Research at Examining First-Generation Golden Creighton Sarbanes-Oxley Students Anniversaries

Spring 2007 View the magazine online at: Spring 2007 www.creightonmagazine.org University Magazine

The Death of John A. Creighton...... 6 One hundred years ago, the Omaha community mourned the death of John A. Creighton. His philanthropy helped shape the city and the University that bears his family name.

Homeless in Omaha...... 12 Creighton student Katherine Bradley spent her fall break living with the homeless in Omaha. She stayed at a local homeless shelter, and spent her days wandering the streets. 12 The experience, she writes, has changed her forever. Can We Prevent the Next Enron?...... 16 Mark Taylor, Ph.D., Creighton’s John P. Begley Endowed Chair of Accounting, spent a year in Washington, D.C., as part of an academic fellowship, studying the effects of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act — the sweeping reforms passed into law following the corporate scandals of the ‘90s. Has this legislation made a difference?

Research at Creighton: Making Connections...... 22 16 From fighting antibiotic resistant “super-bugs” to tracking the biological causes of allergies to studying obesity and offering surgical solutions to conducting pioneering research in hereditary cancers, Creighton scientists are at the forefront in their fields.

First-Generation Students...... 28 They are ambitious, hard-working and among the first in their families to attend college. Meet three first-generation college students who are attending Creighton. Their stories are filled with hope and a desire to succeed.

22 Golden Anniversaries...... 36 Fifty years ago these Creighton couples tied the marital knot. Most met while on campus, and many were married at St. John’s Church. Now learn how they met.

28 University News...... 4 Campaign Update...... 38 Alumni News...... 43 Last Word...... 54 36

CONTACT US: Editor — Rick Davis, (402) 280-1785, [email protected] • Associate Editor — Sheila Swanson, (402) 280-2069, [email protected] View the magazine online at: www.creightonmagazine.org. Message from the University President

Remembering Our Roots

In preparation for my annual Founders Week address to the Indeed, I believe Creighton community, I found myself reflecting on the University’s we have lived up to founding family. — if not exceeded This February marked the 100th anniversary of the death of — the expectations Count John A. Creighton — one of Omaha’s leading businessmen, of our founders. philanthropists and visionaries, and a founder of the University that Most assuredly, John bears his family name. Creighton would be John and his brother Edward, the sons of hard-working Irish astounded at our progress immigrants, came to Omaha in the mid-1800s by way of Ohio, where and delighted that we their family built successful farms. As a teenager, Edward hauled have remained true to our freight — timber, foodstocks, construction tools, etc. — with a wagon Jesuit, Catholic heritage and to and a team of horses given to him by his father. our commitment of developing Omaha was little more than a dusty frontier town on the banks of women and men for others. the Missouri when the brothers arrived. Edward returned to Ohio He would find a University that to marry Mary Lucretia Wareham, and John later wed Mary’s sister, opened its doors to 120 grade school students now setting record Sarah Emily. The families then set down roots in Omaha. enrollments — with nearly 7,000 students studying in more than 50 They found success in a variety of business ventures, most notably undergraduate majors and 30 graduate and professional programs. erecting telegraph lines westward. Through their efforts, both coasts He would find that his Creighton Memorial St. Joseph’s Hospital has would be linked via this new communication. Even as their success blossomed into one of the area’s leading medical centers — dedicated not grew, they remained humble. Edward died in 1874, without a will, only to excellence in teaching and patient care, but world-renowned for and his wife, Mary Lucretia, died a year later, bequeathing $100,000 to research in such areas as osteoporosis and hereditary cancer. establish Creighton College, fulfilling a dream of her late husband. He would find a University that continues to move forward by Creighton opened its doors on Sept. 2, 1878, a free school for investing resources in new facilities, programs and people, with a focus boys, mostly serving Omaha’s minority Irish, Catholic community. on improving the educational experience for our students. Instruction was at the secondary school level. He would find a University engaged in the community — working John Creighton and Sarah Emily carried on the family’s with Omaha leaders to improve the downtown area, providing philanthropy. As detailed in The History of Creighton University service to local nonprofit agencies and educating the region’s next 1878-2003, by University historian Dennis Mihelich, Ph.D., John generation of teachers, scientists, health care professionals, lawyers Creighton “made weekly visits to St. Joseph Hospital to distribute and business leaders. candy to the patients as ‘sugar pills,’ he entertained … children at As Creighton entered its second year of existence, a newspaper editor Christmas and provided them with gifts, and he had the matron of the opined that the nascent university had “achieved a success which, to say city jail alert him to incarcerated individuals in need of help.” He also the least, is gratifying and commendable. built the first American convent for the Sisters of the Poor Clares. His “With the advance of time this success will become more and more generosity earned him the title “Count,” bestowed by Pope Leo XIII. pronounced, especially when the graduates, trained to think, to speak, to John and Sarah also provided for a young Creighton University write, to live lives of purity and honesty before God and man come forth. — establishing the medical college; Creighton Memorial St. Joseph’s … For such is the aim of Creighton College. Let it be hoped … that it may Hospital (today’s Creighton University Medical Center); the convey to posterity the name of its generous founder, of whose energy schools of law, dentistry, and pharmacy and health professions; and liability it is, indeed, a befitting memorial.” and St. John’s Church. May that hope — that prayer — be kept alive with us today and Count John A. Creighton died Feb. 7, 1907, but he, along with the among future generations. rest of the Creighton family, left an enduring legacy in Creighton University. As the late Creighton PR director Bob Reilly once wrote about these two sons of immigrants, who achieved the American John P. Schlegel, S.J. dream: “What looked like opportunity to them has now flowered into President opportunity for thousands of others.” University News

University Magazine Creighton School of care environments and to accelerate the Nursing Unveils Nurse transformational change needed to design Publisher: Creighton University; Rev. John P. Schlegel, safer, higher-quality health care facilities,” S.J., President; Lisa Calvert, Vice President for University Leader Program Howell said. “Clinical nurse leaders will Relations. Creighton University Magazine staff: Kim Barnes Creighton University School of Nursing engage in direct care while supporting nurses Manning, Assistant Vice President for Marketing and and serving as liaisons between patients Public Relations; Rick Davis, Editor; Sheila Swanson, is offering a new master’s degree program Associate Editor; Pamela A. Vaughn, Features Editor. designed to improve safety and quality of and their other health care providers, from Editorial Advisers: Cam Enarson, M.D., M.B.A.; patient care in hospitals. physicians to clinical nurse specialists to Christine Wiseman, J.D.; Richard O’Brien, M.D.; The program, designed in partnership social workers, to promote more effective Diane Dougherty; Rev. Donald A. Doll, S.J.; Tamara Buffalohead-McGill; and Jayne Schram. with four Nebraska hospitals, including bedside care and lowered risks to patients.” the Creighton University Medical Center, In Nebraska, Creighton University Creighton University Magazine (USPS728-070) is published is part of a national pilot project initiated Medical Center in Omaha, Veterans quarterly in February, May, August and November by by the American Association of Colleges Administration Medical Center in Omaha, Creighton University, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178-0001. Periodicals postage paid at Omaha, Nebraska, of Nursing. About 90 nursing schools Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital in and additional entry points. Address all mail to Marketing nationwide are participating in the effort Hastings, and St. Francis Medical Center in and Public Relations, Omaha, NE 68178. Postmaster: Send to develop the new role, called the Clinical Grand Island are involved in Creighton’s change of address to Creighton University Magazine, P.O. Nurse Leader. pilot project. Box 3266, Omaha, NE 68103-0078. Beginning this semester, spring 2007, Leota Rolls, M.S.N., vice president for For more enrollment information, contact the Creighton is offering a master’s degree Mary Lanning Memorial Hospital, said that Undergraduate Admissions Office at 1-800-282-5835, program designed for individuals already the hospital is excited to be involved in the [email protected]. holding associate or bachelor’s degrees in pilot project. To make a gift to the University, contact the nursing. The program includes a seven- “As nursing has evolved, it is critical for Office of Development at 1-800-334-8794. semester curriculum for associate degree nurses to take an active and dynamic role holders and a five-semester curriculum for in the provision of knowledgeable care to For the latest on alumni gatherings, contact the Alumni Relations Office at 1-800-CU-ALUMS (800-282-5867) or bachelor’s degree holders. their patients and to serve as advocates to check online at www.creighton.edu/alumni. Eleanor Howell, R.N., Ph.D., Creighton ensure safe care for those patients,” Rolls dean of nursing, noted that development of said. “The Clinical Nurse Leader initiative Send letters to the editor to Rick Davis at [email protected]; fax, (402) 280-2549; the Clinical Nurse Leader is in recognition allows nurses to take on more administrative Creighton University, Marketing and Public Relations, of the importance of nurses at the bedside responsibilities while continuing to serve 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178. in improving the care environment and patients directly in a clinical setting.” managing the increasingly complex health For more information on Creighton’s Update your mailing address or send alumni news (births, weddings, promotions, etc.) electronically through care needs of Americans. Clinical Nurse Leader initiative, contact www.creighton.edu/alumni, call 1-800-334-8794 or “There is increasing demand for Nursing Systems Administration Program mail to Office of Development, Creighton University, nurses who are educated to manage Chair Cindy Costanzo, R.N., Ph.D., at 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178. patients in the context of complex health (402) 280-2041. View the magazine online at www.creightonmagazine.org www.creighton.edu History Department Announces Copyright © 2007 by Creighton University Ross Horning Lecture Series Speaker Recycled and Recyclable Kim Butler, consul general at the Canadian Consulate in Minneapolis, will be the Printed with Soy Ink featured speaker for the second annual Ross Horning Lecture Series on Wednesday, March 28, at 7 p.m. in the Skutt Student Center, Mutual of Omaha Ballroom. The lecture Creighton University Magazine’s Purpose is free and open to the public. Creighton University Magazine, like the University itself, is Butler, appointed consul general in May 2004, has served the Canadian government committed to excellence and dedicated to the pursuit of truth in all its forms. The magazine will be comprehensive in a variety of capacities, including senior advisor to the Deputy Minister of Industry, in nature. It will support the University’s mission of corporate comptroller of Industry Canada and federal co-chair of the Canada-Ontario education through thoughtful and compelling feature Infrastructure Program. articles on a variety of topics. It will feature the brightest, the most stimulating, the most inspirational thinking The Ross Horning Lecture Series reflects the many dimensions of the late Ross that Creighton offers. The magazine also will promote Horning, a beloved professor of history at Creighton for 41 years. Sen. George McGovern Creighton, and its Jesuit, Catholic identity, to a broad was the inaugural speaker in 2006. public and serve as a vital link between the University The lecture series is funded by the College of Arts and Sciences and gifts to Creighton’s and its constituents. The magazine will be guided by the illing to ead ampaign core values of Creighton: the inalienable worth of each W L C . For more information on contributing to the Ross Horning individual, respect for all of God’s creation, a special Lecture Series, contact the Office of Development, (402) 280-2740. concern for the poor, and the promotion of justice.

4 Spring 2007 University News

Suzanne, which raised funds at home games for local charities. At the time of Kamler’s award, RSL head coach John Ellinger said: “Brian’s influence is felt not only on the field, but off the field, and that is what makes him the classy individual he is.” Philadelphia 76er Kyle Korver, BA’03, has been involved with Basketball Without Borders, the NBA’s international outreach program that took him to Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2006 to teach basketball and focus on HIV/AIDS awareness and education. Korver said he gets a great deal out of the program: “You get to travel and see parts of the world that you wouldn’t see otherwise and you get to impact kids’ lives.” His interest in service started at Creighton. Photo by Dave Weaver Dave by Photo “It got me more involved in Omaha. I always Bluejay soccer players Byron Dacy, left, and Tony Schmitz give furry new companions to two young considered Omaha my second home and I visitors at a local children’s clinic as part of “Operation Bearhug,” in partnership with the Assistance figured I should get connected more with the League of Omaha. people there. I felt like I was really taken in throughout my four years there and I think that Creighton Athletes Serve Community, World (community service) was a really big part of it.” Creighton University students typically and continue to be of service wherever they are. Korver said he and fellow former Bluejay have demanding classes requiring hours of In his job as director of sales for the athletic Michael Lindeman worked together to study and lab work each week outside the department, Mark Burgers, BSBA’03, MBA’05, solicit help from Creighton alums to donate classroom. Creighton’s student-athletes add has a lot of contact with former athletes. “Teams personal care items for the South Africans. practices, weight-training, road-trip travel and sometimes call here looking for coaches or “We brought over 16 loads of deodorant, energy-sapping competitions to their collegiate groups are looking for speakers,” Burgers said. soaps, toothbrushes, toothpaste, all donated schedules. At most universities, the expectation “We have a ton of alums who are teaching by Creighton alumni,” Korver said. that athletes keep up with their coursework is younger kids how to play their sport. They take considered sufficient. a lot of pride in that and really enjoy it.” But at Creighton, another requirement He cited, just off the top of his head, these is made of student-athletes — community former athletes who now volunteer their time “As a Jesuit, Catholic service. All student-athletes participate in to coach others: women’s soccer player Franny Operation Bluejay for a total of almost 4,000 Hylock, BA’04; baseball’s Mark Wellwood, university, we have an volunteer hours in an academic year. They BA’06; basketball’s Michael Lindeman, mentor, coach and tutor youngsters, help BSBA’03, MBA’04; and golfer Shannon Shank, obligation to carry out in homeless shelters, assist with the Special BA’02. He added that former tennis player Olympics, and more. Katie Chiu, who is currently a student in the the teachings of Christ.” “We have been doing community service School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, — Bruce Rasmussen, projects for as long as I have been at Creighton does a lot of work with Girls and Boys Town; Director of Athletics (since 1980),” said Bruce Rasmussen, athletics former crew team member Abby Bruning, director. “We have ‘formalized’ the process BA’06, helps Habitat for Humanity; and former Athletics Director Rasmussen is proud of more in the past few years.” golf team member John Gross, BS’05, has the Creighton athletes’ and former players’ Rasmussen said Creighton’s core Ignatian helped the Nebraska AIDS Project. dedication to service. “As a Jesuit, Catholic values of serving others and appreciation of Some of the former Creighton players university, we have an obligation to carry ethnic and cultural diversity are key. “We need do service that receives more public notice. out the teachings of Christ,” said Rasmussen. to teach and model these values. Additionally, For example, All-American soccer player “Jesus said, ‘For I was hungry and you gave in order for our athletics program to exist, we Brian Kamler, BA’94, received the 2005 Major me something to eat. I was thirsty and you depend upon many people in the community League Soccer Foundation Humanitarian of gave me something to drink. I was a stranger to make a commitment to us. As a result of the Year award while he was a midfielder for and you invited me in. I needed clothes and this, we have an obligation to give back to the Real Salt Lake (RSL). Kamler was the team’s you clothed me. I was sick and you looked community.” spokesperson for a health care education after me ... I tell you the truth, whatever you The most powerful aspect of the program for low-income people and served did for one of the least of these brothers of “requirement” is that many student-athletes several other Utah programs, in addition to mine, you did for me.’ This is the example we take the lessons learned into their adult lives setting up “Kam’s Kauses” with his wife, need to model.”

5 Spring 2007 University News

community. Thousands viewed his casket as he lay in state in his home. The funeral Editor’s note: This year marks the 100th service took place in St. John’s Church with a anniversary of the death of John A. simultaneous memorial service at Creighton Creighton, who is recognized — along University Hall. Although services were set with his brother, Edward, and their for 10 a.m., mourners started lining up at 8 wives, Mary Lucretia and Sarah Emily a.m. The courthouse, banks, streetcars and — as a founder of the University. many businesses closed for the day. One of the honorary pallbearers was American politician and statesman, and longtime family friend, William Jennings Bryan. Then Creighton President the Rev. Michael Dowling, S.J., told mourners that John Creighton’s great heart and generosity provided a model of social justice. In 1895, in honor of his charity to others, John Creighton had been made a Count of the Papal Court by Pope Leo XIII. “I cannot help thinking that if there were more men of wealth to follow in his footsteps in this regard, there would not be so loud a cry against the heartlessness of the rich; so bitter an antagonism between poverty and wealth; so unrelenting a warfare between the classes and masses; so strong a rising tide of socialistic discontent,” Dowling said. The funeral cortege contained nearly 1,000 students and more than 100 carriages. John was buried beside his wife, Sarah Emily, in Omaha’s Holy Sepulcher Cemetery. One hundred fifty relatives and 750 students were among the 3,000 who braved inclement weather to attend a memorial service at the city auditorium. Bryan gave an eloquent eulogy. Other speakers were limited to 10 minutes each.

By Oliver B. Pollak, Ph.D., JD’82 Photos courtesy of Creighton Archives Creighton of courtesy Photos Mourners pay their last respects to Omaha businessman and philanthropist John A. Creighton as his casket is led down the steps of St. John’s Church. Many Omaha businesses closed for his funeral.

ohn A. Creighton was Omaha’s leading Herald and the weekly True Voice. philanthropist. He celebrated his 75th John provided funds for the establishment birthdayJ on Oct. 15, 1906, at his home at the of Creighton’s schools of medicine (1892), law corner of 20th and Chicago streets, enjoying the (1904), dentistry (1905) and pharmacy (1905; robust tones of Creighton’s 38-piece uniformed now pharmacy and health professions). A year marching band. The winter was not kind. By after John’s death, on Feb. 7, 1908, Creighton Creighton, right, celebrates his 75th birthday January 1907, Creighton contracted pneumonia celebrated its first Founders’ Day, paying tribute on Oct. 15, 1906, with his friend and twice and his health rapidly deteriorated. He died on to the Creighton family. president of Creighton University, the Rev. Feb. 7, 1907. His last illness, death and funeral His funeral prompted an outpouring of Michael Dowling, S.J. A rosary of white roses occupied the front page of the Omaha World- sorrow that extended beyond the Catholic hangs from Creighton’s neck. 6 Spring 2007 University News

Catholic, Protestant, Jew, non-believer, heretic, rich and poor, proclaimed ecumenical Clinical services include treatment gratitude. Rabbi Frederick Cohn of Temple New Cancer of cancer therapy-related side effects Israel stated: “The name ‘Creighton’ has Program to such as fatigue, pain, insomnia, loss of become synonymous with munificent appetite, nausea and vomiting, as well philanthropy. The Jew has unbounded Treat the Whole as medication management for anxiety, admiration for his charity and has ever held depression and confusion. him in the highest repute.” Emil Brandeis, the Person: Body, The program also offers counseling to owner of the Boston Store, predecessor to the Mind, Soul individuals, couples, families and even major Omaha department store Brandeis, said, groups in a therapeutic setting. People A cancer diagnosis can shatter a “People should not be allowed to forget that are taught coping skills, techniques to person’s life. Fears about treatment and there was such a man as Count Creighton, for address cancer-related problems, ways to the future, as well as depression over the world has too few like him.” celebrate victories, and support to deal losses and pain, hit many patients hard, with grief. Medication can be prescribed just when they are battling for their to treat symptoms of depression very lives. and anxiety including insomnia, Creighton University is taking its fight “People should not be hopelessness, helplessness, loss of joy against cancer to a new front: addressing and pleasure, irritability, or emotional medical-psychiatric implications of allowed to forget that distress, as well as treatment of cancer- cancer. Creighton’s Cancer Counseling related physical symptoms. Program offers a service called “psycho- there was such a man as The new Creighton program is oncology,” which is a combination of the one of only three in the nation that disciplines of psychiatry and oncology, Count Creighton.” offers this type of comprehensive care designed to treat the whole person to patients and families. The program — Late Omaha businessman from a medical, psychiatric, social and is open to all cancer patients and their Emil Brandeis spiritual framework. families from any hospital system; at Creighton’s funeral The program features two full-time referrals are not required. psycho-oncologists — a physician (who The final speaker, Constantine Smyth, a The Cancer Counseling Program is a psychiatrist) and a psychiatric nurse noted Nebraska lawyer, said, “Count Creighton will feature social work services, practitioner with a combined 25 years of was not a college man, yet he thoroughly child life specialists, support groups, service in psycho-oncology. understood the value of higher education. He nutritional counseling, spiritual care, Jeffrey J. Knajdl, M.D., is the director knew that he who used his wealth to lift the veil and special therapies such as art, music of the program and one of only two of ignorance from the mind of youth, let in the and pet therapy. psychiatrists light of truth, cleansed the heart from vice and “Fifty percent of patients with cancer in Nebraska filled it with the sweetness of love and of charity, will at some point meet the criteria for a board-certified did a noble work for government and for God.” psychiatric disorder,” Knajdl said. in medical Fr. Dowling, in an unpublished biography “When Barbara Clinkenbeard and I psychiatry. rediscovered by Creighton historian Dennis were recruited, we were assured that Barbara Mihelich, Ph.D., described John Creighton as our positions Clinkenbeard, “a man of magnificent physique in early and would always be MS’99, APNP, middle life, who grew more portly in his later focused on the and Knajdl years, acquiring a well-rounded, distinguished patient and his Knajdl (who was chief appearance, enhanced by a ruddy complexion or her support resident of and completed training in and a mass of gray locks and a full white network. This the Nebraska-Creighton Department beard.” Dowling detailed the accounting of was exciting of Psychiatry in 1998) worked together John’s estate, about $3.6 million total — of to me as it in another psycho-oncology program which Creighton University received $1.25 became clear at the Vince Lombardi Cancer Center million and St. Joseph Hospital $476,000. Clinkenbeard that Creighton’s in Milwaukee, before returning to The University celebrates its debt to the leadership understood the need Creighton in 2006. Creighton family — Mary Lucretia, Edward, and impact of our services and had The Creighton Cancer Counseling Sarah Emily and John Creighton — with positioned itself as the leader in Program focuses on the physical and heartfelt adulation, annually during Founders providing only the best in psycho- emotional care of patients who are going Week. Fr. Dowling left Creighton in 1908, oncology care. Helping people fight and through or have gone through a cancer having served twice as Creighton’s president. live with this disease is truly a privilege diagnosis. Services are also available to He went on to open Rockhurst College, died in and a journey we are equipped to take loved ones. 1915, and was buried near the Creighton family with patients every day.” obelisk. John A. Creighton’s true monument is the school that bears his name. 7 Spring 2007 University News

Fr. O’Connor Named University’s Jesuit Community for the past in a contemporary idiom. In May 2006, six years while teaching in the Department Creighton University awarded the group, Rector of Creighton of Theology and serving as director of which composed, recorded and published Jesuit Community Creighton’s Summer Christian Spirituality nine collections, an honorary Doctor of Music The Rev. Robert Program. He will return to those roles full- degree for its 30 years of service to the Church. (Roc) O’Connor, S.J., time in August. Since being ordained in 1979, Fr. O’Connor has been appointed An Omaha native, Fr. O’Connor has has served as an associate pastor and minister rector of Creighton been a priest for more than 27 years. At of music at several parishes. In the late University’s Jesuit Creighton, he is an instructor in the theology 1980s, he was a staff member of the Jesuit Community by the department, a liturgist and an associate Novitiate in St. Paul, Minn. After completing provincial of the pastor of St. John’s Church. While serving as a Licentiate (S.T.L.) in Biblical Theology at Wisconsin Province rector, he will continue teaching part-time in the Weston Jesuit School of Theology (1993), of the Society of the theology department. he returned to St. Paul to be the associate O’Connor Jesus. In the years following Vatican II in the Catholic chaplain at Macalester College for As rector, Fr. O’Connor will be responsible early 1970s, Fr. O’Connor and several young six years. for fostering the spiritual and physical health Jesuits met at St. Louis University. Their Since coming to Creighton in 2000, he of 50 Jesuits housed on Creighton’s campus. companionship, centered on composing completed a master’s degree in liturgical The appointment is effective Aug. 20. liturgical music, came to be called the studies at The Catholic University of Creighton’s current rector, the Rev. Richard St. Louis Jesuits. This group brought the America. Fr. O’Connor plans to keep his Hauser, S.J., joined Creighton in 1972. He ancient traditions of church music into the hand in teaching and liturgical and musical has served as religious superior of the present by setting scripture to melodies ministry during his tenure as rector.

Creighton Hypertension Mayor Speaks at Creighton Study Focuses on Omaha Mayor Mike Fahey, BA’73, delivered African Americans his annual State of the City address at Creighton African Americans have among the University’s Lied Education Center for the Arts highest rates of hypertension of any race on Jan. 17. or ethnic group in the world, according to “I’m proud to be at my alma mater for this the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. A new, special presentation,” said Fahey. “The Creighton two-year study at the Creighton Cardiac family and this great University have played a Center will focus on African Americans and major role in the building of our city since its hypertension, and specifically on whether earliest days.” counseling, education and medication are He added: “This University brings thousands more effective at managing high blood of the brightest students from across the nation pressure among this group than just and around the world to Omaha; you value medication alone. diversity; and through your campus expansion “The problem is that many African and development, you are our partner in Americans don’t know they have high blood downtown and riverfront redevelopment.” pressure, which also puts them at risk of Weaver Dave by Photo such serious complications as stroke, heart attack, kidney problems and eye problems,” said Syed Mohiuddin, M.D., chief of the Peak Receives Martin Luther King Creighton Division of Cardiology and Humanitarian Award director of the Cardiac Center. Frank Peak, administrator for Community Outreach Services for While medication can help control the Creighton University Partnership in Health, received the Dr. Martin hypertension, it is not the entire solution. Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award from the State of Nebraska MLK There are many lifestyle choices — not Planning Committee. smoking, exercise and good dietary habits Peak has a long history of community activism and leadership in health — that are important as well. and human services. He is co-founder and president/chief operating For more information on the study, contact Peak officer of Nebraska Ethnics Together on Reaching Kids, Inc., a nonprofit the Creighton Community Health Center at organization that addresses high-risk behaviors among youth. He also is considered a champion in (402) 558-1574. the area of health care and reaching underserved and economically challenged populations.

8 Spring 2007 University News Creighton Recognized Among ’Top Wired Colleges’ Creighton University ranked fifth inPC Magazine’s “Top Wired Colleges” listing, an annual analysis that honors those colleges with the most comprehensive computing and technology offerings. Creighton was the only college in Nebraska and the only Jesuit, Catholic school in the nation recognized. “Creighton’s mission is to provide an exceptional learning and living environment that benefits students. This national recognition underscores that commitment and reaffirms the importance of cutting-edge technology to the total college experience … helping make graduates more marketable,” said Creighton President the Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J.

“… our entire campus … is finding innovative ways to integrate technology into teaching, learning, research and Photo by Malone & Co. & Malone by Photo patient care.” Creighton sophomore MeLitta Wilson of Omaha studies with her laptop computer at the Wareham Court — Brian Young, dining facility inside the Skutt Student Center. Vice President for Hundreds of miles of fiber and wiring • Creighton provides one of the most extensive Information Technology run beneath Creighton’s campus. A few faith-based websites in the world through technologically advanced offerings include: Online Ministries — which reports an average “This national recognition honors the hard • Creighton’s residence halls and student of 1.7 million visitors each month from 145 work and dedication of the women and men activity centers feature state-of-the-art countries. It can be found at: www.creighton. who make up Creighton’s IT team,” said technology. Opus Hall, the newest junior/ edu/CollaborativeMinistry/online.html Brian Young, vice president for Information senior residential complex on campus, • Creighton’s eFellows program, in its 12th year, Technology. “It is an acknowledgment that our was built and engineered with students offers technology sabbatical programs for entire campus — the president, administration, in mind, featuring Voice over Internet faculty, and the University offers more than faculty and staff — is finding innovative ways Protocol (VoIP) technology, wireless 50 majors and courses in IT leadership and to integrate technology into teaching, learning, Internet, cable television and automated database design. research and patient care.” digital laundry facilities. Young said more innovations are on the horizon, Young added that the recognition shows • Lectures are delivered through podcasts, including class registration via cell phone (“We’re that Creighton “is in touch and in tune with the students take tests online, and digital X-rays testing it right now.”), and “networked appliances” students of today. From the podcasts produced are available for health care professionals to in the health sciences, such as dental X-rays that are by Fr. Schlegel, online ministry retreats, review on computers. viewable at the dental chair, without any waiting admissions text-messaging students, faculty • Creighton was the first to offer an online time for processing. “We are wiring the chairs right lectures and course materials online, to high- pharmacy degree through its School of now in the dental school,” Young said. tech, cutting-edge health sciences programs, Pharmacy and Health Professions, and was The “Top Wired Colleges” list was announced Creighton University is finding ways to enhance the first to notify undergraduate applicants in the January issue of PC Magazine and is also the student experience in all of its programs.” of their acceptance by text message. available at www.pcmag.com.

9 Spring 2007 University News

Creighton Receives Four Join America in the last 25 years. She joined KMI in October 1999 as president of the Natural $1.96 Million to Study Creighton’s Board Gas Pipeline Company of America, KMI’s Vitamin D in Women Four new members were elected to largest subsidiary. She also was the first Creighton has received a five-year, Creighton University’s Board of Directors in woman appointed president of a major natural $1.96 million grant from the National December. They are: W. Gary Gates, MBA’91, gas pipeline. The Omaha native earned her Institutes of Health (NIH) to study vitamin D president and CEO of Omaha Public Power bachelor’s and law degrees from Creighton supplementation in women. District (OPPD); Deborah Macdonald, BA’72, and received the School of Law’s Alumni Merit Researchers hope to use the data to JD’80, vice president of Kinder Morgan, Inc., Award in 2005. determine the optimum levels of vitamin D Houston; Michael McCarthy, chairman of McCarthy serves supplementation for women, who are four McCarthy Group, Inc.; and Jane Miller, chief as chairman of times more likely than men to develop operating officer of The Gallup Organization. McCarthy Group, Inc., osteoporosis, the bone-weakening disease Gates began his a merchant banking that increases a person’s risk for sudden and career with OPPD firm headquartered in unexpected fractures. An estimated 10 million in 1972, working Omaha. He has held Americans over age 50 have osteoporosis, extensively in the that position since while another 34 million are at risk, according nuclear operations 1986. He serves on to a 2004 report from the U.S. Surgeon organization of the the corporate boards McCarthy General’s Office. energy company. He of Cabela’s Inc.; While most people are aware of the critical became president and Peter Kiewit Sons’, Inc.; HDR, Inc.; Streck, role that calcium plays in bone health and CEO in January 2004. Inc.; Heritages Services; and the Omaha Gates osteoporosis prevention, fewer appreciate Gates participates in Community Foundation, among others. vitamin D’s role in the absorption of that numerous local and industry boards, including He was inducted into the Omaha Business calcium by our bones, said J. Christopher the World Association of Nuclear Operators, Hall of Fame and serves as a member of the Gallagher, M.D., professor of medicine in Knights of Aksarben, Greater Omaha Chamber USSTRATCOM Committee. Creighton’s Department of Endocrinology and of Commerce, United Way of the Midlands and Miller is the chief the study’s principal investigator. According more. Along with a bachelor’s and master’s operating officer to the NIH, people with an insufficient intake degree in industrial engineering, Gates holds and executive vice of vitamin D absorb less than 10 percent of the a master’s degree in business administration president of The Gallup calcium they eat or drink. from Creighton University. Organization. She Gallagher is the 2006 recipient of the Macdonald serves joined Gallup, which Career Contributions to Vitamin D Research as vice president of provides management Award, presented by the International Kinder Morgan, Inc., research, education Vitamin D Society. (KMI) after holding and consulting services numerous executive Miller to many of the world’s positions for more best-known corporations and organizations, Law Professor than 20 years in the in 1980. Under her leadership, Gallup’s Examines energy industry. In operational headquarters moved three her current position, years ago to its new campus along Omaha’s Bankruptcy Act Macdonald she is responsible for riverfront. Miller serves on many local boards, Creighton Law Professor Michaela White, supervising the development and construction including Children’s Hospital, Knights of BA’76, JD’79, presented at an American of the Rockies Express Pipeline, the largest Aksarben, Omaha Symphony and Boy Scouts Bankruptcy Institute conference this past fall natural gas pipeline proposed in North of America. that focused on the one-year anniversary of the Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 — one of the most sweeping reforms of the federal Grant to Benefit Adult Learners bankruptcy laws in the last 25 years. Creighton has received a three-year, $150,000 grant from the Osher Reentry She addressed the impact of the act’s Scholarship Program to fund scholarships for adult learners enrolled in Creighton’s “means testing” on Chapter 7 and Chapter University College. The program will provide assistance, based on financial need, to 13 bankruptcy filings, as well as controversial individuals between the ages of 25 and 50 who want to return to school and complete areas of the new law, Congressional intent of a four-year baccalaureate degree. the legislation, and its effect on case law. The “Financial aid is much more difficult to obtain for adult students. I am excited that day-long conference, hosted by Georgetown Creighton University will have a source of funding to help these deserving applicants University Law Center, brought together enroll at Creighton University and complete their studies,” said Barb Braden, Ph.D., leading experts and practitioners from the dean of University College. private and public sectors.

10 Spring 2007 University News

Charging Crow, left, is honored by one of her grandfathers, Winifred Red Cloud, at December commencement. Honorees and their faculty hosts, from left: the Rev. Michael Gutgsell, rector and pastor at St. Cecilia Cathedral; Ramona Bartee, Ed.D., assistant professor of education; Bonnie Pryor, MSEdu’71, principal at St. Cecilia; J. Brooks Joyner, director of Joslyn Art Museum; and Frederick Hanna, associate professor and Descendent of Chief chair of the Department of Fine and Performing Arts. Red Cloud Graduates Tracy Charging Crow, BA’06 December Commencement Honorees — a direct descendent of Oglala Sioux Creighton University honored Sharon Presidential Medallion warrior and statesman Chief Red Cloud, one of the most important Culhane Harper, BA’69, Mount Michael Mount Michael Native Americans of the 19th century Benedictine Abbey and School, St. Cecilia Benedictine Abbey and School Cathedral Elementary School and Joslyn — earned her degree from Creighton For half a century, at winter commencement. Art Museum at the winter commencement the Benedictine monks ceremony on Dec. 16. At the close of the ceremony, Oglala at Mount Michael Sioux elders presented Charging Crow Alumni Achievement Citation Abbey in Elkhorn, with a quilt of honor, sang sacred songs Neb., have been a Creighton presented and gave readings from their heritage. stable force for good its highest alumni in the region, fostering award, the Alumni the Christian ideal of a High School also flourished. St. Cecilia is Achievement Citation, balanced life of prayer, known for stable leadership, high academic to Sharon Culhane Fr. Walsh work and holy leisure standards, strong parental involvement and Harper, BA’69. She is so that in all things, God may be glorified. In an unwavering commitment to the Gospel. president and chief 2006, the abbey marked its 50th anniversary Its graduates have gone on to achieve executive officer of of becoming a priory and the opening of great things in high school, college, their The Plaza Companies, St. John’s Seminary, the minor seminary professions and family life. Harper an Arizona-based that became Mount Michael Benedictine real estate development, investment and Joslyn Art Museum High School in 1970. Named for St. Michael management firm. From its earliest days 75 years ago, the Archangel, the abbey and school have Her professional and community Joslyn Art Museum has been a treasure devotedly provided Catholic education to accomplishments span nearly three decades to the Omaha area and the region. As the young men, who have gone on to become in the Phoenix area. She spends countless Museum celebrated its diamond jubilee in accomplished and faith-filled professionals, hours giving back to the community and using 2006, Joslyn is ever more an architectural community leaders, husbands, fathers, priests her business acumen to support corporate, gem and a major regional center for the and brothers. Accepting the award was Abbott government, academic, health services and visual and performing arts. Joslyn is also Emeritus Raphael Walsh, O.S.B., president of cultural organizations. Harper lends her a good neighbor to Creighton University. Mount Michael Benedictine High School. leadership to numerous boards, including the Joslyn Art Museum, listed among the 100 Arizona Community Foundation, the Virginia St. Cecilia Cathedral Elementary School finest buildings in the United States in G. Piper Charitable Trust, and the Arizona St. Cecilia Cathedral Elementary 1938, has brought the world to Omaha Governor’s Film and Television Commission; School has been a part of the Omaha through its extensive permanent collection, she served as co-chair for the Phoenix area community for 100 years. The school has special exhibits, educational programs, Creighton Campaign 2000. She or her firm educated thousands of young people to public events and musical performances. In has received numerous awards, including become upstanding Christian citizens and addition, the museum has made a special “Woman of the Year” by Today’s Arizona Woman adults. This year marks the founding of effort to offer educational activities tailored magazine and the Athena Award by the the school by the Sinsinawa Dominican to children and serves as an active advocate Arizona Chamber of Commerce. sisters. For much of that history, St. Cecilia for the arts in the community.

11 Spring 2007 Editor’s note: The author, a senior journalism major at Creighton, participated in the University’s “Homeless in Omaha” immersion experience during fall break, sponsored by the Center for Service and Justice.

By Katherine Bradley Romesser Mark by Photo 12 Spring 2007 chairs look nice. They look expensive — probably designed by some orthopedic surgeon and recommended by nine out of 10 physical therapists. In the shelter, no two chairs are alike. Some are soft, but worn with constant use. Some have stiff backs and are cold to the touch, but they still provide a resting place for a friend or stranger. Below the boardroom is an exercise room; all the treadmills are currently occupied. What about those who don’t need fancy treadmills because they’ve been walking all day? Walking to keep warm until the library opens, walking to find a free lunch, walking back to the library. Do they deserve a comfortable chair? Homeless and downtown, I am newly aware of streets I have traveled numerous times. There are alley shortcuts that some would classify as dangerous, but they have dumpsters full of aluminum cans that can be sold for cash. There are warm corners where heat billows out of building vents and awnings to sit under and look at free artwork. There are also friendly people ur itinerary would include stops Seventeenth Street weaves into a dead at the library; this is where I decide to at Youth Emergency Services, end, hiding the shelter from much of spend my afternoon. downtown Omaha’s Gene public view. Out of sight, out of mind. To Outside the large library windows OLeahy Mall, the W. Dale Clark Library understand homelessness, I had to leave overlooking the downtown mall, I and Goodwill Industries. Our “hotels” comforts behind and immerse myself in recognize the man I sat next to at lunch. for the week: a local homeless shelter a new journey. Under the trees and almost hidden and a church. I was scared as I entered the Siena/ from the untrained eye, I count about This four-day immersion “trip,” Francis House to unwelcoming stares. 14 men and women, seemingly waiting offered by Creighton’s Center for Service It was lunchtime and people were for something. Waiting for what, I want and Justice, provided an opportunity lining up around chairs scattered in all to know. A friend? Dinner? A ride? to better understand the plight of the directions. After grabbing a sack lunch, Or maybe, they are just waiting for homeless in our community. It’s a world I took a seat near the big television. tomorrow to come. Hoping it will be we often block from our everyday For the most part, people ate quietly, warmer. Hoping that it will be different. consciousness. I’ve lived in Omaha for but in the background I could hear I remember that I drove past this 21 years and never considered the Gene staff members promising to find corner yesterday. Did I notice the Leahy Mall a place of shelter. I had never extra meals for their guests. About 20 homeless in the park or those sitting gone to the library for the sole purpose people were still waiting to eat. I felt on the library steps? Life changes fast. of getting out of the cold or waited in guilty. I continued eating, not making What separates the homeless from line for food. I had never imagined conversation or looking for attention. the privileged? Is it money, or is there that I would spend my fall break in a I sat as long as I could, not wanting to something more? homeless shelter. go back out into the cold. But weary “I used to think there was a gap Like other cities, Omaha has done a from watching multiple episodes of Fear between the homeless and myself,” wonderful job hiding the poor. Just north Factor and from inactivity, I headed out. said Siena/Francis House Development of a downtown bustling with outward After walking only a few blocks, I hit Director Tim Sully, a 1985 Creighton signs of progress and wealth, the the heart of downtown. Business people graduate. “Today, I know that there is Siena/Francis House shelter welcomes scattered from parking garages and no gap; one twist of fate and I could be the homeless and marginalized. On the coffee shops into large office buildings. living here, too.” corner of 17th and Nicholas streets, the Staring into a third-floor boardroom, On my second day, I make my first rest of the world seems to melt away. I notice rows of unoccupied chairs. The friend at the shelter — a homeless 13 Spring 2007 Homeless in Omaha

woman named Patricia, who is struggling years of pain or abuse. Is this a crime? stories. Stories about the dangers with an addiction to cocaine. She sat The orange vest screamed “criminal” of methamphetamines and alcohol, down next to where I was reading and even though the only written words surviving brutally cold winters and told me I had pretty hair. She took her were “Keep Omaha Beautiful.” To make painfully hot summers, escaping border own hair out of a tight bun and let it hang a little money, we participated in an police and hiding from gangs. These down to her knees. We talked for the rest activity for the homeless sponsored by were stories of survival at a great cost. of the morning, and she introduced me to the city of Omaha. Like fugitives on I especially appreciated the night we her “family” at lunch — an eclectic group the side of the road, we collected gin left the church behind and checked into of African Americans, Latinos and Native bottles, chip bags and newspapers. For the shelter for the night. We had been Americans. It seems that the homeless are two hours of work, we each earned sleeping between the pews at Holy far more accepting and welcoming than $10.25. This is a regular job for my friend Family Church, two blocks away from the rest of the world. Patricia, who accompanied me that Siena/Francis House. We did not want I caught myself laughing for the first afternoon under bridges and through to take beds in the shelter, when there time today. A young man sitting at our the convention center parking lots. were so few available each night. But, on table patiently listened to my broken Passing motorists paid us no attention. this particular evening, there were open Spanish and offered me a few fresh chili We saw someone wrapped in a sleeping beds, and we decided to check ourselves peppers. Again I am startled; those who bag under the bridge. Patricia said that in for the “full experience.” We filled out have nothing, share everything. I kindly the paperwork, signed up for morning refused the offer, but laughed as the chores and were assigned a bunk bed. older gentleman next to me began to cry “I have a baby girl,” I sat down on the couch in the living after putting three peppers in his mouth room where women were watching at the same time. It felt good to laugh. Peggy said. “She can’t Deal or No Deal on TV. After short Over lunch, I was quickly reminded forgive me; I told too introductions, the women began how lonely this life can be, but I looked telling stories. Some pulled out worn forward to spending more time with many lies. I was hurting photographs to tell about their children. my new friend. She left me alone after Baby pictures and family portraits long lunch, but not before giving me a myself so bad that I outdated caused tears around the room. hug and reminding me where I could These photos are all they have left of the find her later that night — room 12. refused to open my eyes life they used to know. For many, it was Relationships are important, so are hugs. and see what my actions a life before drugs or alcohol. After lunch, we waited for dinner. The “I have a baby girl,” Peggy said. “She smells and echoing sounds of the shelter were doing to her.” can’t forgive me; I told too many lies. I are familiar. Maybe it reminds me of a was hurting myself so bad that I refused prison — a prison with no bars. A prison to open my eyes and see what my where the crime is being poor, and the actions were doing to her.” chains are addiction, mental illness and he is afraid to come to the shelter. I’ve Skeletons we hide in deep closets are driven this road a hundred times. Why shared just as easily as a handshake have I never noticed this man? He is, just or a hug here. Some stories, like that as we are now, invisible. of Peggy’s, were hard to hear, while During this experience, I got others focused on the future. Women, an opportunity to listen to many who were taking baby steps back into the world, talked about studying, cooking, looking for jobs, and attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. At the end of the night, we were accepted into this beautiful group of women. Listening to stories and looking at pictures, we

14 Spring 2007 Homeless in Omaha Photo by Tim Sully, BA’85 Sully, Tim by Photo Guests gather at the Siena/Francis House homeless shelter in Omaha for a meal. According to a recent nationwide estimate, there were 744,000 homeless people in the United States in 2005. saw how much we had in common. actually make it to church, or would that meal with a stranger. They were no longer homeless women; he lose track of time while talking to a This fall break, I did not feed the they were friends. friend on the street? On the final night hungry or clothe the naked. Instead, I In the living room right before bed, of the immersion, I slept in the Holy relied on the kindness of strangers. This attention turned toward the television Family “Shelter,” while the Siena/ experience taught me to remain present and conversations stopped during the Francis “Church” remained open for in the world and in my community. news. It seemed like everyone was guests all through the night. For we I pray that I will never be afraid to waiting for the weather report. This do not know the hour our Savior will venture down a new street, or get so came as no surprise, as we had learned come. We must always be ready to caught up in my life that I forget about that days are dictated by the weather. welcome the Lord with a warm blanket my neighbors. May I never eat a meal How much food will be needed, how and place of shelter. without saying grace, or drift to sleep many beds will be occupied and how This fall break changed my life. before thanking God for the warmth of crowded will it be at the shelter? It all “Miracles happen here,” said the my home. depends on the weather. shelter’s visiting nurse Cathy (Weiler) Gustavo Gutierrez, the father of When we left the shelter the next Henkenius, BSN’71. liberation theology once said, “To be morning, we walked back to Holy I truly believe that. A home or a Christian is to draw near, to make Family Church to have some reflection job should not define us. He is not oneself a neighbor, not the one I time. I sat near the altar alone with “homeless,” and she is not a “doctor.” encounter in my journey, but the one in my journal. If we can understand this simple idea, whose journey I place myself.” Today, I “Where am I?” I thought to myself. then we can truly see and love the no longer focus on what I can give, but “Is this a church or a shelter?” humanity of the homeless. what a gift I am. A true gift is that of Maybe what we call the “church” I have traveled thousands of miles to time and love. It can be a dinner shared is really just a building where we understand new cultures and ways of at the shelter with new friends or a learn how to be “The Church.” In this living. Why did it take me 21 years to conversation with the young man you building I have learned that Church is discover this population living in my see everyday in the park. It is not who I love, community and prayer. Where own backyard? Maybe it’s just easier encounter in my journey, but the one in would Jesus sleep (WWJS) tonight? to focus on far-away problems. We can whose journey I place myself. Why do we build comfortable churches leave the situation behind, hoping we and lock the doors at night? Why do made a difference, but never looking we pass by the homeless on our way back to make sure. We find it easy to to “church”? I wonder if Jesus would donate a meal, but so difficult to share

15 Spring 2007 Photo by Mark Finkenstaedt Mark by Photo 16 Spring 2007 Evidence from New Corporate Internal Reporting Suggests We Might By Mark Taylor, Ph.D. John P. Begley Endowed Chair of Accounting

At the beginning of this decade, the financial Another casualty in that string of scandals was the largest and one of the markets experienced a crisis in confidence most prestigious accounting firms in the world, Arthur Andersen & Co. brought on by a string of massive corporate Arthur Andersen & Co. was Enron’s independent auditor, and accounting scandals. The scandals peaked had served in that same capacity for WorldCom, though another with the implosion and bankruptcy of two international accounting firm had taken over the WorldCom audit by the time corporations once seen as the pinnacle of WorldCom’s troubles became public. With Andersen’s collapse, brought on the new economy, Enron and WorldCom. by an indictment associated with the Enron fiasco, the public accounting Those names now carry connotations of lies, profession came under severe scrutiny and was ultimately engulfed in a deceit, greed and corruption. massive regulatory reaction.

Taylor in Washington, D.C., where he completed a one-year academic fellowship with the Securities and Exchange Commission, analyzing corporate compliance with the sweeping reforms of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. 17 Spring 2007 Can We Prevent the Next Enron?

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act reporting (ICFR). Other titles address are referred to as accelerated filers and analysts’ conflicts of interests, corporate nonaccelerated filers. Accelerated filers In response to this string of scandals and criminal fraud accountability, and collectively account for over 99 percent climaxed by Enron and WorldCom penalties for white-collar crime. of the total market value of all publicly along with Andersen’s demise, Congress During a recent one-year fellowship traded companies, but only about one- passed, and President George W. Bush with the United States Securities third of the total number of all publicly signed into law, the Public Accounting and Exchange Commission (SEC) in traded companies; nonaccelerated filers Reform and Investor Protection Act (i.e., Washington, D.C., an important focus make up the rest. Accelerated filers the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, hereafter of my work was compliance with the were required to comply with the new “SOX”), on July 30, 2002. Bush described Sarbanes-Oxley Act — especially the ICFR provisions for fiscal years ending SOX as “the most far-reaching reform of provisions in Section IV, regarding on or after Nov. 15, 2004. The deadline American business practices” since the ICFR. That section was specifically for nonaccelerated filers complying Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities designed to restore confidence in market with Section 404, after a final extension Exchange Act of 1934. That was no integrity related to the reliability of was granted by the SEC on Aug. 9, overstatement. The act is composed of 11 financial reporting. 2006, is for fiscal years ending on or sections that include sweeping provisions A company’s internal control over after Dec. 15, 2007. for numerous aspects related to financial financial reporting refers to the control reporting of publicly traded companies. mechanisms embedded in the methods For example, Title I mandates the and processes by which financial creation of a new board to regulate Despite all the controversy transactions are recorded, summarized the public accounting profession, the and reported in financial statements. Public Company Accounting Oversight over cost and other issues, SOX Section 404, Management Board (PCAOB). This board oversees Assessment of Internal Controls, has public accounting firms that opine preliminary analysis of generated far more controversy on the fairness or accuracy of annual than any other aspect of SOX and it financial statements issued by publicly corporate reporting of continues to be a sore spot in discussions traded companies. The board also among auditors, investors, company establishes auditing, quality control, management teams and regulators. ICFR effectiveness by both ethics, independence and other standards Under Section 404(a), the SEC prescribed relating to audits of corporate financial rules requiring companies to include companies and auditors statements. The PCAOB also inspects in their annual reports to the SEC public accounting firms and has the an assessment of the effectiveness of authority to impose sanctions on public shows improvement in the companies’ ICFR. Further, under accounting firms that fail to follow Section 404(b), accounting firms that designated standards. compliance with SOX audit companies’ financial statements Title II of SOX addresses auditor must now attest to, and report on, independence. It limits the services a Section 404 between Year 1 management’s assessment of the publicly traded company’s independent effectiveness of ICFR. auditor can provide beyond the audit of and Year 2, and that bodes A key concept in the SEC rules the company’s financial statements. (The is material weakness. A material independent audit firm cannot provide weakness is a deficiency in the design well for investors. other business consulting services to the or operation of ICFR that results in company, for example.) more than a remote likelihood that SOX Section 404 has been controversial Title III addresses corporate officers’ the company’s ICFR will not detect or primarily because of the exorbitant responsibilities for a company’s annual prevent a material misstatement in the implementation cost. Although the cost of report containing its audited financial financial statements. If a company’s engaging in any new regulatory activity statements. It requires the chief executive management team identifies one or is high in the short run as companies officer and the chief financial officer to more “material weaknesses” in ICFR, it begin treading up the learning curve, certify that they have reviewed the report, may not conclude that the issuer’s ICFR compliance costs under SOX Section 404 and that the report does not contain, to is effective. In addition, the underlying have been much larger than anticipated. their knowledge, any material omission causes of material weaknesses in ICFR Companies were hit with significant costs or misleading facts, among other things. must be disclosed in the company’s from at least two sources. First, few if any Title IV focuses on improved financial annual report. companies had ever completed partial, disclosures, including disclosures of Not all companies are yet required to much less comprehensive analyses of the transactions between companies and comply with SOX Section 404. The SEC effectiveness of ICFR, despite provisions their management and principal officers, rules, as modified, essentially define found, for example, in the Foreign and disclosures regarding the company’s two classes of filers primarily based Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, which system of internal control over financial on company size; these two divisions requires companies to maintain adequate 18 Spring 2007 Can We Prevent the Next Enron?

ICFR. Second, although companies including better control over the Selected Section 404 anticipated incurring audit fees to financial reporting processes, improved Reporting Statistics compensate the independent auditor to operations and lower borrowing costs. perform the required work under the Such things are difficult to measure and Despite all the controversy over cost new rules, audit fees skyrocketed beyond the perception that such benefits have and other issues, preliminary analysis of original estimates. One study indicated not materialized at levels which justify corporate reporting of ICFR effectiveness that audit fees had on average doubled the compliance costs are common. This by both companies and auditors shows under SOX Section 404. perception became evident in part at improvement in compliance with SOX In addition to cost issues, another the SEC and PCAOB jointly sponsored Section 404 between Year 1 and Year source of controversy has to do with the roundtable on Year 2 Section 404 2, and that bodes well for investors, anticipated benefits of complying with compliance held May 10, 2006, at SEC suggesting that financial reporting Section 404. First, regulators anticipated headquarters in Washington, D.C. The reliability has improved overall. For macro-level benefits of complying with SEC invited corporate management team example, Table 1 shows that 3,801 SOX in the form of increased reliability members, independent auditors, board companies reported under SOX Section of financial statements, reduced risk members, creditors and others to provide 404 in Year 1. Of those that reported, of fraudulent financial statements. feedback on Year 2 compliance efforts. 598, or 16 percent reported ineffective However, nailing down a dollar Overwhelmingly, the feedback from ICFR (meaning the management team amount for those benefits is extremely management teams was that the costs of uncovered and was not able to remediate difficult at best. To make matters worse, compliance clearly outweigh the benefits. during the period one or more material companies continue to experience On the bright side, at least one survey weaknesses). In contrast, of the 3,582 problems with financial reporting. For shows that compliance costs for Year 2 companies that have reported under Year example, despite all of the work that has are either the same or in some cases quite 2 to date, only 324, or about 9 percent gone into complying with Section 404 a bit lower than for Year 1, suggesting reported ineffective ICFR. Thus, the rate during the last few years, companies that both companies and their auditors of ineffective ICFR declined by about 44 continue to engage in questionable are becoming more efficient in fulfilling percent in Year 2. accounting practices, with back-dating of SOX Section 404 requirements. Shortly Although data on the exact number compensatory stock options for company after the roundtable meeting, the PCAOB of material weaknesses existing within executives to maximize their financial announced that it would focus its audit ICFR systems for companies that report benefit most recently dominating firm inspection efforts in the coming ineffective ICFR is not available, some headlines of the financial press. year on efficiency, perhaps to help audit related data is available that further Second, companies perhaps firms root out continuing inefficiencies reveals improvements between Year 1 mistakenly expected significantly and further improve the cost benefit and Year 2. While companies’ annual more micro-level benefits or tangible relationship for SOX Section 404 reports do not report the exact number operational benefits from SOX, compliance efforts. of material weaknesses uncovered by their staff, the external auditor, or both, the reports do identify the specific Companies Reporting Effective/Ineffective Internal Control over issues underlying existing material Financial Reporting (ICFR) under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act weaknesses, and the data reveal significant decreases in the number of issues identified. In Year 1, the 598 Effective Internal Controls companies reporting ineffective ICFR identified 1,444 issues associated with Year 1 Ineffective material weaknesses, or 2.41 issues per Internal company. In contrast, to date, in Year Controls 2, 324 companies reporting ineffective ICFR identified only 719 issues associated with material weaknesses, or Effective Internal Controls an average of 2.2 issues per company. Thus, the average number of issues Year 2 Ineffective identified with material weaknesses per Internal company has fallen. Controls To summarize, more companies got it right in Year 2 compared to Year 1; that Management’s Report on ICFR Year 1 Year 2 is, fewer companies reported ineffective Total Companies Reporting 3,801 3,582 ICFR in Year 2 relative to Year 1. Further, Effective Internal Controls 3,200 3,258 those companies that reported ineffective Ineffective Internal Controls 598 324 ICFR in Year 2 identified fewer issues associated with material weaknesses Table 1 19 Spring 2007 Can We Prevent the Next Enron?

SOX has gone a long way toward preventing the misleading financial reporting that was implemented at Enron, WorldCom and a host of companies before them. But, in a nutshell, SOX and its reforms are designed to help keep honest individuals honest. Thus, in the final analysis, whether the line, as it were, is crossed depends upon the people involved, not just the internal controls. Only time will tell whether individuals will toe the line in the face of SOX and its increased emphasis on rooting out nefarious financial reporting — to avoid the next Enron.

20 Spring 2007 Can We Prevent the Next Enron?

in ICFR. This reduction indicates that, improved in the two years the rules have The Role of on average, most companies that been in place. These realizations may “Tone at the Top” reported ineffective ICFR had fewer give some comfort to investors and other material weaknesses, suggesting that market participants. One variable that has more impact companies made progress in cleaning up However, other market effects on reliability of financial reporting than a significant portion of previous material dampen that optimism. For example, any government regulation is what is weaknesses. These reductions are good despite all of the new regulations SOX referred to as “tone at the top.” Tone news for investors and other market has imposed on companies and auditors, at the top refers to the management participants and I expect continued the options back-dating problems team’s (and in particular, the chief progress in Year 3. raise concerns. Further, corporate executive officer’s) overall approach Where Do We Go restatements, or instances of companies and attitude toward internal control, reissuing their financial statements ethics, conduct, etc. from Here? to make significant corrections, have If tone at the top is anything other A question that naturally follows continued to trend upward to historic than an internal control conscious, from the analysis presented is: Are the levels, with Glass Lewis & Co., a consistently applied approach to efforts being expended on compliance securities research firm, reporting that business founded on principles of with SOX Section 404 accomplishing corporate restatements nearly doubled integrity, honesty, forthrightness, their intended objectives? in 2005 with nearly 10 percent of all contribution, etc., no amount of As noted, SOX’s overall objective is companies in the U.S. filing restatements. government regulation will stop the “to protect investors by improving the next Enron. accuracy and reliability of corporate An applicable parable about disclosures made pursuant to the In terms of the accounting Abraham Lincoln goes something like securities laws.” With regard to the this. One day Lincoln was meeting in objectives of SOX Section 404, are profession, the passage his office with a particular individual ICFR systems more reliable, and thus, when his assistant, outside the office, the financial statements of companies of Sarbanes-Oxley and observed an increasing amount of more reliable than they were prior to commotion, and then witnessed enacting SOX? the establishment of Lincoln abruptly and forcefully In terms of the accounting profession, escorting the man out of the office and the passage of Sarbanes-Oxley and the the Public Company into the street. When the assistant later establishment of the Public Company inquired as to what was the matter, Accounting Oversight Board have Accounting Oversight Lincoln responded by saying, “Every had significant beneficial effects on the man has his price, and that man was profession. Many leaders in the accounting Board have had getting close to mine.” profession credit the act, and the PCAOB, The moral to that parable is that in with helping to restore the public trust in significant beneficial the final analysis, the only thing that the profession and in reconfirming the separates CEOs, CFOs, auditors and value of high-quality audits. effects on the profession. other players in the financial markets In the aftermath of Enron/WorldCom, from caving in to human nature in the a welcome renaissance has transpired As the SEC and PCAOB move face of pressures to behave unethically with a focus on a back-to-basics approach forward with announced initiatives, in either small or large ways, is the to auditing. The independent accounting such as developing management strength of the individual’s wall of firms are focusing on the fundamentals guidance to assist nonaccelerated filers integrity that separates the person of independence, professional skepticism, in implementing SOX Section 404 from nefarious acts. Where there is no rigorous appropriate testing and requirements, and revising standards wall, or where there is a weak wall, documentation. Ironically, the very that govern auditors’ conduct in the likelihood of failing to do the right legislation designed in part to improve performing audits of ICFR, additional thing is always much higher. oversight and performance of auditors data will present itself to further assist That’s one reason schools such as has also led to record revenues and in determining whether financial Creighton University — whose College growth in the profession. reporting is indeed more reliable of Business Administration seeks to But what about the broader objectives than it was previously. The next three ground future business leaders in a related to investors? Has Sarbanes-Oxley years will be critical as accelerated foundation of principles and values prevented or curtailed the next Enron? filers and their auditors will continue that are consistent with proper “tone Clearly, there has not been a corporate to streamline the assessments and at the top” — are so important to the meltdown similar to Enron or WorldCom audits of ICFR and especially as non- future of corporate America. Business since the legislation was signed into accelerated filers begin complying with leaders who have that sure foundation, law in July 2002. And the data provides Section 404 for fiscal years ending on that wall of integrity, are more likely to some evidence that ICFR has measurably or after Dec. 15, 2007. not compromise the rules. 21 Spring 2007 A strong desire to make a difference in First in a two-part series patients’ lives drives the research efforts at Creighton University’s School of Medicine, By Ozzie Nogg where investigators have made discoveries about the mechanism of diseases and are developing new methods of prevention and treatment. Despite the threat of continuing cutbacks in National Institutes of Health (NIH) research funding nationwide, Creighton School of Medicine faculty members continue to receive major grants from this federal agency. The following is an overview of the ground-breaking research being conducted in various Creighton departments.

22 Spring 2007 First in a two-part series Photos by Andrew Marinkovich/Malone & Co. & Marinkovich/Malone Andrew by Photos Research by Creighton’s Thomas Casale, M.D., and Robert Townley, MD’55, helped lead to the development of new medication to treat patients with moderate to severe allergic asthma. Allergic and said. “Our clinical trials show that asthma, seasonal allergic rhinitis and Immunologic Disorders omalizumab is especially beneficial for other allergic inflammatory disorders. patients with severe asthma because it When we assessed the clinical benefit Thanks to Thomas Casale, M.D., and allows a decrease in their use of inhaled and steroid-sparing effect of treatment Robert Townley, MD’55, of Creighton’s and oral corticosteroids, today’s most with Xolair in patients with moderate Division of Allergy and Immunology, prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs.” to severe allergic asthma, the group sufferers of allergy-related asthma can showed 58 percent fewer exacerbations. now breathe a sigh of relief. On a more personal note, it was very “We know that an agent called “We know that an gratifying that many of the patients who IgE is the antibody that makes an participated in this clinical trial told me individual allergic,” Casale said. “IgE agent called IgE is the how this new treatment improved their occurs naturally in our bodies in small quality of life. They were able to do amounts. But when a person with antibody that makes an things that they had not been able to allergic asthma breathes in an allergen do for years.” such as dust mites or the dander individual allergic.” Just as patients recognize the produced by cats or dogs, their bodies contributions of Casale, Townley and make more IgE. This causes a series — Thomas Casale, M.D. the team at Creighton’s Division of of chemical reactions that can lead Allergy and Immunology, so too do their to swelling and inflammation of the Creighton’s research helped lead to peers in the scientific world. Casale is airways — the symptoms of allergic FDA approval of omalizumab — under president of the American Academy of asthma and attacks.” the name Xolair — for the treatment of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology — the Happily, Creighton researchers have moderate to severe allergic asthma in largest international professional allergy found an antibody — the molecule, adolescents and adults. According to society. Townley received the academy’s omalizumab — that removes IgE Townley, “The development of Xolair Distinguished Clinician Award in 1998, from the body. “I’ve been working on opened a promising and more specific in recognition of his groundbreaking this molecule for over 10 years,” Casale approach to the management of allergic work over the past 40 years.

23 Spring 2007 Research at Creighton: Making Connections

Hereditary Cancer of the role genetics play in cancer more a finding that affects countless Research and than 45 years ago, when most of his hereditary breast ovarian cancer-prone contemporaries believed cancer was families. This discovery led to the Cancer Biology triggered solely by environmental identification of BRCA mutations for Under the pioneering direction of causes. Lynch, however, began diagnosis of hereditary breast cancer. Henry Lynch, M.D., professor and chair following a different lead — the His research has also played a major of preventive medicine and director possible genetic link to certain cancer role in the discovery of families prone of Creighton’s Hereditary Cancer types, with a particular emphasis on to hematologic cancers, particularly Institute, along with members of the breast cancer. His painstaking record chronic lymphocytic leukemia and Department of Preventive Medicine keeping and compilations of family multiple myeloma. Decades ago, Lynch and Public Health and collaborators medical history data led him to identify began publishing on the importance of from Creighton’s clinical and basic cancer syndromes and their patterns prophylactic bilateral mastectomy and science and pathology departments, of inheritance through generations of even oophorectomy (ovary removal). the University has created the world’s extended families. His identification largest resource of hereditary cancer- of the Lynch Syndrome now makes prone families of all anatomic sites, it possible to predict with nearly 90 “Through the years, my with special emphasis given to the percent accuracy the risk of the disease Lynch Syndrome. This disorder, caused in patients with direct germ-line work has been backed by by a gene mutation and characterized mutations. With early detection, Lynch by the predominance of early onset Syndrome and other colon cancers are Creighton University with colorectal cancer and other cancers curable in 90 percent of patients, through of the gynecologic, urologic and intensive surveillance with colonoscopy. emphasis on the most gastrointestinal systems, now involves In addition, Lynch was the first in countless families throughout the world. the world to discover the hereditary important clinical aspect, Lynch began his lifelong investigation breast ovarian cancer syndrome, namely early diagnosis and cancer prevention.” — Henry Lynch, M.D.

“We are currently researching what we hope will be breakthroughs in the use of diagnostic imaging that could aid in the discovery and management of desmoid tumors,” Lynch said. “Through the years, my work has been backed by Creighton University with emphasis on the most important clinical aspect, namely early diagnosis and cancer prevention.” Lynch’s work recently captured the interest of national media, including ABC News and CNN, when a family reunited in Las Vegas for a special celebration of life. Years earlier, Lynch had identified the family as carriers of a rare, lethal genetic defect that caused almost an entire generation of the family to die from stomach cancer. As a result, 11 cousins chose to undergo preemptive surgery to have their stomachs removed. The reunion was the first time all 11 cousins, as well as Lynch and other doctors involved in the case, gathered to celebrate the cousins’ survival and remember those who died before the Creighton’s Henry Lynch, M.D., who holds the Charles and Mary Heider Endowed Chair in Cancer genetic defect was detected. Research, is a leading pioneer in the field of hereditary cancer. 24 Spring 2007 Research at Creighton: Making Connections

Obesity and Bariatric Surgery Another battle that Creighton researchers are waging on two fronts is the fight against obesity. Roger Reidelberger, Ph.D., professor of biomedical science, and Armour Forse, M.D., chair of the Department of Surgery at Creighton University Medical Center, are leading the charge. While the search for anti-obesity drugs continues, Forse, Lempka Professor of Surgery, stays involved with studies to optimize bariatric surgery for morbidly obese patients. “This extreme procedure is referred to as ‘stomach stapling’ by most lay people,” said Forse, whose research includes dosing of antibiotics, operations selection and the use of revisional surgery. Statistics show that bariatric surgery patients can lose about 30 percent of their body weight. The procedure, though drastic and not an easy solution for weight loss, can deliver significant benefits to the patient. In his investigations, Forse showed that bariatric surgery could reverse the cardiac dysfunction related to morbid obesity. His current research is being done with Boston University to investigate the role of fat cells and their regional differences The research of Armour Forse, M.D., left, and Roger Reidelberger, Ph.D., focuses on trying to better in the pathophysiology of obesity. In understand the molecular underpinnings of obesity and on developing the most effective surgical addition, Forse is studying the signals techniques to assist the morbidly obese. that emanate from the liver in response to bacterial toxins, and recently discovered a cages, while having their food intake novel receptor involved with toxins that measured and automatically receiving uses trace minerals as part of its signaling “I predict that drugs will test drugs via computer. This “hands- system. Further research into this system off” environment produces less stress may provide ways to decrease the excess be developed in the near for the animals and a more accurate and liver response to bacterial toxins, which “natural” testing environment. “The food add to the overwhelming injury of toxins future to help control our bowls the animals eat from actually rest such as sepsis. on digital scales which are connected Reidelberger focuses on the questions: appetites, to help weight to a computer system,” Reidelberger How does the gastrointestinal tract explained, “and the weight of the food communicate with the brain to control regulation problems. bowl on the scale is recorded every food intake and body weight? Can we 20 seconds, so we can determine the use this information to develop drug That’s our goal, and instantaneous effects of dose and pattern therapies that will prove to be effective of drug administration on food intake in producing sustained weight loss? we’re getting closer.” in these animals. Our tests have clearly The answers are slowly emerging. — Roger Reidelberger, Ph.D. identified the gastrointestinal hormone, Working in tandem with Creighton and PYY3-36, as a potent inhibitor of food his lab at the VA Hospital in Omaha, procedures are something Reidelberger intake, that when given by intermittent Reidelberger and his team developed has been developing “step by step” for infusion over many days, can produce a a unique experimental model that about 30 years. Currently, 64 rats, each sustained reduction in daily food intake permits precise control of dose and with an intra-abdominal catheter, are and body weight in lean and obese rats.” pattern of administration of anorexigenic tethered to infusion swivels that allow compounds to rats. The lab and its them to move, eat and drink in their continued on next page 25 Spring 2007 Research at Creighton: Making Connections

Bacterial Resistance Obesity and pathogen involved in life-threatening and Riboswitches infections among hospitalized patients Bariatric Surgery Bacteria are a clever bunch, often and the Cystic Fibrosis population. continued from previous page mutating past every known antibiotic. In addition, Dr. Hanson and I have Enter Nancy Hanson, Ph.D., Phil been expanding our research into the Lister, Ph.D., Ken Thomson, Ph.D., identification of novel targets to enhance How this information will translate and Ellen Smith Moland, B.S.M.T., of the antibacterial activity of established to humans is still not entirely certain. Creighton’s Center for Research in drugs. Rather than develop new drugs, According to Reidelberger, there’s been a Anti-Infectives and Biotechnology. our research is looking for novel methods significant evolution in the last 20 years They, along with Drs. Garrett and Julie to turn off the expression of resistance when it comes to understanding how Soukup, a husband and wife team of mechanisms and ‘rescue’ drugs that are the gastrointestinal tract tells us we’ve RNA biochemists in the University’s losing their effectiveness.” gone from hungry to full, and what Departments of Biomedical Sciences determines the amount of fat stored and Chemistry, are currently waging a in our bodies. Reidelberger adds that two-pronged attack on super-bugs. most of the anorexigenic compounds Hanson, Lister, Thomson and their “I find our research being tested in rats reduce short-term team focus on the molecular mechanisms food intake when administered acutely of antibacterial resistance, and evaluating rewarding for many to humans. “I predict that drugs will new drugs and drug combinations that be developed in the near future to help effectively treat the problem. Hanson, reasons, but most control our appetites, to help weight who developed a gene-based method regulation problems. That’s our goal, for identifying resistance mechanisms, importantly because and we’re getting closer. Right now said, “Once the mechanism is identified, our lab can screen 12 anorexigenic the most appropriate antibiotic to treat of the potential for compounds a year. No one else can do that patient can be prescribed. With the what we do. Hopefully, in the next increase of resistant bacteria in patients, immediate impact on the few years our molecular studies and it’s absolutely necessary that we use the new technology we’ve developed available antibiotics in the wisest way lives of patients in need.” in the Creighton/VA lab will have made possible.” The group recently developed — Phil Lister, Ph.D. an impact.” a new diagnostic test to detect certain According to Reidelberger, types of antibiotic resistance. “Our Creighton’s Office of Technology current project,” Thomson said, “places For the Soukups, outwitting super- Transfer has filed a patent application this test in laboratories around the bugs means looking at riboswitches, for his groundbreaking technology, country and teaches microbiologists the RNA elements that make genes which would give drug companies how to use the test. Today, with medical turn on and off. “Riboswitches are a the ability to set up similar systems to cost-cutting and downsizing, many simple way for bacterial cells to monitor screen multiple compounds and create microbiologists are pressured to provide their metabolic state and respond therapies. “Scientific research is about minimal diagnostic services, and are appropriately by controlling the genes producing the data and exposing it consequently unable to reliably detect with which they are associated,” Garrett in print to other researchers for peer new forms of antibiotic resistance. Soukup said. “A riboswitch is part of a review. This process takes time. Our lab Whenever we assist in getting them to gene’s messenger RNA. One riboswitch is trying to accelerate the discovery of upgrade the quality of their testing, it we work on controls a gene required to therapeutics, while continuing to sell has the potential to positively impact build the cell wall that protects bacteria, our ideas to funding agencies so we many lives.” And despite cuts in federal and the riboswitch self-destructs can keep doing what we do. We have funding, the Center for Research in in response to binding its specific been successful in obtaining federal Anti-Infectives and Biotechnology has metabolite. We’re investigating how funding even in these times when kept research dollars coming in through a the metabolite plays a key role in this budgets are tight, because obesity is a variety of sources, including both federal process, and how similar compounds can major health concern. So much can still and non-federal sources, which actually trigger the same response. We hope these be accomplished in the area of drug increased in this academic year. artificial triggers will perturb cell wall discovery, and significant progress is Lister’s primary interests are the production, inhibit bacterial cell growth being made here at Creighton. I want development of novel antibacterial and starve organisms that cause disease.” to communicate the fact that we’ve combinations to treat multi-drug resistant The Soukups’ research ties directly touched lives — we’re involved in a bacteria and to slow down the further into the work of their colleagues in the process that gives people hope. development of resistance. “For these Anti-Infectives and Biotech Center. “As We’re excited.” studies,” Lister said, “I have focused resistant super-bugs continue to evolve,” primarily on P. aeruginosa, an important Julie Soukup said, “the drugs now used 26 Spring 2007 Research at Creighton: Making Connections

From left, Julie Soukup, Ph.D., Nancy Hanson, Ph.D., Phil Lister, MS’89, PhD’92, Ellen Smith Moland, B.S.M.T., Garrett Soukup, Ph.D., and Ken Thomson, Ph.D., are part of a team at Creighton studying bacterial resistance to antibiotics and riboswitches.

to cure bacterial infections will eventually caused by resistant bacteria inspires taken aback by that. We sometimes forget become ineffective. Novel antibiotics are me,” Hanson says. “Questions about that we’re not only scientists doing good in high demand, and riboswitch research how biology works drive me. As a work, but role models for so many young will help us design new drugs that tackle researcher, my most satisfying moments women and men.” bacteria in new ways.” come when people understand why the Garrett Soukup agrees. “Through According to Lister, “I find our research science we do in the lab is so important.” our research, we enjoy the privilege rewarding for many reasons, but most Currently studying a particular bacterial of continuous learning and discovery, importantly because of the potential for pathogen to uncover how it becomes while we train the next generation of immediate impact on the lives of patients resistant to antibiotics in patients, scientists. Ultimately, we educate one in need. It’s the ability to help others Hanson travels the globe, speaking another through our presentations and through our research that makes this work about Creighton’s world-recognized publications. As basic research scientists, so fulfilling, and it’s the service-oriented research. “I enjoy conveying the we aim to provide a foundation of mission of Creighton University and the message, and was most touched when understanding that will contribute to the Jesuit Society that has made me feel so a graduate student came up to me in development of therapeutic agents or much at home with my work here.” Australia and said, ‘Dr. Hanson, I didn’t strategies down the road.” “Helping people, even in an indirect understand everything you said, but way, who are suffering from infections I want to be like you some day.’ I was

A Legacy of Research providers, business and professional leaders who have been molded by the ethics and moral distinctiveness of the Every day on the Creighton University campus, scientists Jesuit, Catholic faith, identity and mission. As an institution and researchers serve as models for undergraduates with great creating the next generation of scientific leadership and ambitions to be of service. They illustrate Creighton’s fidelity students prepared for compelling careers and service, to the Jesuit, Catholic educational tradition in which science Creighton University is demonstrating that it is Willing to education has always been at the forefront. They signify that, Innovate and Willing to Lead. like the visionary men and women who were the University’s founders, pioneering ventures in vast new landscapes are both Creighton’s legacy and future. The Campaign for Creighton University seeks $62 million in support for science education and technology. Creighton must persevere in advancing its science and technology capabilities to continue graduating world-class scientists, health care

27 Spring 2007 By Katie Henriksen

At the core of Creighton University’s mission is the desire to educate students who have the skills, ethics and motivation to build a better society. Throughout its 100-plus year history, the University has proven its dedication to this mission by reaching out to attract the best students from all backgrounds.

Creighton’s Jesuit, Catholic mission students settled on a less selective college first-generation students help to bring also comes with an obligation to help choice that cost much less. With the a diverse set of perspectives to the ensure an education for the increasing support of financial aid provided by the campus community. They are willing numbers of high-ability middle- and University, 195 first-generation students to sacrifice in order to attain their lower-income students seeking were able to enroll at Creighton in 2006. Creighton education and pursue it as a admission to college, as well as those who Why is it so important for Creighton means to elevate themselves and their are first-generation college students. to continue to enroll first-generation families. For many of these students, While not all first-generation students students? One reason, according to attending another school may have are minorities or come from low-income Bishop, is that first-generation students been an easier choice, both financially households, many do. According to are typically high achievers; the very kind and academically, but they believed Don Bishop, associate vice president of student that Creighton — and indeed strongly that a Creighton education for Enrollment Management, of the any institute of higher learning — desires would better provide them with the 400 first-generation students who were to attract. future they desired. admitted to Creighton in 2006, 200 chose “Fifty percent of the first-generation First-generation college students not to enroll, citing financial aid and costs students in the class of 2006 accomplished Kristina Smith, Luis Vazquez and as the No. 1 reason for their decision. a rank in the top 10 percent of their high Millicent Wolfe each made the choice These students indicated that Creighton school, compared to 44 percent for the to attend Creighton despite the various had been their first choice and that they entire class,” Bishop said. “In addition, obstacles each faced to get here. For would have enrolled had they received the median high school grade-point them, a Creighton education means more support in financial aid. About 80 average of these first-generation students not only a better life for themselves and of these students chose peer colleges that was 3.87.” their families, but for their communities, provided more aid. The remaining 120 In addition to academic excellence, as well. Here are their stories.

28 Spring 2007

Photos by Mike Kleveter Mike by Photos Kristina Smith Philosophy/Political Science — Class of 2008

For too many teenage mothers, the to do beyond high school,” said Smith, Union Pacific after her husband had dream of finishing high school and 20, now a junior majoring in philosophy died. Juggling high school with raising going on to college ends when they learn and political science at Creighton. “When her son, Smith focused on applying to they are pregnant. For Kristina Smith, it my son was born, I knew I had to go to colleges and universities that would is where her dreams began. college and make a career for myself.” offer her in-state tuition. As a high school freshman, Smith Smith’s story becomes even more Although two other colleges had moved from her hometown of Gurnee, remarkable when you learn that she offered her full-ride scholarships, Smith Ill., (a Chicago suburb) to Omaha. At 15, is not only a first-generation college stuck with her first choice of Creighton she gave birth to her son, James, who is student, but the first in her family to University. “Financially, things might now 5 years old. graduate from high school. She came to have been easier at another school,” “Before I became pregnant, I hadn’t Omaha to live with her godmother, who she said. “But Creighton was where I thought much about what I was going had been transferred to a new job with wanted to be. I was so impressed with

29 Spring 2007 First-Generation Students Federal, State Aid for Students Continues to Decline Between 1996 and 2006, Federal Pell Grant support for • In many states, the neediest students attending in-state qualifying students has fallen from supporting 20 percent of private colleges receive state grants averaging between the costs of Creighton to just 12 percent, creating an additional $4,000 and $9,000. In Nebraska, where 36 percent of shortfall of $3,600 in today’s dollars for Pell-eligible students. Creighton students come from, the neediest students In an attempt to bridge this additional gap as much as receive an average of just $500. In order to ensure that possible, Creighton University is working to build up the a Creighton education remains a possibility for these endowment for financial aid grants for all needy students, students, the University must bridge the gap itself with including all Pell-eligible students and the vast majority of first- funds from its endowment and general budget. generation students. Between federal reductions in funding and lower grants Nebraska students with high need have been hit even harder for in-state students, many Creighton students today face an by sharp decreases in state aid and a relatively low investment ever-increasing challenge to financing their college education. by the state for its lower- and middle-income families. Creighton remains committed to its mission of providing an • Ten years ago, about 80 freshmen from Nebraska received education to all deserving students, regardless of their ability state grants that provided about $1,200 per student (7 to pay, and will continue to draw upon whatever resources are percent of the costs at Creighton). Due to cuts in funding, necessary to do so. the 80 neediest Nebraska students now receive an average of approximately $500, which only covers about 1.5 (Information provided by Don Bishop, associate vice president for percent of their total college costs. Enrollment Management, November 2006.)

the University and knew I’d do well in has received a great deal of support and extracurricular activities is still a the personal environment that Creighton through Student Support Services (SSS), huge challenge.” offered. I also wasn’t sure what type of a program that assists first-generation Despite the many obstacles, Smith career I wanted to go into, and felt that college students, low-income students has managed to make the dean’s a liberal arts education at Creighton and students with disabilities, the list every semester and is a member would provide me with the most federally funded program has been of the honor society of philosophy options for my future.” limited by recent cutbacks. “I owe a lot and political science. In addition to to Student Support Services, because her on-campus involvement with without them, I don’t think I’d have Student Support Services, she has been as successful here,” Smith said. worked on political campaigns and is “I owe a lot to Student “They do everything they possibly can a member of the Campus Democrats. to help, but they are already stretched Smith was recently recognized for Support Services, because to the limit trying to provide so much her leadership with the Pacesetter for so many. What I want is to help Award from SSS and the Omicron without them, I don’t generate additional campus support Delta Kappa Leadership Award. She specifically for non-traditional and is also a recipient of the Scholarship think I’d have been as single-parent students.” for Economically and Educationally Some of the specific changes she’d Disadvantaged Students (SEEDS), successful here.” like to see are more affordable day which goes to qualified SSS students. care and on-campus housing options Never one to take the easy way out, — Kristina Smith for single parents. “It’s been hard Smith is still deciding whether she will to balance studies with raising a continue on to law school or pursue a Currently, Smith, who in recent son,” Smith said. “I don’t have the Ph.D. in political science. As a result, she years has helped to create both the convenience factor of being able to live will be spending what little free time Peer2Peer mentoring program and on campus or to have my son in day she has preparing to take both the LSAT a support group for single parents care here, because I couldn’t afford it. and GRE in June. “I know I should just at Creighton, is looking for a way to This year, James started kindergarten, pick one now and make things easier on increase the support non-traditional so that helps a bit financially. But, myself,” Smith said, laughing. “But at this students receive on campus. While she balancing his schedule with my studies point, I want to keep my options open.”

30 Spring 2007 First-Generation Students

Luis Vazquez Chemistry/Pre-med — Class of 2010

Luis Vazquez’s story is the story of the asked me if I wanted to continue this Then, the first of many “miracles” American dream. It is also the story of way,” Vazquez said. “I came to realize occurred in Vazquez’s life. sacrifice — of parents who want only a that in order to advance the Latino Shortly before his high school better life for their children. culture here in the United States, I needed graduation, Vazquez finally received Originally from Parral Chihuahua, to attend college to gain knowledge and his legal residency papers. He then Mexico (a town of approximately be an example to other Hispanics. I also met two people who offered him the 100,000 just eight hours south of El Paso, wanted to make my parents proud and encouragement and support he needed to Texas), Luis joined his stepfather and to pay them back for all they had given persevere through the rigorous application mother in Omaha six years ago. His me. I knew that college was the key to and enrollment process — Veronica sister, who had been attending college accomplishing what I wanted.” Hernandez, a Creighton sophomore who in Mexico, and young niece joined the As a high school senior with his legal had once been in Vazquez’s shoes, and family a year later. residency status still in process, Vazquez Tami Buffalohead-McGill, BA’89, director “My mother and stepfather made had begun to lose hope of going on of Student Support Services at Creighton. sure I understood the reality that to college after graduation. Creighton With the help of Buffalohead-McGill, many Hispanic people live with — the University was his first and only choice, Hernandez and others, Vazquez not only economic struggles and involvement in but without financial assistance, the made it to Creighton, but also became a dangerous and unwanted jobs — and dream seemed almost out of reach. Diversity Scholar.

31 Spring 2007 First-Generation Students

Helping Students Achieve: Student Support Services a Valuable Resource Student Support Services (SSS) is one of the five federally funded TRIO programs at Creighton University under the Department of Educational Opportunity Programs. For over 25 years, SSS has provided quality assistance to approximately 4,000 students who are economically disadvantaged, first-generation college students and students with disabilities. SSS is grant-funded through the Department of Education to provide comprehensive services to help students achieve a successful college experience by increasing academic performance, retention and graduation rates. For the 2005-2006 academic year, 94 percent of SSS participants are first-generation college students (neither parent earned a four- year college degree). The strength of the SSS program is providing comprehensive support to under-represented students at Creighton University, who come from disadvantaged backgrounds and have the ability and desire to succeed, but who would benefit from additional advocacy, academic, personal, financial and career support. SSS is a resource that provides personalized and comprehensive support services for eligible participants to help them achieve their full potential. According to Tami Buffalohead-McGill, director of Student Support Services, recent cuts in federal funding have threatened various TRIO programs and limit the help that SSS can offer to participating students. While Creighton does provide SSS with money to award scholarships to first- generation, low-income students, as tuition increases and federal and state aid decreases, the financial gap for these students will continue to widen, making private donations even more important.

Through it all, Vazquez credits the Creighton, his mother also wants her unwavering support of his family for his son to remember to help others who are success. “I am extremely proud of my in similar situations. “I came to realize that in parents,” Vazquez said. “They could not Now a freshman majoring in attend college because it is extremely chemistry and pre-medicine, Vazquez order to advance the Latino difficult to pay for a higher education in hopes to continue his academic success Mexico. My mother works as a janitor at Creighton and go on to medical culture here in the United cleaning businesses and offices, and school after graduation. He also plans my stepfather works at a meat-packing to give back to the school and the States, I needed to attend plant. They did not want me to be community that has supported him involved in the same kind of jobs that this far and to become a role model for college to gain knowledge they are in now. They want a better life others who follow in his footsteps. for me and their sacrifice demonstrates “My message is to love God, love and be an example to other their unconditional love for me.” life, have faith and fight with strength,” Because of the sacrifice that his Vazquez said. “If you fall, get up with Hispanics.” parents have made for him to attend more strength. Sacrifice for others and – Luis Vazquez Creighton, Vazquez feels a great sense repay those who sacrifice for you. This of responsibility to make them proud. is something I must do every day if I While Vazquez’s stepfather never tires want to accomplish all of my dreams.” of telling others that his son goes to

32 Spring 2007 First-Generation Students

Millicent Wolfe Elementary Education — Class of 2009 Although she grew up less than Due to a variety of financial and cultural eighth grade and still undecided about 85 miles from Omaha, the life Millicent factors, obtaining a four-year college her college plans.) And, although neither Wolfe knew before coming to Creighton degree is rare among much of the Native of her parents have a four-year degree, seems worlds apart. Millicent, or American population. The Wolfe family, Millie’s father did receive his associate’s “Millie” as she is known to her however, may prove to be the exception degree in liberal arts from Haskell. friends here on campus, grew up in to the rule. Millie is now a sophomore “Going on to college was always Walthill, Neb., a small community of majoring in elementary education at important to my parents,” Wolfe said. less than 1,000 residents located on the Creighton University. Her older stepsister, “It was important because they wanted Omaha Indian Reservation in northeast Venetia, graduated last year from Bellevue me to be well-educated, to have a good Nebraska. Out of her high school University and her younger brother, job and live a decent life. They wanted graduating class of eight, Millie is the Vincent, plans to attend Haskell Indian me to do better than what is usually only one of her classmates currently Nations University after high school. expected of a Native American living on enrolled in college. (Her younger sister, Guadalupe, is in the the reservation.”

33 Spring 2007 First-Generation Students

Her desire for a life beyond the scholarship. As for culture shock, Wolfe since I was in the eighth grade,” Wolfe reservation prompted Wolfe to begin said that the people at Creighton have said. “Since then, Creighton has felt preparing for college when she was in been so great and welcoming that the like a second home. There was less of the eighth grade. “Not only were my adjustment was far less difficult than she a culture shock for me as a freshman parents expecting me to go on to college, had anticipated. because I was already familiar with the but I knew I wanted to experience the campus and enjoyed the environment college life,” Wolfe said. “I wanted to do and people here.” better and be able to get a good job and When she graduates from live a great life.” “I want to return to my Creighton in 2009, Wolfe plans to Financial, academic and cultural pursue her master’s degree in school obstacles make it difficult for many reservation to teach and administration. From there, her plans are first-generation students to make it less clear, but she does intend to pursue through college, and Wolfe’s case was to help more Native her doctorate in an undetermined field no exception. First and foremost was of study. “In the end,” Wolfe said, “I to find scholarships to pay for her American students go on want to return to my reservation to education. Academics were also an teach and to help more Native American issue, because although she earned to college.” students go on to college.” good grades at her small high school, — Millicent Wolfe Above all, Tami Buffalohead-McGill, Wolfe knew that her college studies director of Student Support Services, would be much more challenging. She Reaching out to the Native American stressed the value of the tremendous also feared that the transition from her population has been a major priority at gifts that first-generation students like small reservation community to life on Creighton University for many years. Smith, Vazquez and Wolfe bring to the campus at Creighton would present a bit In fact, Creighton was the nation’s first Creighton campus. “These students of a culture shock. Jesuit university, and the first college in bring leadership, heart, dedication, With the help of family and friends, Nebraska, to offer a Native American diversity, a love of Creighton and the Wolfe has made a successful transition Studies major. Creighton’s Native realization of Mary Lucretia Creighton’s to college life. She is now a Gates American Retreat also brings high dream,” she said. “I believe she would Millennium Scholar, which has helped school students from all over the country be proud to know that students of talent, to make her education at Creighton to experience college life and allows for who wouldn’t otherwise have access to possible financially. With hard work and the exchange of ideas, networking and higher education, are being given that academic support through programs dialogue on issues particular to them. opportunity here at Creighton.” like Student Support Services, Wolfe has Programs like the retreat have also been able to maintain the grades she helped students like Wolfe realize that needs to stay at Creighton and keep her their dreams of college life are indeed possible. Since 1995, enrollment of Native American students has increased by 500 percent. “I came to Creighton’s Native American Retreat every year

34 Spring 2007 First-Generation Students

ScholarshipsBridge the Funding Gap According to Don Bishop, associate vice president for Enrollment Management at Creighton, the median household income of enrolled first-generation students for 2006 was $60,000, compared to the University median of $116,800. Even with grants and scholarships (many of which are provided by Creighton), these families may still amass $30,000 or more in student loans by the time a student graduates. Cuts to federal funding, such as the Pell grants that many first-generation students receive, will make the need for scholarships even more necessary. To address this need, The Campaign for Creighton seeks nearly half its overall goal — $162 million — in endowments for people and programs. There are also various scholarships available for first-generation students of certain racial and ethnic backgrounds, such as the Diversity and Gates Millennium scholarships earned by Luis Vazquez and Millicent Wolfe. Diversity scholarships are awarded for outstanding multicultural students of African American, Latino and Native American descent. These scholarships are awarded primarily on the basis of academic merit, community service, school activities and leadership. Financial need may be considered as well. The Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS), funded by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, was established in 1999 to provide outstanding African American, Asian Pacific Islander American, Hispanic American and American Indian/Alaska Natives with an opportunity to complete an undergraduate college education in all discipline areas and a graduate education for those students pursuing studies in mathematics, science, engineering, education, library science or public health. The goal of GMS is to promote academic excellence and to provide an opportunity for thousands of outstanding students with significant financial need to reach their fullest potential. Over the past two years, Creighton University has reached out to prospective college students in Nebraska and several other states by assisting them in applying for the Gates Millennium Scholarship. Because the application for this scholarship is exhaustive, Creighton provides a workshop in which faculty, staff and students assist prospective college students and their parents in navigating through this complex and challenging process. These workshops have helped 250 students each year to complete the Gates application process. Over the past two years, 27 Nebraska residents have won the Gates scholarship (23 of which participated in the Creighton workshops). Of the 27 Nebraska winners, 13 went on to enroll at Creighton.

Willing to Excel: Support Student Scholarships From its earliest days, Creighton has pursued its financial aid. For more information on how you can fundamental mission to educate students from all parts of assist first-generation students like Kristina Smith, society — even remaining tuition-free until 1924. Luis Vazquez and Millicent Wolfe, and other deserving This commitment, which grows out of the Jesuit, students like them, please call the Office of Development Catholic educational tradition, provides access to a at (800) 334-8794 or (402) 280-2740. signature Creighton education for talented students of all socioeconomic levels and all backgrounds as they develop to their fullest potential. To continue to attract a diverse community of bright, talented students, The Campaign for Creighton University seeks additional support for endowed scholarships and

35 Spring 2007 received a call long after hours from her boss, Miss Flanagan, herself a Creighton tie, with Alpha Sigma Nu on her resume. “She wanted me to check on a burglary at the north office and take inventory on items stolen that night,” Jean remembers, “and she said she’d send someone along to help.” (“We’ve often wondered if Miss Flanagan was, unofficially, a matchmaker,” they laugh today.) Sure enough, moments later on Jean’s doorstep, was Fred Franco. “He was a By Pamela Adams Vaughn Probably not too many. welcome sight that evening for the task at hand,” Jean remembers. Off they went, ow they met runs the gamut, from Nor do too many couples reach the assessed the damage, (Fred boarded up a the ordinary to the, well, unusual. milestone that links all these wonderful door, impressing Jean), and they finished HThere was the pair who met while stories: a 50th — or golden — wedding with a malt at Reed’s Ice Cream, a famous voting for homecoming king and queen. anniversary. ‘50s hangout. Then you have the classic blind date — What’s more, Creighton University Months later, Fred proposed after a Friday and the “He was a high school classmate — and often St. John’s Church — runs night novena at Saint Savior Church, while of my brother’s” connection. through their stories, too. driving away from the service. “He ran a red Next, there’s she (the Creightonian Due to space limitations, only four light,” Jean recalls, “when I said, ‘Yes.’” reporter) and he (the fraternity officer): stories appear here. But the rest are online For the Picettis, Rochelle (Roeder), ARTS’57, They met on her beat. and make for good reading, too, at But how many couples meet while www.creightonmagazine.org. investigating a crime scene? Let’s start with the “scene of the crime”: The Francos, Jean (Jeanice Ann Schott), MA’56, and Fred, BSChm’49, MS’51, both of Omaha, had each graduated from Creighton and were working at two different sites of the Christ Child Center in Omaha. Fred was athletic manager at the 10th and William streets site, and Jean was director of the north branch at 17th and Clark streets. Late one night, Jean

Fred & Jean Franco

George & 36 Spring 2007 Rochelle Picetti and George, MD’57, of Orinda, Calif., the Phil, “I collected on the rain check, and our at a Pops Concert at Omaha’s Peony scene shifts from crime to deadline. courtship followed.” Park, the scene of many meetings for “George and I met over the phone,” Getting engaged was the “height” of Creighton couples. “Eddie Haddad was says Rochelle Picetti, who came to their courtship, in more ways than one. probably playing,” Lorraine recalls, “and Creighton in ‘53 and was a staffer for the “In the summer of 1956,” Kay recalls, “on Bill asked me to dance.” Creightonian. On this pre-med major’s the return flight following a visit with The rest, 23 grandchildren later, is “beat” was the Phi Chi medical fraternity Phil’s family in Massachusetts, while history, say the pair. Creighton graduates — and her news source was George thousands of feet above New York City, dot their family tree, as well, with Picetti, one of the group’s officers. Phil proposed.” daughter Julie (Pritchard) Real, BA’93; “One night on the phone, he asked me “With no parachute in sight, I said, son Tom, BSBA’89, and his wife, Lori for a date,” Rochelle remembers. After ‘Yes,’” Kay remembers, “and Phil slipped (Harrington), BSBA’88; son-in-law Patrick initial misgivings about dating a graduate a ring on my finger.” Walsh, BA’78; and daughter-in-law Jill student, she finally agreed. “They were in the same class at Prep.” (Moser), BSBA’92, MBA’94. George’s proposal came months later. That’s the way Lorraine (O’Leary) Read more ”Golden Wedding” stories “He got down on one knee outside Pritchard remembers meeting William, — or share your own — online at (Cascio’s) restaurant and proposed,” BSBA’57: through her brother Don. www.creightonmagazine.org. says Rochelle. The story’s happy ending? Although not a Creighton graduate, She said, “Yes.” Lorraine had siblings and “you kind of For Phil and Kay Lavoie, the right knew everyone,” she said, of students in chemistry must have come into play, Omaha’s Catholic schools. because they met in a laboratory. The couple met officially Philip, DDS’59, just happened to stop by the laboratory at Saint Joseph Hospital where Carol (Kay) Pryor, BSMT’52, was a medical technologist. (A mutual friend/classmate of Phil’s and fellow technologist of Kay’s had invited the dental freshman to stop by.) Although Kay couldn’t accept the offer of a first date, she added, “I’ll take a rain check.” Recalls

Phil & Kay Lavoie

William & Lorraine Pritchard 37 Spring 2007 Willing to Lead: Campaign for Creighton Update

thanks, in part, to those early visionaries. As education, will be equipped academically, Creighton President the Rev. John P. Schlegel, socially and ethically to examine the Message S.J., has stated before, “We stand on the challenges of our changing world and from the shoulders of giants.” offer solutions. But now the mantle has been passed. It is Campaign Chair our turn to lead Creighton into the future. The positive response to The Campaign for Creighton, across a broad spectrum of class Alumni and friends years and academic disciplines, has shown A Legacy of that the Creighton community is indeed, realize the important Willing to Lead — to set the course for the Philanthropy Creighton of tomorrow. role Creighton has There is an energy to this Campaign. It When starts with the University’s leadership. philanthropist They have a bold vision for Creighton, served, and continues to Mary Lucretia guided by a strategic master plan to chart Creighton and a successful path. Capital priorities have serve, in their lives. her businessman been well identified and outlined. This husband, Edward, Campaign is about addressing those carefully We all share in the success of the Campaign, looked out across selected priorities — so that Creighton can and, ultimately, in the success of Creighton. their adopted secure its place at the forefront as one of the Likewise, we are all called to participate — to hometown — a finest Jesuit, Catholic institutions of higher move our University forward. Each of us has dusty, rugged, pioneer community along education in the United States. a role to play. the banks of the Missouri — they dared to Why has this Campaign been so successful? Exciting things are afoot at Creighton. imagine a college that would educate, form I believe it’s because alumni and friends The Creighton family — Mary Lucretia and and bring hope to succeeding generations. realize the important role Creighton has Edward — would be amazed at how their Trusting in their shared convictions, served, and continues to serve, in their lives. dream has flourished. Mary Lucretia set wings to that dream A Creighton education is unique. I would Let us — the stewards of the next — putting aside $100,000 in her will for the opine that Creighton’s emphasis on Jesuit generation — continue to dream big. This establishment of Creighton College in her values and the ethical formation of women is our moment. Thank you for all you do to deceased husband’s memory. and men is more meaningful and necessary support Creighton University. Future generations have nurtured and in today’s world than at any other time. improved upon that dream — from generous Your support of the Campaign signals your Bruce Rohde, BSBA’71, JD’73 benefactors and dedicated faculty, staff and belief in the importance of this values-based National Campaign Chair Jesuits to bright, energetic students and education. Your support is an investment engaged alumni, all too numerous to mention. in our shared future. It’s about giving back. For more information, or to contribute or discuss a The Creighton of today reaches out around It’s about preparing the next generation planned contribution to the Campaign, please call the world in service, scholarship and research, of graduates, who, through a Creighton (800) 334-8794 or (402) 280-2740.

Spring ’07 Phonathon hit a record-breaking $830,000 in pledges toward the Phonathon’s Now Under Way yearly goal of $1.2 million. Creighton University’s Spring 2007 Phonathon opened on Jan. 28 The students who call this spring will also provide information about and will continue through the end of June. the $350 million Campaign for Creighton, which seeks $30 million in Youthful callers — approximately 60 students each semester — Sustaining Gifts. Every gift to the Phonathon is important because when will seek gifts from alumni, parents and friends. According to Alysia considered collectively, these and other Sustaining Gifts will represent Conklin, assistant director of Sustaining Gifts, what the students one of the largest gifts in the Campaign for Creighton. enjoy most are the personal conversations they have with alumni. Support of the Phonathon by alumni, parents and friends helps The students update alumni on current events on campus, share their ensure that Creighton’s educational aspirations and commitments are own stories, seek career advice, and help alumni stay connected with fully realized. Creighton University long after they graduate. Creighton students look forward to talking with more than 40,000 Creighton’s alumni, parents and friends have been very receptive alumni, parents and friends each year. This year, we hope one of our to calls from students — and very generous. The fall 2006 Phonathon students can reconnect with you.

38 Spring 2007 Willing to Lead: Campaign for Creighton Update Fr. Schlegel: This is Creighton’s Moment “The building blocks are in place to craft Creighton’s future,” Creighton President the Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J., told those gathered for his annual Convocation address on Feb. 13. The event was part of Founders Photo by Malone & Co. & Malone by Photo Week at the University. Fr. Schlegel with Charles “Mike” Harper and Harper’s son-in-law and Creighton board member Fr. Schlegel said Chris Murphy, chairman and CEO of First Westroads Bank, Inc. that student enrollment RJR-Nabisco. He also served on Creighton’s is at historic levels; the Creighton Board of Directors from 1980 to 1993, when University is fiscally Announces he was named Board Member Emeritus. In healthy, with the 1995, Creighton conferred upon him one of endowment surpassing Harper Center its highest honors, the Honorary Doctorate $425 million; and the A generous gift from Charles M. “Mike” of Humane Letters. campus is expanding, Harper, former chairman and CEO of “I witnessed firsthand, while serving Co. & Malone by Photo with new facilities ConAgra Foods Inc. and RJR-Nabisco, and on Creighton’s Board of Directors, the Fr. Schlegel like the Hixson-Lied an emeritus member of Creighton’s Board of incredible job the University does in Science Building, Opus Hall and Davis Directors, will provide the operating support educating the entire person — forming Square junior/senior town homes, and for the newly named Mike and Josie Harper women and men as leaders in their Morrison Stadium. Center for Student Life and Learning. communities,” Harper said. “Building on He emphasized that Creighton remains Creighton President the Rev. John P. the accomplishments of (former president) committed to its Jesuit, Catholic identity. “We Schlegel, S.J., announced the gift — the Rev. Michael G. Morrison, S.J., and are, indeed, the region’s premiere Catholic which will create one of the largest others of past decades, the mantle of University,” he told the assemblage. endowments in the University’s history leadership has been passed. He explained that the current accreditation — during his Convocation address, with “I greatly admire Fr. Schlegel’s and review through the Higher Learning Harper and several of his family members other leaders’ strategic vision expanding Commission, which the University undertakes in the audience. the campus eastward. This downtown every 10 years, has helped Creighton focus on The 214,000-square-foot Harper Center, renaissance certainly reinforces the decision its opportunities and challenges. currently under construction on the campus’ made years ago to anchor ConAgra on the “The University has a pretty good idea eastern edge, will integrate academic edge of the Missouri River. I know Josie where we stand, where our strengths and support services with traditional student would be proud, as I am, that our names weaknesses reside and a sense of how to services, including admissions, financial aid, will be linked forever to Creighton and its advance the institution,” Fr. Schlegel said. and health and counseling services. It will Living-Learning Center.” He then focused on seven issues and also serve as a front door to the campus. “Mike and his late wife, Josie, have opportunities, centering on students, access Construction on the four-story building, been generous supporters of Creighton and affordability, the financial health of the located northeast of 21st and California University over the years, providing funds institution, technology security, graduate streets (between the law school and the new for scholarships, academics and other education, health sciences and The Campaign Opus Hall student town homes), began last programs at the University,” Fr. Schlegel for Creighton. fall and is scheduled to be completed in the said. “We especially thank them for this “This is the time for Creighton University summer of 2008. The Harper Center will latest gift, which will benefit students to demonstrate its standing as one of the finest feature: a multi-use auditorium, classrooms and the community for years to come. Jesuit, Catholic universities in the U.S. and to and seminar rooms, a book store, a sports When completed, the Harper Center will secure the achievement of our vision, by all café, an indoor/outdoor coffee shop, a be a unique facility among Midwestern measures,” Fr. Schlegel concluded. 7,000-square-foot fitness area, and spaces for universities, providing a home away from “This is the Creighton moment. It is up to student clubs and organizations. home for our students.” you! It is up to me. It is up to us … to give that Harper guided Omaha-based ConAgra Construction of the Harper Center is moment life.” for nearly 17 years, first as president and part of the University’s strategic plan for Read the full text of Fr. Schlegel’s address chief executive officer and then as chairman the future and was identified as a funding online at www.creightonmagazine.org/president. and CEO, before stepping down in 1992. priority in the $350 million Willing to He later served as chairman and CEO of Lead Campaign.

39 Spring 2007 Willing to Lead: Campaign for Creighton Update

Message review who will make financial as well as income tax and your estate will receive from personal decisions for them in the event an estate tax deduction, the full value of Estate and of their incapacity. Now is a good time your gift can be used by Creighton. to examine who might be called upon to These questions presume you have an Trust Services step in and assist with your affairs. IRAs, estate plan. However, statistics indicate less qualified retirement plans, life insurance than 45 percent of Americans have a will. or accounts that are payable upon death Unfortunately, without one, the state you (POD) are taking a more prominent role reside in will enforce its own plan for the Estate Planning: in estate planning, especially for those distribution of your estate. Investing time A Simple Q&A in their 50’s and 60’s. Because these now to carefully plan how your estate will assets often pass directly to the named be divided can ensure that your legacy is beneficiaries, regardless of what your will fulfilled in accordance with your wishes, In my nearly or trust stipulates, you should review and not the state’s. 25 years at this update these “will substitutes” just as As you have read, answers to some of the institution, I have you would your current estate plan.Tax most basic questions hint at the myriad ways had the honor laws change and so may your wishes and in which you can help to transform Creighton of helping many the needs of others. Experts recommend through your estate plan. I encourage you Creighton alumni reviewing your estate plan at least every to review your estate plan and to explore and friends plan five years. your dreams for the University’s future their legacy for Q: I want to include a bequest to Creighton. How with us or with your qualified professional transforming do I accomplish this? advisor. For those who have already included Creighton University. In recent issues of Creighton in your estate, I extend my Creighton University Magazine, you may have A: You may include a codicil to your will personal thanks and invite you to join the read the stories of Drs. Gilbert and Clinton or amend your trust to bequeath a Creighton University Heritage Society — our Beirne, Dr. James Laumond and others whose specific amount or specific property, such recognition group for those who have made charitable estate planning has solidified as a piece of real estate, to Creighton provisions in their estate plans for Creighton. Creighton’s future. University. Alternately, you may If you would like to learn more about how, These are just a few examples of many bequeath to Creighton a percentage of through careful estate planning, your legacy in the Creighton family who want their the net proceeds from your estate after can help advance the mission of Creighton legacy tied to the values and mission of the taxes and fees are paid. You should University or if you are interested in University. As I reflect upon the time spent involve your qualified estate planning becoming a member of the Heritage Society, with these architects of the University’s future, professional when changing your please call (402) 280-1143 or (800) 334-8794. I am reminded that the pathway to fulfilling will or trust. Creighton may also be The Office of Estate and Trust Services is here their dreams for transforming Creighton likely designated as a beneficiary of your life to provide assistance with your plans. It will started with a few simple questions about insurance policy, an IRA or qualified be our pleasure to be of service. estate planning: retirement plan. In fact, many advisors are recommending the use of these Q: What are the latest trends in estate planning? heavily tax-burdened retirement funds to Steve Scholer, JD‘79 A: With life expectancies increasing, a trend fulfill your charitable intentions. Because Director of Estate & Trust Services among those in older age groups is to Creighton will receive these assets free of

Hogrefe Joins director of Sustaining Gifts at the University. Henkenius called Hogrefe “a highly qualified and talented professional … We are fortunate to have Sustaining Gifts Team her join our staff.” Linda Hogrefe accepted a position with Hogrefe was associated with the Nebraska Special Olympics Sustaining Gifts at Creighton this winter, organization for four years as director of special projects and effective on Jan. 2. communication. Creighton has hosted the state games for the group Set to work with undergraduate and School for 30 years. of Law reunion giving programs, Hogrefe “Linda possesses strong feelings for those with special needs and Hogrefe replaces Lindsay Geier, who left Creighton in those organizations that are of service to others,” Henkenius said. Since November to move to Colorado. August 2005, Hogrefe has been director of corporations and foundations “We are excited to have Linda join our staff,” said Dennis Henkenius, at the Strategic Air Command Museum, just outside of Omaha.

40 Spring 2007 Willing to Lead: Campaign for Creighton Update

Gifts Fund Creighton and more need to be recognized,” Nonprofit organization helps fund Ryan said. School of Medicine professorship Professorships The first holder of the Fr. Henry W. Casper, The DCI-J. Dan Egan, M.D., Endowed Endowment for scholarships and faculty S.J., Professorship in History is John Calvert, Professorship in Nephrology was established support is a major objective of The Campaign Ph.D., associate professor of history. Calvert through the joint efforts of DCI (Dialysis for Creighton University. Gifts to endow is an internationally recognized expert and Clinic, Inc.), based in Nashville, Tenn., chairs and professorships serve to maintain researcher on the modern Middle East and the largest nonprofit dialysis provider in the and enhance Creighton University’s radical Islamic ideology and practice in the United States, and the School of Medicine’s academic mission, helping to secure its place Middle East and South and Southeast Asia. Division of Nephrology. at the forefront as one of the finest Jesuit, “It is indeed a singular honor to have been “DCI has been a partner with Creighton Catholic universities. Two recent endowment chosen as the first holder of the Fr. Henry W. University for 15 years,” said Robert “Bo” gifts funded the Fr. Henry W. Casper, S.J., Casper Endowed Professorship in History,” Dunlay, MD’81, assistant dean for clinical Professorship in History and the DCI-J. Dan Calvert said. “I want to thank the Ryan affairs in the School of Medicine. DCI Egan, M.D., Endowed Professorship family for sponsoring this professorship in operates a network of nonprofit dialysis in Nephrology. recognition of Fr. Casper. Fr. Casper … was centers across the country, four of which are a notable figure in the history of Creighton under Creighton’s clinical supervision. Ryans establish University, and he left an indelible mark on ”The establishment of a professorship is history professorship this University as a teacher, moral guide part of our mission to improve the lives of A $1 million gift from Wayne, BS’49, and scholar.” renal dialysis patients,” said Doug Reinhard, MS’51, and Eileen Ryan established the Fr. Calvert said DCI corporate administrator. “By helping Henry W. Casper, the events of 9/11 Creighton’s educational efforts, we are S.J., Professorship and the ensuing ultimately helping patients.” in History. U.S. campaigns in The professorship has been named “Fr. Casper was Afghanistan and in honor of J. Dan Egan, M.D., a senior one of my favorite Iraq introduced nephrologist, master clinician and recognized teachers when I Americans to a expert in the diagnosis and treatment of was an undergrad region of the world

Photo by Malone & Co. & Malone by Photo metabolic bone disease. Shortly after his at Creighton,” Ryan most knew little “attempted retirement” in 2000, Egan said. “He took me John Calvert, Ph.D., or nothing about, has been named the joined Creighton University’s Osteoporosis Fr. Casper under his wing which has fueled first holder of the Research and helped me focus on what I wanted to stereotypes and Casper Professorship. Center, where do with my life. He was a friend and prejudices. “Too he conducts mentor and was crucial to the success I often in the Western mind,” Calvert said, twice-weekly have had in my life.” “Islam is associated with violence, intolerance bone clinics and Ryan is the founder, CEO and director and extremism.” frequent, well- of research and development for Streck, Inc., As holder of the Casper Professorship, attended grand a worldwide manufacturer of products Calvert said his overall goal is to rounds. for the clinical laboratory, with headquarters “combat ignorance, misunderstanding Co. & Malone by Photo “Dr. Egan has in Omaha. and complacency by building bridges of The DCI-J. Dan Egan, been a wonderful Ryan said he hopes that his and his wife’s understanding to the Islamic world, to M.D., Endowed role model gift will inspire other Creighton alumni to cultivate among students and Professorship for hundreds think of and honor other Jesuit educators others, attitudes of understanding and recognizes the work of Senior Nephrologist of students who have had an impact on them. “There mutuality through the historical study Dr. Egan. and residents have been many great Jesuit professors at of another culture.” at Creighton University for more than 50 years,” Dunlay said. “His life has been devoted to service to others. He continues to teach and provide Gerard Heads Medicine care to patients at the Omaha Veterans Administration Medical Center in addition to Development Efforts the Creighton Osteoporosis Research Center.” Matt Gerard has been named director of development for The first holder of the endowed the Creighton University School of Medicine. He is responsible professorship has not yet been named. for coordinating and directing the school’s fundraising efforts. Gerard has been with Creighton since 2004 and was previously an assistant director of principal gifts. Gerard

41 Spring 2007 Willing to Lead: Campaign for Creighton Update

for Creighton, designating his support for Jacobson served as chairman and CEO the College of Arts and Sciences. of 3M from 1986 to 1991. During that time, Jacobson attended Creighton for a year revenue at the Minneapolis-based company in the late 1940s, before going on to finish grew from $8.6 billion to $13 billion and his engineering degree at Iowa State income from $779 million to $1.3 billion. University. While he remembers some of Jacobson said he’s been very impressed the buildings being in disrepair, he also with the leadership of Creighton President recalled a quality faculty — and was able the Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J. “I know he’s to list several former professors. been very involved in the community,” Jacobson is an Omaha native. His father, Jacobson said. Jacobson said he is also the late A.F. “Frank” Jacobson, served as impressed that the University continues to president of Omaha-based Northwestern put the needs of its students first. Bell Telephone from 1955 to 1970. Frank “They did that when I was there, and Photo by Vanessa Rogers Rogers Vanessa by Photo Jacobson served on Creighton’s Board of it seems they still do it now,” Jacobson Jacobson at his winter home in Naples, Fla. Regents/Board of Directors for 21 years, said. “The real test of a University and and holds the distinction of being the first its programs is the types of jobs and Former CEO Invests lay member named to Creighton’s Board. commitment to the community held by Frank Jacobson died in 1990. The A.F. its graduates.” in Creighton Jacobson Chair in Communications was Jacobson believes that institutions of As a retired corporate executive of a established at Creighton in 1980 in his name. higher education need to continually Fortune 500 company, Allen Jacobson A trained chemical engineer, Allen measure their success. He said that is best knows the value of a good investment. Jacobson joined 3M’s Scotch tape measured in the lives of graduates — “not He considers a gift to Creighton a good laboratory in 1947. In his many years just making money,” but in how well they investment. with 3M, he encouraged research and serve their community and the greater good. The retired chairman and CEO of 3M innovation and developed 3M’s presence With that yardstick, Creighton, indeed, is recently contributed $25,000 to The Campaign in such new fields as magnetic-media. a worthy investment.

Creighton Society this year, the first couple Creighton ever to be so designated by the University. Bob, BSBA’61, is president/chief executive Society Names officer of Physicians Mutual Insurance Company of Omaha. With their honorary New Chairs chairmanship, the Reeds are gratefully National co-chairs of the University’s acknowledged for their leadership of the Balsano Thomas by Photo Creighton Society for 2007 are William and Society and generosity to Creighton over Mary, BSN‘84, and Bill, BA‘82, Graft are national co-chairs of the Creighton Society. Mary Fitzpatrick Graft of Barrington, Ill., the years. near Chicago. Bill, BA’82, is an attorney with In its 18th year, the Creighton Society the law firm of Graft, Jordan and Curtis of receives gifts that may be designated for use Schaumburg, Ill. Mary holds a BSN’84 from by the general University, or an individual Creighton. Both have served Creighton in college or school within Creighton. this national capacity for four years. Giving levels within the Society include: The Creighton Society is the University’s • Creighton Society Jesuit Circle premier donor recognition club and — $5,000 & above Malone Mike by Photo recognizes individuals who give $1,000 or • Creighton Society Founders’ Circle Nancy, BSBA‘84, and Mark, BSBA‘83, JD‘86, more to the Sustaining Gifts program. Huber are co-chairs of the Omaha Chapter of Set to lead the Omaha Chapter of the — $2,500-$5,000 the Creighton Society. Creighton Society for the coming year are • Creighton Society Mark and Nancy Kerkman Huber. Mark, — $1,000-$2,500 CEO of PayFlex Systems USA, Inc., holds twin The Society is named in honor of Edward Creighton degrees — a BSBA’83 and a JD’86. and Mary Lucretia Creighton. Nancy earned her BSBA from Creighton in For more information about the 1984. This is the couple’s first year as co-chairs. University’s Creighton Society, interested Meanwhile Robert and Betsy Reed of individuals may go to www.creighton.edu/ Malone Mike by Photo Omaha were named honorary chairs of the development/donorrecognition.html. Betsy and Robert, BSBA‘61, Reed are honorary chairs of the Creighton Society.

42 Spring 2007 Alumni News

Upcoming Alumni Events

Alumni & Friends Spring Wednesday, April 4 Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner, 6 p.m., DoubleTree Hotel Downtown, 1616 Dodge St., Omaha. National Alumni Board Alumni & Friends Friday & Saturday, April 27 & 28 Spring Saturday, April 14 Spring Meeting. Creighton University campus. The Spirit at Work: Creighton Alumni National Day of Service. Projects, times and locations vary by alumni club. Washington, D.C. Alumni & Friends Visit www.creighton.edu/alumni for site information. Spring 2007 Alumni Event. Date, time and location to be determined. School of Dentistry Alumni & Friends Thursday - Saturday, April 19-21 Denver Alumni & Friends School of Dentistry Reunion Weekend 2007 in conjunction with the Spring Dental Assembly. June 2007 Alumni Reception with the Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J. Date, time and location to be determined. School of Dentistry Alumni & Friends Friday, April 20 San Diego Alumni & Friends School of Dentistry Alumni Reception & Dinner. 6:30 p.m. cocktails; 7:30 p.m. dinner. Qwest Center Omaha, June 2007 Alumni Event. Date, time and location to be determined. Junior Ballroom, 455 N. 10th St., Omaha.

Milwaukee Alumni & Friends Seattle Alumni & Friends Sunday, April 22 June 2007 Alumni Event. Date, time and location Alumni Mass and Brunch; 10 a.m. Mass followed by 11 a.m. brunch; to be determined. Milwaukee Athletic Club, 758 N. Broadway.

Phoenix Alumni & Friends School of Law Alumni & Friends Wednesday, April 25 Fall 2007 Alumni Reception with School of Law Alumni Weekend 2007 Fall Creighton President the Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J.; School of Medicine Alumni & Friends 7-9 p.m. The Phoenician, Friday & Saturday, Sept. 14 & 15 6000 E. Camelback Road, School of Medicine Reunion Weekend 2007 Scottsdale, Ariz. Reunion Weekend Las Vegas Friday & Saturday, Sept. 21 & 22 Alumni & Friends Reunion Weekend 2007. Special celebrations for the classes of Thursday, April 26 1957, 1967, 1982, 1987 and 1997 from the College of Arts & Sciences, Alumni Reception. College of Business Administration, School of Nursing and the 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., Orleans Hotel, Graduate School. 4500 W. Tropicana Ave., Las Vegas. School of Pharmacy and Health Professions Alumni & Friends Thursday - Saturday, Oct. 4-6 School of Pharmacy and Health Professions Reunion Weekend 2007

For updates on alumni events, visit the Alumni Relations website at www.creighton.edu/alumni

43 Spring 2007 Alumni News

and the behavior of parents and others. youngster to assault another player. (“Imagine! Thus, their book, several years in the T-ball,” Leddy says, incredulous that a sport making, involved combing the country on for such young children — 4 to 8 years old more than 100 interviews of three distinct — would lead to such behavior on the part groups in youth sports: kids, parents and of adults.) coaches (and even plenty of “grown-up In an even more chilling twist, a father in kids,” some of whom remember their own California beat up a coach at a youth match, youth sports experience joyfully — or with and, in the same state, a 13-year-old youngster a shudder). killed a 15-year-old with a baseball bat. It’s no accident that Leddy and his Into this kind of atmosphere, someone colleagues start the book with kids. The with Pete Leddy’s credentials and those of Creighton alumnus says if there’s one message his colleagues are desperately needed, it he wants to get across in the book above all seems, today. others, it’s this: “Kids learn best when they’re having fun.” Leddy said it’s vital that parents understand one point above all else: “Your role is to supply “We share with kids unconditional love and support for your kids.” No surprise, most parents would say. But the idea that they Leddy is also saying to parents: “Put your own

Photo courtesy of Pete Leddy Pete of courtesy Photo (sports) dreams aside.” Forget that trophy you can be anything they Creighton alumnus Pete Leddy, BA’85, co-author almost won 30 years ago. “Your job is to help of the new book The Rudy in You, with his children, your kid find his or her dream. You be the want to be.” Olivia, 8, and Matt, 7. adult in this one. Let your kid be the kid.” Leddy, a self-described “sandlot kid who — Pete Leddy, BA’85 Rudy in You often left home on a summer day with a bat Argues for Sanity, and a ball and came home eight hours later,” With roots in the sandlot and adults Civility in Kids’ Sports says parents today live in a whole different modeling good sportsmanship at home, world. And that’s pretty impossible to change. Leddy came to Creighton on a baseball Insults from the stands. Kids bashing other “They want to know where their kids are,” scholarship as a southpaw in the early ‘80s. kids. Parents attacking coaches. Leddy acknowledges, hence today’s flood of His own uncle, Gordie Gillespie, was Rudy What in the name of good sportsmanship organized youth sports. “So, we’re not talking Ruettiger’s football coach in real life at Joliet — or downright civility — is going on? It’s here about ditching organized sports,” Leddy Catholic High School in Joliet, Ill. (Ruettiger, enough to make you lob a hardbound copy of cautions. who was told he was too small to play Emily Post or Miss Manners from the stands. But he and his colleagues are talking about college football, went on to play for Notre But hold on. There might be a more effective clarifying some blurred boundaries. With a Dame, becoming a metaphor for never book to launch into the breach of good youth sport now available to occupy every free giving up on a dream.) Leddy himself went manners, not to mention sanity, in youth sports hour of a child’s (and a parent’s) day, parents home to Chicago after Creighton to continue — and its authors certainly wouldn’t want you must not allow the line to blur between their a baseball career before furthering his to take physical aim at the culprits. own unmet needs and the needs of their kids, education in psychology. Still, a friendly tap the authors advise. “Many parents are living Now, as senior vice president and on the shoulder — and vicariously through their kids on the sports psychologist at Invitrogen Corporation in a copy of Creighton field,” Leddy finds, and neither he nor his Carlsbad, Calif., Leddy still carries with him alumnus Pete Leddy’s colleagues believe this situation is healthy. his own positive memories of youth sports latest book, The Rudy in Today, to the more than 30 million American — mixed with a psychologist’s alarm at You, might be just the youngsters involved in youth sports, you need the unhealthy messages we’re giving kids thing to regain order to add the millions of parents and coaches who in organized sports today. It seemed only and civility in what also have a vested interest. That makes for a natural to recruit family friend Ruettiger and some have described playing field rife with possibilities for good or leadership expert Phillips to join him in in the last few years as a national descent ill, Leddy believes. putting together The Rudy in You. into bedlam. And some of the stories are hair-raising, For kids, Leddy and his colleagues have Leddy, BA’85, an organizational to say the least. “There’s a lot of violence,” one vital piece of advice: Dream big. “Do psychologist, says he and co-authors Donald Leddy observes, “including parents abusing something to make your dream come alive,” Phillips, leadership expert and writer, and coaches, kids abusing kids, and so on.” they advise. “We share with kids the idea that Rudy Ruettiger, subject of the hit movie Rudy, The organizational psychologist tells of a they can be anything they want to be.” were “fed up” with the state of youth sports Pennsylvania T-ball coach who recently paid a

47 Spring 2007 Alumni News

Golf Takes Alumnus Around the World clubs and even owned his own club in Minneapolis. By the early By Anthony Flott 1990s, though, Wood grew tired of show biz and started a new act. He moved to Seattle and formed “Write Brain Business Training,” a David Wood told himself he wasn’t company making corporate training films — with humor. going to eat street food. And after doing just “Then I got bored with that and now I’ve become a travel writer that with some chow in Cairo, Egypt, he and speaker,” he says. “My heroes are all travel writers, and I was remembered why. looking for an adventure.” “I got so sick,” recalls Wood, then in the He found it on his global golf excursion. Within three months of latter stages of a 60,000-mile trip exclusively conceiving his trip, Wood had sold his Seattle condo and was golfing devoted to playing golf on courses around the in Argentina. He traveled lightly, carrying only one suitcase, a laptop world. “I was concerned that I was going to and his Mizuno golf clubs. have to quit.” He played every third or fourth day. In Egypt he played under the Wood Deliverance, fortunately, came at the Red Sea. shadow of Giza’s Great Pyramid. “I have no idea why, but I birdied “I had met a golf pro in Vietnam who had told me about this resort the first six holes,” Wood says, “I thought, ‘This is the secret I’ve been he had worked at on the Red Sea,” says Wood. “I called the general looking for.’ I played unbelievable.” Not so in Buenos Aires with manager and explained I was so sick. He said, ‘Just get here and we’ll two world-class polo players watching. “I almost whiffed on the first take care of you.’ They got me a doctor and I just sort of convalesced tee and hit a ball 10 feet into this brush. I played this wonderful golf in a room looking out over the Red Sea. They have this amazing golf course like I had severe physical problems.” At Elephant Hills Golf course there designed by Gary Player. Course near South Africa’s The only grass you can see in any picturesque Victoria Falls, direction for probably 300 miles. I just “You play golf through the kind of got well. jungle,” Wood says. “There are From there it was all kinds of animals. Zebras on to Istanbul.” and warthogs and impalas Wood and crocodiles.” recounts the He teed off in 26 countries tale — and including New Zealand (“golf others — in his heaven,” says Wood) and forthcoming China (Mission Hills Golf book, Around Club, the largest golf resort in the World in Eighty Rounds. Recently the world). He also played the picked up by St. Martin’s Press, the world’s driest (Arica, Chile), book should be published in April highest (La Paz, Bolivia) 2008 — nearly five years after Wood and hottest (Alice Springs, first conceived of the trip while writing Australia) courses. about a just-completed golf excursion His travels ended in August to Ireland. 2005. Wood then wrote the “I started wondering, ‘Where’s manuscript, landed an agent, the southernmost golf course in the then a publisher. Now back in world?’ I found out it was Ushuaia, Seattle, he’s planning his next Argentina, on the very tip of South adventure — it may or may America. Then I started thinking, not involve golf — for a book ‘Where’s the northernmost?’ Turns out BSBA’78 Wood, David of courtesy Photo on which St. Martin’s has an it’s Tromso, Norway. I thought that Wood plays golf in Egypt with the pyramids in the background. option. He’s also recounting would be a cool trip.” his travels in speeches (see Wood, a Rochester, Minn., native, has been on a cool trip ever Wood’s website at www.davethespeaker.com). since leaving Creighton after earning a bachelor’s degree in business In the end, it was the kindness of people, not beautiful golf courses, in 1978. He took an immediate detour, forsaking plans to study that most impressed him. at Creighton’s law school so he could chase dreams of a career in “Everywhere I went people were so kind to me,” Wood says. comedy. That was fueled in part by laughs he got while performing in “They kept recommending new places to golf and ‘Come to my a Creighton talent show. house. I won’t be there but just go on in and make yourself welcome.’ “I graduated, packed my bags and went to L.A. to become a stand- That just happened time after time. I can’t imagine inviting someone up comedian.” into my house I didn’t know.” Within five years, he began appearing on David Letterman’s show. Wood, of course, sold his house. And for one year, the golf courses He later opened for Diana Ross at Caesar’s Palace, headlined comedy of the world were his home.

49 Spring 2007 50 Alumni News Spring 2007

DESTINATION CREIGHTON

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School of Pharmacy and Health Professions Reunion Weekend Reunion Professions Health and Pharmacy of School

Classes of 1957, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1977, 1972, 1967, 1962, 1957, of Classes 2002 and 1997 1992, 1987, 1982,

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Special reunion gatherings planned for planned gatherings reunion Special the

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Classes of 1957, 1962, 1967, 1972, 1977, 1972, 1967, 1962, 1957, of Classes 1997 and 1987 1982,

Special reunion gatherings planned for planned gatherings reunion Special the

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Journalism TheLast Word and the By Carol Zuegner, Ph.D.,Internet BA’77 Associate Professor of Journalism

Who? What? When? Where? Why? How? that attract and engage the consumer. Journalists are expanding their These questions — the five W’s and the H — become the mantra toolkits to capture the power of words, images, sounds and links to of every journalism student, the essential questions in the form of a more and deeper information. They have the ability to place people mental checklist that both inexperienced and veteran reporters use and events in even richer context. to make sure they’ve covered the basic details of a story. Reporters and editors or producers have been the traditional These same questions also can serve as a checklist through the gatekeepers, helping to decide the agenda of the nation. Now, the fast-evolving world of journalism today. Who are journalists? What gates are swinging open. More voices, more viewpoints, more do we consider journalism? When do we consume the news? Where information are invaluable for making sense of our complicated do we consume it? How do we consume it? Who’s going to pay world. These voices, often from the blogosphere — the name for it? Why is it important to democracy for a robust journalism to given to the world of blogs and bloggers — often distrust what prosper, no matter how we consume it? they call the mainstream media or MSM. The distrust is fueled New ways of communicating by journalism’s credibility problems: are having a profound effect on plagiarism scandals, sensationalist journalism, in how we get our news, or trivial celebrity-soaked news, a who provides it and what form it lack of journalism that holds those in takes. The biggest change: The news power accountable. consumer is now more in control of Journalists have an obligation and the content. Time recognized this shift responsibility to a free society that when the magazine celebrated You as depends on knowledgeable citizens its Person of the Year. Yes, You. The to make decisions and journalists to one with the power button, whether help make government transparent. it’s on a cell phone, television, DVD That responsibility can be a heavy player or computer. one and an expensive one. Instead of reading a newspaper or Perhaps the biggest question is watching the news each day to keep up on events of the day, you turn how we are going to pay for this world of new media. Journalism to CNN or online news sites or to your cell phones to get the latest, is a business, albeit a business with a special place in a democracy. 24/7. You use TiVo or a digital video recorder to record television The old models of newspapers with their columns of advertising shows to watch when you want. You turn to weblogs or blogs to help or television with its commercials are disintegrating with the web, you make sense of the news. You seem to trust the blogger more than with devices that allow viewers to click past the commercials. Web- the newspaper reporter or the television news anchor. You serve as based advertising shows promise as a business model, but it’s an a citizen journalist, posting your own photos of storm damage after uncertain promise. a Nebraska thunderstorm or images of a crumpled double-decker There’s no question that news and information will be part of bus from the streets of London that are the aftermath of a terrorist the evolving mosaic of communication, but who those journalists bombing. You create a complex web of social connections through delivering the news are, what tools they’ll use and how, where and Facebook or MySpace. You instant-message or text your friends and when you’ll consume that news are still questions. family, disdaining many vowels in the process. About the author: Zuegner is an associate Today, we all have the power and the ability to publish, thanks professor of journalism with a background in news, to the World Wide Web and digital advances such as blogging both reporting and editing for the Associated Press software that allows anyone with a computer and a modem to quickly transmit information, opinion, news. That expansion of and the Omaha World-Herald. Her research now power creates challenges and opportunities for journalists. is delving into how newspapers use blogs as part of Journalists play a valuable role in an age of information overload. their coverage and the role of editors in multimedia Reporters and editors are trained to observe, to ask questions, to storytelling. However, she admits, she still has synthesize, to check facts, to make vivid images worth a thousand trouble figuring out how to use her cell phone. words and then take that information and craft stories and designs Zuegner

54 Spring 2007 Willing to The Revs. Dick Hauser, S.J., left, and Andy Alexander, S.J., inside St. John’sBelieve Church. The Campaign for Creighton seeks funds to renovate and update the historic campus church.

$14 million for support of our We are Willing to Believe that we can: • Distinguish ourselves as we form women and men for and with Jesuit mission and Catholic identity others through a strengthening of Catholic intellectual life and “We Jesuits and our partners in ministry work hard to grow in our Jesuit educational values in the classroom. Jesuit, Catholic identity and share our mission with our students • Bring new and advanced means to nourishing the faith culture and our patients. It is so hopeful to imagine what we can do with the of the extended Creighton community through the Office of support of friends who are willing to believe in our mission and join us Collaborative Ministry and its innovative Online Ministries. in making Creighton even more of what it is called to be.” • Expand the impact of the Creighton Center for Service and Justice, Fr. Andy Alexander, S.J. which provides service opportunities, as well as neighborhood and Vice President for University Ministry global immersion experiences, for all students. • Complete the renovations of St. John’s Church so it can continue “My 35 years here at Creighton — as a Jesuit, as a Catholic priest and to be the place where students pray each day, worship with as a teacher — have been so enriching and rewarding. It’s the best way parishioners, and learn the best of what our tradition offers them I could imagine to serve God and His Kingdom.” for their adult faith lives. Fr. Dick Hauser, S.J. Through a successful campaign, we will preserve and extend our Theology Professor commitment to each student’s life of mind, heart, imagination and spirit Director, Master of Arts in Christian Spirituality program — integrating academic study into a broader life of service and faith. Rector of the Jesuit Community at Creighton

Creighton is sustained by its Jesuit, Catholic tradition, which seeks to educate women and men who are not only proficient in their professions but enlivened with a spirit of service to create a more just world. We educate competent, compassionate and committed students who can become agents of change. The Creighton spirit is rooted in Jesuit, Catholic core values — self- awareness, integrity, love and service. By forming contemplatives in www.creighton.edu/development action, a Creighton education lays the groundwork for a life well-lived.

Photo by Mike Kleveter share your time, shape a world Creighton Alumni National Day of Service Saturday, April 14, 2007

Look for the brochure in the mail or find more information online at: www.creighton.edu/alumni