FALL 2017 Volume 33 Issue 3 P30 POSSIBILITIES INFINITE EQUALS PROGRAMS, SCIENCE OUTSTANDING PLUS GIFT, MILLION $10 SUCCESS: FOR EQUATION AN Message from the President

A Time of Community and Thanksgiving

n this annual season of thanksgiving, I am indeed grateful for our supportive alumni and friends, dedicated faculty and staff, and exceptionally talented students. Our University continues to attract record ­numbers of students, receive national recognition for academic excellence, and engender tremendous support from our alumni and donors. In September, we announced a transformational $10 million gift from longtime Creighton friends and supporters George Haddix, PhD, MA’66, and his wife, Susan, to build and Ienhance academic programming in the College of Arts and Sciences. I am thankful for George and Susan’s generous commitment to Creighton, and excited about the many opportunities it will offer our students and faculty. I am also grateful for our spirit of community on campus, which lifts us up in hopefulness and comforts us in times of tragedy. At the beginning of the academic year, we gathered in prayer and support after a four-vehicle crash claimed the life of one of our bright, young students, and injured three others. An alumna traveling in a separate car also was injured. Joan Ocampo-Yambing, the 19-year-old computer science major from Rosemount, Follow me: Minnesota, who died in the collision, was remembered on campus as a bright light, a @CreightonPres loving friend, and an outstanding student. She is greatly missed. CreightonPresident We also mourned the passing of several faculty and staff, along with two former members of our Board of Trustees. Bill Fitzgerald and Bill Kizer, both graduates of our business college, left a legacy of corporate and community leadership, generous philanthropy, and service and dedication to Creighton. This fall, we welcomed the newest members of our campus community — the class of 2021. These 1,119 students represent the largest freshman class in Creighton’s history, and pushed our total enrollment to an all-time high of 8,654. U.S. News & World Report continued to recognize Creighton in its annual listing of America’s top colleges. Creighton was ranked No. 1 in the Midwest for the 15th consecutive year, and was the only Catholic school recognized for undergraduate research opportunities. Our Creighton Global Initiative — now in its second year of funding — continues to offer significant opportunities for students and faculty, with $2.5 million in seed-funding supporting 47 projects. In addition, this year, more than 400 students will study abroad and more than 200 international students will study at Creighton. My hope is that this global perspective and understanding can bring to greater reality The Creighton that traditional holiday message: Let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin with me. community gathered in St. John’s Church for Finally, please enjoy our newly redesigned Creighton magazine. We hope that you find the annual Mass of the within these pages the fullness of the Creighton experience. Best wishes for a blessed Holy Spirit this fall, invoking the wisdom Christmas, happy holidays, and wonderful new year. and guidance of the Holy Spirit for the new academic year. The worldwide Jesuit Rev. Daniel S. Hendrickson, SJ tradition began in 1548 in Messina, Italy. President

1 Volume 33, Issue 3 Our Gift to You PUBLISHER Creighton magazine is published in the spring, summer and very Christmas Eve, I climb into the crawlspace and pull out the four-foot- fall by Creighton University, tall lighted Santa, the foldable manger scene, the reindeer with the nose that 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178-0001. glows and the small garland Christmas tree that my mom made with the kids years ago. I place these and other “heirlooms” around the living room as my PRESIDENT Rev. Daniel S. Hendrickson, SJ wife finishes putting freshly wrapped presents under the tree. And then we CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS turn off the living room lamps, plug in the Christmas lights and stand back. AND MARKETING OFFICER The glow washes over us. It renews our spirit. It’s peaceful, comforting and Jim Berscheidt inspiring. The scene is familiar, but somehow excitingly new — as the lights, SR. DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS Glenn Antonucci time and personal experiences illuminate different perspectives. DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS I have similar feelings as we unwrap our newly redesigned Creighton magazine. It remains Rick Davis steeped in tradition, but with a fresh approach that we hope illuminates new, fresh angles on the ASSOC. DIRECTORS OF COMMUNICATIONS ECreighton experience that will surprise, excite and inspire you. Cindy Murphy McMahon Unlike my Christmas shopping (which sometimes begins on Christmas Eve), we began preparing ABOUT Sheila Swanson for this issue during the summer. In the ensuing months, we have been busily checking off to-dos THE COVER WRITERS Amanda Brandt and hustling to pull together compelling stories, artwork and photographs. A cross section of the Adam Klinker Along the way, Creighton received a gift of its own — a $10 million gift from George Haddix, PhD, multitude of facets and Emily Rust

MA’66, and his wife, Susan, that will build and enhance academic programming in the College of disciplines that compose PHOTOGRAPHY Arts and Sciences. We couldn’t wait to unwrap some of the possibilities. In this issue, we share how Creighton University — Thought-Provoking. Mission-Focused. Dave Weaver previous initiatives established by the Haddixes are enhancing faculty research, getting s­ tudents which stands to benefit from ILLUSTRATION a $10 million gift from George That not only reflects our goals and aspirations for Creighton magazine, it also Jasu Hu involved in scientific discovery, and providing scholarships to students from a local high school. Curt Merlo Haddix, PhD, MA’66, and his We expect this new gift to build on that tradition and illuminate new opportunities for students describes the work of those responsible for bringing you each issue. From left are, David Senior wife, Susan, to the College and faculty. front, Adam Klinker, public relations manager; Cindy Murphy McMahon, BA’74, PUBLICATION DESIGN of Arts and Sciences — is As we prepare for the holidays, I’ll admit that I have a sweet tooth for Christmas cookies. I have associate director of communications; Emily Rust, communications specialist; Landesberg Design depicted in this illustration my favorite (the round pretzels filled with chocolate and topped with a peanut M&M, in case you’re Rick Davis, BA’88, director of communications; back, Jim Berscheidt, chief CONTACT by Jasu Hu, whose work has Address all mail to University baking), but I like being surprised with a good sugar cookie or something more exotic. appeared in The New York communications and marketing officer; Glenn Antonucci, senior director Communications and Marketing, Likewise, we have flavored this issue with a variety of tantalizing stories — minus the calories, Times, The New Yorker, The of communications; Sheila Swanson, associate director of communications; Omaha, NE 68178. Postmaster: of course. We dive into the changing state of democracy worldwide, and share the fascinating Send change of address to Creighton Washington Post and elsewhere. and Amanda Brandt, BA’14, social media and content strategist. Magazine, P.O. Box 3266, Omaha, story of an alumna in Alaska who is pioneering a unique approach to occupational therapy (hint: it NE 68103-0078.

involves a trapeze). And there’s more. How does one become an official saint? Read about Creighton’s CREIGHTON MAGAZINE’S PURPOSE involvement in the canonization process for Boys Town founder the Rev. Edward Flanagan. Want Creighton magazine, like the University itself, is committed to excellence and to improve your managerial skills? Check out the minimalist manager story. dedicated to the pursuit of truth in all its forms. The magazine will be We also have developed new departments: Dialogue, By the Numbers, Jesuit Gardens and Lesson ATTEND AN RECOMMEND CONTACT US comprehensive in nature. It will support Plan, which allow us to share a variety of Creighton-related stories. We also invite you to share ALUMNI EVENT A STUDENT Send Letters to the Editor the University’s mission of education through thoughtful and compelling your stories, opinions and thoughts in our new Voices department (see Page 5). We look forward For the latest on alumni Contact the Undergraduate to creightonmagazine@ feature articles on a variety of topics. to the dialogue. Finally, we wrap it up with the news from you and your classmates. This tradition gatherings, contact the Admissions Office at creighton.edu and alumni It will feature the brightest, the most Alumni Relations Office at 800.282.5835 or email news (births, weddings, stimulating, the most inspirational we are keeping. As always, we encourage you to send your news to [email protected]. thinking that Creighton offers. The 800.282.5867 or visit [email protected]. promotions, etc.) to magazine also will promote Creighton, With the holidays quickly approaching, we are, admittedly, a bit exhausted, but we also are alumni.creighton.edu. [email protected]. and its Jesuit, Catholic identity, to eager to share this gift with you. As we stand back, we hope the light of Creighton University shines Address mail to: Creighton a broad public and serve as a vital link between the University and its through and warms your heart, soul and imagination. University, University constituents. The magazine will be READ US ONLINE Communications and guided by the core values of Creighton: MAKE A GIFT You can read this issue and Marketing, 780480 California the inalienable worth of each individual, Contact the Office of past issues of Creighton respect for all of God’s creation, a special Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178-0480 concern for the poor and the promotion Rick Davis Development at 800.334.8794 magazine online at creighton. of justice. Director of Communications or visit alumni.creighton.edu/ edu/creightonmagazine. Copyright © 2017 by give-back. FOLLOW US Creighton University ON SOCIAL MEDIA creighton.edu Twitter — @Creighton Facebook — Creighton University Instagram — @Creighton1878

2 Creighton FALL 2017 3 CREIGHTON FALL 2017 Volume 33 Issue 3

THE LAST Heard on Campus FRONTIER Through twists and Voices “When we help medical students “I’m inspired semester after semester turns, a Creighton alumna falls in love understand leadership, we help them to by all the students who not only have a with Homer, Alaska, not only be strong scientists, but we help desire to serve others, but who also want and a unique form them to artfully lead teams.” to learn about the justice issues facing of therapy. JENNIFER MOSS-BREEN, PHD, associate professor and program director communities across the country and for Creighton’s Interdisciplinary EdD, who along with John Schmidt, MD, associate professor of pediatrics, co-authored “It’s Good for What around the world.” 38 Ails You: Leadership in Medical School”— winner of the 2017 Most Contents JEFF PEAK, BA’08, MA’11, assistant director for the Schlegel Center Publishable Leadership Education Paper Award from the International for Service and Justice (SCSJ), on the 240 Creighton students who IS DEMOCRACY Leadership Association. visited 30 sites nationwide during fall break as part of the SCSJ’s Service IN CRISIS? & Justice Trips. Political scientists, including two at Creighton, “Whether it’s Republicans or Democrats are concerned about signs in America or the (Indian National) “I am excited that The Landing project that democracy may be in Congress or the BJP (Bharatiya Janata will serve as an important gateway to danger worldwide. Party) in India, the fundamentals of the Creighton, but also for the communities relationship between our two countries surrounding the development to connect 24 44 48 are sound and will survive political in many ways.” change in either country.” TODD HEISTAND, president of NuStyle Development, which is A SHINING LIGHT THE MINIMALIST converting the former Creighton University Medical Center property into HON. SHASHI THAROOR, PHD, a former United Nations undersecretary a development called The Landing, with apartments, retail space and A professor and professor MANAGER general and current member of parliament for the Indian National a pedestrian bridge over U.S. Highway 75 that will link to Creighton’s emerita play key roles in A Creighton business Congress, at the inaugural U.S.-India Friendship Summit convened main campus. at Creighton. furthering the cause for professor says sainthood of the founder minimalism can bring of Boys Town, the famed more meaning to the “This is the way of the future, to meet organization for at-risk workplace. people where they are and to provide youth based in Nebraska. the services they need most and might be unlikely to otherwise pursue.” Let’s Get Social MARGARET MURPHY BEGLEY, BA’90, BSN’91, faculty member, preceptor and school health coordinator in the College of Nursing, who on the cover is heading up Creighton’s partnership with Building Healthy Futures to @CarliTritz: Shoutout to @CreightonPres for provide vision screenings in Omaha Public Schools. AN EQUATION FOR SUCCESS picking up my Starbucks tab this afternoon!! A recent $10 million gift to the College Coolest prez evaaaa! #BigEspressoGuy of Arts and Sciences from alumnus What’s on Your Mind? George Haddix, PhD, MA’66, and his @AditiGetsTweety: If you go to wife, Susan, will enhance research @Creighton, protecting health care for Let us know what you think of the newly and stoke the passions of the next marginalized people, being men and women redesigned Creighton magazine and the stories presented inside. One of our hopes is generation of Creighton scientists. for and with others, is our mission. LIVE IT. that this magazine will serve as a forum for more conversation with you, our readers. @MidwestJesuits: Ice cream shop near 30 We are eager to hear from you — whether 6 Creighton 15 By the Numbers 20 Lesson Plan 55 Alumni Notes @Creighton has a new #Jesuit-inspired it’s feedback on a story or a special memory Connections Alumni and Creighton’s flavor: “Ite Inflamate Omnia,” or Go Set from your Creighton days that we’ve sparked. sustainability coordinator offer 16 Health Briefs 64 Creighton the World on Fire. Please send your letters to the editor via email 11 Jesuit Gardens real-world advice on living a Conversations 18 Dialogue greener life. to [email protected] or via The Rev. Thomas Simonds, The University’s vice president @RyanHolmgren: Proud to be a @Creighton postal mail to the address below. SJ, EdD, shares insights on how The 500th anniversary of 54 Impact for University Relations says to more fully appreciate the the Reformation is discussed his is a “dream job.” alum. (Referencing Creighton’s efforts as one gifts of the season. from Lutheran and Catholic From South Korea to Omaha, of 28 U.S. Jesuit colleges and universities to Creighton University perspectives by a Creighton a nursing scholarship recipient University Communications and Marketing finds Creighton is where she is protect Dreamers) professor and administrator. Attn: Creighton Magazine meant to be. 780480 California Plaza Omaha, NE 68178-0480

4 Creighton FALL 2017 5 Creighton Connections UNIVERSITY NEWS also cut short Don’s budding baseball up in small towns in Nebraska and Iowa, career. He’d been invited to spring might’ve gone for a place with a bit more training with the St. Louis Browns just traffic but, as her son said, she knew her before the attack on Pearl Harbor. love story was destined to bloom where Mary Margaret was born in Ulysses, it was planted. Nebraska, and grew up in Sergeant Bluff, “I think he would have rather been Iowa. She had a few uncles who were a farmer himself,” Peter Wolters says. doctors and an aunt who was a nurse “He was a small-town, rural-area kind in Omaha, likely spurring her interest NEW BOARD MEMBER of guy. My mother would have gladly in the medical field. Michael “Mike” Zoellner, moved to Seattle or Omaha, a little bigger The couple married Sept. 1, 1951, BSBA’78, JD’81, of Denver, city. But she got involved with what was was named to Creighton’s and after Don Wolters completed a Board of Trustees in August. happening in town. She knew this was residency in Sioux City, Iowa, he estab­ Zoellner is the managing a fulfilling life.” lished a practice in Estherville, Iowa, director of ZF Capital, And so, for the better part of seven chairman of the Colorado that he maintained until his retire­ment Multifamily Housing decades, Don and Mary Margaret in 1988. Mary Margaret, with her nursing Alliance and a member of Wolters made a life in Estherville, degree, worked occasionally­ as a nurse the Urban Land Institute. taking care of patients, raising a family, Zoellner is fulfilling the term and taught courses at a local community of Jane Miller, who stepped tending to the needs of their communit­ y. college, but her real occupation was as down in July after 11 years of But they also remembered that moment mother to Peter, who arrived within service on the Board. at Creighton and what their health a year of the couple’s wedding, and sciences education had meant to them, daughter Peggy, who the couple adopted not only as a career path, but in bringing five years after Peter’s birth. their lives together. Creighton receives about 90 donated bodies each year for use in its Depart­ ment of Biomedical Sciences. Bodies typically arrive six months after death and after they have been cleared through We talk at Creighton the Anatomical Board of the State about finding God in all of Nebraska. things and the donation Thomas Quinn, PhD, director of and the anatomy lab Creighton’s Clinical Anatomy Program, said in the course of a year, just about all

DAVID SENIOR DAVID is a good place to look. of Creighton’s health sciences students You can see how people, will work with or observe work on a BIG EAST ACES after they’re gone, donated body, making the program Harrison Lang, BA’17, are helping teach our received the BIG EAST crucial to medical education. students to keep us alive Conference’s 2016–2017 “We generally refer to the donated Scholar–Athlete Sport body as the first patient,” Quinn says. and well. Excellence Award in men’s ost of the donations are health sciences programs, they donated Don and Mary Margaret met on tennis, while volleyball “We encourage the students to use monetary in nature and these their bodies to the School of Medicine’s the first day of Don’s third year in standout Lauren Smith, the person’s first name and there’s a gifts, if they could speak, Department of Biomedical Sciences. medical school, when the med students BSBA’17, was one of two BIG form of HIPAA (the Health Insurance A Last Wish M EAST nominees for NCAA BY ADAM KLINKER might wax nostalgic of college days, “There was never a question that went to St. Catherine’s Hospital for Woman of the Year. Lang Portability and Accountability Act that life-changing realizations, spiritual they’d donate their bodies and donate the first time. When the nursing earned a perfect keeps medical records private) involved. enrich­ment and a final wish to see those them to Creighton,” says Peter, BA’74, students came out to greet the new Life as a small-town doctor suited the 4.0 GPA in neuroscience, It’s a lesson in professionalism as well As a private, faith-based with a minor in biology, experiences borne forward. For Don and JD’78, the couple’s son. “I feel like I’ve crop of future physicians, Mary Margaret boy from Atchison perfectly. Don was while Smith, a marketing and as anatomy.” institution, Creighton University Mary Margaret Wolters, who donated to known all my life that’s what they Bradley caught the eye of Don Wolters. an avuncular presence on the streets of entrepreneurship major, After the year the bodies spend in the University in another way, the gift wanted to do. We had the option to A native of Atchison, Kansas, Don Estherville, having delivered many of was a four-time BIG the lab, Creighton hosts a memorial relies upon the generosity of EAST All-Academic bespoke all three and more. do something else, but I knew it was was a World War II veteran. His under­ the children populating the town and Team selection. service for families, where students donors to accomplish its mission Don Wolters, MD’51, died in Decem­ always their very strong desire to see graduate education at Bene­dictine the surrounding countryside. He was are able to talk with loved ones and in educating future generations ber 2016 at age 93. His wife of 65 years, themselves, even in death, be of service College was interrupted when he volun­­ often found in his garden and admired share their gratitude for the deceased Mary Margaret, SCN’51, died four months to people. That’s always resonated teered for the U.S. Navy’s V-12 officers the work of the farmers who were his family member’s donation. For those in the Jesuit, Catholic tradition. later at 88. Both alumni from Creighton’s for me.” training program. The advent of the war patients. Mary Margaret, who also grew families not recovering the cremains,

6 Creighton FALL 2017 7 CREIGHTON CONNECTIONS University News

an intermen­ t is also held at Resurrection “They’re doing exactly what they Arizona, as the University expands its clinic building. “There was no grass, just Glaser and fellow medical student Cemetery. wanted to do,” he says. “Both my mother academic health care partnership with dirt to a building — no doors or windows. Joshua Blessing, MD’17, initially met with Without the donors, Quinn says, and father saw opportunities to give back Dignity Health St. Joseph’s Hospital and Eventually we would get doors but still St. Joseph’s Family Medicine physician lessons on human anatomy can only and took them. It was a big motivation Medical Center in Phoenix. no windows, and when we got windows, Sara Peña, MD, a volunteer at the Society go so far. for my father becoming­ a doctor. For my Creighton alumnus George Stavros, we didn’t have air conditioning.” of St. Vincent DePaul medical clinic, and “All in all, it really is a beautiful mother, she always looked for a way to MD’62, always wanted to do mission­ But the patients never seemed to Maurice Lee, MD, medical director of the thing,” he says. “The bodies are some help her community. Donating their ary work. In the late 1990s, the Phoenix mind. “We’re constantly amazed at how clinic, to discuss plans for establishing a of our best teachers. There’s nothing bodies to Creighton fulfilled that last family medicine physician began seeing appreciative people are,” Roberson says. student-run clinic. Lee was familiar with to compare with being able to use the wish, that they could still be of service.” patients in his home after church “By and large, our patients are humble Creighton students because the clinic is whole body and see how it works. It For more information on the body on Sundays. Many of those coming people who are extremely grateful for a family medicine clerkship site. really does get you ready for practice. donation program, contact the Ana­ to his door were from Mexico or of any care you can provide.” CREIGHTON From those early meetings in the We talk at Creighton about finding God tomical Board of the State of Nebraska Mexican descent. Patients are notified of clinic days Sink your teeth into these eight fall of 2016, the project continued to in all things and the donation and the at 402.559.6249 or the Creighton In the nearly 20 years since, Stavros, via flyers and word of mouth. Approx­ informational bites about the gain momentum. Glaser and Blessing anatomy lab is a good place to look. You Department of Biomedical Sciences at along with his church community, imately 150 patients, who other­wise recruited student leaders to create Lauren Glaser, left, School of Dentistry and its can see how people, after they’re gone, a fourth-year medical 402.280.2542. developed a medical clinic on two have no access to care, are seen each new state-of-the-art building, train­ing manuals, planned orien­ are helping teach our students to keep student at the School acres of donated land 60 miles south of clinic day. “The need is enormous,” ta ­tions and involved more family of Medicine’s Phoenix us alive and well.” Regional Campus, Phoenix in Puerto Peñasco, Mexico — a Roberson says. Patients come from scheduled to open in July 2018. medicine physicians. In his mother’s obituary, Peter was instrumental town of approximately 40,000, where the community and the surrounding Fast-forward a few months: Five in establishing a Desert Difference-Makers Wolters wrote of his parents’ decision student-run clinic Health Care Partnership Expands fishing and tourism are the main sources areas to see physicians, dentists and third-year Creighton medical students to donate their bodies to the School of at the St. Vincent of income. physical therapists and to have pre- Among applicants to U.S. dental schools, and three student leaders welcomed DePaul medical clinic, Creighton’s Service Reach Medicine in this poignant way: “Having serving patients in the Longtime volunteer and fellow scriptions filled. 1 1 in every 6 seeks admission to Creighton 12 patients to the first clinic in January met at Creighton while Don was in Phoenix area. Third- BY NICOLE PHELPS, BA’02 Creighton alumnus Floyd Roberson, Recently, third- and fourth-year (nearly 2,000 students annually). 2017. Working under the supervision of year medical students Courtney Smith, Creighton alumni  MD medical school and Mary Margaret and students with ’81, said little by little the clinic came medical students from the Creighton Our dental students hail from 31 states two attending physicians, these students was in nursing training, they decided middle, and Ahmad a passion for volunteering are making a together, but at times it was painfully School of Medicine’s Phoenix Regional guided the patients through their entire Atallah are student 2 and 5 countries. to spend eternity together at Creighton.” leaders at the clinic. difference in and around south-central slow. He chuckled as he recalled the first Campus have started traveling to Mexico visit — from check-in and vitals to blood every other month for a Satur­day clinic. About 70 million pounds of dirt — draws and dis­pensing medications. There, students are exposed to a health 3 enough to fill nearly 11 Olympic-sized Nearly a year later, the students care system that is consistent with a swimming pools — were excavated to are still operating their Saturday- developing nation. They see patients make way for the new 220,000-square- morning clinic with hopes to expand and assist with the delivery of care. foot building. to a weeknight. And while it may be a “It’s a won­derful experience and it can Our students and faculty are expected small clinic, it’s a big start for the current be heartbr­ eaking at the same time,” 4 to examine 15,000 patients — or roughly and future medical students in Phoenix. Roberson says. 500,000 teeth — annually in the new A student-led clinic was a dream facility by 2021. for many since Creighton established DEBBY WOLVOS DEBBY Feeling the Freedom a medical campus in Phoenix in 2009. A total of 400 pieces of precast brick of the Road (even if it’s January 2018 will mark the one-year 5 panels and limestone were erected over a driveway) milestone since that dream became the building’s steel structure. a reality. The economic impact of the new facility Sage Meier, 22 months old, is getting When medical student Lauren Glaser 6 will hit $848 million by 2023, with strapped into her bright yellow, modified was considering completing her last an anticipated 200 new jobs created Fisher-Price car when she flashes a two years at the School of Medicine’s indirectly. slight frown of apprehension. Phoenix Regional Campus, she was There are a few extra people in her interested in volunteer opportunities. The projected value of free or discounted driveway to watch her tool around in While there were many, she was 7 dental services to be offered over the first the car, which has been modified to surprised to learn that there was no 10 years of the new building’s operation strengthen her right hand and arm. community clinic that was exclusively is $91.4 million. But when Sage’s father, Tate, flips tied to Creighton — similar to the Our dental care expands beyond the car’s battery switch, the grimace is student-run Magis Clinic at the Siena/ 8 campus. In the 2016–2017 academic year, gone. Her hand shoots out and punches Francis House shelter in Omaha. Glaser students provided nearly 5,000 dental the throttle — on the car’s steering felt the time was right to change that sealants to children in local elementary wheel — and there’s no stopping her and was met with encouragement and schools. now as she coasts down the driveway, support along the way. through the yard, out to the sidewalk.

8 Creighton FALL 2017 9 CREIGHTON CONNECTIONS University News

JESUIT GARDENS

Sage Meier, 22 months, School of Dentistry, College of Nursing SENIOR DAVID motors down her west and the School of Pharmacy and Health Omaha driveway in A Gift’s a motorized toy car, Professions. For more information, visit specially modified by students and faculty in business.creighton.edu/HealthcareMBA or the School of Pharmacy call 402.280.4948. True Worth and Health Professions to help improve range of movement and strength in her right hand. A Good Apple Isn’t Always Julie Kalkowski was recently honored Apparent at Nebraska Appleseed’s 2017 Good Apple Awards. She received the Jim Wolf BY THE REV. THOMAS A. SIMONDS, SJ, EDD, Equal Justice Award, which recognizes Associate Professor of Education, a Nebraskan for significant career College of Arts and Sciences contributions to justice. As executive director of Creighton’s Financial Hope Collaborative, Kalkowski helps low- income families in Omaha with financial literacy and independence. She also One day a man with an was recently appointed to the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s unusual talent went to see consumer advisory board. a talent scout. The man said, “I have a unique talent. “That smile says it all,” says Sage’s mother, Erin. “Anyone who has a child Creighton Launches New Law Clinic to I can do very convincing with a disability knows that they miss New MBA in Healthcare Assist Immigrants, bird imitations.” The talent out on a lot of things. This car has let Management Refugees her ride outside with all the other kids, scout looked the man up chase her siblings around, be part of the Creighton has developed an all-new “There’s a crisis of migration right and down, and with a A CANCER LUMINARY neighborhood activity.” Executive MBA in Healthcare Manage­ now,” says David Weber, professor of law. dismissive wave of his hand Sage is one of five Creighton Pediatric ment program, with an accelerated, Henry Lynch, MD, the “There are tens of millions of displaced Charles F. and Mary C. Therapy Clinic patients par­tici­pating 18-month format that blends online Heider Endowed Chair persons who need to leave a difficult life. said, “Get out of here — in a 12-week study testing the effects learning with several four-day campus- in Cancer Research, If we can do a little to help that, we want bird imitations are a dime a them? It is not easy, but the key is to keep things If you were Caspar, Melchior or Balthazar, of newfound mobility in children with based residencies. professor of medicine and to do it.” simple. If we overdo it, we end up with lots of and you came to this little shed, or maybe a cave director of Creighton's dozen.” With that, the man medical conditions limiting them in “Our primary target student is a Hereditary Cancer Center, The Creighton Immigrant and gifts that we cannot appreciate. in the side of a hill, would this look like the birth this area. Students from Creighton’s physician, other advanced clinician — was selected to receive Refugee Clinic, which opened this fall flew out the window. One year I received a Christmas card with place of the King of Kings? No, it would not. occupational therapy and physical dentist, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, a 2017 Luminary Award in the School of Law, works to address a picture of the Magi on the front. Below the However, remember the story about the flying in GI Cancers from the therapy departments modified the physical therapist, occupational ther- Ruesch Center for the this crisis — not only by directly aiding Sometimes we have to wait for a gift to be picture in large type was the line, “The wise man. The baby lying in a manger really is the miniature, battery-driven cars to meet apist, etc. — or a health care execu­tive,” Cure of Gastrointestinal immigrants and refugees in open cases revealed. Someone’s gift may not be readily still seek him.” Now I have had this card for King of Kings, and he really can save your life, the specific mobility needs of each child. said Laurie Baedke, director of health Cancers. The award in immigration courts, but by training apparent to us. The man who flew out the some time, and it is a little bit worn, but the if you let him show you his gifts. will be presented in The study was devised by Stacy care leadership programs for the Heider the next generation of lawyers to window obviously had a unique gift that the message is clear. The Magi were wise men, Washington, D.C., About the writer: Fr. Simonds is the author Wong, BS’07, DPT’10, an instructor in the College of Business. in December. dedicate themselves to one of the most talent scout would have loved to market, but ancient scientists and scholars, whose study of Advent and Christmas Reflections: Ideas Department of Physical Therapy, and Individuals seeking an advanced pressing social justice issues in the because he did not give the man time to share of astronomy and ancient texts led them to the for Teaching the Catholic Faith in the Home, Marisa Sevick, OTD, an instructor in the degree to expand their business acumen, country today. his gift, the talent scout lost out. conclusion that the King of all Kings would be School, and Parish (2010, National Catholic Department of Occupational Therapy, deepen their professional impact and “We see the clinic as an extension of One of the challenges we face at Christmas­ born in Bethlehem of Judea. Educational Association). and funded by a 2017 Dr. George F. Haddix accelerate their career success are “a Creighton’s Jesuit values to be men and time is that we receive so many gifts, it is hard They were so convinced of their conclusion President’s Faculty Research Fund award. terrific fit for the Executive MBA in women for and with others, reaching to appreciate all of them in a good way. I am that they set out on camels to follow a star and And if Sage’s experience is any Healthcare program,” she said. out to the most vulnerable among us,” not only talking about gifts that are wrapped find this King of Kings. And when they came indication, the future holds that more The program, which launched in Weber says. “But it’s also an opportunity or stuffed in a stocking. Think of the gift of to Bethlehem, the City of David, what did they cars will roll off the Creighton assembly October and enrolls both clinicians and for students to exercise the technical a new snow, or a song someone sings, or a find? A baby nestled with hay in a rough-hewn line in the future. non-clinicians, is housed in the Heider skills they’ve acquired and be touched warm embrace. God gives us so many gifts at feeding trough for animals, his wayfaring “She just goes, goes, goes,” Erin Meier College of Business but utilizes faculty by the life experiences of the individuals Christmas ­time, the biggest gift being his Son parents nearby, resting in a place where animals says. expertise from the School of Medicine, they’re helping.” Jesus. How can we possibly appreciate all of were kept in those days.

10 Creighton FALL 2017 11 CREIGHTON CONNECTIONS University News WAIT...WHAT? Stoicism Creighton is known for the The clinic follows the long-standing benefit [for our students], too,” says research opportunities it offers Coloradans cut their average workweek. tradition of Creighton’s civil clinic, the and Star Wars Catherine Mahern, the Connie Kearney undergraduates. Here’s a For the two years following legalization, Milton R. Abrahams Legal Clinic, in BY ADAM KLINKER Chair in Clinical Legal Education and brief insight into one current per capita spending in the low wage providing representation to the under­ director of the Abrahams Legal Clinic. student’s project. food and beverage industry expanded served, and where faculty, lawyers and uch to tell us of Star Wars, the Stoics have. “I think this will open a lot minds and by 3.4 percent for the U.S., but almost students, recognizing the marginality a lot of hearts.” double that for Colorado, at 6.7 percent. The philosophy of equanimity in all things, arising out of immigrants in the legal system, have Additionally, between 2013 and 2017, of ancient Greece and Rome, has been fertile ground for engaged in legal work on behalf of these the average hourly workweek fell by 3.9 the science fiction franchise that this year marked 40 years new arrivals. Recognized for percent for Colorado, but climbed by 1.5 since the premier of the first film. Collaborative Care percent for the U.S. “Yoda is one of the most Stoic characters in film,” To support greater spending on food says William Stephens, PhD, philosophy professor and Creighton University and its aca­ and beverages with fewer work hours an expert on Stoicism. “His wisdom echoes what Stoics like Marcus Aurelius or demic health partner, CHI Health, were and lower wage growth after the state MEpictetus said: ‘Fear leads to anger. Anger leads to hate. Hate leads to suffering.’ honored with one of three national legalized marijuana, per capita welfare We see the clinic That code of the Jedi is Stoicism 101.” awards distinguishing insti­tu­tions benefits in Colorado climbed by almost as an extension of The Stoics emerged in Athens in the third century B.C., teaching a system of committed to and pro­moting a collab­ 10 percent versus 7.8 percent for the U.S. living in harmony with the vast framework of nature and the acceptance of all orative care model. But Colorado’s growth in tax revenues Creighton’s Jesuit people, places, things and situations. Some two dozen centuries onward — The Nexus Award, given annually from the pot trade from $52.6 million the by the National Center for Inter­prof­es­ year after legalization, to $85.3 million in values to be men though placed in a time long ago and in a galaxy far, far away — Yoda and the Jedi sional Practice and Education, recog­ 2015, to $120 million in 2016 is likely to seek to impart similar lessons on the exercise of the emotions in concert with the and women for nizes the efforts of higher educa­tional encourage even more states, beyond the logic and reason of the Force. and with others, institutions, health care systems, clinics current eight, to make recreational use “The Stoics teach that true power is self-mastery,” says Stephens, who published and community organ­i­­zations in “linking of cannabis lawful even with potentially reaching out to the an essay about Stoicism in the films in a 2005 collection, titledStar Wars and health pro­fes­sions education and inter­ mixed economic impacts. most vulnerable Philosophy. “It’s self-fulfillment, self-containment. It’s not controlling other professional practice to transform care people. That’s tyranny and that’s what Yoda and the Jedi fight against when it delivery, improve health outcomes, among us. comes to the Dark Side.” and decrease costs.” Creighton and CHI TITLE Prairie Companions Read more online at creighton.edu/creightonmagazine. Health earned one of two honorable Faculty, students study n ature at mention distinctions for the award. “Detection of the order- 424-acre site northwest of Omaha disorder transition via

The clinic is partnering with Justice Marijuana Legalization’s birefringence during For Our Neighbors Nebraska, an Omaha- Impact on the solvent vapor annealing based chapter of a national nonprofit Mile High State organization specializing in legal Munchie industry soars, others not of poly(styrene)-block- services for immigrants and refugees. so much, Creighton professor finds Charles “Shane” Ellison, legal director poly(lactide) thin films” for the organization, who also teaches BY ERNIE GOSS, PHD, Jack MacAllister STUDENT RESEARCHER at the law school, will oversee the clinic. Chair in Regional Economics Son Nguyen, junior applied physics major, Second- and third-year law students Since 2013, when marijuana was Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam working in the clinic will be required legalized in the state, Coloradans have FACULTY MENTOR to complete a one-hour per-week course toked up, tuned in and chowed down. Andrew Baruth, PhD, on immigration and refugee law. Between 2013 and 2017, Colorado has associate professor of physics “It’s a regal frit,” exclaims biology Weber says the clinic will primarily increased employment by 9.2 percent, professor Ted Burk, PhD, as he spies a WHAT IT MEANS Nguyen’s project is in the field focus on three types of clients: those well above the nation’s 6.4 percent. On of nanotechnology, using nature’s ability to make flutter of orange blowing like a candy seeking asylum, unaccompanied minors, the other hand, since 2013, Colorado repetitive shapes (think honeycombs, only much, wrapper in a straightline wind. and victims of human traffick­ing or wages expanded at approximately much smaller). This has the potential for many Burk smiles, flips open a com­posi­ tion­ abuse. But there are other cases in which three percentage points less than that life-enhancing applications — including drug notebook he’s carrying and pencils in the clinic could play a role. of the U.S. development, water filtration and decon­tamination, the species name and a hashmark — one energy collection and storage, and information “There’s a great alignment with our Two factors contribute to Colorado’s regal fritillary. He closes the book and

DAVID SENIOR DAVID and communication technologies. Nguyen’s mission and Justice For Our Neighbors, stronger job growth but weaker wage research involves the production of new materials moves on. and the exposure to different people growth. First, Colorado added jobs with superior optical, electrical, magnetic and/or Since 1998, Burk has made this facing difficult legal problems is a huge in lower wage industries. Second, mechanical properties for such applications. same circuit through the prairie at

12 Creighton FALL 2017 13 CREIGHTON CONNECTIONS University News CLASS OF 2021 With a record-setting 1,119 freshmen arriving on campus for the 2017 fall BY THE NUMBERS “It’s kind semester, Creighton eclipsed its previous high of 1,068 incoming students, set in Glacier Creek Preserve — a reclaimed “Life is so much more interesting eclipse that was making its way across 2015. Total enrollment for the 2017–2018 tallgrass prairie northwest of Omaha — when you look around,” he says. “In Nebraska that day. academic year reached 8,654 — also an all-time record. 156 diligently documenting the butterfly that regard, this has been a great student The three other students — Demetra of perfect freshman students are the Creighton continues to embrace population, once a week for 20 weeks project. A lot of our students are city Arvanitakis, a sophomore in the College first generation in their family and thrive on diversity — and not just to attend college each year. kids who haven’t spent a lot of time in of Nursing from Overland Park, Kansas; demographically, but intellectually and Butterflies, Burk says, are a good nature and this builds their confidence Madalene Steichen, a sophomor­ e theol- experientially, as well. Students come from EMERGING TALENT for me” species by which to take the measure in being in the field and taking part in a ogy major from Tulsa, Oklahoma; and all walks of life, bringing with them fresh, Thomas Wong, PhD, who of an ecosystem’s health, and he’s also long-term project.” Will Tavis, a sophomore computer sci- stimulating ideas to add to the already joined Creighton this fall vibrant chorus on campus. been able to make a good study of the as an assistant professor ence major from Kirkwood, Missouri — 256 have a legacy connection to of physics, was named The newest crop of freshmen comes insects’ prowess as polinators. were all taken to the hospital and Creighton, through close relatives an emerging talent by from states across the U.S., and well “Conservation ecology of inverte­ the Journal of Physics A. Vigil Memorializes a eventually released. Kim Davlin, a 1990 beyond. While a little more than a third who also attended the University brates has lagged behind plants and The collection recognizes ‘Beautiful, Gentle Soul’ Creighton occupational therapy gradu- come from less than 200 miles away, vertebrates, despite insects making up outstanding early-career ate, who was in another car involved in 20 percent had a decidedly longer trip to researchers in mathematical about 50 percent of any ecosystem,” “Here at this place, Creighton Univer­ the collision, also was hospitalized and campus — more than 1,000 miles. and theoretical physics. Freshman Giang “Emily” Pham, pausing Burk says. Wong leads the new sity, a place of religious perspective later released. 32% here for a photo with Billy Bluejay amid Emerging generations of Creighton quantum computing and faith, we have one another,” said of new students ranked in the research area at Creighton. August freshman orientation activities, has top 10 percent of their high biologists in several courses have found Creighton President the Rev. Daniel S. called Vietnam home for most of her life. school graduating class and 100 an alfresco classroom on the prairie, Hendrickson, SJ, as more than 800 Remembering Two Trustees Why did she #ChooseCreighton? graduated at either No. 1 or No. 2 tracking over hills and dales, observ- students, faculty and staff filled St. John’s Quite simply, she says: “It’s kind of ing insects and plants on this 424- Church — to pray, to cry, to reflect and Creighton mourned the loss of two perfect for me.” acre site surrounded by suburbs and to remember. Omaha business leaders, philan­thro­pists more than agricultural land. Earlier in the day on Aug. 21, at the and longstanding members of its Board “It’s nice to get out of the library every start of Welcome Week, news that four of Trustees with the deaths of William 80% once in awhile, to come out here and take Creighton students had been involved “Bill” Kizer, BUSADM’49, HON’96, and of the class of 2021 volunteered in this great place,” says Adam Grazzini, in a four-vehicle crash along Interstate William “Bill” Fitzgerald, BSBA’59. during high school a junior biology major whose research 80 shocked the campus. Three students Fitzgerald, who died Sept. 1 at the age includes monitoring, collecting and were injured, and Joan Ocampo-Yambing, of 79, served on the Board for more than studying the butterflies’ favorite plants. a sophomore computer science major 40 years. He began his term in 1973 and “What a great resource for us to have.” from Rosemount, Minnesota, was killed. oversaw several major expansions and 3.83 median grade-point average On a good day, Burk and his stude­ nts “Joan was a beautiful, gentle soul,” enhance­ments on the Creighton campus. will encounter about 20 dif­fer­ent species said HollyAnn Harris, PhD, asso­ciate He served as Board chairman from and 200 individual butterflies. dean for the College of Arts and Sciences 1999 to 2011 and was named chairman Burk says he hopes the experience and an advisor to Ocampo-Yambing. emeritus in 2013. 15 on the prairie is an encouragement to “She had a positive attitude and faced The former chairman and CEO of international students joined the class of 2021 from 9 other students to immerse themselves in the both good times and adver­sity with Commercial Federal Bank, Fitzgerald countries — representing Asia, world beyond their windows, to look equal grace.” was inducted into the Nebraska Busi­ Europe, the Middle East, South upward and outward at the bounty and The four students had been traveling ness Hall of Fame in 2005 and the Omaha America and points in beauty of nature. to get a better view of the total solar Business Hall of Fame in 2006. In the between — giving the class, and campus, a global flavor

Make your mark on health care. 27% of the incoming class CHOOSE CREIGHTON. identify as students of color Learn the latest skills and expand your options with a graduate degree in health care from Creighton. • Collaborative care environment, learn • Degrees and certificates available. from faculty experts and practitioners • Many programs fully online, so you across the health disciplines. can learn on your time. 100will receive a top-flight,% Jesuit education in gradschool.creighton.edu/health-programs the Creighton tradition JIM FACKLER

14 Creighton FALL 2017 15 CREIGHTON CONNECTIONS University News

HEALTH BRIEFS

The sealant, called BioCoat, which is used Is Coffee to seal pits and fissures, those small hollows and grooves found on the biting surfaces of back teeth, uses a remineralizing microcapsule called SmartCap, which Creighton developed Bad in collaboration with Premier Dental Products Company. Through this technology, microscopic fo r Yo u r capsules containing calcium and phosphate ions are placed into the dental sealant. When patients brush their teeth, the calcium and phosphate ions are released and combine with Bones? the fluoride to strengthen tooth enamel — a process known as ­remineralization. “I wouldn’t worry about “While fluoride has been long known to help reduce decay, fluoride is much more William “Bill” Fitzgerald, BSBA'59, left, and William “Bill” Kizer, it,” Robert Recker, MD’63, effective in healing teeth when calcium and BUSADM’49, HON’96, former members of Creighton’s Board of phosphate ions are present near or on the Trustees, died Sept. 1 and Aug. 20, respectively. director of Creighton’s tooth,” says Stephen Gross, PhD, associate professor of chemistry, who, along with School Osteoporosis Research of Dentistry Dean Mark Latta, DMD, and community, he held leader­ship roles in Center, told The New York Premier Dental’s William McHale, developed more than 28 nonpr­ ofit organizations, Creighton to Launch the new technology. leading fund­raising efforts benefiting New Physician Assistant Times. Huge, national religious organi­zations, health care, Program elementary and secondary education, studies in different Latest Buzz in Chris Destache, hope is that patients could be injected with a Tracking Viruses the arts and social services agencies. Creighton plans to offer a new, 28- countries have found PharmD, is conducting HIV Research: Kizer, who died Aug. 20 at the age month Master of Physician Assist­ant pioneering work using drug-containing nanoparticle once a month “no evidence of an increase nanotechnology to Nano-Therapy, Big Results instead of swallowing a daily pill. The National In the lifecycle of viruses, it’s typically only of 92, served on Creighton’s Alumni Studies (MPAS) program beginning treat HIV. Institutes of Health awarded Destache the endgame that gets any attention: People Council beginning in 1961 and joined in August 2019, pending successful of fractures due to coffee,” Therapies for treating HIV have improved a $1.5 million grant to further investigate become hosts to the virus, sicken and the Board of Trustees in 1974. When he accreditation. Applications will be dramatically over the last 30 years. Patients this approach. sometimes die. But the vectors — insects and stepped down from the Board in 1994, he accepted starting in April 2018. said Recker, who holds who once needed to take three or four other organisms — that spread viruses often was named director emeritus. Five of his With the job market for physician the O’Brien Endowed medications, up to five times daily, can live with these infectious agents for a much nine children graduated from Creighton, assistants booming and demand now get the same effect through one pill, No Laughing Matter longer period than the final hosts, and are thus including his son and current trustee, looking only to strengthen, director Chair in Health Sciences. once daily. able to spread the virus farther and wider. Dick Kizer, BSBA’71, JD’73. Stephane VanderMeulen, an associate But, even so, getting patients to Ruth Maher, PhD, is one of four original “A virus can live in a mosquito for much Bill Kizer was past president and professor in the School of Medicine, consistently take their medication is one inventors of innovotherapy, a new, non­ longer than it lives in a human being,” says chairman of both Central States Health says the new program comes to the of the biggest challenges in HIV treatment, invasive treatment for pelvic-floor Carol Fassbinder-Orth, PhD, associate weakness — a condition that affects one in professor of biology specializing in avian and Life Co. of Omaha, a company right place, at the right time. says Chris Destache, PharmD, professor of pharmacy practice. “For some people,” three women to some degree and results immunology and zoonotic diseases. “If we’re founded by his father, and Central States “At Creighton, you learn much more Destache says, “drugs remind them they in intermittent urinary leakage, particularly going to understand how outbreaks happen, Indemnity, a company he co-founded than just the practice of medicine,” she have HIV, and they get drug burnout. Plus, when some women cough, sneeze, exercise we have to know more than just what happens that was acquired by Berkshire says. “If you are driven by the call to sometimes when taking the drugs, they or laugh. Maher also is a pioneer in using in the end.” Hathaway Inc. in 1992. A pioneer in the serve others and to positively impact just don't feel good.” transabdominal ultrasound to teach students Fassbinder-Orth studies the life of viruses field of wellness, Kizer was the founder the lives of patients, our program will Using nanotechnology for drug delivery and patients about abdominal and pelvic-floor in vectors like mosquitoes — their genetics and director of the Wellness Council of be a perfect fit.” may provide a solution. Through his patented muscle movement in real time. and structures — in the hopes of intercepting America. He received the Omaha Health formulation, Destache has been able to insert major outbreaks of insect-borne diseases. To Citizen of the Year award in 1985. a combination of HIV-fighting drugs into a escape detection in its host, a virus will delete polymer, which, when injected into the body, New Sealant Strengthens a portion of its genetic code. breaks down slowly and releases medication Tooth Enamel Creighton’s RaD Lab collaborated with gradually. As a treatment option, he says, Fassbinder-Orth to develop a computer it would require only one injection every A Creighton chemistry professor and the dean capable of sequencing whole genetic month or so. of the School of Dentistry have collaborated structures of viruses and comparing them to Destache also is researching nano­ with a dental products company to create a base reference genome — essentially mining technology as a way to deliver a gradual a new sealant that helps protect teeth massive amounts of a genetic haystack to find release of drugs for preventing HIV. The from decay. a few critical needles.

16 Creighton FALL 2017 17 DIALOGUE

Commemorating the 500th Anniversary of the Reformation

Oct. 31, 1517, an Augustinian monk and theology professor named Martin Luther posted his 95 Theses in Wittenberg, Germany, beginning an argument concerning practices in the Roman Catholic Church and touching off what became the Protestant Reformation. Creighton magazine asked the Rev. H. Ashley Hall, PhD, an associate professor of theology at Creighton and ecumenical officer for the Nebraska Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), and Eileen Burke-Sullivan, STD, MChrSp’84, a Catholic and Creighton’s vice provost for Mission and Ministry, to talk about what commemorating the 500th anniversary of the Reformation looks like, especially at Catholic Creighton, where the second-largest reported religious denomination is Lutheran.

CREIGHTON MAGAZINE: How is Creighton individual changes and the whole body of human another as we were 500 years ago. I think we’ve putting some of the principles of From Conflict to beings changes. Change is a movement toward seen that there was right on all sides and wrong Communion (latest report from the international wisdom, insight, love and grace that God alone on all sides. We’ve been willing to adjure the Lutheran-Roman Catholic Commission on possesses. As human beings, we are constantly, wrongness and seek the rightness. We have been Unity) into practice on campus? I hope, changing toward that. We can either mark able to get into hard conversations and find ways this date and be sad that we’re not further along, in those conversations to get to the “and” of AH: We are hopeful we can do four ecumenical or we can mark it with joy that we are still on the engaging the Spirit, rather than “either/or.” services this academic year at St. John’s — two in journey together. the fall, two in the spring. We are trying as best AH: I recently returned from the Luther Congress we can to embody what church leaders on both AH: The Reformation is a story we tell together. in Wittenberg, an academic and clerical sides agreed to in From Conflict to Communion. Some people just hear about these ecumenical conference attracting scholars from around the Sitting together, praying together, reading pronouncements and think, “Oh, it’s just Pope globe. The perspectives delivered in the seminar Scripture together is where we can find the Francis being liberal or the ELCA being liberal,” went toward the idea that to be Lutheran is to be common ground we share. and either overestimating or underestimating ecumenical. The Lutheran church doesn’t claim what’s been accomplished. The real change to be something separate or other-than, but EB-S: We are restoring the opportunities on both taking place and that we can call attention to is claims that in its essence, it’s part of the one true, sides to engage the Spirit and celebrate what that we can pray together, do service together catholic church. The other noteworthy trend in we share. We may not be at a juncture where and articulate common agreement on some core Luther scholarship is an emphasis on Luther and we’re ready to share the Eucharist, but simply issues. We weren’t able to do that in the 1950s the continuity of tradition. That’s not to say that being with one another, we are in a position to and 1960s. Lutherans have been Roman Catholics all along, understand one another. but it does cause us to question this certainty CREIGHTON MAGAZINE: What are the that we’ve drawn: that Luther started the CREIGHTON MAGAZINE: It seems the Catholic implications of this effort at ecumenism? Reformation as an alternative to being Catholic. and Protestant traditions have benefited in I think now we’re seeing Luther presented an different ways from a continued interest in the EB-S: We have bigger issues in this country and alternative way of being Catholic. Reformation. With both claiming millennia of the world — racism, gender biases, other religious tradition, are there still ways the denominations biases among people in the Christian, Muslim are being “reformed”? and Jewish communities. Work on this dialogue is critically important. If we can’t harvest this EB-S: I can’t believe that God intended any- fruit, how can we begin to solve the many other, thing on this earth to be unchanging. We are bigger problems dividing our nation and our living human beings. We experience constant world? We’re simply not as virulent toward one

18 Creighton 18 Creighton FALL 2017 19 LESSON PLAN

RESEARCH How Creighton How to Go Green YOUR PURCHASES Goes Green LT. CMDR. JEREME ALTENDORF, BS’97 BY AMANDA BRANDT, BA'14 The Princeton Review has A Reserve officer in the U.S. Coast Guard, Altendorf works consistently recognized on a variety of issues relating to the environment and Creighton as a “Green College,” What can we do to foster a sustainability. In 2010, he worked as the federal resource and the Arbor Day Foundation coordinator managing the Coast Guard’s effort to clean has recognized the University more sustainable, cleaner, up the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. with nine straight Tree Campus Altendorf previously worked for the Environmental USA designations. Here’s a brief healthier world? We asked a few Protection Agency. look at some of Creighton’s He advises paying attention to what efforts compa- sustainability efforts. alumni and Creighton’s new nies are making in the area of sustainability. sustainability coordinator, all of “Do the research, and ask questions.” And, he says, PRINT WISE focus on water and energy conservation and use, as well Last academic year, thanks to more whom are passionately involved as consumer life cycle issues, such as how a product was environmentally friendly printing manu f­ actured, packaged, and how well it can be reused processes, Creighton saved an estimated 5.3 million sheets of paper, in environmental issues — on the or recycled. 635 trees and more than 540,000 gallons of water — while realizing a farm, on campus, in business — nearly 60,000-pound reduction in to share their best advice. SMALL STEPS, carbon dioxide emissions. BIG IMPACT NATIVE PLANTS BELYNA BENTLAGE Here’s what they told us. Creighton serves as a demonstration Bentlage is Creighton’s full-time sustainability coor­ site for working with native plants di ­nator. A graduate of Loyola University Chicago, she through an affiliation with the Nebraska says small steps and commitments to sustainability in statewide arboretum. a variety of areas can add up to a big impact. MAJOR FOCUS “Sustainability touches all parts of life,” Bentlage says, One of the first Catholic universities PICK YOUR “something you might not think about at first glance.” to begin offering a degree program PASSION That can include buying local produce at a farmer’s mar- in environmental science more than CATHERINE QUEEN, BSEVS’10 ket (to reduce transportation distances and pack­aging­ ); 25 years ago, Creighton has since added Queen, a manager of sustainable development at being aware of energy usage (and remembering to turn degree programs in sustainable energy Danone ­Wave, says finding your passion and focusing off screens); thinking before you print; and taking public science and sustainability, both of which offer majors and minors. on that is the most authentic way to make a difference. transportation or walking/biking as much as possible. Queen was named to the 2017 GreenBiz Global Top 30 ENERGIPLANTS Under 30 list for her work in corporate sustainability. Constructed by energy technology “If you’re passionate about being outdoors, that is the MAKING students in partnership with Omaha only motivation you need to help the planet.” DECISIONS Public Power District, two campus STASHA THOMAS, BS’16 sculptures harness wind and solar energy and serve as charging stations While taking energy science classes at Creighton, for students to power electronic devices. EDUCATE Thomas says she learned to think about projects in a AND ADVOCATE holistic way, considering how they can impact people ENERGY CONSERVATION PARKER REVIER, BA’16 and the environment. Now, she’s pursuing a Master of Since 2014, Creighton has been working with the local power company and two After graduating with a degree in sustainable energy, Architecture degree at Kansas State University, and consulting companies on 10 energy Revier returned to Olivia, Minnesota, to support sustain­ aspires to become an architect who creates sustainably conservation projects that are expected able farming practices at his family’s cattle and crop sourced and efficient spaces. to save the University $1.5 million operations. Thomas says living more sustainably takes a dedi­ annually starting in 2018. “You can’t fix a problem if you don’t know it exists. cated and diligent effort. It needs to be top-of-mind when For true change to happen, there has to be a policy making decisions. “Making conscious environ­mental Top: Biology professor change. And unless we change the way that we are decisions and passing the word on to others is what John Schalles, PhD, meets thinking about the problem, there’s not going to be that makes a difference.” with students in the Stuppy Greenhouse on campus. policy change.” Bottom: Students get their bikes tuned up on the campus mall in October.

20 Creighton FALL 2017 21 REFLECTIONS A Creighton Tradition Dance professor and director Patrick Roddy works with Emma Welsh, left, and Elise Beal on the “Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy” for Creighton’s biennial production of The Nutcracker. Creighton has been performing the cherished Christmas tale since the 1960s.

22 Creighton FALL 2017 PHOTO BY DAVE WEAVER 23 IS BY Cindy Murphy McMahon, BA’74 DEMOCRACY id-year in 2016, when many Americans were trying to cool off from sum­ mer’s sizzle and election rhetoric was heating up, an event quietly rocked Mthe world of many political scientists. What could alter our understanding of human nature and government began with a simple hypothesis: The future of democracy may be in danger. A study in the July 2016 Journal of Democracy IN cited many reasons that democracy — even in developed nations — is approaching a crisis point. The article cast doubt on the accepted theory that once democracies are firmly established, or “consolidated,” they can be presumed to be self-sustaining. One of the political scientists who was alarmed by the study, as well as a subsequent article in the same journal by the same authors in January 2017, was Erika Moreno, PhD, associate professor of political science and international relations at Creighton. “Democracy serves as one of the trusses CRISIS of what political scientists study because, in ILLUSTRATION BY CURT MERLO ? 25 “There’s the part,the discipline developed here in the U.S., “But we have not spent time on decon­sol­ a study that was saying, ‘Hey, we need to be and the U.S. is one of the more established idation in established democracies,” Moreno paying attention to some warning signs.’ ” feeling that democracies in the world,” Moreno says. “So adds. “To look at Great Britain, for example, The first article, “The Danger of Decon­soli­ to talk about democratic deconsolidation in the progenitor of modern democratic da ­tion,” authored by Roberto Stefan Foa and democracy advanced democracies is a radical departure. institutions across the world, and say, ‘I don’t Yascha Mounk, cautions that just as social “It is kind of a given that in new democracies, know, is it going to stay that way or not?’ scientists, policymakers and journalists failed doesn’t work in the third wave of democratization in the is groundbreaking.” to read the signs of the times and recognize the 1980s in Latin America, Africa and Asia, you Moreno thought the ideas deserved further impending collapse of the Soviet bloc in the late anymore, that have seen growing pains and you do see analysis, so she brought them to the attention of 1980s, there are signals being ignored today that reversals, or deconsolidation,” she says. The her students in Comparative Politics, a largely liberal democracy is in danger. it doesn’t solve study of how democracy functions for the sophomore-level class. World Values Surveys, which explore average citizen, especially across Latin America, “So far, we had studied the United States people’s beliefs and values in more than 100 our problems is Moreno’s area of expertise. as an established democracy, and the same for coun trie­ s, show that citizens in a number of most of the countries in Europe, and here was consoli da­ ted democracies in North America anymore. This and Western Europe are not only more critical of their leaders, but also are more cynical about tends to lead democracy itself. They also are less hopeful that they can influence public policy and more to the rise of IS IT ESSENTIAL TO LIVE IN A DEMOCRACY? willing to express support for authoritarianism. Data from European and World Values Surveys (2005-2007 and 2010-2014) show that These views vary by age groups. For populism.” the percentage of respondents saying it is “essential” to live in a democratically governed example, 72 percent of Americans born before country is decreasing among younger people in most countries. (Data interpreted by Erika JAMES WUNSCH, PH D World War II gave a “10” on a scale of 1 to 10 Moreno, PhD, Creighton University) to the statement that it is “essential” to live in a democracy. However, for the millennial GREAT NEW AUSTRALIA BRITAIN NETHERLANDS ZEALAND SWEDEN U.S. generation, only about 30 percent gave the 100% same importance to the statement. A similar Freedom House, an independent watchdog pattern is noted across all major democracies, organization, says only 13 percent of the world’s including Great Britain, the Netherlands, population enjoys a free press, which it defines Sweden, Australia and New Zealand. as “a media environment where coverage of The authors state that not long ago, young political news is robust, the safety of journalists people were more enthusiastic than older is guaranteed, state intrusion in media affairs is 80% people about democratic values. In World minimal, and the press is not subject to onerous Values Surveys done in 1981–1984 and 1990– legal or economic pressures.” 1993, for example, young respondents were When people think of democracy, they often much keener than elders on protecting freedom for the downgrade. Other flawed democracies reached a three-decade high shortly after the primarily think of free elections. But there’s of speech. Today, the roles have reversed. with similar scores on the EIU index include 9/11 terrorist attacks, but declined quickly. Since actually more to it. There are many factors that seem to add Japan, France, Singapore, Israel, South Korea, 2007, Pew says the public’s reported trust in “What the journal articles brought out 60% fuel to the theories presented in the Journal Italy and India. government in the “always” or “most of the is how much more is involved in what we of Democracy. (The U.K., on the other hand, actually main­ time” categories has never topped 30 percent. call liberal democracy than just elections,” For one, the United States recently was tained its full democracy status, raising its score Another troubling 2017 Pew Research Center says James Wunsch, PhD, the Rev. John P. downgraded from a full democracy to a flawed to 8.36 from 8.31 in 2015 because of increased survey of adults in 18 Central and Eastern Schlegel, SJ, Distinguished Professor of Politics democracy by the Economic Intelligence Unit political participation with the Brexit vote.) European countries showed only lukewarm and Government. Wunsch has taught political 40% (EIU). The EIU’s annual Democracy Index Pew Research Center data show Amer­ support for democracy among both the young science at Creighton for more than 40 years, scores nations in five areas: electoral process i ­cans’ lack of faith in government has been and the old. Among those under 40, 49 percent concentrating in comparative politics, public and pluralism; civil liberties; the functioning declining since the late 1950s. Only 20 percent said democracy was preferable to other forms policy and political thought and development. of government; political participation; and of Americans in 2017 say they trust the of government, while 44 percent of those 40 He is particularly interested in global poverty political culture. Nations are then rated into four government to do what is right “just about and older agreed. and state performance, especially in Africa. categories: full democracy, flawed democracy, always” or “most of the time.” Additionally, freedom of the press worldwide “There is the rule of law, which is critical; 20% hybrid regime or authoritarian regime. When Pew began asking about trust in declined to its lowest point in 13 years in 2016, the distribution of powers, which can be done The U.S. score fell to 7.98 from 8.05 the year government in its National Election Study in according to a 2017 report from Freedom House, in various ways; respect for minority rights; a s s s s s s s s s s s s before, which is below the 8.0 required for a full 1958, about 75 percent of Americans voiced with unprecedented threats to journalists and consensual process of making policies; respect 70 70 70 70 70 70 19 19 19 19 19 19 1930s 1930s 1930s 1930s 1930s 1930s 1950 1950 1950 1950 1950 1950 1960s 1960s 1960s 1960s 1960s 1960s 1980s 1980s 1980s 1980s 1980s 1980s 1940s 1940s 1940s 1940s 1940s 1940s democracy rating. The 2016 report, released in trust. The erosion began in the 1960s and media outlets in major democracies and new for civil society and individual rights; a free DECADE OF BIRTH early 2017, cited Americans’ growing distrust continued through the 1970s, with some ups attempts by authoritarian states to control the media; and so on. in governmental institutions as a key factor and downs the next two decades. Public trust media, even beyond their borders.

26 Creighton FALL 2017 27 The Company We Keep The Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) scores nations in five areas for its annual Democracy Index. The countries are then rated into four categories: full democracy, flawed democracy, hybrid regime or authoritarian regime. The most recent index dropped the U.S. to a flawed democracy. TES ONGO

AN REPUBLIC

S TAN ASO TIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO GRO TAN TATES ONE AN REPUBLIC AN Y ONG WE VA -BISSAU A AD AND TOBAGO -LESTE O ANIA WI YSIA AN A AN NOR ICELAND S NEW ZEALAND DENMARK C IRELAND S FINLAND A L NETHERLAND GERMANY A MAL UNITED KINGDOM SP MA URA J UNITED S IT C FRANCE S C BO POR ISRAEL ES C INDIA T CHILE BEL C SL LITHU S J LA SL TIMOR GREE P TRINID BUL INDONESIA AR PHILIPPINES BRAZIL POLAND SURINAME CR GHANA HUNGAR DOMINIC C PERU EL S R MONGOLIA LES SERBIA MALA SRI LANKA MEXIC HONG K TUNISIA SINGAPORE NAMIBIA P GUY SENE P MOLDO ZAMBIA GE HONDURAS GU ALBANIA E T BANGLADESH MONTENE UKRAINE MALI BENIN FIJI BOLIVIA MALA KENY LIBERIA UGAND MA MAD TURKEY K BHUT THAILAND BO LEBANON NEP NIC MOR BURKINA F VENEZUELA SIERRA LE NIGERIA P P C M IRA MO HAITI MA JORD NIGER ARMENIA KUW IV GABON C ETHIOPIA AL BELARUS C CUBA ANGOLA VIETNAM T E RUS Q CHINA GUINEA R KAZAKHS ZIMBAB OMAN S REPUBLIC OF THE C GAMBIA D BAHRAIN UNITED ARAB EMIRA AZERBAIJ AF BURUNDI SUD ERITREA LA IRAN LIB YEMEN GUINEA U DEMOCRA S T TURKMENIS E CENTRAL AFRIC CHAD S NOR

1 2 3 4 5 WAY WEDEN 6 7 8 ANADA 9 10 WITZERLAND 11 12 USTRALIA 13 UXEMBOURG 14 15 16 USTRIA 17 18 19 TA AIN 20 21 URITIUS GUAY APAN 22 23 24 25 ALY APE VERDE 26 27 OUTH KOREA 28 RICA OSTA 29 30 TSWANA 31 TUGAL 32 33 TONIA REPUBLIC ZECH 34 35 AIWAN 36 37 38 GIUM YPRUS 39 40 OVENIA 41 OUTH AFRICA 42 AMAICA 43 44 CE TVIA 45 OVAKIA 46 47 ANAMA 48 49 50 GARIA 51 52 GENTINA 53 54 54 56 57 OATIA 58 59 60 OLOMBIA 61 62 63 ALVADOR OMANIA 64 65 66 OTHO 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 ARAGUAY 75 76 ANA 77 NEW GUINEA APUA GAL 78 79 79 81 ORGIA 82 83 ATEMALA 84 CUADOR 85 ANZANIA 86 86 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 CEDONIA 98 100 AGASCAR YRGYZSTAN 101 102 102 AL 104 SNIA AND HERZEGOVINA 105 106 107 ARAGUA 108 109 OCCO 110 111 112 ALESTINE 113 AKISTAN 114 Q AMBODIA 115 115 YANMAR 117 117 ZAMBIQUE 117 120 URITANIA 121 122 123 124 125 COAST ORY AIT 126 OMOROS 127 128 128 GERIA 130 AMEROON 131 132 133 134 OGO 135 GYPT 136 136 SIA ATAR 138 139 140 WANDA 141 142 143 143 WAZILAND 145 146 147 JIBOUTI 148 149 150 151 AN 151 GHANISTAN 151 154 155 156 OS 157 158 YA 159 159 ZBEKISTAN 161 162 ARABIA AUDI 163 AJIKISTAN 164 165 GUINEA QUATORIAL 166 167 YRIA TH KOREA

FULL DEMOCRACY FLAWED DEMOCRACY HYBRID REGIME AUTHORITARIAN REGIME

1 6 13 16 21 24 44 67 92 107 134 136 166 167 Norway Canada Germany United Kingdom United States France Greece Mexico Kenya Venezuela Russia China Syria North Korea

“So it takes a huge amount of things that begin to see an almost Darwinian struggle of St. Louis, a sophomore majoring in “ Can we in the U.S. and in “survival of liberal democracy may now depend come together to bring about a functioning among groups within the same nation, which political science. on the will of citizens to defend it effectively democracy, and one of the biggest proponents tends to tear at the fabric of the nation and She was just a freshman in Moreno’s class against attacks.” of that, underlying all of this, is a support and make it difficult to conduct political discourse when a general interest she had in politics Western Europe look around Moreno and Wunsch both believe more belief among the public, largely unarticulated, in a reasoned and civil tone.” became more intense. “The 2016 election research needs to be done to determine whether that these sorts of institutions are the way we The national share of American adults in started me thinking about the principles and learn the lessons that democratic deconsolidation is indeed hap­pen­ ought to govern ourselves.” middle-income households decreased from 55 and institutions experts see as essential to ing in advanced countries, and they say there Confronting this broad, deeply held faith in percent in 2000 to 51 percent in 2014, according democracy, and whether any of those were in other countries have had to are fixes available if it is. these aspects of democratic governance today, to Pew data. At the same time, the share of real danger of deconsolidating. “One of the lessons is that these difficult, Wunsch says, is public frustration. adults in the upper-income tier increased “To see this new research focusing on learn the hard way, and apply challenging problems, such as inequality for “Frustration that is in some measure from 17 percent to 20 percent, and the share of public opinion polls and people’s disaffec- instance, are not unsolvable. You can enact a economic, following the events of the Great adults in the lower-income tier increased from tion with democracy, their openness to alter- handful of policies that tend to undo inequality,” Recession, but in some measure more deeply 28 percent to 29 percent. native regimes and military rule, etc., was them before it’s too late?” Moreno says. “Can we in the U.S. and in Western rooted in the deindustrialization of the United When Moreno initially presented the Foa really striking.” ERIKA MORENO, PH D Europe look around and learn the lessons that States and other countries. There’s the feeling and Mounk study to her students, she got a Fernandez says she and her classmates other countries have had to learn the hard way, that democracy doesn’t work anymore, that it range of reactions. found it “pretty alarming and bothering” to and apply them before it’s too late?” doesn’t solve our problems anymore. This tends “Some students were genuinely shook that think about a possible democratic backslide to be a little more critical in general and don’t “I’m excited to see what the data say. It’s a “Everything is soluble,” says Wunsch, to lead to the rise of populism.” young people (in the World Surveys) would in countries that have for so long been thought necessarily appreciate fundamental rights since new, pretty unexplored research question, so “there’s just a lack of political will. If we got “We know that inequality has profound be comfortable with a military government,” of as some of the strongest democracies in we don’t know anything else and we take them it will be exciting.” government moving again on solving problems, effects on a political system,” Moreno says. “A she says. “Many had questions about what the the world. for granted.” The authors of the Journal of Democracy that would solve a lot of the alienation.” vibrant and strong middle class is essential to data mean, and some wisely wondered if this “It is striking to think that some citizens So, this year, in her Research Methods course, articles do offer some hope, saying, “Perhaps Wunsch also says he derives some hope maintaining democracy. could be a fluke.” might be losing faith in democracy and the Fernandez will take on a research project to longstanding democracies have sufficient from the next generation he sees in his classes. “Inequality erodes the middle class. It A number of students presented research institutions it is built on, instead of only being delve further into whether democracies such systemic resources to turn the growing anger “Creighton students are fun to work with. eats away at it and we have seen that in the proposals to explore the theories in the study dissatisfied with the current government or as the U.S. and Great Britain are indeed in the of citizens into a force for democratic reform, There’s an intellectual curiosity and there’s a developing world. When you see that yawning and several plan to carry out their research the representatives in power.” The fact that early stages of democratic deconsolidation, as occurred in France under Charles de Gaulle concern with social and world problems, and gap between rich and poor, that’s when you this academic year. One of those who took younger people are especially dissatisfied, combining both public opinion polls and expert or in the U.S. during the Progressive Era,” a desire to understand them and do something the subject to heart was Annie Fernandez she says, simply could be because, “We tend assessments of democracy. and conclude in their second article that the about them.”

28 Creighton FALL 2017 29 he memory is still fresh in Noah Yoshida’s mind. He’s a senior now, but at the time was only a sophomore. He had just started working in the biophysics lab­ oratory of Patricia Soto, PhD, earlier that year, and now he was facing This fellow student lab partners — giving a presentation. “I had to explain 13 different algorithms,” he recalls today, a smile crossing his face. “That was a very stressful moment. I remember, at the end, the back of my shirt was just dripping in sweat because I was so nervous.” Fast-forward to February 2017: Yoshida was one of four students from Soto’s lab presenting research posters at the 61st Annual Meeting of the Biophysical Society in New Orleans. AN EQUATION “We got to meet people interested in bio­ physics from around the world, and they wanted us to explain our research,” Yoshida says. This time, no sweat. Yoshida and two other classmates plan to attend the same meeting in FOR SUCCESS San Francisco in February. Now in his third year in the lab, Yoshida $10 million gift, plus outstanding science programs, feels confident not only in his research abilities, but in pursuing the opportunities that lie equals infinite possibilities. BY RICK DAVIS, BA’88 ahead — which, for him, include medical school. “This lab has given me an opportunity to expand on the knowledge I’ve gained in the classroom,” he says. “I’ll learn concepts in cell structure, and then I’ll come to this lab and apply that in a real-world way. “I feel like I can talk about this research both in scientific terms, and at a level that appeals to people who are not as familiar with science.” The latter includes his own family. His father and sister are musicians with the Omaha Symphony, and his mother, who immigrated to the United States from Mexico, is a Spanish translator at a local elementary school. “I played jazz drums,” says Yoshida, who graduated from Omaha Central High School. “But my passions really lie with trying to understand the basic sciences and wanting to help people.”

30 Creighton FALL 2017 31 in 2011, grant recipients have secured more molecular mechanism studied in Soto’s lab also than $6 million in new additional funding for may offer insight into other disorders linked to their research. The success of that fund, in part, similar protein-misshaping processes, such as encouraged the Haddixes in their $10 million Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases. gift to the University. “We want to know what triggers this process, “We look at these things as an investment, this misfolding of proteins,” Soto explains. “The CORNERSTONE so you want to invest in something that is going outcome of our research, we hope, will lay the INITIATIVES to multiply,” George Haddix says. groundwork for the design of diagnos­ tic tools The $10 million gift to Creighton from Soto, a native of Colombia who also speaks and therapeutics to aid in targeting deadly George Haddix, PhD, MA’66, and his to Latina high school students and encour­ prion diseases.” ages them to pursue opportunities in the wife, Susan, will be the cornerstone sciences, received Haddix grants in 2012 and ON CAMPUS AND IN THE COMMUNITY of four distinct academic initiatives in 2015 for her research into prion proteins. The Haddixes’ gift will fund four distinct the College of Arts and Sciences: These abnormally folded proteins can lead to academic initiatives in the College of Arts and degenerative diseases such as Mad Cow disease Sciences (see box at left). * The Haddix Faculty in cattle, chronic wasting disease (CWD) in deer, It will establish the Haddix Faculty Innovation Fund. Will include and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease in humans. The Innovation Fund, which will help finance the renovation and modernization of the 50-year-old Rigge Science Building and its laboratories. “ This gives us a very special way to say * The Haddix Faculty we’re part of Omaha, that we impact

GEOFF JOHNSON GEOFF Research Incubator. Will afford professors dedicated time to concentrate primarily on research, the city of Omaha, we serve the city of Patricia Soto, PhD, a Haddix President’s Faculty with fully funded sabbaticals awarded Research Fund award recipient, works in her lab Omaha. It’s part of who we are.” with Creighton senior Noah Yoshida. to top-tier faculty. REV. DANIEL S. HENDRICKSON, SJ

* The Haddix 24th Street “ I’ve been on the STOKING THE PASSIONS OF SCIENCE also build and enhance a legacy of faculty STEM Corridor. Will fund Stoking the passions of the next generation support George created many years ago, by scholarships and other opportunities faculty here for 21 of Creighton scientists is one of the goals of giving our professors the resources to create for 10 top science students from a recent $10 million gift by George Haddix, new knowledge for our world, and enhance years, and I’ve seen Omaha North High School (George PhD, MA’66, and his wife, Susan, a member of our preeminence in the country for providing a lot of great things Creighton’s Board of Trustees. It is the largest research opportunities to undergraduates.” Haddix’s alma mater), Omaha happen at Creighton, single gift to the College of Arts and Sciences, Soto, a biophysics professor and researcher South and Omaha Central annually, but to my mind, and and enhancing research in the sciences is a at Creighton for the last 10 years, believes along with summer programming primary focus. the gift will further develop a “synergy of and workshops for students from I think many of my College of Arts and Sciences Dean Bridget collaboration” that, to a great extent, is already these schools. colleagues would Keegan, PhD, is excited about the opportunities happening among the various scientific

this gift will provide students like Yoshida and disciplines at Creighton. For instance, Soto’s * The Haddix Ignatian agree, this is their faculty mentors. lab, which is strictly computational (using Advising Program. Will absolutely a trans- “I’ve been on the faculty here for 21 years, highly sophisticated computer modeling), support a unique and comprehensive formational gift.” and I’ve seen a lot of great things happen at is partnering with wet labs in medical Creighton, but to my mind, and I think many of microbiology to advance scientific discovery approach to academic advising in the College of Arts and Sciences that BRIDGET KEEGAN, PH D, my colleagues would agree, this is abso­lutely a related to prion proteins. Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences transformational gift,” Dean Keegan says. “This Soto is a past recipient of grants provided affirms Creighton’s Jesuit mission. is a gift that I think is going to make such a through the Dr. George F. Haddix President’s difference for our students in the years ahead.” Faculty Research Fund, which has awarded Adds Creighton’s president, the Rev. Daniel S. approximately $660,000 in seed-funding to Hendrickson, SJ: “Susan and George’s gener­ osity promising Creighton researchers. will not only impact generations of students George and Susan Haddix say they are proud in the College of Arts and Sciences, but it will of the results. Since the fund was established

32 Creighton FALL 2017 33 ABOUT THE DONORS renovation and modernization of the Rigge Science Building laboratories; the Haddix SCIENCE RESEARCH Faculty Research Incubator; and the Haddix Ignatian Advising Program. It also will extend Creighton’s outstanding AT CREIGHTON: science programs into the community through the Haddix 24th Street STEM Corridor, which PATHWAYS TO DISCOVERY targets top students in the sciences from three local public high schools. STEM stands Haddix gift will impact generations of students for “science, technology, engineering and in the College of Arts and Sciences mathematics.” “All parts of this gift are exciting to us,” BY RICK DAVIS, BA’88 Fr. Hendrickson says. “But this gives us a very special way to say we’re part of Omaha, that we impact the city of Omaha, we serve the city of eorge and Susan Haddix’s Aziza Siddiqui, senior psychology and German Omaha. It’s part of who we are.” $10 million gift to the major from San Jose, California, on working Dean Keegan is equally excited about the College of Arts and Sciences with a faculty mentor: “You see their passion, Haddix Ignatian Advising Program, a project continues a legacy of and it ignites your passion.” Siddiqui, whose she described as “near and dear” to her heart, giving to science research. father is from India and mother is from which will touch all students in the College of In 2011, the Dr. George F. Germany, is currently working on a study with Arts and Sciences. Haddix President’s Faculty Research Fund Dr. Khanna on cognition, memory, and word Student advising at Creighton, she says, is Gwas established, providing seed-funding for and color associations. reflective of the Jesuit tradition and involves promising Creighton researchers. For four not only helping students find an academic or consecutive years, Creighton has been honored Krystal Hopkins, a senior nursing major from career path, but emphasizes care of the whole by U.S. News & World Report for under­graduate Council Bluffs, Iowa, on working with Khanna: person and reflecting on one’s higher purpose. WORLD-HERALD KENT SIEVERS/OMAHA research opportunities. Creighton magazine “She has been wonderful. She’s always available “With this gift, we’re really going to be able talked to a few Haddix grant recipients, and for questions. She also is great at making sure we to think about that mentoring process in a selected students, about their research and the have other opportunities for research.” Hopkins comprehensive, four-year developmental way,” recent $10 million gift. is currently working on another study with says Keegan, which could include expanded Khanna, partially funded by NASA, in which advising programming. George and Susan Haddix of Omaha are generous philanthropists and ardent George and Susan STUDYING LEAD EXPOSURE IN CHILDREN psychology and exercise science students are Haddix discuss In addition to the $10 million gift, the supporters of Creighton University. George grew up in Omaha and graduated in 1957 the importance of Maya Khanna, PhD, professor and associate collaborating with faculty members to study Haddixes previously established the Center from Omaha North High School, the same alma mater as his first wife, Sally, who supporting STEM chair of psychology, received a Haddix the relationship between exercise, cognition for Mathematics of Uncertainty (Fuzzy Math) education and research grant in 2014 that funded a yearlong study and verbal processing. died in 2008. George and Susan, introduced by a mutual friend, were married three and how they hope at Creighton and funded the Omaha North High their gift will provide on the effects of game-like online cognitive years ago. opportunities for School Scholarship Program, which supports intervention programs in improving the Khanna on the Haddix gift: “I think the benefit of Susan has been an active volunteer in the Omaha community, with a particular current and future four students annually at the University. students. cognitive performance and executive function this gift is in its trajectory, not just its immediate passion for foster care and education. “Education, for me, is the best thing to give to “Most of the kids from North High have in local children (ages 6-12) who had potentially impact. In that, what will happen is Creighton been first-generation college students,” says this community to change lives,” she says. Susan is a member of the Creighton Board been exposed to lead. Khanna and psychology will have more people conducting the initial Fr. Hendrickson. “They are amazing kids doing of Trustees. colleague Amy Badura Brack, PhD, are currently seed-grant type of activities, getting pilot data. wonderful work. To see more of that, I can’t George earned a master’s degree in mathematics from Creighton in 1966 while among a group of researchers from Nebraska, And then having that data, they will have the imagine anything better.” working for the Army Corps of Engineers, and taught math at Creighton from 1969 to New Mexico and Louisiana conducting a study confidence to apply for larger national grants. 1971. “For two and a half years, I was on the faculty at Creighton,” he says. “I loved it. involving state-of-the-art neuroimaging to So I think the impact of this gift will just grow.” I was also doing consulting work, and the tail started wagging the dog.” examine the developing brains of children ages He formed his own consulting company, building mathematical models for 9 to 15 through a four-year, $6 million National everything from “water to garbage systems.” He served as chairman, CEO and Science Foundation grant awarded in 2015. A SNAIL PARASITES AS president of Applied Communications and president and CEO of U.S. West Network subset of this research will be the first study ENVIRONMENTAL BAROMETERS of brain function and development in children The Rev. John Shea, SJ, assistant professor of Systems Inc. before cofounding software services companies CSG Holdings and CSG exposed to lead, Khanna says. “This would help biology, received a Haddix grant in 2015, along Systems in 1994. He retired after serving as president and CEO of PKWARE Holdings address the question: Does early lead exposure with Rebecca Gasper, PhD, assistant professor and PKWARE. George was named to the Omaha Business Hall of Fame in 2011 and have detrimental effects early on, even when the of mathematics, to study snail parasites as is a Creighton trustee emeritus. He also received the 2016 Alumni Achievement exposure is happening, not just after the fact?” indicators of ecosystem health. “The idea is Citation, the highest all-University award given to Creighton alumni. that these parasites have complicated life cycles

34 Creighton FALL 2017 35 that involve multiple hosts,” Fr. Shea says. “So a finishing high school in three years. Inspired by new compounds (catalysts) that could be used diverse assemblage of these particular parasites her involvement in Creighton’s ILAC program in to accelerate chemical reactions. “We make ‘MORE THAN indicates a healthy functioning ecosystem.” the Dominican Republic, Aulner plans to pursue compounds that other chemists could use, and The study was conducted on the Pine Ridge a master’s degree in public health and work in we try to make them more efficiently than other Indian Reservation in South Dakota, and the southern United States or the Caribbean. methods,” Oshin explains. “These compounds I THOUGHT involved students from Creighton and Red may be used, for example, for propellants or Cloud High School. Fr. Shea on the Haddix gift: “I’m excited about fire extinguishers.” WAS POSSIBLE’ the STEM corridor program. I think get­ting under­ Elizabeth Aulner, a senior biology major from represented high school students involved in Oshin on the Haddix gift: “I think it’s a big deal. Haddix scholar Tristin Taylor Dimock, South Dakota (population, 125): “One STEM research and programming is good not Really, from my perspective, we’re trying to looks to pay it forward of the great things about Creighton is there are only for those students, but for Creighton and see how we can get more students in the lab to a lot of undergraduate research opportunities. for furthering our Jesuit mission.” participate in research, and this donation will BY GLENN ANTONUCCI You can approach professors and ask them about allow us to do just that.” their work. And if there is a research opening, you can often set that up directly through the LOOKING FOR A QUICK REACTION From left, Maya Khanna, PhD, works with professor.” Aulner, a first-generation college Kayode Oshin, PhD, assistant professor of students Emma Munger, Alec Harrington Omaha North High School graduate and current student whose mother is a mail carrier and inorganic chemistry, received a Haddix grant and Krystal Hopkins on a study of the Creighton student Tristin Taylor reunites with relationship between exercise, cognition and Christopher Wiley, ARTS’75, who suggested Taylor father is a mechanic, entered Creighton after this past spring to study, with his students, verbal processing. consider Creighton.

ristin Taylor never dreamed he’d But gradually, the idea of aiming for “They embodied everything I wanted to wind up at Creighton. Creighton — on a full ride, no less — began to be,” he says. “They were going to be investment Truth be told, the University take hold. bankers, things like that. They rub off on you. wasn’t even on his radar. Not for He started talking to his father about it. They pushed me to consider grad school, the vast majority of his youth, A career Air Force man, the elder Taylor took a pushed me to achieve more than I thought Tdespite spending most of it in the Omaha area. practical stance on the matter. was possible.” That changed toward the end of his educa­ You have to consider it, he told his son. And that, he says, was all made possible tion at Omaha North High School. ­Especially if it’s going to be paid for. because someone believed in him. Carrying a high grade-point average, with a His girlfriend’s older brother concurred. “If “For the Haddixes to devote this much of classload heavy in advanced placement courses you can get the Haddix,” he said, “go for it.” their resources to me, it’s meant a lot,” Taylor and an active extracurricular life steeped in Go for it, he did. With encouragement says. “Someone invested in me. That’s some­ football, Taylor got the attention of Christopher from Wiley, Taylor gained acceptance to thing I can’t waste. And it’s made me think more Wiley, ARTS’75, a guidance counselor at North. Creighton and earned one of the coveted highly of myself.” “He was an outstanding young man,” Wiley Haddix scholarships. Now a senior in the College of Arts and says. “Just waiting for someone to help put He remembers when he received the double Sciences, studying economics and pre-law, things together for him.” good news in the mail. His mother — also an Air Taylor has some advice for the Haddix scholars Wiley opened Taylor’s eyes not just to Force veteran — “was ecstatic,” he says. who will follow in his footsteps. the prospect of attending Creighton — his It wasn’t a particularly smooth transition to “Take advantage of the opportunity,” he alma mater — but also pushed the idea of Creighton’s campus for Taylor, however. During says. “You don’t realize it right now, but this taking an uncommon route to the venerable his first two weeks, he wondered if he’d ever fit gift means somebody believes in you. And it Jesuit university. in. Faculty members were accommodating, he will make you aim higher than you did before.” Namely, the Omaha North High School says, but doubt had crept in. Taylor’s aim is to attend law school, become Scholarship Program, funded by the Haddix “I thought, ‘This is way different from North,’ ” a corporate attorney and, eventually, set up a Foun ­dation. Through the program, scholarships he says. “ ‘I don’t know if I’m comfortable­ here.’ ” practice in Omaha to provide legal help in the are awarded each year to a select few North Soon, however, he got to know some of the North Omaha community. High graduates. other freshmen on his floor in Gallagher Hall. “I look at George Haddix, and I think, ‘I can’t Taylor says he went along with the idea, “Motivated friends,” he calls them, pursuing wait to be where you’re at.’ I think that’s kind but he didn’t really know what to make of it. big goals. A different landscape than that from of his goal, too. To pay it forward.” He couldn’t quite grasp attending school at a which he’d come. place like Creighton. It was a journey he hadn’t He then joined a fraternity, Sigma Phi imagined for himself. Among his friends and Epsilon. “That extended my group of friends teammates who were considering college, a lot,” Taylor says. Creighton simply wasn’t in downfield view. And they were motivated, too.

36 Creighton FALL 2017 37 Through twists and turns, a Creighton alumna falls in love with Homer, Alaska, and a unique form of therapy. The Last Frontier BY EMILY RUST | PHOTOS BY DAVE WEAVER

38 Creighton FALL 2017 39 Fresh salmon is filleted on on the Kenai Peninsula of Alaska, relying on sus­tainable­ farm had science degrees and were the Homer Spit, a strip of land jutting out into the Kachemak Bay. the kindness of strangers who took her from only earning $12 per hour, she knew she needed Commercial fishing boats, water the deserts of Nevada, through the Canadian more education. taxis and private motor vessels all dock at the Spit’s harbor. Rockies until she reached the Last Frontier. A frequent traveler, Gagnon had met a “Money is not going to stop me from doing German couple while visiting Laos who were something,” Gagnon says. both occupational therapists, a profession she She only intended to stay in Alaska for the had always considered. summer months, but 13 years later, the once “They were like, ‘You should do it,’ ” Gagnon FORGING A PATHWAY THE “ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM” was a massive steel nomad has settled here. says. “‘We love our jobs, it’s satisfying.’ They MEANWHILE, CREIGHTON LEADERS had come aerial rig. And there was the book: The Aerial With the shortened Alaskan winter days — totally sold me on it.” to the same realization about the state of Circus Training and Safety Manual. when sunlight can be fleeting — Gagnon As she finished her undergraduate degree in occupational therapy in Alaska a few years Melissa Gagnon, OTD’13, had moved into a enrolled in courses at a satellite campus of the Fairbanks, she volunteered at an occupational earlier. Al Bracciano, EdD, an occupational cabin in Homer, Alaska, with a friend, and the University of Alaska Anchorage as a way to keep therapy clinic in town, remembering her therapy professor at Creighton, was an early rig was there, in the living room — intriguing busy. She mainly stayed in Homer, earning a German friends. A co-worker mentioned a new proponent of the Alaska program. and inviting. degree in biological sciences. A few courses occupational therapy program administered “Our primary goal is to provide occupational She began practicing with it, every day, required her to move to Fairbanks with her by Creighton University at the University of therapists who stay and practice in Alaska,” “ Alaska was the one state that did not have an following along with photos from the book. She then-infant daughter Zayda, where she lived in Alaska Anchorage. Bracciano says. occupational therapy program. The American eventually got good — carefully contorting her a house in which a trek to the bathroom meant “There are so many scientists fighting for In 2008, Creighton established the Alaska body on the rig’s trapeze bar, her flips and spins going outside in minus-65 degree weather. jobs in Alaska,” Gagnon says. “Occupational Pathway Program, the first occupational Occupational Therapy Association knew there mimicking those of the otters she watched from “If you don’t have an outhouse in Fairbanks, therapy is the complete opposite. There are so therapy program in Alaska. It was designed for was a need. Nobody would take a risk to do it. her cabin window. She taught herself moves you don’t see the Northern Lights,” Gagnon says. many jobs and so few occupational therapists. Alaska residents to study occupational therapy Creighton was really progressive.” with names such as “bird’s nest” and “gazelle.” Realizing many of her co-workers on the So it made a lot of sense.” and eventually work in their home state — where

This wasn’t your traditional circus trapeze, there was a dire need for therapists. AL BRACCIANO, ED D upon which a performer flies through the air. Before, Alaska residents wanting to study This static trapeze hangs about four feet off the occupational therapy had to leave the state and ground, attached to the steel rigging, allowing move far away. for a variety of acrobatic moves. “There was hardship on the student, hard­ LIFE IN ALASKA Once, the highway into town was just a After time, all the flipping, twisting and ship on the family,” Bracciano says. “What HOMER RESIDENTS ARE RUGGEDLY independent single-lane dirt road, but as word traveled of Tcontorting became Gagnon’s life’s work and usually happens is where you do clinical yet quick to come to a neighbor’s aid. easy money from halibut and salmon fishing, an effective therapy tool for children visiting her rotations, internships, that’s where therapists “You can’t afford to not help someone with the town grew. occupational therapy clinic in Homer — aptly will stay.” a flat tire, because one day, that’ll be you,” says Hippies and artists also flocked to Homer, named Cirque Therapy. Without these rotations happening in Dylan Smith, a native of Homer and one of delighting in its natural beauty. It is also the There, Gagnon has her own steel rig, but Alaska, there were not near the number of Gagnon’s friends. “I can’t leave someone to the hometown of Jewel, the Grammy-nominated now she teaches children the secrets behind therapists in the state to fill the need. And those elements. With a greater population density, singer-songwriter. aerial acrobatics using a trapeze and a long who were there were aging quickly — 42 percent you think someone else can help them. Here, It’s the perfect place for a unique form piece of fabric called a silk, all while improving of therapists in Alaska are 45 or older. someone else might not come along.” of therapy. her patients’ spatial awareness, social skills and “Alaska was the one state that did not have And along Alaska Route 1, which ends “In Alaska, we have a lot of people who quality of life. an occupational therapy program,” Bracciano in Homer, that someone might indeed not are very alternative and very hesitant about It’s not an ordinary approach to pediatric says. “The national professional occupational come along. It’s where the land ends and the engaging­ in medical care,” Gagnon says. occupational therapy, but nothing about therapy organization, the American Occupa­ sea begins. “Before I opened my clinic, the only place for Gagnon’s life has ever been ordinary. tional Therapy Association (AOTA), knew there Alaska Route 1 starts in Tok, weaving through pediatric occupational therapy was at the A native of New Jersey, Gagnon lived in was a need. Nobody would take a risk to do it. Anchorage and down through the Kenai hospital in Homer. There’s a wait list and a lot Phila ­delphia, Orlando, Florida, and Miami, Creighton was really progressive.” Peninsula until it blends into the Kachemak of parents said, ‘I don’t want to take my kid to before buying a bus ticket as far west as her Five to 12 students — each of whom must be a Bay at the end of a long strip of land called the the hospital.’ ” last few dollars would take her — Reno, Nevada. resident of Alaska — are accepted annually into Homer Spit. Snow-capped mountains, dotted Eager to relocate, Gagnon, with $10 in her the program, which features both online classes with glaciers, line the coast, a natural beauty pocket, hitchhiked from Reno to work on a and on-campus professors in Anchorage. Each that continues to draw inspired artists. The CIRQUE THERAPY sustainable farm in a small Russian village year, members of Creighton’s Omaha-based town of 5,515 is known both for its commercial SO GAGNON COMBINED the artistic, holistic spirit faculty travel to Anchorage for Welcome Week fishing industry and arts scene. of her town with clinical treatments that have and other events, and many Alaska students Like a lot of Alaska residents, the towns­ proven to be successful. It might look like her travel to Omaha for graduation. people in Homer have a hardy self-sufficiency. therapy is more play than work, but she has Melissa Gagnon, OTD’13, stands on Skyline Drive, overlooking the “I didn’t want to leave my house and my There is a general “distrust of ‘The Man,’ ” partic­ found a way to tap into these children’s lives. town of Homer, Alaska, her home family,” Gagnon says. “We are so lucky that the ularly when it comes to traditional medicine, Consider Ryan, an 11-year-old, who Gagnon for the last 13 years. Creighton program did develop here.” Smith says. puts on the trapeze. A little wobbly, Ryan looks

40 Creighton FALL 2017 41 Kelsey, a 5-year-old nervous as he balances himself on the bar. After patient, practices fine motor skills by a misstep, Ryan falls down on the mat below. pouring water as “Well, that is not the preferred exit,” Gagnon Gagnon looks on. says. “Don’t forget, I can always do it after tons of tries,” Ryan says. After a successful “bird’s nest” (a trapeze move), Ryan has earned a game of foosball, something Gagnon uses to motivate her patients. “They will do things they hate just to do foosball,” Gagnon says. “I really want everybody to enjoy what they’re doing, but I have to challenge them all the time.” Gagnon sees about 25 patients from one to three times a week. She works with patients Gagnon holds Ryan, ages 2 to 19, and with a contractor for any an 11-year-old patient, in the acrobalance “throne” infants. Homer’s service area is about 40 position to work on his miles or 13,000 people, so some patients travel lateral stability. an hour for sessions. Her patients have often been diagnosed with autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and fetal alcohol syndrome. Ryan may have fetal alcohol syndrome, Gagnon says, but the disease is difficult to diagnose. A lot is unknown of the trauma he experienced in the womb, but Gagnon says his birth mother consumed various drugs and alcohol while pregnant. Alcohol abuse is a major problem across Alaska. Exposure to these adverse child experiences, or ACES, has a great impact on a person’s life. One educational seminar helped Izzy book Gagnon had found in her cabin) and Melissa and Mark Gagnon perform acrobalance onstage at Alice’s “Some days he’s thriving and doing so Scott realize her daughter Kelsey needed founder of the Circus Arts Institute in Atlanta. Champagne Palace during the First well,” Gagnon says. “Some days, he has serious Gagnon’s help. “Children tend to respond better to move­ Wednesday Spectacle, a kind of talent show for Homer residents. regression and he’s at a developmental level at “She was hitting buttons with Kelsey that ment and play than just talking,” Heller says [age] 8 or so. we were recognizing,” Scott says. of her practice. “He doesn’t have a lot of confidence, which Kelsey, 5, may have autism, but has not been Gagnon remembers, during one rotation, is a very common thing in children, especially officially diagnosed. In her six months with working with a patient who was no longer able in my patients. They’ve struggled through life Gagnon, she has worked on sensory processing to participate in gym class because of a lack particular night. Melissa and Mark are the and they want to avoid those struggles.” with activities like cutting with scissors and of “body awareness.” The patient’s academic final act. Mark lifts Melissa on his feet, her For families in Homer, there wasn’t always pouring water. performance was correspondingly plummeting. entire body-weight balanced carefully. Their a ready solution for children who were in When Kelsey went on a two-week vacation “Once I got her on the trapeze, she started performance is a little comedic. Falls are need of occupational therapy. One reason was in Oregon with her family, her progress with building up a lot of awareness,” Gagnon says. scripted. Mark shows off his muscles, and the because medical clinics in town were not sure occupational therapy did not pause, thanks to “It was just awesome. She’s now in gym class; audience loves it all. how to help, until Gagnon took it upon herself an activity kit Gagnon prepared. she’s thriving.” “She’s really passionate about circus arts,” to educate those health care providers. “She goes above and beyond helping the kids says Gagnon’s friend Dylan Smith. “That’s the “When I did talk to them, they said, ‘Great, as much as she can,” Scott says. dream, to combine two of your passions, right? because we didn’t know who to send these kids After just three months of working with A TOWN SPECTACLE And to help people.” to before. We didn’t know what to do for them Gagnon, Kelsey showed more confidence. At a GAGNON’S LOVE FOR THE CIRCUS extends beyond Melissa and Mark return to their table, before,’ ” Gagnon says. local McDonald’s PlayPlace, for the first time, her clinic, into all aspects of her life. On the first where their daughter Zayda, now 9, has been With new Medicaid laws in Alaska, parents Kelsey went up the stairs and started climbing Wednesday of every month, Gagnon and her watching patiently. Zayda is part of the next no longer need referrals from a doctor to come around. Before, she wouldn’t play at all. husband, Mark, perform “acrobalance” at Alice’s generation of circus performers, having started to Gagnon’s clinic. Almost all of her clients are “I don’t know what we would do without Champagne Palace, one of Homer’s oldest bars. on the trapeze at age 4. on Medicaid. Melissa,” Scott says. Around 60 Homer residents gather for the The next morning Gagnon is back at Cirque “Previously, parents would try to get a Gagnon says her practice is one of only First Wednesday Spectacle. It’s an eclectic Therapy, the giant steel rig waiting for the next referral, and there’s a wait list just to see the three in the U.S. that combines circus arts and assembly of people who sign up to do “weird patient. It’s no longer the elephant in the room; doctor,” Gagnon says. therapy. During her professional rotations, human tricks,” Mark says, as he and his wife it’s as important to her practice as her Cirque Now, Gagnon is able to focus on outreach Gagnon studied with licensed clinical social waited to perform this past August. Therapy is to the town of Homer. and community education, directly presenting worker Carrie Heller, the author of The Aerial Singers, comedians and even a fisherman “It’s a little more rough and tumble,” Smith her practice to parents. Circus Training and Safety Manual (the same reciting rhyming poetry take the stage this says. “A little more Alaskan.”

42 Creighton FALL 2017 43 A SHINING LIGHT A Creighton professor and professor emerita work on canonization efforts for Boys Town founder Fr. Flanagan

BY Adam Klinker

nly a select few will see the biography To begin building the sainthood case, the Creighton professor Heather Fryer, league needed — along with prayers and what PhD, spent three years quietly is called a groundswell of devotion — an exhaus­ researching and writing on the Rev. tive recapitulation of Fr. Flanagan’s life. Edward J. Flanagan, the Roman At the same time, another Creighton faculty Catholic priest who began the Boys member, Sister Joan Mueller, OSC, PhD, in Town mission in 1917, ministering to the Department of Theology, was assigned unemployed men and wayward boys by the archbishop to chair the Theological in the streets of downtown Omaha. Commis­ ­sion, whose charge was to comb OFryer’s biography — which looks to separate through Fr. Flanagan’s writings and homilies, the man from the myth — is a key element in making sure the theological underpinnings the long and arduous process of Fr. Flanagan’s of his life and mission were compliant with candidacy for sainthood. Church teaching. “It’s a very interesting way of doing historical “Our job was an interesting one,” says Sr. research and writing, one that I’ve never Mueller, now a professor emerita. “Fr. Flanagan experienced before,” says Fryer, who served was a unique individual, especially for his on the Historical Commission for the Cause of time. A very progressive figure. Our job was Beatification and Canonization of the Servant to find out whether that progressiveness had of God Father Edward J. Flanagan. theological grounding and discernment. Was “But it was a way of helping the (Vatican) his work coherent with the teachings of the Tribunal take its own measure of the man. It’s Church? Did his lived example, as well as his a history absent interpretation. It does not words and writings, signal a faithful, priestly argue anything, which is not how a historian and moral life?” is trained. But it delves way more deeply into Along with Fryer’s historical biography, the the details of the life and influence of one work of the Theological Commission also was fascinating person than most projects allow.” forwarded to Rome, where the final decision While working on a separate project involv­ rests with the Congregation for the Causes of ing Fr. Flanagan, one looking into the assistance the Saints and, ultimately, the pope. he provided to Japanese-Americans during Working from a voluminous archive at Boys World War II, Fryer became intrigued with Fr. Town, Fryer began the process of recreating Flanagan’s life and his larger-than-life persona. Fr. Flanagan’s life in as granular detail as In 2012, when the Father Flanagan League possible, while also putting into context the called asking if Fryer would lend her academic times in which he lived. expertise to their push for the canonization of Living and working in the early 20th century, Fr. Flanagan, she jumped at the chance. Fr. Flanagan became a trendsetter in more ways

44 Creighton FALL 2017 IMAGES COURTESY OF BOYS TOWN HALL OF HISTORY & ARCHIVES 45 than one, says Tom Lynch, Boys Town’s director Having all these documents — some 3 million “A mythology builds up around people Lynch says the priest’s last days in 1948, of community programs, who oversees the papers and half a million photographs — and you hear a lot of ‘first and only,’ ” says spent on a mission President Harry Truman archives. He revolutionized the way much of identified, organized and accessible in Boys Fryer, an expert in 20th century social history. asked him to undertake to report on the society viewed children and, when his method Town’s Hall of History, a museum in the heart “Fr. Flanagan did do a lot for Japanese-American condition of children in war-ravaged Europe of bringing together boys of different races, of the community, put the Fr. Flanagan canon­ internees, but he was not the only person who and Asia, is a microcosm of Fr. Flanagan’s life. ethnicities and religions chafed some people i ­zation campaign decades ahead of many reached out a hand to internees. What my During that mission, Fr. Flanagan was called in Omaha, he moved his mission out into the similar efforts. job was, I found, was to lay out the complete, to Rome to help Pope Pius XII with a concordat countryside west of the city, where it sits to “When I got here, 30 years ago, we were precise historical picture of the man and his with the Church in Austria, re-establishing this day, although the city has grown around it. looking at just stacks and stacks of paper on achievements so that the members of the relations in the aftermath of World War II. “The prevailing idea of the time was tables,” Lynch says. “Our task at the Hall of Vatican Tribunal could see them as clearly “It goes to show how highly he was regarded, eugenics,” Lynch says, citing the pseudoscience History for 30 years has been to organize and as possible.” both in the larger world and in Church circles,” that gave rise to various 20th century efforts categorize that information, and we’ve formed Sr. Mueller and the Theological Commission Lynch says. “Here he was, just a monsignor, and at ethnic cleansing. “That and the Edwardian dossiers that deal with Fr. Flanagan’s life, day- encountered similar conversations related the pope is asking him to come help. And he era notion that you could beat the devil out to-day, what he did, where he went, whom to Fr. Flanagan’s celebrity and its role in his goes. Of course he goes. And then he returns of a child were the basic ideas around how to he met. larger mission. to his mission from the U.S. government deal with children who might not have had the “When the causes postulator visited Boys “One obvious question is whether Fr. and meets children living in the sewers of proper parental guidance. Town as part of the process, he toured the Hall Flanagan moved in the secular forum for God Tokyo or in bombed out houses in Berlin. He “Boys Town is a direct rejection of those of History and reviewed the archives and said or for publicity,” Sr. Mueller says. “After all, never stopped.” ideas and Fr. Flanagan made it clear, going we’d already cut 25 to 30 years off the process.” Fr. Flanagan was a priest, first and foremost. But The work of Fryer and Sr. Mueller went into around the U.S., that he rejected those ideas Given Fr. Flanagan’s stature, especially in what we found, time after time, is that he used one of four huge boxes that were wrapped and that were the mainstream philosophies of the the Omaha area, Fryer says the life sometimes his position to advance the mission at every sealed by Omaha Archbishop George Lucas. On time. And for the most part, he succeeded. We conflates into well-meaning but erroneous turn. He answered the letters regular people May 15, the 69th anniversary of Fr. Flanagan’s have the documents that show how he went superlatives. For instance, it’s sometimes said wrote to him; he took the time. He rescued each death, the Vatican announced that the case about imploring people around the world to the priest was the only person in the U.S. to individual child; he took the time. He discerned presented by the Father Flanagan League do this work, too.” reach out to Japanese-Americans being interned where God needed him and he offered himself to Society of Devotion was “complete and without during World War II. be in the right place and the right time always. error,” giving rise to a decree of validity. That’s grace. That is extraordinary virtue.” The next steps are a Vatican inquiry through Fr. Flanagan was one of the most recognized those many documents sent to Rome to people of his day, Lynch says. Even before the determine if Fr. Flanagan’s life exhibited heroic “He discerned  film Boys Town, for which Spencer Tracy virtue. That inquiry satisfactorily concluded, earned an Academy Award for his portrayal of Fr. Flanagan would be elevated to venerable where God needed the priest, Fr. Flanagan was often mobbed by status, after which the pope then moves for crowds and inundated by letter-writers. beatification and canonization. “And he would minister to them,” Lynch But it could be many more years before the him and he offered says. “He was constantly talking to people. process gets that far, and Fryer, Lynch and Sr. Anyone who wrote him a letter, he wrote a Mueller say they recognize and appreciate the himself to be in the response. And it wasn’t all about Boys Town. deliberate nature of the process. People wrote to him asking for advice on their “It was simply a blessing for us to read right place and the marriage, about faith. There are letters from through the materials that Fr. Flanagan has left people during World War II, asking about to posterity,” Sr. Mueller says. “One of the roles of how they should deal with anger and hatred moving people forward to sainthood is asking, right time always. toward the enemy. He sat down and he wrote ‘Was the person a Christian example for their these people earnest reflections as part of his particular time?’ Whatever happens moving That’s grace. That  larger calling.” forward with sainthood, I feel privileged to The responses sent by Fr. Flanagan, Sr. have been a part of this and to have had an is extraordinary  Mueller says, demonstrate the overwhelming opportunity to wander through the mind of concern he expressed for humanity. a man who was committed to a great mission “That kind of letter writing is a charity,” she and a pastoral genius. I think it’s clear that Fr. virtue.” says. “It’s what you do for people with pastoral Flanagan is a shining light for us.” needs. It’s quite amazing. He used his time SR. JOAN MUELLER, OSC, PH D in every conceivable way to minister and be of service.”

46 Creighton FALL 2017 47 “It resonated,” Darnold says. He and his family began to embrace the minimalist lifestyle — customizing it to fit their situation. A radical purge of possessions, he says, was the not the goal. Their focus has been on buying and keeping only those things that bring real value to their lives, and gradually ridding manager themselves of other “stuff.” It’s about being mindful — purposeful.

Can Minimalism Bring More MOTIVATING PEOPLE As an associate professor of marketing and Meaning to Your Workplace? management at Creighton, who also holds the recently established Charles “Mike” BY Rick Davis, BA’88 Harper Chair in Business Leadership, Darnold thought this concept might also relate to management. Could a minimalist approach help in motivating people? “We are only really motivated in a long- term way when we are working for a purpose,” Darnold explains. “If we haven’t answered the ‘why’ question in a meaningful way, we are not going to be motivated. And we will quickly ore than a mere handful of The minimalist movement is not one-size- find that work is drudgery. We will become shirts hang in Creighton fits-all. The art of living with less offers a big dissatisfied and unmotivated. business professor Todd canvas. Tiny houses, the 100 Thing Challenge, “The basis of leadership is really about Darnold’s closet. Project 333 (dressing with 33 items or less for helping your people find purpose in work, He lives in a typically three months) are on one side of the spectrum. and then crafting the jobs and the culture of sized suburban home “For me, it’s not about having only seven the workplace to keep people working on that with his wife, Stacy, and their two children. shirts hanging in your closest,” Darnold says. purpose as much of the time as possible.” MThey own two cars. Todd collects baseball “It’s more about being mindful and intentional Darnold believes minimalism’s “purpose- cards with his sons. And he subscribes to cable about your purchases and behaviors than it is driven discernment” has benefits for both TV — binge-watching recorded Premier League about having less stuff. personal and professional management. soccer matches when he has the chance. “When I got my first job, I bought some “We manage our lives, our children, our Yet, Todd Darnold, PhD, is a self-professed things like everybody does. And I realized that relationships. All of those things need to be minimalist. they don’t make you any happier. Once I bought purpose-driven. To me, that is at the core of Further, he believes minimalism’s principles them, the thrill was over almost immediately.” what minimalism is all about.” can make us better managers, in the broad sense He then stumbled across theminimalists.com, of the word — offering lessons to all those who created by Joshua Fields Millborn and Ryan TEAMS OF HUMAN BEINGS provide oversight, from Little League coaches Nicodemus — two young professionals who He encourages managers to write down their to parents to corporate CEOs. adopted minimalism after finding financial team’s purpose, and then gather together and success and accumulated stuff were not leading discuss it. “That way, everybody is crystal clear to greater happiness.

48 Creighton FALL 2017 PHOTOS BY BRAD IWEN/ADMIRAL DISTRICT 49 about why they are there, and what value they with employees to get to know them better — to a team of human beings who have whole lives,” bring,” he says. understand their passions. Darnold says. It should happen at all levels. For example, Consider this example. A manager learns an the janitorial staff plays a critical role in employee is building a deck. To recognize that FINDING OUR PURPOSE ensuring that an organization has a safe, employee for a job well done, that manager gets Finding purpose at work is not just a job for clean and attractive workplace. “That’s really the employee a gift card to a home improvement management. All of us have a responsibility meaningful work,” Darnold says. “We don’t store. “That says, ‘I know you as a human being; for discovering our passions and skills, and often frame things for people very well. We we care about you; you’re a part of this,’ ” putting them to best use in all aspects of our don’t tell stories very well to help them find Darnold says. “It builds relationships. It builds lives — including at work. meaning.” trust.” Gallup polling found that in 2016 only While “less” is often a word associated with Darnold adds that organizations and 33 percent of U.S. workers considered them­ minimalism, Darnold says that description is managers need to understand that employees selves engaged in their work, while 51 percent incomplete, especially for those who manage have purposeful pursuits beyond work, in label themselves as “not engaged” and 16 people. It’s really about communicating their personal lives. He says that employees percent as “actively disengaged.” and facilitating a sense of purpose among feel more engaged when they see that work Engaged employees are those who are individuals and teams, he says, which, for some is allowing them to do meaningful things at involved in, enthusiastic about and com­ managers, might mean spending more time home. “It’s about creating a culture where it’s mitted to their work. Gallup’s research shows that employee engagement is strongly connected to business outcomes essential to an organization’s financial success. “ Success is when we achieve purpose. “I think a lot of people just kind of get trapped,” Darnold says. “There’s that old song, Marika Svolos, BA’17, is living

‘everybody’s working for the weekend.’ ” GRAVES MEREDITH a life of simplicity, serving as a It isn’t based on income level or an volunteer at Jerusalem Farm in Honest reflection is critical. What makes Kansas City, Missouri. accumulation of things.” you happy? What are you good at? Then you can begin to find a career path that matches. It TODD DARNOLD, PH D could mean starting your own business, joining a big company or going back to school. MINIMALISM, “My life is full of joy and grace,” she says. Wishart says America’s work and con- REDEFINING SUCCESS “I wouldn’t want to live any other way.” sumer cultures have taken a toll on the For those still restlessly searching for that MILLENNIALS AND But she does not consider herself a environment — an important issue for a ­perfect job — with a high-paying salary — it minimalist. major segment of minimalists, as well might require a redefinition of success. THE ENVIRONMENT “I don’t think of my lifestyle as minimal- as millennials. “I think that is the broad theme under all of ist, even though it is very simple,” Svolos “Societies that work longer hours tend to minimalism,” Darnold says. “Success is when fter graduating from Creighton explains. “What I’m doing is not about try- engage in consumption patterns that have a we achieve purpose. It isn’t based on income in May with a degree in sociol- ing to have the minimum; it’s about becoming higher ecological footprint,” says Wishart, level or an accumulation of things.” ogy, Marika Svolos found aware of the abundance that’s all around us.” referencing the work of Boston College sociol- For Darnold, a Christian, minimalism carries her dream job making $125 Labeling issues and a lack of solid data ogist Juliet Schor, an expert in consumption a spiritual component. per month. make it difficult to determine the growth of and sustainability. “It’s not just that you con- “Am I striving toward … achieving the A“I’m not worried about making money,” the current minimalism movement. Studies sume more. You consume differently.” purpose that I believe was God-given? I believe says Svolos, who works as a volunteer at have shown that millennials, the oldest of As an example, Wishart says Americans God put me on earth to do something. If I’m Jerusalem Farm, a Catholic community in whom are now in their mid-30s, aren’t buy- pressed for vacation time might be more making progress toward that, I’m successful.” Kansas City, Missouri, dedicated to prayer, ing houses like their parents did at that age. likely to hop on a plane and take the family community, service and simplicity. But those studies, and others that show to Disneyland, instead of taking a more lei- She shares a home — a converted con- millennials as cautious consumers, don’t surely, less fuel-intensive trip. vent — with nine other adults and two chil- necessarily mean this generation has made a And, even if minimalism takes greater

Darnold and his sons, Zack, dren near Kansas City’s downtown loop. The decision to embrace minimalism as a lifestyle, hold among Americans, Wishart isn’t sure if it left, and Drew, look over their nonprofit farm has a garden, fruit trees, chick- says Ryan Wishart, PhD, assistant professor will make much difference environmentally. baseball card collection in the backyard of their suburban ens, honeybees and a large compost pile. The of sociology. At least not voluntarily. “Consumption is increasing among the home. The minimalist lifestyle, community hosts spiritual retreats, provides Dubbed the “children of the Great rich,” Wishart says. “Even if we got the he says, allows the family to focus on hobbies and activities home repair to low-income residents and offers Recession,” the generation has faced stag- majority of the middle-class, working-class they enjoy. weekly curbside composting to its neighbors. nant wages, a difficult job market and high people to adopt a minimalist lifestyle, the con- Svolos serves as house manager. She gets student loan debt. sumption patterns of the richest 10 percent groceries for the community, which includes “When you’re saddled with student loan are enough, by themselves, to drive us over accepting some recently expired items from debt, and you don’t have a lot of disposable the cliff. the store so they won’t go to waste; she does income and you have uncertainty about your “The flip side, and the good news, is we The Ancient Minimalist The minimalist lifestyle isn’t a new cultural or philosophical phenomenon, says Creighton philosophy professor Bill Stephens, PhD. In fact, he says, the first minimalist might have beenDiogenes of Sinope, who roamed the streets of Athens canning; she helps cook and clean; she meets economic future,” Wishart says, “it makes you don’t have to get everyone to become mini- nearly 2,500 years ago with one cloak, a staff and a pouch. Read more online at creighton.edu/creightonmagazine with those on retreat. It’s a simple life. And think harder about what you really want to malists if we significantly tackle that inequal- she loves it. spend your money on.” ity and profligacy at the top.”

50 Creighton FALL 2017 51 REFLECTIONS Preflight Check Creighton men’s basketball players and coaches pause during a preseason practice at CenturyLink Center Omaha to check out this year’s game-day video. The theme: Let it fly. Find the latest Bluejay schedules, scores and news at gocreighton.com.

52 Creighton FALL 2017 PHOTO BY DAVE WEAVER 53 ALUMNI NOTES

Send Us Your News Penned your long-awaited novel? Traveled around the world? Received that awesome promotion? Earned a prestigious honor? If so, we want to hear about it! Share your memories and milestones by emailing us at [email protected].

George Blue Spruce Jr., DDS, Dr. Joseph P. Drozda Kent Irwin, MS, Omaha, Hon. Evelyn B. Clay, JD, Oak 56 Surprise, Arizona, was 67 Jr., ARTS, Chesterfield, 76 has written Exploits of a 79 Park, Illinois, retired from honored by the city of Cincinnati Missouri, was honored by the Common Adventurer, a tale of his the Cook County (Illinois) Court IMPACT on June 22, 2017, when Mayor John American College of Cardiology many adventures encompassing in August. Judge Clay sat on the Cranley issued a proclamation (ACC), receiving the designation the seven continents of the world. bench for more than 20 years. declaring the day to be “Dr. Master of ACC. In prior years, Daniel E. Monnat, JD, Wichita, Dr. Patrick J. Edwards, BA, was a cheerleader and played flute in the George Blue Spruce Day.” The Drozda was awarded ACC’s Kansas, of Monnat & Spurrier, Newton, Iowa, recently ‘God was Calling Me Here’ Charlotte Symphony Youth Orchestra. announcement was made as the Presidential Citation and the Chartered, has been ranked in the 80 started his 30th year as a family As she began her college search, Kim city hosted the 27th conference Lifetime Achievement Award top tier of Kansas attorneys in the practitioner at the Newton Clinic of the Society of American Indian of the ACC’s Missouri Chapter. Litigation: White-Collar Crime Scholarship Recipient from South Korea dis c­ ov­ered Creighton’s great health care in Newton. He also is the mayor Dentists. Blue Spruce founded Drozda is the director of outcomes and Government Investigations programs. She also received the Diane of Lambs Grove, Iowa. Mary Jo Finds Her Passion in Nursing the organization and served as research at Mercy — a four-state sector by Chambers USA 2017. McCabe Endowed Scholarship. Morrissey Jerde, BSN, Tempe, president for 16 years. He now regional health system head­ Monnat also received Lifetime “I thought that God was calling me to Arizona, was inducted as a fellow serves as president emeritus. quartered in suburban St. Louis. Achievement Designations from into the American Academy of Growing up in Pyeongtaek, in South Korea. She studied for eight months come here,” Kim says. Blue Spruce has made significant He is the principal investigator of America’s Top 100 Attorneys in Nurses in October. Jerde was one in Mississauga, Ontario, before returning to Her father’s career as a surgeon inspired contributions to the field of a large, multi-center FDA-funded the practice areas of appellate law, South Korea, KELLY KIM’s life of 173 highly distinguished nurse South Korea. Kim to enter the medical field. She wanted dentistry. As the first American initiative developing systems for criminal defense litigation and leaders selected for the 2017 revolved around school and Indian dentist in the U.S., he using electronic health record white-collar criminal defense. In “It was a different life because we were a hands-on experience and found it with class of academy fellows. Jerde studying. After a full day of has been a tireless advocate for data to evaluate the effectiveness addition, Monnat was recognized going swimming, we were going to drama nursing and its undergraduate clinical also received the Distinguished diversity and inclusion in the and safety of implanted medical by Best Lawyers in America for traditional school, Kim would club,” Kim says. rotations. Nurse of the Year award from the profession. He considers his life’s devices. the 30th consecutive year in the Disillusioned with the educational environ­ “Even from junior year, we have clinicals Arizona March of Dimes in June. head off to “cram school” for work to be encouraging people legal sectors of criminal defense: Joseph M. LaTona, JD, She is the senior vice president, ment and the competitive college-admission to learn about all the medical terminology of American Indian heritage to general practice; white collar private tutoring and wouldn’t Buffalo, New York, has been UnitedHealth Group, Center for and job-search climate in South Korea, Kim’s and take care of patients,” Kim says. consider careers in dentistry and 74 criminal defense; bet-the-company return home until around named in each edition of The Best Clinician Advancement. parents decided that she and her brother would She draws inspiration from the founder the health professions. litigation; and appellate defense. Lawyers in America since 1987. He 10 p.m. — facing at least an hour move with their mother to the United States. of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale. Gina D. Scales, BA’79, MS, John G. Manesis, MD, has been selected in each edition Mark A. Weber, BA’74, JD, Florissant, Missouri, was of homework to complete for After a short stint in Chicago, Kim’s family “Nightingale said that, when she first Fargo, North Dakota, of Super Lawyers – Upstate New Omaha, was acknowledged 82 62 77 honored with the President’s moved to be with other family members in started nursing, she was questioning God, has published His Good Stuff, a York Edition since 2008. by the Omaha Community the next day. Lifetime Achievement Award Charlotte, North Carolina, where she went to asking, ‘How can I serve other people with collection of his baseball poems. Foundation for his work with Col. Mason E. Smith, BA’66, for her lifelong commitment to the Charitable Advisor of And this was elementary school. high school. love, and how can I serve you?’ ” Kim says. Frederick B. “Rick” Allan, JD, MA, Colorado Springs, building a stronger nation through 75 Philanthropy Study Group “South Korea is too competitive; it’s all about “I love that the United States is all about “Nursing is so spiritual for me.” Lincoln, Nebraska, retired Colorado, has been elected volunteer service from President 66 program. Weber also published studying,” Kim says. “There’s no such thing as individualit­ y and the person’s own unique­ And despite the years of intense from his position as director of president of the Denver Council on Barack Obama in June 2017. a book, The Legacy Spectrum, for the Nebraska Lawyers Assistance Foreign Relations. He also serves extracurricular opportunities.” ness,” Kim says. “South Korea’s more about studying in South Korea, Kim has come to affluent individuals preparing Stephen A. Donato, JD, Program. Allan’s successor is on the boards of the Colorado At age 12, Kim moved in with a family conforming.” enjoy hitting the books. their estate plans. Fayetteville, New York, Christopher B. Aupperle, BSBA’89, Hospital Association, St. Mary- 83 in Canada — the mother was a friend of her In high school, Kim finally was able to “I feel like I really am studying what I love.” has been recognized in the 2017 JD’92, of Omaha. Corwin Hospital and Colorado parents’ who had previously taught English participate in things other than studying. She — BY EMILY RUST Upstate New York Super Lawyers School District 20 Foundation.

54 Creighton FALL 2017 55 list in the field of bankruptcy: involved in human and sex “Our goal is to make the team stay at a very business. Donato is an attorney trafficking and drug smuggling. high level, but the system is built to stop you in the Syracuse, New York, office Dr. Dawn R. Ebach, BS, from creating a dynasty,” Glick says, relaxing in HONORING of Bond, Schoeneck & King. He Iowa City, Iowa, was his office at Oracle Arena, the Warriors’ home is chair of the firm’s business 94 promoted to clinical professor at court in Oakland, California. “To be successful restructuring, creditors’ rights the University of Iowa in July. She for a long time, we’ve got to develop young OUR ALUMNI and bankruptcy practice. Muirne works in the Division of Pediatric Heaney, ARTS’76, JD, Omaha, players. And we just signed a couple of (free Gastroenterology. David M. received the Nebraska State Bar agent) shooters. I think we’ll be even better Williams, MD, West Des Moines, The Creighton University Association’s Visionary Award Iowa, is the president and CEO of this year.” Alumni Achievement at the Barrister’s Ball in March UnityPoint Clinics and UnityPoint Though friends and fans constantly give him Citation is the highest all- for her work on the Law Help of at Home in West Des Moines. their opinions on which player the team should University award presented to Nebraska interactive website. pursue or get rid of, Glick’s job lies more at the Creighton alumni. This year’s Stephen B. Shapiro, JD, Greenwood Michaela Sims, JD, Arlington, recipient, Floyd Malveaux, Village, Colorado, was selected 96 Virginia, opened Sims business end of the franchise. MD, PhD, BS’61, is a nationally for inclusion in The Best Lawyers Strategies in Washington, D.C. Today, Glick, the Warriors’ former chief in America 2018 for his work financial officer, has spent a busy morning in recognized expert in the Kimberly A. Lammers, JD, in insurance law. Shapiro is field of asthma and allergic Blair, Nebraska, joined the meetings about the construction of the team’s managing partner of Denver-based 97 diseases, leading initiatives at health care practice group of the new $1 billion-plus arena to be built across the Shapiro Bieging Barber Otteson. Howard University College of Medicine to address asthma law firm Baird Holm in Omaha. bay in San Francisco. morbidity among inner-city children. He served on the September D. Williams, Lammers was previously the “We’re using zero public money,” he says. Creighton University Board of Trustees from 1997 to 84 MD, Mill Valley, California, vice president for compliance “I’m proud to say this is one of the only major 2015 and has a long history of philanthropy, both to his published her first novel, Chasing at Methodist Health Systems in privately financed arenas in the world. Doing Mercury, as an eBook. The book Omaha. community and to Creighton. Malveaux was honored it this way allows us to control the project and was written to support the at Homecoming 2017. Shari Cuvelier Flowers, JD, recently ratified United Nations build it the way we want to.” Omaha, is the vice president Minamata Convention on Mercury. 99 When completed in time for the 2019–2020 for compliance for Methodist basketball season, the waterfront Chase Center John W. Neppl, BSBA, Health Systems in Omaha. 2017 ALUMNI MERIT AWARD RECIPIENTS will include two office towers offering 580,000 Omaha, has been appointed The Creighton University Alumni Merit Award 88 Dr. Nathan E. Brummel, chief financial officer of Green square feet of space, 150,000 square feet of retail recognizes outstanding alumni from the schools BS’99, MS, Nashville, Plains in Omaha. 01 space and a public park. Tennessee, is an assistant and colleges. The following were honored at Glick says team ownership decided to build Lawrence H. Necheles, professor of medicine at the Homecoming 2017: the complex for two reasons: The Oracle is one of 90 BA’86, JD, Pontiac, Illinois, Vanderbilt University Medical was appointed to serve as a Center, where he is the recipient the oldest sports arenas — it recently celebrated hearing officer for the Illinois State of a Paul E. Beeson Emerging its 50th anniversary — and the Warriors want Police Merit Board. Leaders in Aging Research Career to generate a greater fan experience. “Sports Development Award from the Dr. James G. Taylor VI, marketing is evolving. Not only did we want National Institutes of Health. BS, Oakton, Virginia, was to build an arena, we wanted to create a sports 91 He was awarded the 2017 Global appointed director of the Center stadium that was a destination. Something that Rising Star Fellowship from the for Sickle Cell Disease at Howard Australia New Zealand Intensive is unique to the Bay Area.” Jim Simpson, BA'80 Mark Henkels, BSBA'83 Terry Lanphier, BS'78, University in Washington, D.C. College of Arts Heider College of Business DDS'82, MBA'10 Care Society where he presented After high school, Glick was looking to study Taylor leads the center’s staff in and Sciences School of Dentistry his research on impairments and business at a small college when a family friend their mission dedicated to patient ALUMNI PROFILE disabilities after critical illness in care, research, teaching and recommended Creighton University. Gold Coast, Australia. community outreach for sickle “There I was, a nice Jewish boy from Chicago cell and other red cell diseases. Patrick S. Cooper, BA’99, going to a Jesuit school,” he says with a laugh. He is also professor of medicine 02 JD, Bennington, Nebraska, Arming the Warriors “I also loved politics and in 1968, presidential (hematology/oncology) at was named president-elect of candidates (Richard) Nixon, (Hubert) Howard’s College of Medicine. the Omaha Bar Association. Humphrey, (Eugene) McCarthy and (Bobby) Brandie Van Ness Fowler, BA’96, Christopher B. Aupperle, Kennedy all came to speak at Creighton. I was JD, Omaha, was named secretary With the roar of cheering fans still ringing Gen. Anthony Zinni, Donald Montgomery, Marjorie Leimomi Mala BSBA’89, JD, Omaha, was 92 of the Omaha Bar Association. always a strong supporter of Bobby Kennedy, MS'15 BSBA’84, JD’89 Mau, BS'81, MD'85 named director of the Nebraska Graduate School School of Law School of Medicine Grant W. Mussman, BA, Omaha, in his ears months after his Golden and meeting him was life-changing.” Lawyers Assistance Program. He was recognized as part of the After graduating with an accounting degree, replaces Frederick B. “Rick” Allan, State Warriors won their second NBA Midlands Business Journal’s “40 Glick earned a graduate degree in finance JD’66, of Lincoln, Nebraska, who Under 40.” Mussman is a State recently retired. Championship in three years, MARTY GLICK, from the Kellogg School of Management at Farm agent in Omaha. Daniel W. Northwestern University. He also is a certified Laura E. Duffy, JD, San Oldenburg, JD, Lincoln, Nebraska, BSBA’70, a minority owner of the Warriors public accountant and chartered accountant 93 Diego, was appointed by joined the law firm Cline Williams California Gov. Jerry Brown as a Wright Johnson & Oldfather in and special advisor to the team’s ownership, (Canada). Glick served on the management San Diego Superior Court judge. Lincoln. Oldenburg practices is looking to the new season. And trying to teams of Levi Strauss, Genentech, Theravance PEAK Patti Scott Higginbotham, Daniel Hilleman, Duffy has been a U.S. Attorney for immigration law. and Surgical before joining the Warriors BSN'86, MS'95 PharmD'81 the Southern District of California answer the question: Can we make a great in 2011. He was named special advisor to College of Nursing School of Pharmacy and for six years, where she has led Health Professions ownership in 2013. — BY BENJAMIN GLEISSER initiatives to prosecute criminals team even better?

56 Creighton FALL 2017 57 ALUMNI PROFILE Laura Frankam Happe, Center at East Carolina University and physiology through the Iowa, a daughter, Daenerys Lauren P. Simpson, BA, and 03 PharmD, Cornelius, North in Greenville, North Carolina. University of Delaware. His work Victoria, Dec. 9, 2014; a daughter, 14 Christopher A. Salvatore, BA, Carolina, was named chief Patrick J. Mack, JD, Omaha, joined was recently published in the Mariana Sue, April 5, 2016; and a May 27, 2017, living in Omaha. pharmacy officer of Humana Inc. the law firm Hennessy & Roach Leukemia Research Journal for son, Rorik Gavin, July 11, 2017. Kaitlyn L. Kroyer, BSN, and Happe also is the editor in chief of in Omaha and will practice in the the discovery of a novel therapy Spencer W. Werth, BA’11, MS, Derek W. Steele, BSBA, June the Journal of Managed Care and areas of insurance defense, labor to combat microenvironment- 15 Caring for Spiritual, Moral 14 JD, and Carrie Bonsutto Werth, 17, 2017, living in Burnsville, Specialty Pharmacy. Emily O’Malley and employment, and worker’s induced drug resistance in OTD’12, BSHS’12, Omaha, a son, Minnesota. Olsen, BSMth, Atlanta, was compensation. Yvonne D. Sosa, JD, pediatric acute lymphoblastic Benjamin Wayne, Jan. 13, 2017. awarded a Fulbright U.S. Student Omaha, was a fellow in the New leukemia. and Psychological Wounds Award to study epidemiology in Leaders Council (NLC) 2017 class. Zachary W. Lutz-Priefert, JD, Richelle Simmons, MS, Omaha, DEATHS Finland. Her research focuses on NLC is a nonpartisan, nonprofit and Megan E. Lutz-Priefert, joined Ameritas in Lincoln, 15 Elizabeth Wack Doyle, SJN, surveillance of adolescent health- organization that engages a 15 BSBA’13, JD, Omaha, a daughter, Nebraska, as vice president of Council Bluffs, Iowa, risk behaviors and disparities in diverse, collaborative national Elizabeth Athena, June 14, 2017. 45 Igboanusi, who earned his master’s degree digital. July 30, 2017. Nelly A. Nigro, BSPha, violence victimizations. Victor network of progressive political Ali Agashteh and Hengameh Los Angeles, Aug. 3, 2017. in counseling, credits his Jesuit, Creighton C. Padios, BACLS’99, JD, Omaha, entrepreneurs. Courtney M. Batterson, BSEvS, Golchin, PharmD, Issaquah, education for providing him with the tools was named general counsel for San Jose, California, is an 16 M. Bernice Holden Cheslak, Christopher R. Barondeau, MS, 17 Washington, a son, Arshaam, to do his job well when the going gets tough. Nebraska Furniture Mart in assistant research scientist with SJN, Omaha, July 30, 2017. JD, Sergeant Bluff, Iowa, was May 25, 2017. 47 Omaha. 11 NASA. Batterson is continuing her Mildred Dusing Glyn, SJN, La Vista, “My counselor education training prepared named partner at Goosmann research on Mars’ climate. Nebraska, June 7, 2017. me well to work with military personnel and Michelle Romanek Law Firm in Sioux City, Iowa. He WEDDINGS their families in the areas of spiritual and family 04 Beyronneau, BS, Cathedral focuses his practice on divorce LaVerne E. Abts, JD, counseling, trauma, PTSD, grief, loss, and to City, California, was named a 2018 and family law and currently BIRTHS Enedina Madrid, BSBA, and 48 Elkhorn, Nebraska, Aug. 15, Riverside County (California) serves in the Nebraska Army Robert Hope, July 1, 2017, 2017. John H. “Jack” Cruise, ARTS, respond to all emergencies or crises,” he says. Benjamin Jacob and 04 Teacher of the Year. Of the nearly National Guard as commander of living in Sioux City, Iowa. Corning, Iowa, Aug. 10, 2017. Mary Igboanusi has continued to expand his Kathryn Greene Jacob, BSW, 20,000 educators in Riverside Headquarters and Headquarters 00 Korbmaker Simon, SJN, Omaha, knowledge and skills through Creighton’s Mansfield, Texas, a daughter, Erin E. Burns, BFA, and County, Beyronneau is one of four Company (HHC) of the 126th July 26, 2017. doctoral program in interdisciplinary leader­ Willa, Sept. 14, 2016. Declan M. McElroy, May 27, teachers who will represent the Chemical Battalion. Jessica E. 06 2017, living in Omaha. William M. Kizer Sr., ship, in which he is currently an EdD candidate. county in the 2018 California State Thomas, JD, Omaha, joined the Daniel C. Blake and Becky J. BUSADM, HON’96, Omaha, “In my doctoral courses at Creighton, I Teacher of the Year competition. law firm Pansing Hogan Ernst Berggren, BSBA, Boston, a Stephanie M. DeRosa, OTD, 49 02 Aug. 20, 2017. learned how to lead and do ministry in a plural­ She teaches math at Desert Hot & Bachman in Omaha as an daughter, Maya, Nov. 11, 2016. 12 and Myles Dangerfield, Springs High School in Desert Hot associate. Thomas practices in the May 20, 2017, living in Manassas, istic military environment,” Igboanusi says. Adam J. Molzer, BSBA, and Springs, California. areas of real estate, business law Virginia. “Prayer was the hallmark of my education at Laura Hanson Molzer, BA, and business planning. 03 Creighton and is the center of my work today. Gabriel E. Lapito, MBA, Fort Collins, Colorado, a son, Evan Prayer helps me to speak to the lives of my 05 BSBA, Billings, Montana, Laura Goracke Anderson, James, Dec. 19, 2016. owner/financial advisor of OTD, Lincoln, Nebraska, soldiers and remind them of who they are in 12 Robert Hope and Enedina Strategic Retirement Plans joined Bryan Health’s Crete Area Christ. When soldiers come into my office for Madrid Hope, BSBA, Sioux with offices in Billings and Medical Center in Crete, Nebraska. 04 help, I ask for their permission to pray with City, Iowa, a son, Jecheniah Gillette, Wyoming, was named Zachary W. Anderson, JD, Lincoln, Alexander, April 30, 2017. The responsibility of having them. Ninety-nine percent of the time they say to the Forbes’ Top 500 Next Nebraska, is an associate attorney to tell family members a loved yes and if they are non-Christians, I ask them Generation Wealth Advisors list. with Baylor, Evnen, Curtiss, Grimit Michael J. Ducey and to pray in their own tradition. The inaugural list, published on & Witt, LLP, in Lincoln. 06 Kimberly E. Armstrong, BA, one has died is no easy or “Such an invitation often changes the Forbes.com, recognizes wealth Omaha, a son, Emmett Leo, May Brittany L. Murphy, MD, advisors born in or after 1980. 4, 2017. enviable task. Nor is helping dialogue and opens up a deeper level within an Rochester, Minnesota, Lapito is the only advisor in 13 already existing relationship. That is the beauty participated in a medical mission Andrew Blandford and others with post-traumatic Montana and Wyoming named of being a chaplain and an officer. Other officers trip to Jalpatagua, Guatemala, Danielle J. Pressler, BA’04, to the list. Brian M. Sadowski, 07 stress disorder (PTSD), suicide last February. One of her surgical MS, JD, Washington, D.C., a son, CONNECT. MOVE AHEAD. cannot do that due to the separation of church BSChm’01, MD, Omaha, joined mentors on the trip was Leroy J. William Daniel, Aug. 16, 2017. pre­ven­tion and inter­vention, and state. Army chaplains, however, are given Colon and Rectal Surgery, Inc., “Lee” Trombetta, BS’92, MD’97. the authority to explore spirituality through the in Omaha. Todd Reinke and Jennifer L. and marital counseling. Yet Murphy is a general surgery , Inwood, CHOOSE Eisma-Reinke, JD First Amendment clause of our Constitution resident at the Mayo Clinic in 08 for the REV. GERALD IGBOANUSI, Joseph P. Naatz, BSBA’04, Iowa, a daughter, Charlotte, and Army Regulation 165-1, which guarantees JD, Omaha, was named Rochester. 07 April 4, 2017. Andrew C. Stevens, MS’14, this is his normal the free exercise of religion.” treasurer-elect of the Omaha Bar CREIGHTON. Kelly J. Barth, MA, Omaha, MD, and Jennifer J. Stevens, JD, Association. day-to-day. Igboanusi says the Army is very proactive 14 and his wife started a Prior Lake, Minnesota, a daughter, when it comes to the mental health of service Larry J. Johnson Jr., JD, liturgical ministry publishing Anja Jacqueline, March 26, 2016. » Graduate degrees and » Learn alongside other Igboanusi, a native of Nigeria who is a U.S. members. West Des Moines, Iowa, has company, Simply Liturgical certificates from the Heider ambitious business leaders 09 David G. Moore, JD, and been appointed the state of Iowa’s Music (SLM). SLM offers psalms, College of Business sharpen and develop a network of citizen and has lived in this country for 17 years, “The Army also places a high priority in Trinity Moore, Show Low, public defender. Mass settings and other hymns 10 your skills and expand contacts — locally, nationally currently serves as the Battalion Chaplain for honor ing­ fallen heroes,” he says. “For this rea- Arizona, a son, Cash Daniel, in a downloadable format at your options. and globally. the 394th Combat Sustainment and Support son, all Army chaplains are asked to be in a Erin M. Herrmann, MA, May 13, 2017. slmusic.org. Barth also composed Battalion in Fremont, Nebraska. This is an Army 24/7 state of readiness for death notifications, Chicago, is the associate 10 his own Mass setting, Mass of Alex C. Covalt, BA, and » Many programs fully director of the Writing Center Reserve unit with an assigned strength of 850 military funerals and memorial ceremonies. the Gathered Assembly, which is Katherine Larcom Covalt, BSBA, online, so you can learn in the University Center for 11 soldiers living in Nebraska, Missouri and South My service uniform and pastoral care kit are currently sung in parishes around Omaha, a son, Davy, July 6, 2017. on your time. Writing-based Learning at DePaul Dakota. “I care for soldiers who experience always packed and ready to go in case the call Omaha, across the Midwest and University in Chicago. Herrmann Gavin J. Guldenpfennig, spiritual, moral and psychological wounds,” comes.” — BY LISA FOSTER, BA’92 in Australia. Anthony J. Quagliano, previously worked as the assistant BA, and Amalie Appleton BS, Hoffman Estates, Illinois, is 12 he explains. director of the University Writing Guldenpfennig, Grundy Center, business.creighton.edu/graduate pursuing his PhD in cell biology

58 Creighton FALL 2017 59 Dolores Doksansky Gruber, Edward G. Bennett, BS, ALUMNI PROFILE 50 ARTS, Omaha, Aug. 5, 2017. 56 Henderson, Nevada, Dec. 21, Frank J. Insolera Sr., BSPha, Omaha, 2016. Msgr. Mervin J. Hood, MSEdu, Aug. 17, 2017. Patricia Fairfield Fort Dodge, Iowa, July 27, 2017. Newcomb-Hagan, BS, Weymouth, Edward F. Malone, ARTS, Houston, Massachusetts, July 30, 2017 Aug. 11, 2017. Gertrude Pound Tighe, Couple Bring BS, Omaha, Aug. 16, 2017. Theodore W. Eller Sr., DDS, 51 Knoxville, Iowa, Aug. 23, 2017. Dr. King J. Dykeman, BA, Paul B. Knievel, BUSADM, Omaha, 57 Fairfield, Connecticut, Aug. 8, Hope, Health May 31, 2017. Agnes “Peg” Kirby 2017. John A. Fischer, MD, Thornton, Mahoney, SJN, Daly City, California, Colorado, July 20, 2017. John W. May 31, 2017. Neil J. Welch, JD, Kennedy, JD, Omaha, June 17, 2017. Omaha, June 29, 2017. to Haiti CHAD HOERNER / EYEEM Edward F. Greteman, BSBA, Dr. Peter Jurtshuk Jr., MS, 58 Billings, Montana, June 11, 53 Houston, July 9, 2017. 2017. Francis J. “Frank” Kudlacz, Daniel B. McNair, JD, Columbus, ARTS, Omaha, June 10, 2017. Nebraska, May 31, 2017. Natalie Lucille Howser Kuzelka, SCN, York, Newell McNeil, ARTS, Omaha, Nebraska, May 12, 2015. In talking to ELLEN CUNNINGHAM, June 30, 2017. Gerald R. Uhl, BSC, William A. Fitzgerald, BSBA, BA’86, MD, about her life and Sioux City, Iowa, Dec. 14, 2016. 59 Omaha, Sept. 1, 2017. Gary R. Lamp for Haiti, the nonprofit Kenneth J. Stangel, BSC, Provost, DDS, Scottsdale, Arizona, 54 Onawa, Iowa, June 16, 2017. July 9, 2017. organization she and her husband Frank J. Gollon, BSC, Cottage Kathleen Rynaski Caldwell, founded, it’s the enormous pride 55 Grove, Minnesota, June 25, 60 BUSADM, Papillion, she has in her husband, JAMES 2017. Thomas E. Grier, BS’51, MD, Nebraska, July 11, 2017. Dr. Margaret Carlsbad, California, June 2, 2017. F. Fay, SCN, Buford, Georgia, Aug. MORGAN, BA’86, MD’91, that shines Frederick H. Hodell, MD, Cherry 10, 2017. Paul A. Floersch Jr., ARTS, through in her voice and words. Valley, California, July 1, 2016. Omaha, July 5, 2017. Darrell I. Theresa Hoffmann McCaslin, SCN, Gisvold, MD, Belvedere Tiburon, Omaha, Aug. 11, 2017. California, July 11, 2017. Joyce M. Ortgies, MLN, Omaha, June 28, 2017. They met as juniors at Creighton, both studying the late 1990s — these were all placed before psychology in the College of Arts and Sciences. him and he rose to the occasion,” says his wife. “ Lamp looks to stay true to its mission “Our latter years at Creighton opened our minds During that time, Jim accompanied his to not only higher-level psychology classes, but also former high school religion teacher, the Rev. of working with and for some of the the study of philosophy. Honestly, I think it was Jim’s Vincent Biagi, SJ, a Jesuit and friend, on a service most marginalized by providing health love of studying concepts like goodness, freedom, trip to Haiti. Jim came home with a renewed A GRADUATE DEGREE justice, the presence of the Divine in one’s life, beauty perspective on poverty and serving the needy. care and related services to even more and so on, that cheered me on. He was challenged to He returned to Haiti in early 2005 after Ellen FROM CREIGHTON look at how one chooses to live out a life.” gathered supporters to fund his trip. He had vulnerable communities.” Ellen worked part-time at a local hospital, helping made connections in Cité Soleil — an extremely drug- and alcohol-addicted teens. “Combined with impoverished community of over 300,000 — ELLEN CUNNINGHAM, BA’86, MD LEADS TO MORE. my studies and my relationship with this socially and set up an alley clinic with a backpack conscious guy from New Jersey, I took a new look at of medicines and a stethoscope. Ellen later the world around me,” she says. She thought about learned that Doctors Without Borders would More opportunities. becoming a physician, the path Jim was already on. not even go to Cité Soleil then because it was Jim attended the School of Medicine and during too dangerous. consultations equal about 25 cents per patient. She says they hope that the Lamp model, his fourth year, Ellen started medical school at Loyola The Lamp for Haiti health center officially Lamp also sponsors water and sanitation with staffing by local professionals, can expand More connections. University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. They opened as a nongovernmental organization projects, supports local schools and provides to more communities. married when he was a second-year resident and she in 2006. health education and humanitarian aid. Since “Lamp looks to stay true to its mission of was in her second year of medical school. “By the Today, Jim is Lamp’s medical director and 2012, Ellen’s fundraisers have celebrated working with and for some of the most mar- More knowledge. time I graduated, we had two children, a handful of board chair. The primary care clinic is staffed Haitian art and culture. She also helps support ginalized by providing health care and related Join 4,000+ students who pursue graduate debt, and some decisions to make about our futures.” by a professional health team, all Haitian, Jim’s Haiti trips through their practice in Cedar services to even more vulnerable communi- They settled in the New York/New Jersey area; including two physicians. The clinic is open five Grove, New Jersey. ties.” — BY CINDY MURPHY MCMAHON, BA’74 and professional degrees at Creighton Jim went to St. Vincent’s Hospital in New York City, days a week and sees more than 1,000 patients “My role as the support person became each year. Gain a top-tier education and and Ellen started a dermatology practice in New monthly. Services include a women’s health less financial and more as a wife and mother, find out what MORE can mean for you. Jersey. St. Vincent’s, now closed, served the poor in clinic, child nutrition program and EKG and ‘holding down the fort’ at home and being a Greenwich Village. digital radiology services. sounding board to the innumerable obstacles “The medical and social side effects of home­ Lamp for Haiti provides physician consul­ta­ my husband faced in this desperate part of the gradschool.creighton.edu less ne­ ss, loneliness, drug addiction, alcoholism, tions, medical testing and medicine. The medi­ world.” She also has worked side by side with domestic violence, the HIV and AIDS epidemic in cine and testing are free, while fees asked for him in Haiti.

60 Creighton FALL 2017 61 Charles A. Hanna, MD, Samuel J. Amato, BA, Omaha, Edward A. Junker, ARTS, 61 San Diego, May 31, 2017. 66 July 22, 2017. Daniel R. Fritz, 78 Bernalillo, New Mexico, IN REMEMBRANCE Sr. Maureen Murray, SSND, MA, JD, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, July 14, 2017. We remember Creighton Mankato, Minnesota, May 30, 2017. May 25, 2017. James C. Hohn, DDS, James E. Connor, JD, Omaha, University faculty and Jesuits Anne Barna Ostronic, SJN, Omaha, Yankton, South Dakota, June 5, Aug. 3, 2017. who have recently died.* July 12, 2017. Alfred M. Rotondaro, 2017. Dennis J. Vidmar, DDS, Pueblo, 79 MA, Shady Side, Maryland, Colorado, June 12, 2017. Mary Couchman Beerling, JD, Raymond F. Olmo, DDS, June 26, 2017. Susannah Svoboda Omaha, July 26, 2017. associate clinical professor Larry F. Lutwitze, BA’65, MA, 83 Trebtoske, BA, Crystal, Minnesota, of periodontics in the School Carroll, Iowa, Jan. 23, 2017. Edward D. Ammala, BS’80, July 21, 2017. John L. Truscott, 68 of Dentistry; Aug. 2, 2017 MD, Rolla, Missouri, May 31, BSPha, Prior Lake, Minnesota, W. Terrence Bates, BA, 84 2017. Mark J. Wierman, PhD, May 28, 2017. Merced, California, July 69 professor of computer science 8, 2017. Anthony J. Cruise, BSBA, Kevin F. Mulhall, BSBA, Janet Kyral Dean, BSBA, in the College of Arts and Tucson, Arizona, June 20, 2017. Omaha, May 25, 2017. Bennington, Nebraska, 88 Sciences; Aug. 8, 2017 63 Gayleen M. Kuehn, SJN, Carroll, Aug. 6, 2017. Sr. M. Brendan Fry, John P. Weaver, MD, Altadena, Iowa, July 8, 2017. Bruce J. Malina, PhD, STD, OSB, MSEdu, Atchison, Kansas, California, March 29, 2017. 91 professor emeritus of theology June 17, 2017. Clyde A. Christian Sr., JD, Shona A. Bohbrink, BSN, in the College of Arts and Elkhorn, Nebraska, June 22, Susan Jakaitis Furay, BA, 70 Fremont, Nebraska, Sciences; Aug. 17, 2017 2017. Sr. Margaret Miller, RSCJ, 92 Omaha, Aug. 4, 2017. Joseph July 24, 2016. 64 MSGuid, Atherton, California, Richard J. Hallworth, PhD, D. Lehan, BSPha, Minden, Iowa, May 17, 2017. James L. Gerstle, BSN, professor of biomedical Aug. 7, 2017. Joseph W. Robben Jr., Louisville, Kentucky, sciences in the School of BA, San Clemente, California, Michael A. Wang, BA, Omaha, 96 June 14, 2017. Medicine; Sept. 1, 2017 May 31, 2017. Sr. Teresa Wolfe, OP, 71 July 22, 2017. BS’58, MA, St. Catharine, Kentucky, Michelle R. Glasz, PharmD, *Faculty and Jesuits who are Michael H. Feekin, MSGuid, Aug. 7, 2016. 01 De Witt, Iowa, June 13, 2017. Creighton alumni are listed in 74 Joplin, Missouri, June 12, 2017. the Alumni Deaths section of John W. Chandler, DDS, Kelly L. Stankiewicz, PharmD, the magazine. Joseph A. Corona, MS’72, MD, Arcadia, California, May 9, Omaha, July 3, 2017 65 Greeley, Colorado, March 02 2017. Edward J. York, BA’62, MA, 75 15, 2017. M. Gene Harmon, BSBA, Goldsboro, North Carolina, Grapevine, Texas, Dec. 11, 2015. June 26, 2017.

BOSTWICK-FROHARDT/KM3TV COLLECTION THE DURHAM MUSEUM PHOTO ARCHIVE A GIFT THAT PAYS YOU BACK. THEN & NOW The “Old Gym” (Vinardi Center) has Creighton enjoys national prominence for its academic excellence served students in myriad ways over the and tradition of service and justice. Alumni and friends who commit A PREVIEW OF years. Alumni, depending on their eras to fortifying Creighton’s legacy into the future with a philanthropic YOUR BENEFITS and activities, will remember standing investment build and advance our reputation. in line to register for classes, swimming in the lower-level pool, and attending Gift Annuity men’s and women’s basketball games When you establish a charitable gift annuity, you provide a Age Rate Payment* and commencement ceremonies in the meaningful contribution to Creighton and receive a current 70 5.1% $1,275 building at 24th and Burt streets. It has charitable income tax deduction and regular payments for life. 75 5.8% $1,450 had numerous makeovers, and now the 80 6.8% $1,700 gymnasium itself has been transformed Your Creighton support offers the powerful gift of education, 85 7.8% $1,950 into a state-of-the-art, high-tech and the returns—transforming lives, minds and spirits for Pharmacy Skills Lab for campus and 90 9.0% $2,250 generations to come—extend beyond measure. online students. At top, the men’s basketball team *Based on a $25,000 gift. Rates change periodically, so please contact us for the plays to a full house in 1924. At left, Learn how you can link your legacy to Creighton’s most current information. today’s pharmacy students will be future with a charitable gift annuity. practicing vastly different skills in the same space as they learn sterile and nonsterile compounding and participate in community pharmacy simulation and drug information activities. The gym Contact the Office of Gift & Estate Planning for further information. has been reconfigured to accommodate giftplanning.creighton.edu | 402.280.1143 | [email protected] 85 on-site future pharmacists and many more online via digital tools.

62 Creighton FALL 2017 63 CREIGHTON CONVERSATIONS Final Word

TAKING “ The opportunity to share my work with international tremendous partnerships all of our schools and colleges have throughout Omaha and the region. scientists and many experts helped me to understand Because of the transformational gift from Mary and Charles Heider, the college’s enrollment the scope and utility of my research project in a increased by 50 percent, with almost two-thirds FLIGHT of its students now coming from more than 200 real-world setting. The AAdvantage Global Scholars miles away to receive a Jesuit-inspired business education at Creighton. program allowed me to broaden my horizons.” Pooja Hegde, AAdvantage® Global Scholars Travel Grant Recipient How can alumni lend their support to the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, Class of 2018 University? There are three areas in which our alumni continually impact Creighton. First, they are our Hegde’s research focuses on developing DESTINATION: Pisa, Italy. Presented at greatest ambassadors in carrying the Creighton alternative treatments for tuberculosis, the Gordon Research Seminar (GRS) a pandemic disease responsible for high and the Gordon Research Conference message to high school students seeking a Jesuit, mortality around the globe. (GRC), June 21–30, 2017 Catholic education. Second, they continue to be one of our greatest conduits for internships. We were recognized again by U.S. News & World Report for being one of the top universities for internship opportunities, and our alumni are a big factor. Third, our alumni help guide their MIKE KLEVETER alma mater’s future through their incredibly generous philanthropy. The gifts they invest in our students are often the difference that ‘ Philanthropy Is in Our DNA’ allows someone to pursue a Creighton degree. What is your priority in terms of fundraising? “This is a dream job,” says Matt Gerard, who three children, ages 13, 12 and 9. Creighton mag- The president and the Board have a vision for oversees fundraising and alumni relations azine had a chance to talk with him this fall. the University, and my team works hard to as Creighton’s vice president for University match donors to the prioritized objectives for Relations. He was named to the position in When you came to Creighton in 2004, you all of Creighton’s schools and colleges. That February, but he is no newcomer to Creighton. initially worked in fundraising for the School of said, scholarships are so important in helping Gerard worked in various fundraising capacities Medicine. What was that experience like? us recruit students who would most benefit for the University from 2004 until January 2016, I was fortunate to have a front-row seat to from a Creighton education. Nothing gives me when he accepted a position as vice president what makes Creighton different — the way the greater satisfaction than sharing letters from for development at Children International curriculum is designed and the types of doctors student scholarship recipients with donors in Kansas City, Missouri, a nonprofit child- we produce. The medical alumni I worked with and seeing the joy it brings to those donors, sponsorship organization fighting global shared stories of being exposed to hands-on knowing they are making a difference in the poverty. patient care early in their training, and how lives of these young students. An Omaha native and avid runner, Gerard this made them better doctors, instilling a earned a track scholarship to the University of willingness to continue volunteering in local What has it been like being back? Iowa, graduating in 1994 with a degree in jour- shelters and underdeveloped countries. This The personal relationships formed here are JIM FACKLER nalism. He then completed a master’s degree is just one example that goes to the essence incredible, and we are fortunate to have in secondary education from the University of of Creighton: You’re in the community, you’re Fr. Hendrickson, who has a clear vision for Oregon, and taught high school English and learning and you’re doing service. Creighton’s future. This will happen because coached track and cross country at both the of our alumni and friends who believe in what high school and collegiate levels before joining Later, you were involved in the Ignite the Creighton does for students and the community. Creighton in 2004. He worked on the highly suc- Creighton was founded by philanthropists. Greatness campaign, which included the “ The AAdvantage Global Scholars Travel Grant will allow Creighton students who cessful Willing to Lead campaign, and served as naming of the Heider College of Business. Philanthropy is in our DNA. This is a tradition wouldn’t otherwise have the means to travel to access opportunities to become the staff lead on the Ignite the Greatness cam- That project really highlighted the relationship that goes back to 1878, and every student who paign for the Heider College of Business. and partnership between Creighton and Omaha. has come here has been a beneficiary of this transformational global leaders. The goals of the Creighton Global Initiative really Gerard and his wife, Melissa, a physical ther- It showed the brain-gain that the business legacy. It’s a tradition that makes opportunities impressed me. I’m pleased to have been the conduit from American Airlines to Creighton apist in the Methodist health care system, have college brings to the city, and spotlighted the possible for students today and into the future. and to know that we can help make an impact on students and their global footprint.” Tom Weir, BSBA’79, MBA’84, Vice President and Treasurer, American Airlines 64 Creighton FALL 2017 KNOW A FUTURE BLUEJAY? Academic excellence Educational innovation Global engagement Forming tomorrow’s leaders

Our alumni are Creighton’s best recruiters. If you know high school or transfer students, encourage them to #ChooseCreighton. creighton.edu/admissions

No. 1 in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report for 15 years