composed tions, named early on by Babylon- many groups following Jesus in this of darkness and light respectively, ian scholars, were of great first-century Mediterranean world.) were not understood to be con- Babylonian lore had passed through trolled by the sun and were Phoenicia, Egypt and Israel to seen as separate entities. Greece and then to Rome. In fact, The stars were intelli- our constellational names are large- gent beings; the presence ly Greco-Roman appropriations of of comets (called by originally Semitic designations. their shape: bowls, For example, Capricorn (Latin), horses, trumpets, Aigokeros (Greek), Gedy (Phoeni- etc.) overhead indi- cian), Enzu (Babylonian); Virgo cated negative (Latin), Parthenos (Greek), consequences; and Adamath (Phoenician), Eritu the sky was full of (Babylonian) have come to invisible, person- us down the ages. like beings (various The importance of sorts of angels, knowing the constella- demons and spirits). tions also had a concrete The sky and its significance for first-

specific Jesus-groups, 24 sky entities — stars or called churches, in constellated stars known Roman Asia (chaps. 2-3). as “decans,” a Greek term synonymous with
 “elders” (4:4), and four How God Controls animate constellations: the Universe and Deals Leo, Taurus, Scorpio, and with Israel. This whole Pegasus or Thunderbird. set of John’s visions deals Along with this sight, John with events supposedly hears singing, praising leading up to the destruction God, singing as the ancients of the city of Jerusalem in 70 A.D., expected to hear it in the upper explaining that the lugubrious Museum Studium Biblicum Franciscanum, photo by Garo Nalbandian reaches of the sky. event took place because Israel This 12th century carving of the The cosmic drama opens, cued would not repent. (Notice the wrath cosmic lamb shouldering a symbolic by the notice of the sealed scroll unleashed against the city.) The pas- cross was found in front of the Holy with God’s directives, at God’s sage starts with the prophet John Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Note that the right hand (5:1). One of God’s lamb’s head is turned backward as passing through “an open door in if slaughtered, like St. John’s vision “mighty” angels proclaims a search the sky” — to his contemporaries, of the constellation Aries. for some being of sufficiently exalt- the familiar “gates of Heaven” — ed status to be privy to God’s (4:1) to see the realm proper to God, over Jerusalem. John sees God’s secrets (5:2); this being is revealed at the controlling center of the cos- throne (constellation: Throne) as “the Lion of the tribe of Judah, mos. In Israel, this center was attended by seven spirits (4:1.5), the root of David, the one who con- believed to be located in the sky and surrounded by the thrones of quered” (5:5). This is none other

SPRING 2001 17 COVER STORY

century Mediterraneans. These were, after all, advanced agrarian people whose very existence depended on planting at the correct seasons, cued by the motions of the stars. This first-century world was highly animated, a world where even stones were seen as influenced by sky forces, which is how the concept of the birthstone came into vogue. Every contemporary Roman city had its guardian or genius, again, a denizen of the sky. The constellation Orion, a Greco-Roman hunter, was Israel’s warrior

This 17th century world map shows a round earth at the center of the universe surrounded by the celestial horizon and the zodiac. Plato and many first-century Mediterraneans after him believed that where these two intersected was the opening to

With the compliments of the Librarian of the Royal Astronomical Society the compliments of Librarian Royal Astronomical With the realm of God.

than the “Lamb situated (in the sky) include a limited number of finally told what this wrath is all as though slaughtered,” and located Israelites in the land (only 144,000), about: There is no change of heart in the center of the decans (5:6). The and a limitless number of Diaspora forthcoming from those who offend constellation Aries (in Semitic: Taleh, Israelites “from every nation and God and their fellow humans (9:20- Lamb) was believed to be the first 21). Hence, the destruction of the of God’s stellar creations. It was city, vindicating God’s honor. The always represented with its head result is the inauguration of the rule turned backward so as to be facing hehe of God and God’s Messiah over the Taurus, hence observed as having a constellationconstellation AriesAries land of Israel. broken neck, “as though slaugh- tered,” yet quite a living constella- (in(in Semitic:Semitic: Taleh,Taleh,
 tion. Once the Lamb — the Cosmic Lamb)Lamb) waswas believedbelieved The Cosmos Before the Flood: Lord Jesus — accepts the scroll, the toto bebe thethe firstfirst ofof Why the Present Condition. This whole cosmos breaks out in song. God’s stellar vision refers to two periods, first Chapters 6 to 11 set before us the God’s stellar before the completion of creation, content of what God has decreed in creations.creations. then the period before the Flood the scroll, now disclosed by the described in Genesis. First, we learn Lamb as it opens the seals of the about how the deceiving serpent of scroll. Comets shaped like horses, tribe and people and tongue” (7:9). Genesis 3 ended up in the Garden with riders, emerge over the land With the opening of the seventh of Eden. To begin with, John the and cause gradual destruction of and final seal, a new series of seven seer beholds a great sign (the first of Israel and its capital, Jerusalem. trumpet-shaped comets unleashes three) of a constellation described We are told those who are to be further negative events on the land. as a Pregnant Woman (Virgo) with rescued from judgment and revenge After the sixth trumpet, we are the sun passing through it (12:1-2).

18 SPRING 2001 COVER STORY

guardian Michael, well-known active part in the affairs of humans. other side of the sky belonged to among early Jesus-groups as well. He also lived in a culture that fea- the same category as ancient sky It is important to remember that tured a consensus reality that was readings concerning the fate of the first-century Mediterranean kings and peoples. world featured a “consensus reali- John perceived those visions of ty” different from our own. It was a astral phenomena through Israelite world that took in stride other ohn,ohn, thethe cultural filters and his faith in Jesus states of consciousness. People saw prophetprophet ofof Revelation,Revelation, as Israel’s Messiah and cosmic nothing abnormal about Jesus’ mar- Lord. In his perception, he was velous walking on the sea, or his ...... waswas anan IsraeliteIsraelite much like Israel’s prophets of old, vision of God at baptism, or his dis- prophetprophet whowho waswas Ezekiel, Zechariah, Daniel and ciples seeing him transfigured or atat homehome withwith aa skysky Enoch. the visions of the seer of Revelation. that took an active It is also important to under- Social psychologists today list that took an active stand that John, in Revelation, is some 20 states of consciousness as partpart inin thethe affairsaffairs speaking to his fellow Jesus-group “normal” in our consensus reality, ofof humans.humans. prophets, not to all fellow believers. yet omit many altered states of In antiquity, celestial revelations awareness common to 90 percent of were for kings, priests and the population of the planet. comfortable with prophets capable prophets, not for ordinary people. John, the prophet of Revelation, of trance visions and sky journeys. For the most part, members of the then, was an Israelite prophet who Thus his detailed description of Jesus-groups were Israelites who was at home with a sky that took an what he saw in the sky or on the believed Jesus was Israel’s Messiah

This is followed by another sign, of the land (13:11). The sea Beast Holy Ones” in battle. that of a constellational Dragon (constellation Cetus) serves as vice- Meanwhile, John recounts a with falling stars in its wake, in the regent of the Dragon, taking on “the whole series of new scenes, dealing southern sky (12:3-4) waiting for the Pregnant Woman to give birth. Her cosmic Child (Israel’s “Son of man”) was taken up to God and seated on God’s throne (12:5). Before God completed his Creation, the Dragon, identified with the Devil and Satan of Genesis 3, engaged in battle with the angel Michael (Orion), who ejected the Dragon from the sky (12:7-8). The seer is then told of the Dragon’s interactions with the cosmic Woman, now on earth. The “seed” of this woman are the Holy Ones (see 14:12), with God from the time of creation. Next, one constellation (Cetus) rises in the sky over the horizon of Society the compliments of Librarian Royal Astronomical With This 17th century depiction of the constellation Cetus, the sea Beast in the sea (13:1), and the second (Lep- Revelation, is from Johann Bayer’s Uranometria. In Revelation, the sea Beast us) rises in the sky over the horizon takes on “the Holy Ones” in battle.

SPRING 2001 19 COVER STORY

soon to come with power. A major message from their prophets to these believers was the caveat not to be deceived, a theme that John  underscores in Revelation to his fel- low prophets as well. Later Chris- tian usage would presume John’s work was addressed to all Chris- What Meaning Is There for Us Today? tians, but there is no evidence for this in the document. The New Testament documents in general, and the book of Revelation in With only 5 percent of the popu- particular, are in fact the witness of our ancestors, in this case our ancestors lation living in cities at the time, in faith. The purpose of the culturally informed, historical study of the New John shared the majority’s distrust Testament is to identify with those ancestors, their culture, their problems, of cities, which were in fact the their choices, their interactions and their concerns. They inform us of how gathering places for wealthy God founded the Jesus-group by calling Israelites and Gentiles alike. They landowners who planned wars and thus witness to a universal God — a radical step from Israelite concrete or levied taxes for their own benefit. abstract henotheism (the God of Israel). Thus, cities figure quite negatively As much as it hurts the sensibilities of U.S. Christians, culturally in the work. informed historical methods bring us into contact with a range of first- John’s work consists of five sets century Mediterranean personages largely within the Israelite version of of visions (see “The Visions of Reve- lation,”starting at the bottom of

with the cosmic Lamb “setting” Flood. Now the seer beholds the
 over celestial Zion; and a trio of first significant city after the Flood, The First Postdiluvian City of angels proclaiming the hour of Babel/Babylon. Humankind: Babel and Its Fate. God’s judgment, the fall of Babylon Chapter 17 opens with an angel the Great (14:8), and a caveat who explains the significance of the against any trafficking with the sea judgment on Babylon/Babel, the Beast (14:9-11). Finally, two sickle first postdiluvian city of shaped comets, at the direction of With the compliments of humankind, typical of all human two angels, “harvest” the earth, a the Librarian of the Royal cities. The city is personified as a Astronomical Society traditional symbol of judgment in Woman, both because this was early Mediterranean cultures. customary in the Hellenistic Now a third sign appears, period and because consisting of seven bowl-shaped Babylon’s protecting comets yielding seven injuries star at that period (chap. 15), meant to vindicate God’s was Venus honor. Chapter 16 concludes with (Aphrodite, Isis, the splitting of land into three Ishtar). Chapter 18 (16:19). (The ancients believed that opens with another after the Flood, the world was angel announcing the divided into three: Europe, Asia fall of Babylon (18:1-3), and Africa, hence the three and still another inviting sons of Noah.) his proteges to leave the This 15th century woodcut, from C.J. Hyginus’ The vision thus describes the Poeticon Astronomicon, shows the constella- city (18:4-8). Finally we celestial events that led up to the tion Aries as a Ram with its head turned back. are told about a set of

20 SPRING 2001 COVER STORY

page 16) inserted within the format of a letter. Some anonymous person Mediterranean society, their interactions, their reactions and their beliefs. It is added a preface (1:1-3), labeling people in context, living their beliefs, that form the witness to the Christian what follows as “a revelation” faith; it is their beliefs in God, beliefs in what God was doing in Jesus. (Greek: apokalypsis, hence the name When a 21st century reader disparages the authors and audience of those of the work). first-century New Testament documents or attributes motives that were sim- John the prophet believed he ply historically or culturally beyond them, obviously this is unfair, just as was instructed by God to tell his unfair as the universal polymorphic images of Jesus conjured up for whatev- fellow Jesus-group prophets about er people want to do “in his name.” In all fairness to those ancestors in faith his visions. Armed with knowledge and in support of their witness to Jesus and the God who raised him, cultur- of and appreciation for how God ally informed, historical approaches to the New Testament are the only rules both Israel and the world and appropriate and suitable methods to discover what they said and meant by how Jesus is now Cosmic Lord, their witness. reading or hearing this text, Jesus’ Whether people today find this relevant or not is beside the point. It is followers could live confidently, like asking whether great, great grandparents are relevant or not. The fact is without deception and with assured that without them we would not be here. Our biological gene pool is rooted trust in God’s will as revealed in them, just as our theological pool of traditions is rooted in the New Testa- through Jesus. This, in brief, is ment. It is often good to see who stands at the head of that pool — our New what the book of Revelation meant Testament witnesses. to its first-century Mediterranean audience.

people who regularly interacted forward to some final period of with the city and now lament the deception and testing by Satan. city’s passing (18:9-20). The seer then hears a cosmic
 chorus of praise evoked by God’s The Final City of Humankind: just judgment on the wayward city. Celestial Jerusalem. The final sec- The sea Beast (Cetus) and its false tion of the work describes the prophet (the land Beast, Lepus) are rewards promised to “those who thrown into a burning sulphurous overcome” in the seven edicts pool, in the sky (19:11-21). With the (chaps. 2-3) as the author tells of To learn more about Revelation, pick up Malina’s 1995 book On the two Beasts vanquished, it is finally God’s judgment of humankind Genre and Message of Revelation the turn of the Dragon. The seer (20:11-15), and sees the celestial or his recently published Social- envisions an angel who binds the Jerusalem. The coming of the new Science Commentary on the Book Dragon for 1,000 years (20:1-3), that Jerusalem through the opening in of Revelation, which was co-authored with John J. Pilch, a is for a “day” in the sight of the the sky over old Jerusalem marks a professor of biblical studies at Lord (see 2 Pet 3:8). During this new creation — a new sky and new Georgetown University. period, those who witness to Jesus earth (21:1-5). live and reign with him (20:4-6). But This comes as no surprise since the opening in the sky where it was at the end of this period, Satan is ancients believed that when the sky first created and thus comes in con- released for destruction with the returned to its original configura- junction with another celestial enti- Beasts (20:7-10). tion as established by the Creator, ty, the new Jerusalem. Enjoying In this way, John explains events all would be renewed. The first of God’s presence in this way is what during his own generation: His fel- God’s celestial creations — the John’s fellow Jesus-group members low Jesus-group members can look Lamb (Aries) — now passes over looked forward to.

SPRING 2001 21 St. Francis Seen in Assisi Francesco: Il Musical Photo courtesy of Francesco: Il Musical, a new musical on the life of St. Francis, opened in Assisi, Italy, last summer. Creighton theology professor Joan Mueller served as historical consultant for the production. Actor Antonello Angiolillo, left, portrayed St. Francis and actress Aisha Cerami, right, portrayed Francis’ good friend St. Clare. By Joan Mueller, OSF Associate Professor of Theology The spirit of St. Francis has reawakened in Assisi, tuality of the famous Italian town. Suddenly, something Italy, with the opening of the musical Francesco: Il clicked for Leach: Wasn’t it time to “bring St. Francis Musical this past summer. As historical consultant for home” to the little town, his life story told in the form of the musical’s production, I was lucky enough to be a a musical? And wouldn’t it be wonderful to stage the part of this wonderful project. ongoing production in a theater of its own? It all began when Texas billionaire, Richard Leach, Meanwhile, I had written a book titled, Why Can’t I and his wife, Rosemary, were touring the town of Assisi Forgive You? A Christian Reflection, published by a sub- several years ago with a local taxi driver as their guide. sidiary of Leach’s Lyrick Corporation. The book had Leach (perhaps best known as the creator of Barney, the gone well, and the publisher asked if I would be inter- purple dinosaur known by children everywhere) and ested in writing another. It was then that I learned about his wife were traveling from one historic Assisi church Leach’s trip to Assisi and his dream to build a 1,000-seat to another, the taxi driver explaining the sites and spiri- theater and produce a musical on St. Francis. He was

22 SPRING 2001 hoping to make the musical and theater a permanent Vincenzo Cerami of Academy Award-winning Life Is fixture in Assisi, much as the passion play is in Beautiful fame. I also would have the privilege of writing Oberammergau, Germany. a historical novel on St. Francis of Assisi that would be Being a scholar of the early Franciscan movement, I part of the musical project. immediately wrote a letter to Leach and enclosed my In an age when civil and religious leaders throughout resume. Within the week, I was hired as historical con- the world are concerned with the American export of sultant to the project and was appointed to a team of violence through media, Leach’s idea of presenting the creative people that would eventually include writer life of St. Francis on stage appealed to the imaginations Francis and Clare

Francis (1182-1226) and Clare (1194-1253) were Pope Innocent III, desperate to regain the growing contemporary citizens of the tiny village of Assisi. ranks of those tempted to follow heretical move- Francis, born into the rich merchant Bernadone fami- ments, was seeking men who were able to entertain ly, and Clare of the noble Offreduccio family experi- the masses in the service of the church. Just at this enced firsthand the conflicts time, Francis and his small group of followers and violence of 13th century appeared in Rome asking for permission to preach. Assisi. As a young woman, After seeing Francis’ talent in action, the pope Clare and her family fled Assisi blessed the efforts of the ragtag group and gave them and took refuge in the neigh- the permissions requested. boring city of Perugia, while Clare, who had also suffered from the the merchant’s son, Francis, hardships of war, was searching, too, for raided the castles of the van- a peaceful way to live her life. Hearing

Photo by Gerhard Ruf, for Photo by Gerhard quished nobility. Francis preach of the possibility of down-

Casa Editrice Bonechi, www.bonechi.it The conflict between mer- sizing one’s life instead of questing for chants and ancient noble fami- money and power, Clare also became lies over the emerging money enamored with the poverty movement. Giotto fresco of St. Francis economy came to a head in Escaping from her home, Clare, with the Assisi in the battle of Collestrada. Dressed to the permission of the bishop of Assisi, joined nines in newly acquired armor, Francis was captured Francis and his brothers. The knights of and taken as a prisoner of war to Perugia. There he her family pursued her, but after she was confined for a year. His health and spirit broken showed them her tonsured head, she was by the hardships of his imprisonment, Francis began disowned, her shorn hair making her no to question his family’s seemingly unquenchable longer valuable as a bride. Her sister, thirst for money and power. Catherine, followed Clare a few days later Disillusioned, Francis began skipping work in his to the horror and embarrassment of the father’s shop and took to the mountains near Assisi men of the Offreduccio clan. to try to sort things out. Alone one day in the tiny The Franciscan poverty movement church of San Damiano, he heard a voice from the grew quickly, given the disillusionment cross telling him to rebuild God’s house. Looking with war, violence and the pursuit of end- Photo by Gerhard Ruf, for Casa Editrice Bonechi, www.bonechi.it Photo by Gerhard around at the dilapidated structure, Francis began less riches. Both the Franciscan brothers Giotto fresco of immediately the project of rebuilding the small and monasteries of Clare’s sisters expand- St. Clare church. After stealing luxury cloth from his father’s ed quickly during the early 13th century and today business in order to finance this rebuilding, Francis — along with a lay order established by Francis — was disowned by his family. are linked around the world.

SPRING 2001 23 of many, including that of the Vatican, which sponsored the project, even before production, as an official Jubilee St. Francis year event. The small town of Assisi put aside its many ordinances against foreign investments and offered influences Leach an old factory building in the valley for the project. With a clear view of the mountain town and the Basilica of San Francesco in the distance, the land Jesuit founder negotiation was settled. My role as historical consultant was to write a source book for the musical writer Cerami. There are literally thousands of pages of Franciscan source material, and St. Ignatius (1491-1556), the founder of the much scholarly work has been done in the last century Jesuits, was influenced by the life and teach- to identify which sources were closest and truest to the ings of St. Francis. Before his conversion, St. experience of the early Franciscans. The next three years Ignatius, much like of my life were spent responding to constant requests St. Francis, lived the for materials from writers and musicians, and reviewing courtly lifestyle. St. and critiquing various drafts. Ignatius was the son of I even became an expert on 13th century, middle- a noble and wealthy Italian clothing styles. (Yes, the brown robe and rope belt family in Spain, a mili- seen on renditions of Francis today were the blue jeans tary leader, who, by his of his time.) I also became expert on typical housing own admission, was styles; the exact parameters of the city walls of Assisi; “given to the vanities the look and construction of 13th century, middle-Italian of the world.” armor; and the color and texture of the luxury cloth that It was while recu- Francis’ father sold. (It took me a week and a half to perating from a war locate an example of this 13th century silk brocade, wound — the result of which I finally hunted down in the Vatican Museum.) a cannonball smashing One year prior to the opening of the musical, I also into one of his legs — had completed a historical novel, Francis: The Saint of that St. Ignatius began St. Ignatius Assisi, that has been translated into Italian, German and reading about the lives Dutch. Again, accuracy of detail was paramount. At one of the saints, including St. Francis. In his Auto- point, my office window at Creighton was filled with biography, St. Ignatius recalls that in reading genealogy maps of Assisi. Because every character in the about the saints he began to contemplate a book is an archival character, each one must be backed different lifestyle, one in service to God and by historical evidence, including social class, where each others. family lived and how they were connected. “In reading the life of Our Lord and of the Finally, six weeks before the musical’s opening date saints, he (Ignatius) stopped to think, reason- of May 28, 2000, I flew to Italy to oversee the final ing within himself, ‘What if I should do what rehearsals. St. Francis did, and what St. Dominic did?’” I had been to Assisi many times before, praying, Joan Mueller writes about these Franciscan working on research, writing and studying manuscripts. roots of Ignatian spirituality in Practical Theol- This time, however, would be like no other. Since we ogy: Perspectives From the Plains, a recently were opening both a new musical and a new theater, published book featuring Creighton authors. rehearsals had to be held in the old community theater “Ignatius’ gift to the church, the Spiritual until the new theater complex was completed. Exercises, outlines the basic dynamics of One wakes up in Assisi to the sounds of swallows the penitential program also followed by and church bells. I opted to stay at a small pension St. Francis,” Mueller said. rather than at a hotel in order to be near the sites that Francis and his friend St. Clare had loved. The sun was

24 SPRING 2001 hot and the air still dew-laden as I worked my way began as a job was turning into a mission. down the narrow streets to the old theater. There was a Over the years, I had endured some poor efforts to sign on the door, “Only Staff Allowed.” I passed portray the lives of Sts. Francis and Clare, including the through the heavy green velvet curtain and introduced dreadful 1973 film Brother Sun, Sister Moon, which insist- myself to the Italian cast and crew. One sensed immedi- ed on portraying Francis and Clare as lovers — which ately the energy and professionalism of the team. they, of course, were not. I settled in with my paper and pencil, intending to When we began this project, I had a number of make notes as we rehearsed scene by scene. There were dreams. Being a scholar of St. Clare, I dreamed of the details that needed to be fixed. No, the musical’s reli- possibility of portraying Clare not as a hapless woman gious brothers could not remove Clare’s veil. The broth- drawn by some sort of misguided love of Francis, but, ers’ tonsures (the circular baldpate and fringe haircut as the medieval sources tell us, as a woman whom that marked them as members of a religious communi- Francis sought out because of her already established ty) were cut too big. The reputation for integrity, bishop appeared a bit too strength and holiness. sinister. After each scene, Over and over again, the team met for a review. the team was tempted to The hours usually extend- turn the musical into a ed long into the night. love story. Can’t holiness For two hours every be entertaining enough, I day the martial arts wondered. Doesn’t the instructor practiced with Christian path toward the actors armed with God contain enough dra- swords enacting a battle ma to keep an audience scene. Why such emphasis engaged? Did the well- on pitched battle? In his proven American formula youth, St. Francis had of love, sex and violence dreamed of becoming a need to be employed even knight. Francis’ father was if this violates both the a merchant who had made history and the theology his money in the luxury of the subjects being dra- cloth trade. But Francis matized? The discussions had little inclination for his were long and hard. In Photo courtesy of Francesco: Il Musical father’s business. He loved Angiolillo portrays St. Francis in prayer at San Damiano. the end, Clare is por- nature and enjoyed the trayed as a woman in good life, and he dreamed of proving himself in battle. love with God and with the Franciscan project. She and Although I have studied the life of Francis for the Francis are friends, as they were in real life. They are past 20 years, watching the martial arts rehearsals gave not lovers. me a new appreciation for Francis’ youth. The instructor There was another dream that I had when we began shouted, “Lunge!” “Balance!” “Guard!” Both the team the project. In his Last Testament, Francis says that he and the actors had committed themselves to using real was converted by the lepers of Assisi. The story is well swords with all the danger this would imply. Besides known. Before Francis’ conversion, he had a reputation being dangerous, the swords were heavy, and the actors for being generous toward poor people, but he had a needed constant practice in order to build the strength difficult time being civil to lepers. Lepers were frighten- necessary to do the scene. Luckily, no one was injured. ing to their contemporaries, as no cure for leprosy exist- Scenes were choreographed again and again. Music ed, and there was always the risk of catching the was written, rewritten, arranged and pitched to suit per- disease. They were marked by a foul odor and often fectly the voices of each singer. What impressed me were disfigured. most as we proceeded day after day with the creative Sick, alone and confused, Francis had recently work was the growing dedication of the cast. What returned to Assisi after being held as a prisoner of war

SPRING 2001 25 leper reached out to him and gave Francis the kiss of peace. The leper’s poverty and humanity touched a chord in Francis’ aching heart, and after this very human encounter, Francis began to visit the lep- er hospital nearby, not only bringing the lepers money but also caring for their physical needs. The one who had been a benefactor of the poor was now taking the critical step

Photo courtesy of Francesco: Il Musical of becoming poor. Francis had learned Above, this dramatic scene from firsthand that follow- the musical depicts St. Francis’ life-changing encounter with a ing the way of riches leper. Over the ages, in an effort leads to depression, to encourage pilgrimage and violence and a tourism, the leper was expunged greedy spirit. Here, from many of the accounts of this important event in St. Francis’ among the lepers, the life. Even in the famous Giotto poorest among the fresco, shown at left, the scene is poor in Assisi, he changed to St. Francis giving his coat to a young knight. As the was finding peace. musical’s historical consultant, When we began one of Mueller’s goals was to the musical project, bring the leper back into the my dream was to Photo by Gerhard Ruf, for Casa Editrice Bonechi, www.bonechi.it Photo by Gerhard story of St. Francis. bring Francis’ in Perugia, Italy, for a year. He displayed classic symp- encounter with the leper back home to Assisi. Over the toms of post-war syndrome. He found it difficult to ages, in the quest to encourage pilgrimage and tourism, return to his ordinary life; he frequently disregarded his all signs of the leper had been purged from Assisi’s duty to manage his father’s store and instead disap- perimeters. Even in the famous Giotto frescos, the con- peared into the caves of Mount Subasio, sometimes for version scene of the leper is changed into Francis giving days at a time. He demonstrated signs of severe depres- his coat to a young knight. This idealized scene was sion, and he radically questioned the commercial even incorporated into the Basilica of San Francesco, exploits of the fathers of Assisi who were sending their despite the fact that St. Francis tells us in his own words sons into war, often just to gain access to a shipping road that it was the lepers who converted him. for their goods. The story that one tells makes a difference. Even One day, as he was riding his horse near the small today, beggars near Assisi’s basilicas are carefully con- church of St. Mary of the Angels — interestingly enough, trolled and, as also happens in this country, are often probably at about the point where the theater is now removed when there are visits from dignitaries. Francis’ located — his horse reared; in front of him was a leper. embrace of the leper is as critical to the Christian story Francis dismounted and went toward the leper. The of conversion today as it was during the Middle Ages.

26 SPRING 2001 Writer Cerami and composer Benoit Jutras brilliantly their dead Muslim husbands. wove the leper into the center of the musical. Francis, The musical and theater opened as scheduled and sick from his imprisonment, anguishes in bed. In the remained all through the first run, until Nov. 30. While a midst of his writhing, the voice of the play’s leper, film of the play will be shown in the winter months, Lucilla Tumino, is heard. Francis sits up only to see that Leach hopes to reopen the show this spring. Meanwhile, he is surrounded by lepers all reaching out to him. The now that the show is produced, the task will be to first act closes with this scene, and the lyrics of the song market the musical to tourist agencies. If this effort is are haunting: successful, the story of St. Francis will be told in Assisi Everything has but one name, Love. for years to come. Under this sky, Poverty and evil, Undying hatred, St. Francis: Also sorrow and pity, Everything has but one name, Love. The lepers surround Francis, and, oddly enough, the The Novel music coming from so many of these voices brings one a strange sense of well-being. During opening night’s intermission, there was a comfortable, yet distinguish- If you are not going to Assisi anytime soon, able, silence. The first act was powerful. Then, one but would like to learn more about the lives woman started singing the song of the lepers and of Sts. Francis and others joined her. I swallowed hard, full of emotion. Clare, check out Joan My dream had come true; the first seeds of welcom- Mueller’s new histori- ing the leper back home to Assisi had been planted. cal novel, Francis: While my hope was to stage Clare as the strong, The Saint of Assisi, intelligent woman that she was, and to allow the produced in tandem leper an entrance back into the story of St. Francis, with the musical. Leach had additional dreams. He wanted the audi- Written as a novel, ence to be entertained, to be dazzled with the beau- the book still contains ty of costumes, lights, music and dancing, and to the best historical leave happy, whistling the songs. During the information known months of creative work, the team carefully fostered on Sts. Francis and his vision, and somehow we struck a balance. Clare. Meet within its In Act I, Francis celebrates with his friends before pages the leper who heading off to war. This party rivals any other that helped St. Francis see has been staged in the opera houses of Italy. There beyond money and are exquisite costumes, sumptuous food, and rivet- Photo by Monte Kruse, BA’83 change his life; the Mueller in front of bishop who guided ing music and dance. A temptation scene, complete a statue of St. Francis with the devil, is done in vaudeville style. There is a in Omaha. Francis and Clare in beautiful and warmly humorous Nativity scene fea- their journeys toward turing the actors and actresses as statues, during which God; and the people of Assisi who the young friar Francis struggles to hold a sneeze that interacted daily with their town’s will eventually bring the characters to life. Francis’ famous son. Wayne trial before the Bishop of Assisi finds Francis stripping Hellman, OFM, off his luxurious garments and disowning his father. Franciscan historian, of His mother begs his father to have mercy on their son. Saint Louis University says: The oriental scene of Francis who is captured during “This book is a giant step the crusades and brought before the sultan is further forward in writing anew the dramatized by a small group of women dancers, life of St. Francis.” veiled in black, who wail and dance their grief for

SPRING 2001 27 Creight n Soccer in the Final Four Photo by Christopher Record/The Charlotte Observer Senior All-American forward Brian Mullan celebrates after scoring a goal just three minutes into the second half to tie Creighton’s Final Four match against Indiana at 1-1. n what some thought was a ond time in five years. S.J., followed the Bluejays to
rebuilding year, the Creighton And then — with a 2-1, triple- Charlotte, N.C., in December for men’s soccer team won its seventh overtime win over two-time their Final Four appearance, conference tournament title, defending national champion capturing the joy, heartbreak, advanced to the NCAA Tournament Indiana — they did what no other camaraderie and determination for the ninth straight year and Creighton team, in any sport, has that encapsulated Creighton’s reached the Final Four for the sec- ever done. They played for a thrilling season. national title! Award-winning Creighton photographer the Rev. Don Doll,

Andrew Brown, left, catches up on some studying, while Joe Wieland, Shane Havens and Mike Tranchilla joke around with a card game on the plane ride to the Photo by DonDoll, S.J. Final Four in Charlotte, N.C. Photo by DonDoll, S.J.

28 SPRING 2001 Far left: Junior goalkeeper Mike Gabb spends some time alone before Creighton’s semifinal match against Indiana. Left: Mullan takes a shot on goal against the Hoosiers. Below: Tranchilla blows kisses to his girlfriend after scoring the game- winning goal in the third overtime against Indiana, while teammates Corey Fox, Mullan and David Wagenfuhr celebrate in the background. Photos by DonDoll, S.J.

Above: Coach Bret Simon and his son, Benjamin, on the team bus, with trainer Ben McNair seated behind them reading about Creighton’s win.

Left: Ishmael Mintah, Peter Henning (obscured), Tranchilla and Keith Sawarynski are happy but exhausted after Creighton’s triple-overtime win against Indiana.

SPRING 2001 29 Photos by DonDoll, S.J.

Top: Creighton’s Matt Jewett tries to weave his way through the stingy UConn defense, which featured Hermann Trophy winner (soccer’s version of the Heisman Trophy) Chris Gbandi (4).

Above: Coach Simon draws up plays during halftime of the UConn match.

The Bluejays gather for a team huddle before their national title match against the University of Connecticut.

30 SPRING 2001 Left: From left, Pat Davis, Ryan Small, Zach Piercy and Mullan sign soccer balls for fans at the Final Four.

Below: Creighton’s Henning, along with the rest of the team, is greeted by cheering fans at Eppley Airfield upon the team’s arrival back in Omaha. Photos by DonDoll, S.J.

Fox, left, consoles Sawarynski after Creighton’s loss to UConn in the national title match. The Bluejays finished the season with a record of 22-4-0.

SPRING 2001 31 By Robert P. Heaney, M.D. John A. Creighton University Professor

Editor’s note: This is the first install- ment in a year-long Creighton University Magazine series on health care. Future articles will focus on the case for universal health coverage, the high cost of prescription drugs, and the pros and cons of managed care.

n 1972, Nobel Prize-winning Dphysician and infectious disease expert Macfarlane Burnet looked back over a century of triumphs won by vaccines, hygiene and antibiotics and predicted that the future of infectious disease would be very dull. That was just shortly before the recognition of Lyme disease, AIDS, Ebola virus and antibiotic resistant tuberculosis. The truth is no one is an expert about things he or she has not experienced. It would be folly to predict what biomedical science will look like during this new century. But there are some well-defined forces, main- ly outside of medicine, as well as a few new developments within medicine, which surely will affect medicine in the future. Some of these external forces include our ever increasing energy use, the graying of the population, sedentary lifestyles, stricter man- dates for safety and efficacy, myri- ad ethical issues and technophobia. Let’s briefly examine each. @‘‡r hy s‚ pr†) A ‚€ rr t’ qrƒyr‡v‚ ‡‚ ‡rpu‚ƒu‚ivh The United States, with less than 5 percent of global population, con- sumes more than 30 percent of total world energy. The problem is not

Photo by Monte Kruse, BA’83 Pictured left is Dr. Robert Heaney.

32 SPRING 2001 confined to North America. Nor is it ratio will drop to 2-to-1. It is not just cause of these problems and still just gasoline and electricity. Every- a question of funding Social Securi- watch them increase all around us. thing we use and throw away is ty. Many of the elderly need a great The truth is: The machinery of the based in energy. Every service and deal of care. Who is to provide that human body was shaped by evolu- product we buy has an energy care? And who will pay the bill? tion to do physical work, not to be equivalency. Energy is the ultimate As we have become a more idle. Our bones and muscles atro- currency. Jobs in the production sec- sedentary society, one health conse- phy when we are inactive, and our tor are dependent upon our buying quence, already too prominent to bodies grow fat. There is no fix for and using and discarding, that except a four-letter and then buying again. word: work. Per capita energy con- Often ignored in the sumption in the United health care debate is the States doubled from 1960 cost-inflating effect of our to 1980 and continues to societal mandate for safety increase today. Available and efficacy. While no one fossil fuel reserves are being wants unsafe or unproven depleted faster than new treatments, we have failed sources are being discov- to reckon the cost. Actual ered, and many oil industry costs for drug development executives predict that there have increased more than will be serious petroleum seven-fold over the past 35 shortages by 2025. When the years, after adjusting for imbalance finally constricts inflation. In my field of utilization, the Western osteoporosis research, the economies will be hard hit. last three agents approved Science will be affected, just by the FDA cost their manu- like all other sectors of soci- facturers more than $600 ety, but medicine particular- million each in efficacy ly so, since research funding testing costs alone; further, demands a healthy economy these tests used up most of and health care costs the patent lives of the drugs already consume a large before the first pill could be share of our gross domestic sold. Naturally, therefore,

product. Photo by Monte Kruse, BA’83 the cost per pill is high. By 2040, the number of Laurie Smith, a third-year occupational therapy Only diseases with large Americans over age 65 will student at Creighton, assists 83-year-old Joseph Bant of patient populations can Omaha. By 2040, the number of Americans 80 and older more than double; the num- is expected to increase six-fold, putting a tremendous sustain the associated costs. ber of those 80 and older strain on our country’s health care system. Dozens of promising drugs will increase six-fold. Health have been pulled out of care expenditures in the United ignore, results from the combina- development in recent years simply States today account for about 15 tion of a sharp decline in physical because their manufacturers sat percent of the gross domestic prod- work and easy access to empty calo- down and reckoned the return, and uct, the highest in the world. With ries — obesity. Epidemic obesity decided to cut their losses. Third- the rise in the numbers of depend- has overwhelmed this country, with party payors also limit or resist ent elderly, health care costs will its associated cluster of medical reimbursement for new, expensive at least triple. Today in the United problems — adult onset diabetes, drugs and procedures, creating States, there are about four hypertension, micro-nutrient mal- barriers between research advances employed individuals for every nutrition and degenerative arthritis. and the people who need them. retired person. Within 25 years, that It is frustrating to understand the Finally, we are confronted daily

SPRING 2001 33 not to the faces in front of them, but to the faceless throng behind them, the faces they could not see, with problems they knew only as statis- tics, not personally. Finally, while advances in medi- cine — the cure and control of dis- ease — are all technology-based, there seems to be a growing techno- phobia in Western society, which could greatly hinder medical progress. We see this technophobia in such diverse ways as the opposi- tion 40 years ago to the fluoridation of municipal water supplies and the recent repeal of fluoridation in many communities. We see it in Photo by AP Wide World Photos World Photo by AP Wide Liz Welch holds a “CampBULLS” sign during a rally last summer in resistance to immunization and the Minneapolis protesting genetically engineered foods, specifically targeting recent epidemic of measles in the Campbell’s and Kellogg’s brands. Is this opposition to genetically altered Netherlands in children whose par- food part of a growing technophobia in Western society, which could greatly hinder medical progress? ents refused the measles vaccine. We see it in current opposition to with the spectacle of politicians pos- payment in advance — in U.S. genetically engineered foods and turing about high drug costs and dollars — 100,000 of them. to the use of animals in medical the need to rein in an out-of-control Fortunately, the transplant research, in the rise of herbal and industry. But it is government that worked. But how do you stop at alternative medicine, in the lure of escalates the requirements for drug one? A second worker’s child need- the “natural” as somehow better, approval and we who tell govern- ed a transplant, and he was sent to and in a new, militant vegan move- ment what to do. In the words of Vienna as well. After a few more, it ment. How much difference these Pogo, “We have met the enemy and became clear to Yugoslav authori- diverse pressures will make is hard he is us.” ties that the economy could not to say, but they succeeded in block- While there are many ethical sustain this hemorrhage of scarce ing until just this year the radiation issues, perhaps the most vexing foreign currency reserves. But, sterilization of meat; they have led questions surround the issue of instead of saying “no” to trans- to the expunging of the word rationing of scarce resources. How plants, the Ministry of Health opted “nuclear” from nuclear magnetic do we say “no”? To my view, the instead to set up its own transplant resonance imaging (now “MRI”); problem is most clearly seen in its unit in Zagreb. and they have significantly real human dimensions in the story The most poignant aspect of this increased the cost of feeding our- behind the establishing of a bone resolution was the frank admission selves and of doing business gener- marrow transplant unit in Croatia that doing transplants at all, ally, as well as doing medical 20 years ago. There, in a socialist whether inside or outside of the research specifically. economy with perhaps the world’s economy, effectively diverted most democratic input into health Yugoslav health resources from 8h €rqvphy ƒ ‚t r†† †h‰r ˆ†4 care resource allocation decisions, a raising health levels in rural com- Even with a cloudy crystal ball workers’ committee sent a child munities, and that the same money it is easy to see that the aggregate with leukemia across the border could have saved far more lives and effect of these external forces will to Vienna for a transplant. The produced far more health benefits be a slowing of medical progress; Austrians, unable to pay their had it been used in that way. The the increase of some old, familiar employees in dinars, demanded workers’ committees did say “no,” diseases; the emergence of new

34 SPRING 2001 problems; and a constriction and mistake in the genetic blueprint. between the cause and the cure. limitation of resources. We suddenly understood both the Finding a way to bridge that chasm But, one might object, medical cause and how it produced the ill- is time-consuming and expensive. progress, by preventing disease, ness. As scientists we had “solved” With sickle cell anemia, the market will surely reduce costs and the problem. What did we do? We is deemed “too small” to repay the demand. Unfortunately, it does not dusted off our hands and went on investment needed to develop a usually work that way. We all must safe, effective treatment. die sometime and of something. Ds r‰r ’ ƒr †‚ ‚‰r htr For more common disorders, Old autos develop multiple prob- %$ r r ‡‚ uh‰r wˆ†‡ ‚r where the market is larger, the lems toward the ends of their work- hqqv‡v‚hy uvtu‡vpxr‡ economies for drug development ing lives. So do old bodies. To die are right. But here, the prospect of young and quickly is costly for ƒ ‚prqˆ r v uv† ‚ ur mass medicating whole populations underpopulated societies perhaps, r€hvvt yvsr urhy‡u lifelong, even with inexpensive in terms of lost talent and produc- ph r r‘ƒrqv‡ˆ r† v ‡ur interventions, often turns out not to tivity, but it is cheap medically. We be cost effective. And the problem are increasingly good at repairs and Vv‡rq T‡h‡r† ‚ˆyq vp rh†r of dealing with inevitable safety replacements, and organ cloning i’ ," ivyyv‚ issues, of unavoidable idiosyncratic promises to expand our capability reactors to any drug imaginable substantially. But providing those to new intellectual challenges. And, and their associated costs, is

services is not cheap. Organ trans- 51 years later, we have yet to apply daunting at best. Uur Ir‘‡  `rh † v 7v‚€rqvphy Tpvrpr† plants today typically cost $100,000 that knowledge to help a single suf- to $200,000 and major joint replace- ferer of sickle cell anemia. That is Ir qr‰ry‚ƒ€r‡†) ments $50,000. There is no foresee- partly because sickle cell anemia is A ‚€ trr‡vp† ‡‚ €vp ‚‡rpu‚y‚t’ able way of reducing those costs a minority problem, but mainly To single out any of the many appreciably. If every person over because there is a wide chasm currents in today’s stream of age 65 were to have just one addi- tional high-ticket procedure in his or her remaining life, health care expenditures in the United States would increase by $300 billion. Even if emerging technologies were somehow, miraculously, to offer the potential of preventing the need for these costly procedures, I am not optimistic that we would Death thereby solve the problem, in part because our record to date has been so poor and in part because even a “miracle” fix will be costly. and A good example is the case of sickle cell anemia. Over a half cen- tury ago Linus Pauling discovered the cause of this disorder — the substitution of a single, wrong amino acid in the hemoglobin mole- cule. The discovery was literally the Cloned piglets, such as these from Scotland-based PPL Therapeutics, born last dawn of the age of molecular biolo- March, may soon be genetically engineered to switch off certain genes so that their organs or cells would be more readily accepted by the human body. While gy since, for the first time, a disease this would greatly expand our capabilities to provide organ and cell trans- was shown to be caused by a plants, it wouldn’t necessarily make these procedures any less expensive. Life

SPRING 2001 35 and sooner or later some payback in terms of health will be expected. Virtually nightly we read in the paper about the discovery of a gene for this disease or that. The promise always, at least implicit, is that we will soon be able to treat or prevent the disease concerned. And maybe we will. But that development will generally be determined by market forces. Nevertheless, the pharmaceutical industry is pouring literally billions of dollars each year into this work. As new path- ways causing disease are uncov- ered, new opportunities emerge to tailor-make drugs to fit very specific applications. Science also is working on the Photo by AP Wide World Photos World Photo by AP Wide In June, President Clinton joined Dr. Craig Venter, left, president of Celera business of replacing defective Genomics Corporation, and Dr. Francis Collins, right, director of the National genes. So far we have not been very Institutes of Health, to announce the completion of the initial sequencing of successful, but it seems likely that the human genome, the working blueprint for human beings. The discovery was seen as one of history’s great scientific milestones, the biological equivalent of we will ultimately figure out how to the moon landing. do it. Whether doing so will ever be inexpensive is less clear. But cost biomedical technology is itself an tions and their problems. Scientifi- effective or not, success will force us exercise in prediction, and hence cally, at least, this frontier promises to address the question of what inherently risky. But let’s examine to be both challenging and exciting. genes we should change. The genes two areas that seem to qualify But the funds supporting this for killer diseases, of course. But unreservedly as progress — gene work are ultimately disease-driven every aspect of our bodies and research and microtechnology. their functioning has at least High on everybody’s list is a partially genetic basis and the human genome project and is therefore susceptible to advances in molecular genetics tinkering. Should we do so? generally. The genome project Probably not. Will we? If is the mapping of the entire set we can, almost surely we of blueprints for the machinery will — creating yet other of human life. The translation ethical issues. of the blueprint was completed We also are surrounded last June, but the work is not by marvels of miniaturiza- over, since we have found that, tion — computers, cellular in most cases, the blueprints phones, GPS systems, are for biological machines headset radios. Medicine Photo by AP Wide World Photos World Photo by AP Wide whose functions we do not yet Miniaturization will continue to is no exception, with tiny understand. Nevertheless, the impact medicine. The above image, generated by fiberoptic TV cameras to work is opening immense new an electron micrograph, shows an experimental probe every nook and cranny territories for exploration and microneedle, with 400 tiny spikes. The tiny of our bodies, diagnostic needles can deliver drugs without pain because providing unprecedented tools they penetrate only the outermost layer of skin and surgical procedures for unraveling biological func- that contains no nerve endings. that can be done with less

36 SPRING 2001 because theconcentrationof many micro-nutrient malnutrition.Thisis reduced quantityeatenleadsto need, andsowegetfat. Also the eat less,ittendstobemore thanwe eat asmuch. And eventhoughwe which meanswecannotafford to decreased energy expenditures, these three mustinteract. trate someofthewaysthatatleast ing andtechnophobia—illus- physical activity, geneticengineer- just three ofthem—decreased one another. However, letmetake out, interactingwithandagainst predict precisely howtheywillplay cine. Itwouldbefoolishtotry next centuryofbiologyandmedi- of theforces thatwillshapethis not atlesscost. cations aswell.But,unfortunately, chronic diseases,andfewercompli- of lifeformanyindividualswith almost certainlyabetterquality and stick”methods.Theresult: is possiblewiththecurrent “prick far more physiologicallythan from implanted reservoirs of insulin control release blood sugarlevelsconstantlyand example, canpotentiallymonitor when implantedindiabeticsfor biological sensingmechanismsthat, marriage ofelectronic chipsand tion. More spectacularstillisthe health, allbecauseofminiaturiza- dreds ofsubstancesimportantfor far lessbloodtoanalyzeforhun- On thediagnosticside,itnowtakes far more thanknivesandclamps.) much lesscost.(Thenewtoolscost disability —butinterestingly, not ma, andshorterhospitalstays invasiveness, lessincidentaltrau- Xuh‡ q‚r† ‡uv† hyy €rh s‚ ˆ†4 Decreased physicalwork means I havesketchilyoutlinedafew

Photo by AP Wide World Photos in micesotheanimalsburnmore fat. control theirweightthrough genetic turn upanaturalmetabolicfurnace Researchers havefoundthatwitha single geneticalteration,theycan Will humanssomedaybeableto their products richersources ofthe food plantsandanimalstomake changing thegeneticstructure of ture offoodproducts aswellfor needed nutrientsinthemanufac- then withheating. — firstwithshelterandclothing, engineer ourphysicalenvironment higher latitudes,wehavehadto Africa, andinorder tomove for theclimateofequatorialEast tors. Thehumanbodywasevolved our response to environmental fac- engineering inotherdimensionsof neered foods. We havedonesimilar nity —indeedaneedforengi- reversing. Here there isanopportu- toward decreased physicalactivity once again,Idonotseethetrend sis forces usalltodophysicalwork total foodintakes. too lowtosustainhealthatreduced essential nutrientsinmostfoodsis The technologyexistsforadding Unless theinevitableenergy cri- manipulation? the bodyintothinkingitdoes not mutant genethat,ineffect, tricks at Creighton havediscovered a billions onthegeneralprospect. maceutical industryisbetting As Ihavealready noted,thephar- mass? Theanswerisprobably yes. for control ofappetite and forbone we changehowourgeneswork— ly changeourphysicalactivity, can slip andfall.Ifwecannotrealistical- protect againstfractures whenwe or televisionscreen isnotenoughto needed tositatacomputerterminal problem isthattheskeletalmass programmed intoourgenesin store energy, inotherwords —was current energy expenditures —to to eatmore foodthanweneedfor and geneticresearch. Thetendency the meetingofsedentarylifestyle tion ofneedandopportunity, itis engineered foodsmore costly. will win,buttheyatleastmake doubtful thatthetechnophobes such engineered products. Itis phobes whofearandopposeall running upagainstthetechno- is already underway, butitalsois nutrients weneed.Thatmovement paleolithic timesasahedgeagainst genes tooperatethisway. The loads. Itisprogrammed intoour bone asweneedforcurrent work- for bonemass,andadultslose cally wemaintainonlyasmuch some ofthebonetheyhave.Basi- In thecaseofbone,researchers But ifeverthere wasaconjunc- achieve theirgeneticpotential most ofusinthedeveloped nations. Butourbodiesstill follow theancientblueprints. Moreover, without physical activity, children failto SPRING 200137 longer aproblem for Famine isno future food shortages. Uur Ir‘‡  `rh † and Life Death v 7v‚€rqvphy Tpvrpr† have enough bone for current ing that high bone mass gene are These are some of the possibili- mechanical loads. Individuals very likely to do for the rest of us ties. Something like them will carrying that gene, therefore, make what the gene does for its posses- surely happen. more bone tissue and thus have sors, that is, give us more bone I opened with a quote from a a much stronger skeleton than than we really need to sit at a Nobel Prize winner, an erroneous average. New drugs developed terminal (but enough to withstand prediction as it turned out. Let me to be active in the pathway express- occasional injury). close with a quote from another

Hrqvphy hq‰hpr† p‚€r v‡u €hw‚ „ˆr†‡v‚†

By Richard L. O’Brien, M.D. Professor of Medicine, Center for Health Policy and Ethics

At the turn of a new millennium, health care resources equitably or It is easy to imagine medical be it Jan. 1, 2000 or 2001, it is tempt- reserve them to the few who can advances in the next 50 years. The ing to look to the future, to imagine command them by wealth, sympa- pharmaceutical revolution will con- changes in medical science and thy or political clout? tinue, accelerated by knowledge of health care. Of one thing the effect of genes on individ- we can be certain: Changes ual responses to pharmaceutic in science and technology agents. Gene therapy will be will be revolutionary — well established, organs for and costly. But the major implant will be grown in challenges of these revolu- laboratories, robotics will be tionary changes will be important in health care, social and ethical. The imaging advances will elimi- most important will arise nate invasive diagnostic from technology that will procedures. enable us to manipulate But let’s venture into a human biology in ways more distant future, say 250 to that now would seem 1,000 years from now. Admit- (almost) unnatural. tedly the crystal ball is a little Humans will ask: Should murky. Things undreamed of we do what we can do? will be known. But let’s be Who should have access? brave! Let’s venture into a And how will we deal with “brave new world.” the consequences? A mother’s womb will no These are not new ques- longer be necessary for birth. tions. But their cogency It will be possible to initiate and urgency will increase and sustain fertilization, as we more effectively embryo formation and fetal control and manipulate development through full natural processes and phe- gestation outside the womb. nomena. In the short term, Family planning? We will be say 50 years, the major Photo by Monte Kruse, BA’83 able to plan, or rather, design Dr. O’Brien believes access to health care and challenge will be one of use of technology will be the major issues facing our progeny! It will be possi- justice. Will we distribute medicine in the future. ble to design babies by

38 SPRING 2001 Nobel Laureate, Niels Bohr, one of more than 300 scientific articles and people of the year in 1986 for starting the founders of modern physics, chapters and is the author of three what the Times called “the calcium who said: “Prediction is very diffi- books — one of which was honored in craze.” Heaney has served as The John cult, especially about the future.” 1988 as one of the 10 best scientific A. Creighton University Professor — —About the author: Dr. Heaney is a books for the general reader. Heaney Creighton’s first all-University world-renowned scientist in the field also was named by the New York endowed chair — since the chair of bone tissue. He has published Times as one of the 10 most influential was established in 1983.

selecting sperm and ova with if societies remain free, there are eliminate them? completely known genomes. And likely to be individuals with SHOULD we? sometime in the next 1,000 years we behavior-induced diseases. Will death become voluntary ... will be able to design our progeny Of course, this superb control of or mandated? completely. Having the ability to disease will further exacerbate pop- What will be the retirement age? manipulate genes will make possi- ulation aging. Most will reach the If life expectancy is 900 years, is ble the design of a child with exact- natural limit of human age, perhaps retirement age 750? Oh, let’s hope ly defined characteristics. Will we, 120 to 130 years. that technology has progressed to should we? If there is consensus on We will still have to deal with the point that production of food, one or a few most desirable geno- the effects of aging, to provide com- goods and services necessary for Uur Ir‘‡  `rh † v 7v‚€rqvphy Tpvrpr† types, it may become difficult to fort as we wrinkle, weaken and the GOOD LIFE is so automated distinguish one individual from that it requires light oversight by another. Everyone may look alike! only a few of us, or perhaps none of What a world that would be! Xr €h’ svq ‚ˆ †ry‰r† us if our robots are good enough. More satisfying, genetic manipu- hiyr ‡‚ ƒ‚†‡ƒ‚r t rh‡y’ Then most or all of us can engage in lation will move us from what Lew htvt hq qrh‡u P a perpetual round of pleasure. Thomas called halfway technolo- Can we do that? For how long? gies to fully curative and preventive ryv€vh‡r ‡ur€4 Maybe Gershwin hinted at the medicine. Through gene therapy, TCPVG9 r4 nature of the dilemma (and offered we will be able to ablate, repair or an answer to whether we should) supplement defective genes; every- when he suggested: one may be made disease free. wear out in our inevitable disease- Methus’lah lived nine hundred These advances will render free decline toward the end. years. health care less expensive and will Or will we? But who calls that livin’

reduce the need for much, if not Methus’lah lived nine hundred When no gal will give in Death most, health care. At lower cost we years. To no man what’s nine hundred may be able to provide this won- Methus’lah lived nine hundred years? drous technology to all. A truly years. —About the author: A 1960 medical and salutary effect! As genomes are analyzed and alumnus of Creighton University, Dr. The major role of health care will manipulated, genes related to aging O’Brien served as dean of the School of be provision of efficient gene thera- will not be ignored. Genes that Medicine from 1982-92 and vice presi- pies applied to children or fetuses promote or retard aging have been dent for Health Sciences from 1984- to eliminate most diseases before found and characterized. The life 1999. Before returning to Creighton in they develop. Or we may design spans of flies and worms have 1982, he conducted research in molecu- disease out of the human genome been doubled or quadrupled by lar and cellular biology and immunolo- completely. genetic manipulation, those of mice gy at the University of Southern Trauma will remain with us, as significantly extended. We may California. He also was director of the will continuously evolving and find ourselves able to postpone USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer emerging microbial pathogens. And greatly aging and death. Or Center and Hospital. Life

SPRING 2001 39 DEVELOPMENT NEWS

Fr. Hauser Scholarship Fund Answers Call for Teachers by Therese Vaughn Director of Development Communications “Education is not merely a means for earning a living or an instrument for the acquisition of wealth. It is an initiation into life of spirit, a training of the human soul in the pursuit of truth and the practice of virtue.” ~ Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit Photo by Dave Weaver Fr. Richard J. Hauser, S.J., in the Creighton board room.

Today, aspiring teachers from all disciplines are in critically high demand, and trained theology teachers are an even greater rarity. Creighton University has answered the call for religious educators through the Theology major/Education co-major and Youth Ministry program. Designed to accommodate the growing number of students interested in education and theology, the pro- gram will prepare new teachers to take their places in parochial schools around the country. In addition, Creighton’s nationally recognized Youth Ministry program, offered in partnership with the Archdiocese of Omaha and the Center for Ministry Development in Connecticut, provides career opportunities for Catholics and Protestants in teaching, service and youth ministry. “With Nebraska being one of begging every year for lack of quali- 1996 to 1999, as well as director of only two states to offer certification fied applicants. Furthermore, the three master’s programs, Fr. Hauser in religious education, the condi- fastest growing area in ministry is captures the spirit of the initiative. tions are ripe for Creighton’s initia- in youth ministry. Jesuits have He once said, “I’d die a happy man tive,” said longtime chair of the always tried to serve the Church if my calling as a theology professor theology department Fr. Richard J. where the need was the greatest. and Jesuit priest would warrant the Hauser, S.J. “It is a sad fact that What a golden opportunity for epitaph: He helped us recognize many religion teachers have never Creighton to serve the Church.” God’s presence in our lives.” had formal training in theology and As chair of the Department of To honor Fr. Hauser’s extraordi- that many religion teaching jobs go Theology from 1978 to 1990 and nary presence, the Creighton

40 SPRING 2001 DEVELOPMENT NEWS

community, alumni and friends About Fr. Hauser young people, Fr. Hauser taps into formed a core group to support Ordained in 1968 when Vatican today’s students’ quest for meaning. the Theology major/Education co- II’s spirit of aggiornamento was first “Never in my many years at major and to spearhead the Richard taking root, Fr. Hauser has long pro- Creighton have students come with J. Hauser, S.J. Endowed Scholarship vided students with a distinctive such a thirst for deeper spirituality,” Fund. Core group members include: education that forms character, he said. “These students recognize T.J. Bolt, DDS’84; Pat Cooper, BA’99; informs the mind and transforms that something is missing in their Al Fleming, MD’84; Joe Hauser, the spirit. Themes of discernment, lives and find this missing dimen- BA’77; Harry Jenkins, MD’54; Joe personal prayer, mysticism, suffer- sion here at Creighton. They, then, LaFave, BA’76; Jerry Mancuso, MD’86; ing and contemporary spirituality want to share the treasure they Bob McQuillan, MD’88; Bill Nosek, in today’s real world resonate found with others. I’m hoping the BSPha’60; and Joe Coleman, BSBA’82. throughout his teaching, three books scholarship makes this possible.” The Fr. Hauser Scholarship will and numerous published articles. enable Creighton students, major- Former Hauser student Gail Ritsch Did you know ing in theology, to train in youth said of Fr. Hauser’s special connec- The year 2000 marked the 25th ministry or elementary and second- tion with young people, “Father anniversary of Fr. Hauser’s celebrat- ary parochial school education. looks after (Creighton’s theology) ed Candlelight Mass. Moreover, scholarship recipients programs, and the students involved, Every Sunday since 1975, Fr. will go on to live, work and teach with more than administrative care. Hauser has presided at the 10 p.m. by Fr. Hauser’s example. Private He truly enjoys getting to know Mass in St. John’s Church on solicitations have already yielded students, their life experiences and Creighton’s campus. Nearly 400 more than $200,000, which is career goals, and helping students students gather for this weekly expected to grow significantly as overcome obstacles, financial and student-centered celebration, which an appeal is made to the entire otherwise, so they can achieve a Fr. Hauser describes as his “most Creighton community for support. degree.” religious, most pastoral experience Contributions to the scholarship With his unique insight into of the week.” fund will help ensure that Fr. Hauser’s teachings continue to inspire not only his students but Joe Coleman, BSBA’82, an attorney in Dallas, helped spearhead the those scores of youngsters they go Fr. Hauser Scholarship. He said of the scholarship: on to teach after graduation. One of the most important objec- “We are amazed at the initial response of alumni in supporting the Hauser Scholarship and tives the fund will serve is to enable are particularly pleased to announce the scholarship to the entire Creighton family in this arti- students to pursue a course of cle. The Hauser Scholarship has apparently hit a chord with a lot of people. Whether it is the study in theology and education cause — to enable students desiring to learn how to teach religion — or the man it is honor- ing, the scholarship seems to address important issues on several levels. Creighton’s Admis- they might otherwise abandon sion’s Office reports that many high school seniors are enthusiastic about Creighton’s new because of financial reasons. joint Theology major/Education co-major in general and the Hauser Scholarship in particular. Renowned for its tradition of public Nationwide, virtually all dioceses are in serious need of qualified religion teachers to fill the service, Creighton remains commit- void left by the significantly diminishing number of nuns, priests and brothers over the last ted to the principle that a liberal several decades. Not only does the Hauser Scholarship directly fulfill Creighton’s mission, but it honors a man who helped many, many people truly find Jesus in their daily lives. The core arts education should be accessible group is excited not only by the alumni’s initial response, but also by the long-term ripple effect to any high-achieving person, irre- the scholarship will have upon the religious formation of children for generations to come. Our spective of the student’s ability to challenge, at this point, is to raise sufficient funds to enable the Hauser Scholarship to have pay. The Fr. Hauser Scholarship an impact worthy of its name.” Fund will help reduce the amount of debt that recipients incur so that Gifts and pledges to the Richard J. Hauser, S.J. Endowed they may pursue careers in fields Scholarship Fund may be sent to the Creighton University Office of that are traditionally underpaid Development, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, Nebraska 68178-0115 such as teaching, theology, social or you may call 1-800-334-8794. work and ministry. For more information, please visit www.creighton.edu/hauserfund.

SPRING 2001 41 DEVELOPMENT NEWS

ANONYMOUS DONOR SHOWS FORESIGHT WITH GIFT TO PHONATHON MORE CREIGHTON’S DIVISION OF OPHTHALMOLOGY EFFICIENT WITH A potent force, gratitude is a lens Program offers a meaningful way to SMARTCALL through which life’s blessings appear rich recognize and celebrate the care patients Hear your phone ringing? It may and multi-chromatic. This past year, a or their loved ones receive at Creighton be an old friend calling. Through member of Creighton’s community, who University’s Medical Center. Creighton University’s Office of wishes to remain Creighton physi- Development, current students anonymous, demon- cians and Saint contact alumni, parents and friends strated far-reaching Joseph Hospital serve during the school year to encourage vision with a gift to in the Jesuit tradition Annual Fund participation. Gifts to Creighton’s Division of service to others, the Annual Fund contribute more of Ophthalmology in providing care to than $11,000 each day to underwrite the Department of those who may not the University’s operating expenses. Surgery. Having be able to afford These gifts are used immediately been treated for medical attention. and help hold the line on tuition retinal disease, the Gifts to Creighton’s increases. For students, this means donor was very Grateful Patient Pro- a “hidden annual scholarship” of grateful for the gram help advance more than $630 each. restoration of her Creighton’s mis- The University reaches out to its vision. What truly sion of education,

constituents through letters, cards made a difference, Photo by Monte Kruse, BA’83 research and service and phone calls. Staffed by student however, was her M. Roy Wilson, M.D., interim vice to new levels of callers, Creighton’s phonathon has physician who was president for Health Sciences, dean of the excellence. been vastly enhanced through a new concerned with her School of Medicine and professor of Chief of the Oph- surgery (ophthalmology), works with phone system, appropriately named emotional and spiri- thalmology Division some of the new equipment. SmartCall. The high-tech phone tual health as well. She Dr. Ira Priluck is excited system will enable student callers showed her appreciation for this Jesuit about the effect the contribution will have to contact all Creighton graduates tradition of cura personalis, or care for the on both the Division of Ophthalmology in one school year. whole person, by helping the division and future patients. “Creighton University Assistant Director of the Annual purchase more than $100,000 in new med- and Saint Joseph Hospital are fortunate to Fund Joseph Gnorski said, “The new ical equipment. Her extraordinary gift will have thoughtful friends who support the system provides students with more help enhance Creighton’s ophthalmology work that we do and the services we pro- potential to develop relationships division and aid countless members of the vide,” he said. “When others join in the with the entire Creighton communi- community. Jesuit spirit of patient care, a greater good ty. It also allows our alumni to catch Creighton physicians, nurses and staff is achieved for the entire community. I am up on what’s new on campus, and are often asked by their patients, “How very grateful to this donor for helping gives students an opportunity to can I say ‘thank you’ to those people who enhance Creighton’s ophthalmology care realize the legacy of which they’re made a difference?” The Grateful Patient and development.” a part. Students hear about Creighton’s living history and NEW FACES IN DEVELOPMENT OFFICE ever-growing community.” Creighton’s Office of Development is pleased to welcome two Each year, more than 10,000 peo- new staff members, Carrie Albers and Joseph Gnorski. ple participate in Annual Fund giv- Albers joined the Creighton staff from Aurora University where ing, many through the phonathon. she served as the coordinator of the annual fund. Currently an Their support advances Creighton’s assistant director of annual giving, Albers oversees the Annual mission of education, research and Fund direct mail campaign. service, as well as enhancing the Prior to joining the Creighton development office, Gnorski held stature of the University and the the position of assistant director of the annual fund at Marquette value of a Creighton degree.

University. Gnorski manages the Annual Fund phonathon pro- Photo by Monte Kruse, BA’83 gram, also serving as an assistant director of annual giving. Gnorski and Albers

42 SPRING 2001 DEVELOPMENT NEWS

THE REV. JACK ZUERCHER, S.J. ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIP HELPS STUDENTS IN THE SCHOOL OF LAW Since 1976, the Rev. Jack Zuercher, S.J., immediate impact on recipients. since 1976, Fr. Zuercher was rector of the has been a beloved friend, teacher and The first scholarship recipient, Martin Jesuit community and part-time instruc- Jesuit to the Creighton community. Klein, is an active third-year law student. tor for the psychology department. In Known for his uncommon wit, Fr. Klein serves as treasurer of the Phi Alpha 1983, Fr. Zuercher established Creighton’s Zuercher wears many hats — literally — Delta legal fraternity, is a member of the Collaborative Ministry Office, while serv- from fedora to sou’wester to straw-hat, ing as chaplain of the law school. Stu- depending on the season. dents remember him for his Recently, a Creighton couple, who responsiveness, accessibility and a week- wished to remain anonymous, paid trib- ly publication, called Fr. Z’s Briefs that ute to Fr. Zuercher by creating The Rev. included various anecdotes, stories and Jack Zuercher, S.J. Endowed Scholarship words of wisdom. Currently, Zuercher is Fund to assist Creighton law school stu- serving as the regional assistant for the dents. One of the donors studied at the Christian Life Communities’ (CLC) North law school while Fr. Zuercher, or Fr. Z Photo by Dave Weaver Central Region. as many fondly call him, served as the Fr. Zuercher and Dean Borchers Patrick Borchers, dean of the School of school’s chaplain. According to the Robert M. Squire chapter of the American Law, is thrilled to have thoughtful alumni graduate, Fr. Zuercher had a powerful Inn of Court and is a member of the who care about the school, its former influence on her education and life while Creighton Law Review. chaplain and future students. she was a student, and continues to be “This scholarship allows me to work “Our school is extremely fortunate to both counselor and friend to her and fewer hours, so I can devote more time to have caring alumni and friends who wish her husband. my studies,” Klein said. “I am grateful for to assist our students in financing their The grateful couple fully endowed the the contribution the couple has made to legal education,” Borchers said. scholarship fund through a bequest in my academic endeavors.” “Through their generosity, more and their will of $125,000 and are making Fr. Zuercher is honored to be associated more young men and women are able to annual contributions of $1,000 to ensure with the scholarship fund. At Creighton achieve their professional goals.”

ESTATE AND TRUST SERVICES HELPS ALUMNI AND FRIENDS by Steve Scholer, JD’79, Director of Estate & Trust Services It is my pleasure to introduce motivate private giving, but my 15 forever linked at Creighton with a perpetual Creighton University Magazine’s first years of working with Creighton endowment.” … “It gives me great joy to Estate and Trust Services benefactors have led me to believe share with others, especially those I do not column. Long before that alumni and friends support the even know.” These representative com- estate taxes were institut- University in order to thank their alma ments provide a glimpse into the moti- ed, Mary Lucretia mater and help advance the institution’s vation behind private giving to Creighton decided to mission of education, research and Creighton. honor her husband and service. Creighton’s Office of Estate and Trust provide immigrant boys Over the years, I have heard scores of Services helps alumni and friends cre- an education through an Creighton donors express to me why ate plans that best express their charita- estate gift. Out of this gift they give to the University: “Creighton ble wishes for the University. It is our has evolved an institution worked with me and helped me financially. pleasure, at no obligation, to discuss

Photo by Monte Kruse, BA’83 that has now granted It is my turn to help others.” … “The how Creighton supporters can translate Scholer more than 60,000 degrees Jesuits, faculty and staff are so dedicated their unique philanthropic visions into and touched the lives of millions of that I wanted to express my appreciation for named endowed scholarships, faculty people. their efforts.” … “Creighton meant every- chairs, library funds and other pro- Private giving continues to shape the thing to my husband. It is where we met grams. Please contact us at (402) 280- mission of Creighton University. It is and he received his degree. It is only 2740, or 1-800-334-8794 for more often assumed that tax deductions appropriate, therefore, that his name be information.

SPRING 2001 43 THE LAST WORD

Is the Economy Headed for a ‘Soft’ or ‘Hard’ Landing? By Ernest P. Goss, Ph.D. Jack A. MacAllister Endowed Chair of Regional Economics

he United States is enjoying its longest period of unin- tain states include Colorado, Utah and Wyoming.) Tterrupted economic expansion ever. Since March of Our data show that employment growth over the past 1991, the U.S. economy has grown at an annual rate of 1.4 two years among the Mid-American states was primarily a percent, as measured by job growth. result of new workers entering the work force from high The number of employed Americans has climbed from school, college or from the household. Only a small share 108 million in 1991 to more than 132 million today; unem- of the new workers, 0.6 percent, came from interstate ployment has dipped to its lowest levels since 1969; and migration. Among the Mountain states, only Colorado productivity, in terms of output per worker, has increased attracted more workers from other states than it lost. at a rate of more than 3 percent per year. Because of record-low unemployment rates and an But how long will this prosperity last? inability to attract new workers, most states in the two The Federal Reserve has long viewed the economic survey regions will not have the labor force needed to expansion as “too strong” () match the economic expan- because of the danger of * sion experienced over the inflation. In an effort to cool + past two years. the expansion, the Fed has Creighton University , increased interest rates six began its monthly 12-state times between June 1999 - economic survey — which and May 2000. . queries more than 1,100 of the These rate hikes increase / region’s purchasing managers borrowing costs for con- 0 and business leaders — sumers and businesses as 1 in September 1994. This banks pass along the rate work is supported by a grant Annual Unemployment Percentage Unemployment Annual ( hikes to borrowers. Thus, from Wells Fargo Bank of ) businesses are less likely to R-. R,) R,. R+) R+. R*) R*. 1))) Nebraska. expand their plants or The indices computed The national unemployment rate dropped to 4 percent acquire new equipment, in 2000, its lowest level since 1969. from the survey serve as lead- and consumers are less like- ing economic indicators and, ly to purchase new homes or automobiles. The 1.75 percent since the survey’s beginning, have generally pointed to in rate hikes were intended to place economic growth on a robust growth in the 12 states. slower, more sustainable, pace — resulting in what is often However, recently, these surveys have portrayed a less termed a “soft landing.” optimistic future economic picture — with higher energy Despite these rate hikes, the national economy has con- prices, higher borrowing costs and a booming trade deficit tinued to grow at a strong pace and unemployment, this slowing economic growth. past fall, dipped to levels not experienced in more than What this means for our continued economic ex- three decades. In fact, national employment data indicate pansion nationally is difficult to predict. As I expected, that the rate hikes have failed to significantly slow job the Fed reduced interest rates in the first quarter of 2001, growth, with employment growth rising from 1.9 percent which should improve the growth picture for the second in June 1999 to 2.2 percent in September 2000. half of 2001. But I expect any growth to remain on a slow However, there is mounting evidence that employment pace for most states in the two survey regions with states growth has slowed significantly for the nation’s mid- in the Mid-American region and Wyoming growing at section. Data from two Creighton University economic sur- roughly half the pace experienced one year earlier. Even veys show that since the Fed began raising interest rates in Colorado and Utah, which have benefited from attracting June 1999, employment growth has dropped in the nine workers from other states, will see somewhat slower Mid-American states and three Mountain states covered growth. by the monthly surveys. (The Mid-American states are With the economy slowing nationwide in 2001, it will be Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, a soft landing, with a preview of this soft landing for the North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota. The Moun- nation’s mid-section already under way.

SPRING 2001 55 PROFILES OF ACHIEVEMENT

A Gentle Shepherd Remembered

e was known appro- Creighton University will Hpriately as the gentle honor the memory of this shepherd, a lover of God dear friend and tireless and people. ambassador for Christ. The The Most Rev. Daniel E. award the University confers Sheehan served as the arch- at its Annual Dinner and bishop of Omaha for 24 Basketball Game for Priests years (1969-1993). With his and Brothers will be named death this past October, the the Most Rev. Daniel E. Omaha Archdiocese, the Sheehan Award. Catholic Church and the The award will recognize religious community lost a priest or brother from the a dedicated servant. Omaha or surrounding dio- They, along with ceses who has distinguished Creighton University, also himself for service to society, lost a beloved friend. to the Church and to educa- Archbishop Sheehan, a tion ... works that marked Nebraska native, attended the career of Archbishop Creighton in the late 1930s, Sheehan. before his calling led him “Archbishop Sheehan to the priesthood. An untir- was well loved by the priests ing supporter of Catholic in the diocese. They really education and of Creighton had a deep respect for him,” Photo by Bill Ramsey, BS’55 Photo by Bill Ramsey, University, Archbishop Archbishop Daniel E. Sheehan — 1917-2000 said the Rev. Thomas Sheehan received an Shanahan, S.J., rector of honorary Doctor of Law degree from the University Creighton’s Jesuit community. “I think that this in 1964. award is really fitting, and I think Archbishop As Omaha’s third archbishop, Fr. Sheehan Sheehan would have been honored.” was loved and respected among fellow priests The first Sheehan Award will be presented at and brothers for his compassionate heart and Creighton’s Annual Dinner and Basketball Game guiding hand. for Priests and Brothers on Feb. 26.

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