SPRING 2000
UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE
The Write Stuff: Creative Writing Comeback Page 20
A Story of Hope: Business and Service Learning Page 26
Elijah the Prophet: Three Stories Page 34
CREIGHTON Names New President SPRING 2000
UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE
COVER STORY
KEEPING OUR 12 SCHOOLS SAFE Creighton University Magazine Features Editor Pamela Adams Vaughn talks with Creighton’s education faculty about how they are preparing future teachers to deal with the possibility of violence in school.
ABOUT THE COVER... Barbara Brock, Ph.D., chair of Creighton’s Department of Education, said no school is immune from violence and safety issues. Brock is pictured at Skutt Catholic High School in Omaha. Photo by Kent Sievers
THE WRITE STUFF Dr. Brent Spencer 20 and Dr. Eamonn Wall have reinvigorat- ed Creighton’s creative writing program. Spencer is a former truck driver turned writer, and Wall is an acclaimed Irish poet. Dr. Eileen Wirth profiles these two Creighton writers and examines their successful teaching styles.
2 SPRING 2000 INSIDE
4 • LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
5 • UNIVERSITY NEWS
6 • CREIGHTON WELCOMES FR. SCHLEGEL The Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J., was announced as Creighton University’s 23rd president on Nov. 12.
10 • REMEMBERING EL SALVADOR Four members of the Creighton community visited El Salvador to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the slaying of six Jesuits, their housekeeper and her daughter.
38 • PROFILE
38 • MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN HONDURAS Creighton graduates Dr. Hans and Andrea A STORY OF HOPE Creighton students Dethlefs battle malnutrition and illiteracy enrolled in Dr. Beverly Kracher’s 26 among the poor in the mountainous region Business and Society course are called to of Ocotepeque. action in dealing with poverty and injustice. The students, working through community 40 • ALUMNI NEWS programs, help formerly unemployed and underemployed North Omaha residents who 41 • SIMULATED DELIVERY ROOM Creighton have started small businesses. alumnus Louis Patrick Halamek, BS’81, MD’86, has created a simulated delivery room to train medical students.
50 • DEVELOPMENT NEWS
51 • THE LAST WORD
51 • CASUALTY OF WAR Renowned Creighton photographer Don Doll, S.J., captured anoth- er tragedy of the civil war in El Salvador: the abduction of children to sell in adoption in the U.S. He produced a video that appeared on ABC’s Nightline.
ELIJAH THE PROPHET: THREE CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE’S PURPOSE 34 STORIES Elijah, a central figure in Creighton University Magazine, like the University itself, is committed to Jewish tradition, is known for helping the excellence and dedicated to the pursuit of truth in all its forms. The maga- zine will be comprehensive in nature. It will support the University’s mis- poor and downtrodden and is said to be the sion of education through thoughtful and compelling feature articles on a forerunner of the coming of the Messiah. variety of topics. It will feature the brightest, the most stimulating, the most inspirational thinking that Creighton offers. The magazine also will promote Creighton law professor Lawrence Raful tells Creighton, and its Jesuit Catholic identity, to a broad public and serve as a three stories relating to Elijah the Prophet. vital link between the University and its constituents. The magazine will be guided by the core values of Creighton: the inalienable worth of each indi- vidual, respect for all of God’s creation, a special concern for the poor, and the promotion of justice.
SPRING 2000 3 LETTERS
DR. BLANKENAU TAUGHT LESSONS others, the lessons he taught: attention to the minutest detail and BEYOND THE CLASSROOM integrity. He always knew what was right and taught me that Your short article on Dr. Blankenau (Winter’99) did not one needs to do what is right although it may be the hardest begin to explain the dedication to dentistry and teaching that thing to do. I try to practice these lessons every day in my dental this man encompassed. While I was his student, he did not practice in order to become the kind of dentist he would be befriend me. Rather, like a loving father, he taught with disci- proud of. pline and commanded respect. He was one you could always go Jerri A. Donahue, DDS’87 to with a question or problem because you knew the answer Cheyenne, Wyo. might not be what you wished, but it would be fair. I felt he always had faith in my struggling success as a student and later Letters to the Editor can be e-mailed to Editor Rick Davis as a budding practitioner. at [email protected], faxed to (402) 280-2549, or mailed to Looking back now, I know that he knew I would make it Creighton University Magazine, 2500 California Plaza, through dental school long before I knew I would. When I would Omaha, NE 68178. Letters may be edited, primarily to return to Creighton, he held out a warm hand followed by a conform to space limitations. Please include your name, city, twinkle in his eye. He would let me pick his brain about the latest state, year of graduation (if applicable) and telephone dental materials, equipment and techniques. Always teaching. number on all letters. Before his passing, I had acknowledged to myself, but not to
Creighton is Host to Heartland-Delta Jesuit Conference Faculty and staff from 11 Jesuit Catholic colleges and uni- Carroll University, Loyola University- versities will gather on the Creighton campus May 22-25, Chicago, Loyola University-New 2000, for a conference that will focus on our Ignatian and Orleans, Marquette University, Regis Jesuit heritage. About 500 people are expected to attend. University, Rockhurst University, Saint The conference theme is “Choosing to Make a Louis University, Spring Hill College, Difference.” The purpose of the conference is to have partici- University of Detroit-Mercy, and Xavier pants discover how they can choose to make a difference as University and the Chicago, Detroit, individuals at their schools and as Jesuit colleges and uni- New Orleans, Missouri and Wisconsin versities in a nine-state region that includes Nebraska, Provinces. Illinois, Louisiana, Alabama, Michigan, Missouri, Colorado, I am pleased Creighton is hosting Heartland III. Ohio and Wisconsin. Creighton and Omaha are the perfect settings for discus- The schools are sending delegates who are enthusiastic sions concerning the mission of Jesuit Higher Education. The about the mission of Jesuit Higher Education and who will previous Heartland conferences — held in Chicago and St. have the time and energy to work for mission after the con- Louis — have proven to be beneficial for colleagues to learn ference. Delegates will hear major presentations on topics how the mission is expressed on the different campuses. such as: “The Language of Who We Are,” “The Jesuit This gathering at Creighton will help keep the conversations University: Are We Jesuit Or Are We University?” “Linking and ideas focused on the future of Jesuit Higher Education Dreams to Reality,” and “Called and Missioned.” There will in the Heartland in the next millennium. be time set aside for peer discussion and prayerful reflection. The “Heartland III” Conference is sponsored by these 11 Heartland-Delta Jesuit schools: Creighton University, John President
Publisher: Creighton University; Rev. Michael G. Morrison, S.J., President; Michael E. Leighton, Vice President for University Relations. CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE staff: Stephen T. Kline, Executive Editor; Rick Davis, Editor; Sheila Swanson, Associate Editor; Pamela A. Vaughn, Associate Editor. Editorial Advisors: Charles J. Dougherty, Ph.D.; M. Roy Wilson, M.D.; Mark Huber; Diane Dougherty; Rev. Donald A. Doll, S.J.; Ruth Purtilo, Ph.D.; Valda Ford; and Tamara Buffalohead-McGill.
Creighton University Magazine (USPS728-070) is published quarterly in February, May, August, and November by Creighton University, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178-0001. Periodicals postage paid at Omaha, Nebraska, and additional entry points. Address all mail to Public Relations and Information, Omaha, NE 68178. Postmaster: Send change of address to Creighton University Magazine, P.O. Box 3266, Omaha, NE 68103-0078.
RECYCLED COPYRIGHT © 2000 BY CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY AND RECYCLABLE
4 SPRING 2000 UNIVERSITY NEWS
JOHANNS, O’DORISIOS HONORED AT DECEMBER COMMENCEMENT More than 190 students Mike Johanns, Tom Dr. Sue received degrees at JD’74 O’Dorisio, O’Dorisio, Creighton’s Commencement Honorary MD’71 BS’67 exercises on Dec. 18. During Doctor of Alumni Alumni the ceremony, the University Public Affairs Achievement Achievement presented an honorary degree Citation Citation of Doctor of Public Affairs to Nebraska Gov. Mike Johanns, and, for the first time, pre- for governor in 1995. After a Denver in 1965 and his M.D. professor of pediatrics and sented an Alumni tough primary fight, Johanns from Creighton in 1971. Sue director of the Pediatric Achievement Citation to a won the Republican nomina- received her bachelor of sci- Hematology/Oncology couple, Drs. Tom and M. Sue tion and defeated Democrat ence degree from Creighton Program. (Wedermeyer) O’Dorisio. Bill Hoppner in 1998. in 1967, her master of science As internationally recog- Johanns received his doc- Gov. Johanns brought a and Ph.D. from the Univer- nized biomedical scientists, torate of juris prudence from willingness to listen to his sity of Nebraska Medical the O’Dorisios have made Creighton University in 1974. first session of work with the Center, and her M.D. from major contributions to the After one year as a clerk for a Legislature. A major accom- Ohio State University in 1985. understanding of the nature Nebraska Supreme Court plishment was a property tax The O’Dorisios are on the and role of peptide hormones judge, Johanns entered pri- relief compromise that was faculty at the University of and receptors in health and vate practice. Following stints hailed by people on all sides Iowa in Iowa City where they disease. They have traveled to on the Lancaster County of the issue. are highly regarded as teach- Ghana three times to assist Board and the Lincoln City The O’Dorisios are strong ers and outstanding clini- the University of Ghana Council, Johanns was elected supporters of Creighton cians. Tom is a professor of Medical School in Accra as it mayor of Lincoln, Neb., in University. Tom received his internal medicine and direc- established special programs 1991. He was re-elected in bachelor of science degree tor of the Neuroendocrine in medicine and pediatrics 1994, and he launched his bid from Regis University in Tumor Program. Sue is a education.
FR. DOLL HIGHLIGHTS THE WORK OF JESUITS WORLDWIDE The Jesuits: Two Thousand Years after Christ is the inspiration of Creighton’s Fr. Don Doll, S.J., who is already at work on the project. A book, a DVD and a digital video will result from the two-and-a-half-year effort, which includes the collaboration of Creighton alumna Elizabeth O’Keefe, BA’89, formerly of the National Jesuit News. Fr. Doll and O’Keefe will cover the work of Jesuits worldwide as they implement the Society’s vision for a better world. At the time of this writing, the Creighton team is bound for India, where they will film and document the Society’s strug- gle on behalf of the untouchables in that country’s northern provinces. Fr. Doll’s Web site, http://magis.creighton.edu/Jesuit, offers readers more information and a form for submitting story ideas for the project. Photos by Fr. Don Doll, S.J. O’Keefe’s involvement is made possible through the Fr. Doll’s work on the Jesuits’ worldwide project took him to El Salvador where he took these photos of Wisconsin Province, while Fr. Doll’s effort is supported Ernesto Sibrian’s family members. To read more about through a Creighton sabbatical and a year’s leave of the story of Finding Ernesto, which was featured on absence. ABC’s Nightline in November, turn to page 51.
SPRING 2000 5 UNIVERSITY NEWS
FR. SCHLEGEL NAMED NEXT CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY PRESIDENT The Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J., president of the University “difficult because of the genuine affection I have for the of San Francisco, has been named to succeed the Rev. USF community.” Michael G. Morrison, S.J., as president of Creighton “I love San Francisco; I love Omaha,” Fr. Schlegel said at University. the press conference announcing his appointment. “I love Fr. Morrison, Creighton’s longest-serving president, USF; I love Creighton.” The chairman of the USF board, announced his resignation last May, saying he would step Dominic Tarantino, retired co-chairman and managing down June 30, 2000, after serving 19 years. partner of Price Waterhouse, praised Fr. Schlegel’s leader- “We believe that Father John Schlegel is the right ship at the University of San Francisco. choice to lead Creighton into the 21st century. Father “John Schlegel and the University’s executive team Schlegel’s commit- brought USF to a ment to the new level where Catholic, Jesuit its full potential is mission will serve now clearly in the University well view,” said in the future,” said Tarantino. Fr. William Fitzgerald, Schlegel left BSBA’59, of Creighton in 1982 Omaha, chairman to take the post of of Creighton academic dean at University’s board Rockhurst College of directors. in Kansas City, “Father Schlegel Mo. From there he has done a superb went to Marquette job at the University, where University of San he served as dean Francisco, where of the College of he worked tire- Arts and Sciences.
lessly to enhance Photo by Kent Sievers Fr. Schlegel also the Jesuit Catholic Fr. Schlegel visits with students at a reception held in his honor on served as execu- identity of the Nov. 12 in the law school. Prior to the reception, a press conference tive and academic was held announcing his appointment as Creighton University’s institution,” said 23rd president. Fr. Schlegel’s appointment will be effective before vice president at Fitzgerald. the start of the next academic year. John Carroll Fitzgerald, chair- University before man and CEO of Commercial Federal Bank, directed the being named president of the University of San Francisco in search for Creighton’s new president. Creighton’s board of June 1991. directors approved Fr. Schlegel’s appointment on Nov. 12. Fr. Schlegel was born and raised in Dubuque, Iowa, with The appointment will be effective before the start of the three sisters and two brothers. He entered the Wisconsin next academic year at Creighton. Province of the Society of Jesus in 1963 and was ordained This won’t be the first time that Fr. Schlegel, 56, has in 1973. worked at Creighton. He began his academic career at He holds A.B. and M.A. degrees from St. Louis Univer- Creighton as a lecturer in 1969. From 1978 to 1982, Fr. sity; a B.D. (honors) degree in theology from the University Schlegel served as Creighton’s assistant vice president of London, and a doctorate in international relations from for Academic Affairs. He was a member of the Political Oxford University. He is a member of the board of trustees Science faculty at Creighton from 1976 to 1982. Fr. Schlegel at Loyola University Chicago and Xavier University; the has described his decision to return to Creighton as “based, foundation board at St. Mary’s Medical Center Foundation, in part, on a desire to ‘go home’ to an institution that and the board of directors of the Association of Catholic introduced me to higher education administration” but Colleges and Universities, among numerous other posts.
6 SPRING 2000 UNIVERSITY NEWS
FR. KELLEY ENDOWED LECTURE FUND ESTABLISHED HUMAN DIVERSITY CENTER CREATED Sixty-eight years ago, Fr. and enthusiasm by establish- The changing faces of the work, journaling, Web con- William F. Kelley, S.J., ing The William F. Kelley, people of Nebraska have ferencing, guest lecturers and entered the Society of Jesus. S.J., Endowed Lecture Fund. prompted the creation of The immersion experiences. On Dec. 4, Creighton Fr. Kelley is vice president Center for Human Diversity. Participants will research the of the Creighton University Valda Boyd Ford, assistant cultural issues concerning Foundation and moderator professor of nursing at clients’ and providers’ per- emeritus of Alpha Sigma Nu. Creighton ceptions of Most universities have stu- University, is health problems dent chapters, but because of the driving and the treat- Fr. Kelley’s dedication and force behind ment of these determination, Creighton the Center. problems. The University boasts more The students also than 2,400 graduates in the Center is a will be taught Alpha Sigma Nu Alumni clearing- practical appli- Chapter. house and cations and The endowment fund will teaching strategies to use ensure the best possible lec- model to in the work turers will be featured in the address the environment.
Alpha Sigma Nu Speaker unique care Photo by Kent Sievers According Photo by Monte Kruse, BA’83 Series. Past speakers include needs of the Ford to Ford, the University and the alumni William F. Buckley, Harry expanding minority popula- Center and its courses offer chapter of Alpha Sigma Nu, Truman, Loretta Young, tion of the state of Nebraska. a chance to change how peo- the Jesuit Honor Society, hon- Henry Cabot Lodge, Yitzhak It is designed to improve ple of all faiths and back- ored Fr. Kelley’s tireless effort Rabin and Mike Mansfield. communication and teaching grounds can learn to heal, strategies which have a direct not hurt. result in the type and quality “Some people intend to do FACULTY PRESENT AT FIRST of care received by the harm, but the vast majority BIOETHICS CONFERENCE diverse populations in the don’t. People don’t realize Two Creighton faculty mem- Sorus Open Society Initiative. state. the damage they can do bers participated in the first Participants at the conference The Center is producing a without getting this type of Conference on Bioethics held in included health care leaders, cycle of courses for working diversity training,” said Tblisi in the Republic of Georgia. administrators and government professionals which will Ford. Ruth Purtilo, Ph.D., director officials from Georgia, Azerbaijan address the needs of the The Health Sub- and professor in the Center for and Armenia. minority population in areas Committee of the Urban Health Policy and This was the first of health care, education and League of Nebraska is the Ethics, and Beth bioethics conference law enforcement. The Center sponsor for the Center along Furlong, Ph.D., in this region with also will work with any with Our Healthy Commun- associate professor an emphasis on the agency seeking assistance ity Parternship (a local con- in the School of establishment of with cultural diversity train- sortium of health care Nursing, were the ethics committees ing and/or the resolution of executives), Creighton United States facul- within the health organizational issues related University Health Sciences ty for the four-day care and research to diversity. Schools and the University of conference held in environment. The first course is “Focus Nebraska Medical Center’s
November. It was Photo by Kent Sievers Purtilo and on Cultural Competence for Community Partnership sponsored by the Purtilo, left, Furlong also con- Healthcare Providers.” It is a office. For more information Albert Schweitzer and Furlong ducted seminars 10-month course which about the Center, contact Institute, an organization that for students and faculty in the began in February. The Ford at (402) 280-2047 or provides health care education Tblisi state medical school and course includes classroom [email protected]. with the support of the George nursing school.
SPRING 2000 7 UNIVERSITY NEWS
COLLABORATION WITH UNIVERSITIES CREATES AROUND NEW INTERNET SERVICE FOR HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS CREIGHTON Creighton University and New Guide Website colleagues at Stanford A new feature of Creighton’s University, the University of presence on the World Wide Southern California, the Web is the Guide website University of California at which can be found at Davis, the University of http://guide.creighton.edu. California at San Francisco, the The site includes a virtual University of Pennsylvania tour of the campus, an online and the University of Iowa application and counselor con- have created a partnership to tacts (for students and prospec- offer a vast new source of tive students) and information information to health care pro- about Creighton’s past, present fessionals via the Internet. The and future. There are 200 pho- company formed to direct and tographs spanning 100 years at manage the effort is known as Creighton, an interactive cam- the University Pathology pus map and live shots from the Consortium, LLC, and it is campus. The site was designed headquartered at Creighton. by Creighton junior Jay The creator and developer Langhurst. of the idea, Kenneth L. Sims, Become a Secondary Ed M.D., chair and professor of Teacher in One Year pathology at Creighton, says Creighton University has the new site will provide introduced a post-baccalaureate up-to-date detailed informa- Photo by Monte Kruse, BA’83 accelerated cohort program tion that couldn’t be contained Dr. Ken Sims, chair and professor of pathology at designed for college graduates within the covers of a refer- Creighton, is the creator and developer of a new Internet who are interested in becoming service that provides a source of information to health ence book. care professionals. The company formed to direct and junior or senior high school The new knowledge source manage the effort is known as the University Pathology teachers. is called Critical Inquiry Series. Consortium, LLC, and it is headquartered at Creighton. Creighton offers secondary The site is available at teaching endorsements in art, http://www.upcmd.com. The first testing in more than 1,000 dis- investigating health problems biology, chemistry, economics, two services focus on transfu- eases. Additional services will by accessing the site in physi- English, French, German, histo- sion medicine and disease- be directed toward patholo- cian offices or libraries. ry, journalism, language arts, oriented testing. These services gists who specialize in the Another important use Sims Latin, mathematics, natural sci- are intended for medical pro- diagnosis of cancer using tis- imagines is by practitioners in ences, physics, psychology, fessionals and students. sue sections and studying indi- developing countries. social sciences, sociology, The transfusion medicine vidual cell preparations such “The Internet is the most Spanish, speech/drama and section will provide compre- as the pap smear. common technology in many theology. hensive information about “We have 40,000 to 60,000 developing countries,” Sims For the courses in the cohort human blood products and pages of unique custom said. “In some places it is easi- program, there is a 50 percent their use as well as detailed text organized with hypertext er to log on to the Internet than discounted tuition rate. If addi- information about the possible links so that it is easy to to find a telephone. We can tional course work is needed, adverse reactions associated navigate. You can get to make information available, regular tuition rates apply. with transfusions. Disease- any part of it in 30 seconds,” particularly about infectious For more information on oriented testing will offer Sims said. diseases, in places where applying for admission to the recommendations and Sims hopes the service books are both expensive and cohort program or to arrange an information about diagnostic will be available to patients very hard to get.” appointment with an advisor, please call University College at (402) 280-2424.
8 SPRING 2000 UNIVERSITY NEWS
DR. LYNCH VISITS COLOMBIA, NAMED FIRST HOLDER OF BONNSTETTER CHAIR A civil war isn’t enough to stop Henry T. Lynch, M.D., In 1995, he established Creighton’s Hereditary Cancer from doing his work consulting with families who have Prevention Clinic because he recognized the need to provide hereditary strains of cancer and teaching health care profes- genetic counseling as the availability of genetic testing sionals to identify and manage hereditary cancers. He increased. recently traveled to Colombia, guarded by armed soldiers, In 1996, he received the Bristol-Myers Squibb Award for and he plans to return this spring to discuss DNA test Distinguished Achievement in Cancer Research. In 1997, he results with family members at risk of developing heredi- was the sixth recipient of the American Association of tary colon cancer. Cancer Research/American Cancer Society award for The recipient of many awards and honors, Lynch was rec- research excellence in cancer epidemiology and prevention. ognized most recently with the inauguration of Creighton’s Also in 1997, Lynch was awarded the Pezcoller Recognition 20th endowed chair. for Dedication to Dr. Lynch is the first Oncology and the holder of the Dr. American Cancer Harold J. Bonnstetter Society Medal of Endowed Chair in Honor for Clinical Preventive Medicine Research, the highest in the School of honor the American Medicine. The Cancer Society endowment, which bestows. He received creates the fifth chair the Susan Komen in the School of Breast Cancer Medicine, will help Foundation Brinker further medical edu- International Award cation and research. for Breast Cancer Lynch counts Clinical Research in among his titles pro- 1998. fessor and chair of Harold Joseph the Department of Bonnstetter, M.D., Preventive Medicine received his bachelor and Public Health, Dr. Henry Lynch recently traveled to Colombia to consult families of philosophy founder and director who have hereditary strains of cancer. Pictured with Dr. Lynch is degree from of the Hereditary Peggy Conrad, a genetic counselor who works at the University of Creighton in 1923, California at San Francisco. Conrad worked with family members in Cancer Institute, California that led to relatives in Colombia. Dr. Lynch also was with a major in sec- director of the named the first holder of the Dr. Harold J. Bonnstetter Endowed ondary education. Creighton Cancer Chair in Preventive Medicine at Creighton. He later returned to Center and director Creighton, where he of the Hereditary Cancer Prevention Center. He is a world- earned his M.D. in 1931. A year later, he married Omaha recognized expert in hereditary cancers. native Rose Meyers in San Antonio. Bonnstetter established More than 30 years ago Lynch was drawn to study hered- private practices in Cibolo, Houston and Kenedy, all in itary cancers. Despite doubts expressed by members of the Texas. medical community at the time, Lynch continued to hold During his 32 years of practice in Kenedy, “Dr. Bonn,” as the belief that genetics played a role in the development of he was called in his community, took an active interest in some cancers. rehabilitation programs for patients with birth defects and His detailed family histories and tissue collections have other operative maladies. He found grant money to cover provided the evidence that led to the discovery of various the cost of operations for these patients. gene mutations that contribute to hereditary breast cancers Bonnstetter died in 1982, his wife in 1986. He bequeathed and the strain of hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer a part of his estate to the Creighton University School of named the Lynch syndrome in his honor. Medicine.
SPRING 2000 9 UNIVERSITY NEWS
REMEMBERING AND CELEBRATING: A PILGRIMAGE TO EL SALVADOR By Sheila L. Swanson
“The struggle against injustice and the pursuit of truth cannot be Icon by Robert Lenz of Bridge Building Images separated nor can one work for one independent of the other.” Murdered on Nov. 16, 1989, — Ignacio Ellacuría, S.J., murdered superior of the Jesuit were (clockwise from the top): Ignacio Martín-Baró, S.J.; community at the University of Central America Amando López, S.J.; Elba Ramos; Ignacio Ellacuría, S.J.; uring the early morning hours country for 13 years. The Jesuits were Segundo Montes, S.J.; Juan of Nov. 16, 1989, long before shot execution style — a bullet to the Ramón Moreno, S.J.; the sun rose, armed men head with an AK-47 assault rifle. It was a Celina Ramos and Joaquín D entered the Jesuit residence at brutal and calculated execution, one López y López, S.J. the University of Central America in San aimed at sending a message to those who Salvador, El Salvador, murdering six were committed to helping the poor and There was the road out of Aguilares Jesuits, their housekeeper and her daugh- the persecuted of El Salvador. where a Salvadoran Jesuit named Rutilio ter. The assassinations were among In remembrance of the 1989 assassina- Grande along with an old peasant and a numerous murders in the midst of a long tions and in celebration of the lives lost, child riding with him were gunned down and bloody civil war that began in 1979 four members of the Creighton in 1977, the spot marked with a trio of and ravaged the tiny Central American University community traveled to El crosses and a few paper flowers. They Salvador to be a part of visited the bright and airy hospital chapel the 10-year anniversary where Archbishop Oscar Romero was commemorating the assassinated in 1980 as he said Mass. murders. They were: They stood before the Chalatenango Maria Teresa Gaston, graves of the Maryknoll sisters Maura director of Creighton’s Clark and Ita Ford, who along with Center for Service and Dorothy Kazel, an Ursuline nun, and Jean Justice; Lori Spanbauer, Donavon, a Maryknoll lay volunteer, Campus Ministry-Faith were raped and murdered in 1980. They Development; Dr. prayed at the beautiful rose garden on the Richard Super, associ- University of Central America’s (la UCA) ate professor of history, campus that was the site of the Jesuit and Fr. Bert Thelen, S.J., slayings. director of Campus “So many religious people of good Ministry. will were gunned down during the war,” Their five-day jour- Fr. Thelen said. “They were a voice for Left to right … Maria Teresa Gaston, Dr. Richard Super, Fr. ney began on Nov. 13. It the poor and oppressed and the Bert Thelen, Fr. Jon Cortina and Lori Spanbauer at Fr. took them to the places Salvadoran government viewed that as Cortina’s home in Guarjila, El Salvador. where many had died. an enormous threat.”
10 SPRING 2000 UNIVERSITY NEWS
Visiting the sites of so many martyrs also held at la UCA. This Mass was had a chilling effect on Super whose area more formal than the vigil held the of specialty is Latin American history. night before. “Upon returning home, I shared “A number of people spoke at the for- with my classes that for five days, mal Mass including the provincial of the we went to places where people were Society of Jesus of the Central American killed or buried,” Super said. “What Province. He pointed out how important does it say about a country that when it was to remember what had happened. you visit it, you spend your time going But he also pointed out that in the 10 Photo by Maria Teresa Gaston to death and grave sites? There is still years since the Jesuits were killed, the so much healing that needs to be done. The brother of slain priest lifestyle of the Salvadoran people has got- Ignacio Ellacuría visits the However, there were signs of new and rose garden at la UCA. The ten worse,” Super said. “He reminded us persevering life.” husband of Elba Ramos and it is not enough to just remember. We Spanbauer agreed. “What has stayed father of Celina planted the also must dedicate ourselves to making with me the most were the Salvadoran roses — six red for the Jesuits, the world a better place — in this case people who endured so much suffering two white for his family — being in solidarity with the poor in your shortly after the murders during the war. I expected the people to in 1989. actions as well as in your thoughts and be somber or even bitter. But their faith prayers.” was very much alive.” One of the most memorable parts of The group attended two Masses. The the group’s pilgrimage to El Salvador first was an all-night vigil, or popular was spending time with Fr. Jon Cortina, Mass, held on the evening of Nov. 15 at S.J., who was a classmate of Fr. Thelen’s la UCA. More than 14,000 people and has been a longtime friend. gathered for the outdoor Mass and “Jon was a member of the community ensuing celebration. at la UCA in 1989. His life was spared “The Salvadoran people have not because he was not at the Jesuit residence forgotten the murdered Jesuits,” Gaston Photo by Lori Spanbauer that evening in 1989. He has given his life said. “They still draw such hope and Dr. Richard Super and to the people and is a hero for them,” children from Guarjila. courage by the experience of being Fr. Thelen said. loved.” Fr. Cortina had been visiting parish- Gaston recalled that during the Mass, ioners that day. They would not let him there were many songs and readings. return home that night because they were “Ignacio Ellacuría’s brother, a priest worried about the soldiers. from Spain, read the first Scripture read- “More than any other, Jon Cortina will ing. The Gospel reading was about the represent for me my experience of El shepherd who knows and loves his sheep Salvador — bowed perhaps by the bur- enough to lay down his life for them,” dens of the past but nevertheless each Gaston said. “That’s really what the day living out the hope and the trust of Jesuits did for the poor.” God’s love,” Super said. According to Fr. Thelen, the popular All agreed that the mission of the slain Mass was not only to remember the slain Jesuits must continue.
Jesuits, their housekeeper and her daugh- Photo by Maria Teresa Gaston “As a Catholic university today, we ter, but also to remember the more than Throughout El Salvador, there need to continue to hear their voices and 70,000 Salvadorans killed during the are memorials to those who what led them to make the commitments 13-year war. were murdered during that that they made to the people of such “The Salvadoran people viewed this as country’s civil war. Above is a faith,” Gaston said. their celebration, too, because so many of photo of the spot alongside a Fr. Thelen added, “I hope that our dirt road where Jesuit Rutilio them had lost friends and relatives dur- Grande and two others were coming together 10 years after the assas- ing the war. They feel that the Jesuits murdered. It is marked by sinations helps to heal the wounds, pre- were a part of that,” Fr. Thelen said. three white crosses and a few serve the sacred memories and give The next day was the Solemn Mass paper flowers. promise that they did not die in vain.”
SPRING 2000 11 COVER STORY By Pamela Adams Vaughn Photo by Christine Thompson/Omaha World-Herald Resource Officer Dave Newell monitors the hallway at Omaha South High School as students pass by in between classes. The Omaha Public School District and the Omaha Police Department share the cost of officers stationed at Omaha’s South and North high schools. Other Omaha-area school districts, following a growing nationwide trend, also are staffing their high schools with law-enforcement officers.
hese are challenging times for American teachers Creighton Education faculty member Dr. Tim Cook Tand students. believes that Creighton teachers can counteract society’s Deadly school shootings, most recently at Columbine ills by providing a safe haven for their students, a safe High School a year ago this spring, have raised a nation- place that centers on the dignity of the person. al alarm about school violence. As the pressures mount for schools, Creighton’s In this climate, the faculty of Creighton’s Department Department of Education has changed the way it pre- of Education believe Creighton graduates can offer pares students to teach. something profoundly healing as they enter the nation’s The curriculum of a Creighton education student schools: cura personalis. has expanded to include classroom management, prob- That need for “care of the person” in the Ignatian tra- lem solving, cooperative learning, conflict management dition may be stronger today than ever before. and conflict resolution, anger management, parent
12 SPRING 2000 COVER STORY
communication and decision making. Learning these skills is becoming just as important for the teacher bound for the primary grades as for those in secondary education. Creighton Education faculty member in the Coun- In spite of statistics about falling youth violence, selor Education Program, Dr. Mary-Beth Muskin, talks when asked to name the top three problems facing about conflict management, a skill Creighton’s soon-to- the nation’s schools, parents and non-parents alike be counselors and teachers are learning to wield in ranked “lack of discipline/more control” and real-life situations. Muskin, who still spends time in Omaha-area schools working with counselors and students, said coun- selors and teachers now prepare stu- dents to be conflict managers, helping their young charges defuse conflicts before they grow out of control. Here’s a typical scene: A fight breaks out on the playground between a cou- ple of sixth-graders. Enter the conflict management team of fellow students. The team moves the participants to a quiet spot and ascertains their willing- ness to solve the problem. The team gets the students to agree to the rules of Photo by AP Wide World Photos World Photo by AP Wide problem solving, then works with feel- Students at John Bartram High School in ings and ownership of the problem. The would-be com- Philadelphia go through metal detectors as they batants make public their agreement when it’s reached. enter the school. The Philadelphia School Board (See box, page 18.) voted in October to install metal detectors in all 40 city high schools. Muskin believes kids need good, workable tools to help them resolve problems before those problems “fighting/violence/gangs” in the top two spots, become unmanageable. with “lack of financial support/funding/money” Dr. Clidie Cook agrees. The longtime educator and third. member of the Creighton faculty began teaching a The concern with student control and safety in graduate-level education course on school climate three the schools is enhanced by the fact that “use of years ago this coming summer. A former vice principal drugs/dope” is tied for fourth place with “over- of a large public high school, Dr. Cook also chaired the crowded schools,” while “crime/vandalism” is school’s climate program. She believes administrators sixth, said authors Lowell C. Rose and Alec M. and teachers need to foster a school climate that has Gallup of the annual survey, the Phi Delta Kap- zero tolerance for disrespect and belligerence. pa/Gallup Poll of the Public’s Attitudes Toward Dr. Cook said the school climate concept, formerly the Public Schools. known as school improvement, is still relatively new. So, though crime by youth has been dropping Her course, which she developed, helps potential since 1993, according to the Federal Interagency administrators build schools that center on respect for Forum on Child and Family Statistics, the way the students, teachers and parents; establish trust; build public sees youth violence — and violence in our good morale; ensure opportunities for input and schools — is much different. Indeed, the public has caring, and incorporate other features of a positive a point: The same report contends that the U.S. still place to learn. has by far the worst juvenile crime and violence in While Dr. Cook prepares administrators and the industrialized world. teachers to deal with such broad issues as school
SPRING 2000 13 COVER STORY
climate, Dr. Bev Doyle, a psychologist, encourages a group like scouting.” deep look at student problems. Ponec’s solution? Build the personal/social skills into As a school psychologist for the State of Nebraska, as the curriculum, which more and more elementary well as an educational psychologist at Creighton, Doyle schools are doing today. “We’re having to teach kids is well-versed in the problems kids about making and keeping friends, bring with them to school. She coping with disappointment, learn- remembers one day’s caseload: PS ing to appreciate themselves for 55 kids with problems their strengths and their weakness- that ranged “from truancy to es, learning to say ‘no,’ to deal underachievement, drug use to with feelings.” disruption of class.” S Ponec said these courses pay Doyle wants her young teachers off for kids. “Anecdotal research to be comfortable with the range of S shows that middle school coun- problems kids can present, but also Q selors can already identify those to see the societal underpinnings of students who have had elementary these problems. O school counselors and have been “It’s important that Creighton exposed to guidance and counsel- students know what’s going on in " # $%#" ing programs within the elemen- our nation that’s affecting our tary school setting.” schools. We go all the way back to Ponec believes that it may be Maslow’s hierarchy of needs to put easier to work with the more readi- these problems in context. If a kid needs first to feel safe ly identified issues related to a physical fight than to and to have a hot meal, I want our students to make identify the child who has not yet learned to say, “I’m sure those needs are met first.” doing the best that I can.” But knowing how to work Gradually, Doyle said, her students begin to see how with that child — and to teach him or her compassion a child’s problems may relate to the larger society. for self and others — has many rewards, not the least of Creighton’s Dr. Debra Ponec teaches her education which may be safer schools. and counseling students to “be vigilant at the elementary school level before children’s problems How did we end up in a place get out of hand.” where we worry about safety in The associate chair of our schools? Creighton’s Department of Edu- Anthropologist Margaret Mead cation and director of the depart- once said that societies could be ment’s counseling program is divided into roughly three groups: busy preparing her students so The first includes cultures that had that they, in turn, can identify changed little over the years and problem behaviors in children remained in a fairly constant state; early and, like Muskin, teach an aboriginal group, for example. them ways to cope. Second, she listed societies that Ponec said kids today need had gradually incorporated assistance with conflict manage- changes — like the social systems ment and communication skills, of our ancestors, who had passed including how to deal with through the industrial revolution. frustration and how to ask for Photos by Kent Sievers In both of these cultures, the elders help. “We used to get these Creighton’s Tim Cook, Ph.D., said today’s held the reins of power and author- skills at home,” Ponec said, schools must take a proactive approach to ity, because they held the informa- preventing violence, an approach that can “or from our neighbors or in include everything from staggering passing tion that it took to survive. our church or in some kind of periods to installing surveillance cameras. The third grouping included
14 SPRING 2000 COVER STORY
"&' (
Creighton’s Chair of Education, Dr. Barbara Brock, and R.A. Flannery in the Safe Schools Handbook, a veteran of the classroom and former school princi- National Association of Secondary School Principals pal, remembers touring schools in Chicago in the mid- Bulletin, April 1996*: 1980s. Her research focus was • About 3 million crimes occur on or near school administration issues facing property each year. large metropolitan school dis- • Nationally, one-fourth of all suspensions from tricts. At that time, the concern schools were for incidents of violence committed by was the gang-related violence elementary school students. that had drifted into large • Sixty-three percent of incidents involving guns urban schools. on school property involved junior high school stu- As a member of a family of dents; 12 percent involved elementary school stu- law-enforcement officers, Brock dents, and 1 percent involved preschoolers. Brock, a veteran of said she immediately noticed • A reported 135,000 students carry guns to school the classroom and former school — and was surprised at — the each day. principal, said number of police officers • Persons under the age of 18 accounted for nearly schools “cannot accept violence patrolling Chicago’s one-fifth of all violent crime, murders, within their walls.” schools. forcible rapes, robberies and aggravat- She said /-+/-+ ed assaults in 1995. The number of her police affiliation helped her " " young adults arrested for these gain an interview with the -.+-.+ crimes was 86 percent higher officers of the city’s than the number arrested five /+/+ gang unit. years earlier when there “Soon the officers started were a million more young- candidly reporting the sters in this age group. degree of violence, drugs * (These figures are and gang activity that updated by a 1997 Centers routinely occurred in the for Disease Control Survey, )*+)*+ schools. I was shocked and , , also before the Columbine horrified. ‘Thank goodness we massacre. While this second sur- don’t have these kinds of prob- vey showed a decrease in the lems in smaller communities,’” number of students carrying guns she remembered saying. and a decrease in physical fight- “The officers laughed and The majority of incidents involving ing, there are no declines in other guns on school property (63 percent), exchanged knowing glances. One involved junior high school students. violence-related behavior, includ- replied, ‘You do. You just haven’t Data from Safe Schools Handbook, April 1996 ing carrying weapons other than recognized it yet.’ guns to school, a figure that was “He was right.” still twice as prevalent as gun carrying.) Today that violence has emerged in the suburban This is the environment, Brock said, “in which school and the rural classroom, as well. teachers and school administrators, ill-prepared to Brock cites findings of a study by K.G. Buckner combat violence, struggle to teach.”
SPRING 2000 15 COVER STORY Photo by AP Wide World Photos World Photo by AP Wide Guns, knives, brass knuckles and other weapons confiscated on school grounds provide a visual foreground as teacher Judith Birtman, who was severely beaten by a student, comments at a 1996 news conference in Tallahassee, Fla. those cultures that had passed through changes very thinking goes, the new always is better, and the young quickly. Here, Mead said, the elders, in effect, gave up always know the new. the authority because they Talking with Creighton’s couldn’t keep up with the Ishii-Jordan — and others in changes. Often in this sce- P1S % the Department of Education nario, said Dr. Sharon Ishii- 2 — one begins to see that hun- Jordan of Creighton’s dreds of factors have been at Education Department, 2 work in making our schools the young are in a better what they’ve become today. position to stay abreast % Q And any simple, one-answer of the new. solution to their complex prob- This, some believe, is the O# # 2 2 lems is doomed to fail. essence of American culture, with parents’ or elders’ role S# 3 0 " as knowledge-bearers Dr. Barbara Brock, the assumed by their children. chair of Creighton’s Depart- This knowledge gives the young premature power. The ment of Education, said schools’ problems are best icon of this role reversal may be the computer today, but understood — and solved — against the backdrop of yesterday it was probably fast cars and tomorrow it will our culture. It’s a culture characterized by: be something else. In a quickly changing society, the • Changes in family and time spent with the family
16 SPRING 2000 COVER STORY
group. In spite of our good economy, parents, many of them single, are still working harder, with longer hours, Brock said. “Sometimes, this means there is no one $0 available for the kids. Unlike the case in other cultures, there is virtually no extended family” that can pitch in, 4 $ in place of mom and dad. • Violence. Put our culture, with enough guns to go Spend a few moments listening to teachers talk- around to arm every man, woman and child (more than ing these days, and you eventually will hear com- 235 million, by some estimates), together with our plaints about discipline and its twin, respect. society’s fascination with violence, and you get the Dr. Barbara Brock has spent a good deal of her Columbines, but you also get the Atlantas and the Seat- career listening to teachers and putting those find- tles, where disgruntled office workers take vengeance ings together with her own experience. Her latest on colleagues, often with lethal results. research zeros in on teacher burnout and finds • Child abuse. Child protective services agencies student discipline problems to be high on the list determined that just under 1 million U.S. children were of causes. victims of substantiated or indicated abuse and neglect The top culprit is overwork, but in second place in 1997. are chronic student discipline problems, Brock said, • Misusing our courts to undermine our schools, which day after day wear a teacher down. an erosion that Brock believes first started in the 1960s. Other factors contributing to a high loss of good Here, parents of a child who has been disciplined by the teachers? Brock’s research shows the numbers school are all too often ready to sue the school district. three through five causes of burnout are: assump- “We’re excusing people from taking responsibility for tion of parental roles by teachers, problems with their behavior,” Brock said. parents, and teachers’ • Parents absolving themselves of respon- perceptions that their efforts sibility for their children and dumping their are unappreciated. problems on the schools. “In general,” Brock said, • Teachers who may not have been taught “people become burned-out to deal with these problems. when they perceive that the Brock cautioned that no one group in our rewards for their work are not society can be held accountable for all of commensurate with the effort these difficulties. “We all own this problem,” put forth. Teachers are no she said. different.” Brock’s latest book, Rekin- " dling the Flame, is co-authored Regardless of society’s ills, Brock said that with Marilyn L. Grady, Ph.D., schools “cannot accept violence within their and will be released this walls. Safety of students and personnel must summer by Corwin Press. become the primary concern. Recognizing that Brock said the book is violence or the potential for violence exists is the Brock’s latest designed to help principals book, Rekindling recognize symptoms of necessary first step. the Flame, “Otherwise, the teachers can’t teach and the kids co-authored with teacher burnout, and can’t learn.” Marilyn L. Grady, “includes strategies for Ph.D., is due out reviving teachers who show Brock has studied 100 large school districts across the this summer and country and their strategies for attacking violence. Her deals with teacher the initial stages of burnout.” findings? The most successful schools have prevention burnout. The book also is geared to programs in place, programs that, she said, underscore helping principals “establish student discipline and are coupled with outreach to workplaces that minimize the potential for troubled youths. Programs often include physical burnout” in the first place. deterrents to violence, as well.
SPRING 2000 17 COVER STORY
“These ranged from “cooperatively simple building and designed by communi- district-level deterrents ty, law enforcement to sophisticated securi- and school leaders.” ty operations” that brought collaboration 4 with the community’s 5 police and community Because every child agencies, Brock said. in the U.S. is guaran- She said the most teed access to an edu- common, effective pre- cation, many more vention measures fea- students come to pub- tured “a consistently lic rather than private enforced discipline schools; the volume of
plan and policies that Photos World Photo by AP Wide students means a outline students’ rights Laura Hoag, center right, and Kylee Gleason, center left, intervene potentially wider spec- during police actions” in a role playing argument between Brittany Meaker, left, and trum of problems. Still, Cori Edmonds, right, during a workshop at the Mothers Against at the school. Each suc- Violence in America annual conference at Shorecrest no district is immune. cessful school also had High School in Shoreline, Wash., in January. What are the rights a crisis plan that of the school? The stu- assigned each staff member to an emergency role. A dent? How are those community/individual rights safe- variety of technologies for instant communications tied guarded? What happens to discipline in this process? personnel together during a crisis. What must happen before a potentially dangerous Brock also saw schools in her study digging deeper, student can be removed? teaching kids to resolve conflicts, and reaching into Trudy Bredthauer, an Omaha attorney who teaches the grade schools with counseling and community school law at Creighton’s School of Law and is past assistance. president of the Nebraska Council of School Attorneys, Brock has found the best solutions to be those that explained. come out of the grassroots, individual districts. She “A private school has what is, in essence, a contract urges that programs for reducing violence be with the student. At the point of tuition payment, the 6 &0
“Hi, my name is Lisa, and I’m a conflict manager. (Ask #2:) “Can you describe what happened?” “Do you have a problem? (Then:) “Let me tell you what I think you’re “Do you want to solve it? saying.” “Let’s move over here. (Ask #2:) “How do you feel?” “Do you agree to: (Ask #1:) “How can you solve your part of the - not interrupt? problem?” - no name calling or put downs? (Ask #2:) “Do you agree?” - tell the truth? (Ask #2:) “How can you solve your part of the - solve the problem? problem?” “OK. Who’s the maddest?” (Ask #1:) “Do you agree?” (Ask #1:) “Can you describe what happened?” “What would each of you do differently next time? (Then:) “Let me tell you what I think you’re “Is the problem solved? saying.” “Tell your friends the problem is solved. (Ask #1:) “How do you feel?” “Shake hands and say, ‘Good job.’”
18 SPRING 2000 COVER STORY
youngster — and parents — agree to accept the rules Creighton’s Department of Education. of the school. The tuition and the handbook constitute Cook, who also teaches school law in the department, the contract.” said that schools are being encouraged to conduct safety Public school students’ rights, on the other hand, are audits, as well. These — and the modifications that governed by the law of due process, she said. “You do come from them — key on preventing violence and not shed your rights when you enter school.” could include anything from staggering passing periods to installing surveillance cameras. Districts not only have to deal with violence when it comes to school, but they also have to prove that they have taken steps to make their schools safe. Negligence is one of the biggest liabilities schools face today, Cook said. Schools must be able to show that they’ve taken meaningful steps to stop violence at the door. With the sudden shift of concerns for school safety within the school, many districts are struggling to sort this out, he added. “Just three years ago,” Cook said, “when I was a school principal, we were more interested in and con- cerned about keeping violence out of our schools. Now, school boards are just writing — or
Photos by Kent Sievers just completing Trudy Bredthauer, an Omaha attorney who teaches — policies to school law at Creighton’s School of Law, said the rights of students in public schools are governed contain and stop by the law of due process. violence within the schools. This Students must receive notice of the school’s laws and has happened rules well in advance of being expected to follow them. very fast.”
All students have the right to explain themselves Cook said that Photos World Photo by AP Wide before a short-term suspension, have a right to a hearing even something George Hanrahan, assistant superin- before a school board before a long-term suspension or as simple as tendent for McCracken County (Kentucky) Schools, displays his expulsion, and have certain rights to free speech, ensuring that school district’s “Crisis Response Bredthauer said. students are nev- Manual” as he outlines school vio- Public school students also have certain protections er unsupervised lence issues at a panel discussion at the Education Commission of the from search and seizure, including the right not to be is essential in States conference in Denver in July. strip-searched. The school also must show “reasonable showing that a suspicion” that a rule or rules have been violated by a school is meeting the demands of today’s safety obliga- particular student before a search can take place. tions. Other steps include zero tolerance for weapons, For example, Bredthauer said, “the courts have threats, fighting and bullying, including name-calling upheld the use of metal detectors by schools as a reason- and “labeling.” able response to suspected weapons violations.” “It’s all a balancing act,” Bredthauer said of the law, “as the school weighs the rights of the student versus its 2" own needs to protect itself and other students.” Today, schools nationwide are expected to have a cri- — About the author: Pamela Adams Vaughn is features sis plan in place, a relatively new step, according to Dr. editor for Creighton University Magazine. She can be Tim Cook, director of secondary education in reached via e-mail at [email protected].
SPRING 2000 19 T H E
W R I T E S T U F F
By Eileen Wirth, Ph.D.
A former 40 creative writing majors to the their works at Creighton and truck driver English department. And that’s other regional universities which who writes sto- just the start. share the expense. ries about blue- • In 1998, Creighton began offering • At the end of every semester, collar people a master’s degree in creative Creighton and University of and an Irish writing. Nebraska at Omaha student poet have • Shadows, the student writers read their best sparked a literary magazine, has works in public. resurgence of won gold medals from “We’re finding that Dr. Wirth Creighton’s Columbia University’s some students come to creative writing program. literary magazine Creighton just because of When Drs. Brent Spencer and competition. the creative writing pro- Eamonn Wall were hired by the • The Muchemore gram,” said Zacharias. English Department in 1992, there Scholarships have been Wall, who was hired to were only three creative writing established for students teach Irish literature but majors and our students’ writings in creative writing. began teaching creative were not being published with any • Mary Helen Stefaniak, Writer Carol Muske writing classes because of Dukes, BA’67, is a regularity, said Dr. Greg Zacharias, a specialist in combin- Creighton alumna. their popularity and his former department chair. ing fiction with nonfic- expertise, credited Today the two professors, both tion, has joined the department. Spencer with being the moving of whose works have been favor- • The Missouri Valley Series, which force behind all the growth. He ably reviewed in major national Spencer helped organize, brings said he and Spencer are building publications, have attracted nearly distinguished authors to read on Creighton’s tradition of
20 SPRING 2000 encouraging writing Many students Iowa Writers’ Workshop and and being supportive of majoring in other the Stanford Creative Writing serious writers. fields are attracted Program,” said Spencer. “In the “In a lot of English to creative writing workshop method, most class time departments, there’s a classes by a desire is spent in open discussion. You hostility between scholars to express some- (the student author) have to be and writers,” Wall said. thing important quiet while the rest of the class “That’s not the case at about their own discusses.” Creighton. Creighton is lives, he said. “A Both Spencer and Wall require open to serious writers. physics major their students to submit their works Author Ron It feels they would have Hansen, has been one to fellow students for analysis and something to offer in BA’70, helped of our best discussion. Student authors read terms of how they think.” attract Spencer writers. their works aloud then receive the English department to Creighton. We’ve had reactions of their peers. alumni include noted authors Ron thoughtful biology “It’s important for students to Hansen and Carol Muske Dukes. majors and pre-meds with some- read aloud because the ear will hear Hansen was influential in attracting thing to say that needs an outlet.” what the eye misses,” Spencer said. Spencer to Creighton. Wall said he finds that many of Wall encourages students to “Ron Hansen is a reason I came,” the best student writers are those show him their material before said Spencer who taught at several who have never previously written taking it to the class, but he finds universities in California after poetry or fiction. that students gain confidence from receiving his doctorate from Penn- Good writers tend to be “fiercely reading their works to their peers. sylvania State University. “I knew modest” individuals with a “strong “I find that they learn more from him (Hansen) in California. I won- self-critical streak” who “are hesi- each other than from the teacher.” dered what could be going on in tant but searching,” Spencer said. Spencer instructs his students to Omaha that could produce a “Writers who are vocal writer like that.” about their talents Both Spencer and Wall said they are generally not also were attracted by the quality of very good. This is a the faculty and students and were profession where you pleased to find a strong, supportive have to sit down local community of creative writers. and think.” Spencer runs a website listing more Creative writing than 100 published Nebraska poets classes improve read- and fiction writers. ing and literary analy- According to Spencer, creative sis skills, he said. “I writing is important in a Jesuit uni- can’t promise to make versity because “the impulse to them better writers, faith is very similar to the impulse but they become better to creating poetry and fiction. readers.” “Much of creative writing is Encouraging think- about character,” he said. “It’s ing and analysis form the about our own good and bad heart of creative writing behavior, why we do what we do. instruction at Creighton, The human character is endlessly said Spencer and Wall, fascinating. Jesuit education is both of whom employ the about education of the whole workshop method to Spencer runs a website listing more than 100 published Nebraska poets and fiction person, warts and all, and a more accomplish this. writers. It can be found on the Web at complete understanding of life.” “I’m a product of the http://mockingbird.creighton.edu/NCW.
SPRING 2000 21 W A L L
Eamonn Wall, Ph.D.
• Associate professor of good place for a writer” English because there’s a strong • B.A. and H.Dip., University community of writers who College Dublin; M.A., are friendly, supportive and University of Wisconsin- noncompetitive. Milwaukee; Ph.D., City “In the old days, people University of New York thought that you have to be • Author of three books of in New York to be a writer,” poetry, Truth or Conse- he said. That’s no longer true. quences, Iron Mountain Wall has held poetry Road and Dyckman-200th readings everywhere from Street Nebraska to the University • Author of From the Sin-é of California at Berkeley and Café to the Black Hills (a the University of San Diego book of literary criticism to as well as places in Ireland. be published in 2000) and Visits to other universities other articles and essays, offer him the opportunities to many on Irish topics and answer questions about his themes works as well as to speak to • Director, Creighton’s Sum- students about what’s going mer in Ireland Program on in Ireland. “My poems are a mixture When Dr. Eamonn Wall of traditional poetry but also was finishing his Ph.D. at Photo by Monte Kruse, BA’83 more open forms,” he said. City University of New York, Wall at home in Omaha with the family cat, Ghost, “That’s a result of living in which they rescued from a nearby alley. A native he noticed that Creighton of County Wexford, Ireland, Wall has been described America. I have an Irish sen- was advertising for a profes- as “one of the best poets, Irish or American, sibility and American craft — sor of Irish literature. The writing in America ... today.” the blending of the two.” native of County Wexford The jacket of his book, Iron was instantly interested but thought he’d Mountain Road, says that Wall desires to first better get out a map to find out where write poetry “laden with the deep rhythms Nebraska was. of ordinary life. Iron Mountain Road is a Ironically, Wall now writes much of his moving and brilliant collection which con- poetry about Nebraska and is sometimes firms Eamonn Wall as a daring and origi- considered a Nebraska poet. nal poet and as spokesman for frequently “I was attracted to the location. Each marginalized but never silent exiles. Wall place is an adventure, an adventure to try a gives eloquent voice to a lost generation of new place but one which is similar to where the exiles of the 1980s and 1990s.” I grew up,” he said. “In Irish poetry, there’s The Irish Echo, in a 1997 review, called an attraction to place and separation from Iron Mountain Road “one of the best books place. In recent times, I’ve written a lot of of poetry” to be published that year, and it Nebraska poems. Iron Mountain Road is labeled Wall “one of the best poets, Irish or about living in this part of the country.” Wall’s newest work is a American, writing in America — or for Wall said he finds Nebraska a “very book of literary criticism. that matter, Ireland — today.”
22 SPRING 2000 comment on both the strengths and “I still receive poetry and stories weaknesses of the writing of other from students who have graduat- Early Nights students, but there are always risks. ed,” he said. “One recently sent me “It can get very dicey,” he said. his master’s thesis. They continue “Sometimes it can be perfect with writing as an avocation and why on the Prairie open-hearted suggestions but at not? It’s the greatest avocation there other times, people feel assaulted is. All you need is a pen and a by a comment. You can’t step in and notebook.” Dust rises into the air invalidate the discussion, but you Both Spencer and Wall said their from behind a moving car, can step in to shape it so students own work as serious creative writ- have something worthwhile to ers gives them additional credibility think about.” in class and provides a role model a man on a porch on a Ironically, there’s a danger that for their students. students will be so kind to each Spencer, who lives at Creighton rocking chair on a other that writers fail to receive House on campus, said he reserves the constructive criticism they need mornings for his own creative writ- to improve, he said. “Unspecific ing and tells house residents that summer evening on Lincoln St. praise and blame are “I am not available worthless, as my men- for emergencies before (pipe smoke above his head) “(Writing) is the tor, John L’Heureux 11 a.m.” watching his wife walk has said.” greatest avocation Once a term, he A sense of commu- there is. All you need brings in a draft of his nity develops among is a pen and a own work and accepts across the yard, a child creative writing stu- the suggestions of stu- dents and professors notebook.” dents despite a warning with straight white teeth as a result of their from one of his own — Eamonn Wall involvement with each professors to never other in class, he said. It’s not show students a work in progress. whose eyes are obscured unusual for discussions to continue This gives both Spencer and his by the peak of a baseball hat, after classes at the Student Center students “permission to write a bad or coffeehouses. first draft” and helps students real- The creation of opportunities for ize that first drafts should never be early night — hopes like whistles students to read their works aloud final drafts. has greatly stimulated the growth Wall said that he finds the com- reach out across the prairie. of such community. bination of teaching poetry writing “At the readings series with and working as a poet ideal. UNO at the end of each semester, “For me, reading the poets that My daughter and son allow we hear the best work from we discuss in class is very fruitful their limbs touch on a swing Creighton and UNO,” said Wall. and helpful to me as a writer,” he “Students attend our readings said. “The back and forth in class series. Between faculty and student and student comments on writers in a new house examining this writers, there’s quite a lot of social- are useful and build a sense of com- izing over reading together. Writers munity. They remind me that I am a almost silent red road parade. are approachable kinds of people. A student of poetry myself.” really good thing about Creighton — About the author: Eileen Wirth is is that faculty are available. Our chair of the Department of Journalism — From Iron Mountain Road doors are open.” and Mass Communication at Wall said that the relationships Creighton. She can be reached via by Eamonn Wall continue after graduation. e-mail at [email protected].
SPRING 2000 23 S P E N C E R
Brent Spencer, Ph.D.
• Associate profes- working people. sor of English “I identify with • M.A., English, working-class peo- University of ple and the stories Michigan; M.F.A. they tell,” he said. Creative Writing, “I know them best. Iowa Writers’ I sit around a lot of Workshop; Ph.D., coffee shops and English, Pennsyl- hear the stories of vania State Uni- their lives. After a versity while, I can’t help • Author of Are We writing them Not Men?, chosen down.” by The Village Voice Creighton alum as one of the 25 and noted author best books of 1996, Carol Muske Dukes and The Lost Son, calls Spencer’s a highly praised book of 13 short novel stories, Are We Not • Editor, Creighton Men?, “one of the University Press most hilarious, bit- • Visiting Writer at tersweet and bril- Iowa Summer liant collections of Writing Festival stories to come up 1999 the fiction pike in years.” Despite his Spencer’s first impressive creden- novel, The Lost Son, tials, Dr. Brent explores the dys- Spencer said he nev- functional relation- er thinks of himself ships and dreams as an academic. A Photo by Monte Kruse, BA’83 gone sour of a Spencer meets with students Lana Salberg and Patrick Chee outside native of Pennsylva- Creighton House. In addition to his work in the classroom, Spencer serves Pennsylvania farm nia, Spencer is the as resident director of this academic and community living student family. A reviewer only member of his residence hall, located a few blocks from the main campus. for the New York blue-collar family Times Book Review other than his daughter (Nora Spencer, BA’99) to gradu- said it “conjures up a powerful vision of alienation and ate from college. lost love.” He financed his education with a wide range of jobs, Novelist Ron Hansen, a Creighton alum, said the including truck driving, ditch digging, factory work and book is “a haunting, poignant, stunning American carrying mortar for bricklayers. These experiences Gothic.” and the people he encountered provide the source At present, Spencer is writing a novel during his material for his fictional writings about the lives of sabbatical from teaching.
24 SPRING 2000 O, Nebraska! By Brent Spencer
’ve only lived in Nebraska for a few years now, but Maybe it’s the sky so shaggy with rain one minute. Isomething strange has been happening to me. I’m And the next, a lazy sweep of pale blue with feathers becoming a Nebraskan. Now don’t get me wrong. I’m of white. happy about it, but I’m also a little surprised. It sort of Maybe it’s the freight train stretching from horizon to snuck up on me. I’ve just come back from a trip to Cali- horizon, the trees lit with green flame. fornia, where I heard a lot of the lines about Nebraska Maybe it’s the wonder of central pivot irrigation you hear when you travel. One friend put a puzzled look dressing the fields with watery lace. on his face and Maybe it’s said, “Nebraska even the stern — that’s the big semi’s idling in square one, isn’t midnight rest it?” This from stops, the tire someone who scraps flung lives in a state beside the road the shape of a like dark broken dirty sock. wings, the orange Another person highway barrels said, “Oh, I once turning the drive drove through into a rodeo Nebraska. Let me Photo by Bob Grier event. Gas, describe it for Camping, Motel. you — cow, cow, Maybe it’s the truck stop, cow, hundred greens cow, truck of new growth stop...” And the and even the NEBRASKAland Magazine meanest line of Chimney Rock, located in western Nebraska, has become one of the brown of dead all, from Clint most famous landmarks in the American West. This unique formation — grass and the bit- Eastwood’s film the most noted on the Oregon Trail — has come to symbolize the greatest ter insistence of voluntary migration in the history of mankind. Chimney Rock weeds that will Unforgiven, when attracts more than 35,000 visitors annually. the Gene Hack- not be denied. man character says, “I thought I was dead, too, but then I Maybe it’s the still ponds and the ponds alive with realized I was only in Nebraska.” I admit I chuckled at the flash of a thousand wings. these lines, but as I drove back across the mountains and Maybe it’s the cattle feeding among the fallen trees, the deserts and the high plains, as I crossed into Nebras- and the bull pushing his muzzle between the wires, mad ka from Wyoming, I started to get my back up a bit. I for the love of the heifer in the next pasture. And the mean, I want to say to those people, Look around — this cowboy in his pickup with his good shirt hung neatly place is really something. next to him. For love, I tell you. Maybe it’s the stark beauty of Chimney Rock or the I’m talking about taking pride in the place you live, monumental wackiness of Carhenge. yes. But I’m talking about something more, I think, too. Maybe it’s the swells and peaks of the sandhills, the Go out and find it for yourself. You’ll know it when you hay heaped in round bales the color of leather, the fence- see it. It’s what Bill Kloefkorn, our state poet, calls “the posts ticking by, insistent as the beat of an old song. long-boned beauty of Nebraska.”
SPRING 2000 25 a Story of Hope Hope By Beverly Kracher, Ph.D. Photo by Kent Sievers Graduate students enrolled in Dr. Beverly Kracher’s Business and Society course presented her with Hope Angel, a doll created by one of the North Omaha entrepreneurs the students assisted. “We wanted you to know that this class gave us hope,” one student said.
t was the last day, the last hour, of Creighton’s in a row — from 6 to 9:30 p.m. on Friday and from Igraduate-level Business and Society course for the 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. year in the College of Business Administration — They were wrapping it all up, calling it a day, when a course that recently adopted service learning as one student stood up and spoke for the rest of the class. its approach. “We all chipped in and bought you this,” he said. The students had attended class for four weekends As he walked to the front of the class, he pulled a
26 SPRING 2000 mop doll out of a decorated, brown paper bag. “It’s the Hope Doll, made by one of the entrepre- OmahaOmaha neurs we did service with,” he said. “We wanted you to About North know that this class gave us hope.” There are many conditions that created North Omaha’s economic woes: road construction, the A CALL TO ACTION social upheaval in the 1960s, lending practices, a Service learning is spreading quickly with shift in jobs and our mass business schools across the country. It became transportation system. The part of Creighton’s Business and Society North Freeway cut a once course in the summer of 1998. strong community down the One of my main goals, as the course middle. The protests of the instructor, is to incite students to action — ‘60s that spotlighted racism to do something, as business people, about in hiring practices, housing what they believe is the role of business in ordinances and the criminal dealing with poverty and injustice. justice system in Omaha also Service learning embodies two concepts — included violent demonstra- serving to learn and learning to serve. tions during which build- Students in Creighton’s Business and Soci- ings and businesses in North ety course do community service just as they Omaha were destroyed. do traditional reading and writing. The com- Redlining in banks and munity service is valuable in itself, but it also lending institutions, the is a tool. It helps students understand course practice of withholding concepts and evaluate their commitment to loans or insurance from peo- the common good. They learn more about Photo by Pam Berry ple in neighborhoods con- their own stereotypes and assumptions and This abandoned North Omaha home sidered high economic risks, eventually was razed. about the programs and projects in their local restricted growth and land community. improvement in the area. As business shifted from The service projects are coordinated through the manufacturing to service, jobs moved from North Microbusiness Program and the Women Mean Business and South Omaha to suburban West Omaha. The Program, sponsored by New Community Development lack of an effective mass transportation system Corporation (NCDC). These programs help unem- made it difficult for low-income North Omaha resi- ployed and underemployed residents primarily in dents to get jobs at the large manufacturing facili- North Omaha start their own small businesses. North ties in West Omaha. Omaha is an inner-city area near Creighton’s campus, in Today, North Omaha has the highest concentra- which unemployment runs 13 percent higher than the tion of welfare recipients in the state; the average rest of Omaha. (See box at right.) poverty rate in the census tracts is approximately 40 Recent Small Business Association data shows that 91 percent; second to South Omaha, it has the lowest percent of all Nebraska businesses are microbusinesses total jobs in the city; and, as a result of death, — small businesses with five or fewer employees — divorce and culturally influenced personal deci- providing 25 percent of all Nebraska jobs. Even if a sions, there are significantly more single-parent small business fails, it leaves behind assets that improve households in North Omaha than any other area of the lives of the people involved. These are the reasons town. It is difficult for some North Omaha residents NCDC provides microbusiness training. to choose private sector employment over welfare, The entrepreneurs in the Women Mean Business Pro- especially if they are trying to raise their children gram and the Microbusiness Program attend six- to on their own or if one of their children is struck eight-week courses. The class topics are numerous and with a debilitating illness. The costs of childcare, include goal-setting, time management and finance. The health care and transportation can drain the finan- Women Mean Business Program, as part of its mission, cial resources of someone earning $6 to $7 an hour. targets Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF)
SPRING 2000 27 The FaceFace of Entrepreneurship
tephanie McCall stood staring at she had arrived at a hairstyle — she come up with a face? Sthe faceless doll she had just cre- the braided look of dredlocks. She The question nagged at her, until ated from, of all things, the cords of even had a name for the doll, she stumbled across the following a mop. In a stroke of inspiration, Hope Angel. But why couldn’t Bible passage: “We are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope.” That was it; the doll was to remain faceless. That was four years ago. The doll, created for a friend, was the beginning of a small business for McCall, who makes and sells the face- less dolls out of her North Omaha home. It was hope that brought McCall to the NCDC/ Creighton program last McCall creates a mop doll in her fall to work North Omaha home. with gradu- ate students in the Business and Society course in an effort to further her entrepreneurial dreams. “The Creighton experience was a great inspiration,” McCall said. “It gave me more insights into the details of business.” At the recommendation of stu- dents, McCall changed the name of her business from Funky Dreds to Funky Dreds and Friends. “Funky Dreds put me in a box,” McCall said. “The students found a way to get me out of that box.” Today, there are 15 dolls in the Funky Dreds and Friends collection. Each has a unique meaning, which is explained on attached cards. The Photos by Kent Sievers McCall is surrounded by her mop doll creations and Creighton students dolls can be ordered by calling (402) Kumi Trimmer and Dwayne Hutson. 344-3178.
28 SPRING 2000 recipients, typically single parents who want to start people in North Omaha, but find few. their own businesses. This program also covers such Only a couple of the graduate students live in North topics as improving self-esteem, planning for child-care, Omaha. Some have done extensive service work in the the culture of work and building healthy support and community though they have never lived there. Michael and Cathy Hanus, a married couple who took the Busi- ness and Society course together, said they felt at home in North Omaha because both have regularly volun- teered for a program that helps individuals file their tax statements. During class, students are asked to defend their posi- tions about whether businesses have the responsibility to help break down social and economic barriers in their communities. Students read real-life stories, such as those in Aiming Higher, edited by David Bollier. In one story, a restaurateur in Philadelphia, Judy Wicks of The White Dog Café, talks about how she created sister-relationships with restaurateurs in different
Photo by Kent Sievers areas of her city, then organized bus tours from restau- Renita Guyton receives help from Business and Society rant to restaurant in order to broaden the food and student John Caruso. The graduate students work with the entrepreneurs on their basic business plans, feasibility studies, marketing and computer skills. networking systems. Two Saturday mornings during the “It doesn’t matterwhere where you live or Business and Society course, the entrepreneurs come to the College of Business Administration on Creighton’s campus. The graduate students work with the entrepre- what you do, we all have the same neurs on their basic business plans, feasibility studies, dreams marketing and computer skills. By teaching North hopes anddreams . Social injustice Omaha entrepreneurs what they know about business, graduate students have an opportunity to challenge is ignoring these hopes and denying their own beliefs about business and poverty. fulfill NORTH OMAHA TOUR others the chance tofulfill their dreams. The weekend before the graduate students and entre- preneurs meet, the graduate students visit the North It is everyone’s responsibility Omaha community. One of the components of right action is awareness, and the North Omaha tour helps to help those less advantaged achieve create this awareness. With maps in hand, in groups of two to five, the students drive the streets, look at the their goals and lead a better life. landmarks, stop and browse through stores, and experi- goals ence the things they were told in class about North Omaha. The students note the barrier the North Free- Gifts come in all packages and way creates in what they imagine was once a tight-knit community. They count the empty lots and dilapidated we must give everyone the buildings, thinking of the redlining that has occurred in the area. (Redlining is the practice by banks and lending opportunity to use theirs.” institutions of withholding loans or insurance from opportunity people in neighborhoods considered high economic risk.) They look for businesses that can employ the — Business and Society student
SPRING 2000 29 social horizons of the restaurants’ clients. ing out of one of the computer rooms in the College of “(Customers say) we now have a different perspec- Business Administration building. Shelly, an entrepre- tive of the other communities and realize that they are neur and a TANF recipient, and Schoeneman, a gradu- not all of the bad labels that are placed on them,” ate student, had been working together all morning. Wicks said. They were both very excited. “I just The stories show graduate all found myself on the Internet!” Shelly students that business can “It’sall about said. “It’s true,” Schoeneman make a difference. The North beamed. An artist, Shelly had Omaha tour provides graduate breaking down shown some of her work at a local students with a perspective college show, and her name and through which they will judge barriers some of her art was posted on the whether business should thebarriers .” Internet. This is not what many of make a difference. us expected. To be blunt, some of — Business and Society student us in class had the stereotype that FACING people on welfare are unskilled. But STEREOTYPES here was Shelly, a talented artist, with dreams and I met Shelly (who wished not to be identified by her hopes for a better life just like the rest of us. Her prob- real name) and Michelle Schoeneman as they were com- lem, if you want to call it that, is that she does not know
From Welder toBusinessBusiness Owner
Lula McPherson knew some- getting to work and punching a challenges, such as: How do you thing had to give. Her young son time clock,” McPherson said. find dedicated employees? And, was suffering from asthma, but “John was tickled pink. I remem- how can you more effectively her job as a welder did not allow ber him looking at me, smiling and market your business? her to take much time off from saying, ‘I’m so glad you’re at For answers, she turned to work. She phoned a family friend home.’” NCDC and the graduate students about helping in her cleaning busi- enrolled in Creighton’s Business ness. For six months, McPherson and Society course. The students pulled double duty. She worked as helped her find a logo, design a welder on the third shift — from business cards and develop an 9:30 p.m. to 6:30 a.m. — came application form for prospective home for a few hours sleep and employees. then cleaned houses until 3 p.m. “They helped me a lot,” “It was a lot of work,” McPher- McPherson said. “They treated son said. But it paid off. Six years my business like it was their own. ago, McPherson started her own They were so personal.”
business — Pearl’s Cleaning Ser- Photo by Kent Sievers McPherson beams when she vice. It has allowed the North McPherson proudly shows shows the certificate she recently Omaha entrepreneur to spend her microbusiness certificate, received for completing the NCDC while Creighton student Sue more time with her four children, Ann Seitz shares in her joy. microbusiness program. One of especially young John Jr., who is the Creighton students who now 12 and whose asthma has McPherson loves the flexibility helped her, Sue Ann Seitz, smiles, improved. her small business affords her, puts an arm around McPherson “I didn’t have to worry about but she has had to face new and shares in her pride.
30 SPRING 2000 how to turn her talent into a profitable business venture. we have — to make life better for themselves and for We began to wonder, “How is she different from the those around them. They have values and dreams like rest of us?” ours, but they live in poverty and we do not. Why? Like In the afternoons, after each session with the entrepreneurs, the graduate students reflect on their morning experiences. One student spoke about his experience that morning with an entrepreneur. “I came to class today thinking about how much work I have to do at my job, how much work I have to do for my classes, how I’m going to have to be in class all day today after working hard all week. I was feeling pretty sorry for myself. Then I listened to her describe what she is doing — working full time, taking care of her kids, taking care of her house, taking microbusiness classes, preparing a Thanksgiving feast for her relatives and friends — the list kept Photo by Kent Sievers Business and Society students tour the Great Plains Black Museum going on and on. And I thought, I can’t in Omaha. Through the course, the students learn more about their hold a candle to this woman! She works North Omaha neighbors. so hard! But she lives in poverty and I do not. Working with her gave me perspective again.” some of my students, a part of me sometimes rationaliz- Other students nodded their heads in agreement es that I am better in some way — I work harder, I work because he was expressing the feelings many of us had smarter, have better values or dreams than they do and that morning. that is why I am not poor. And sometimes, I guess, this Some of us held the typical assumption that welfare belief is true. But in our service, we learned (or were recipients and the underemployed do not have a strong reminded) that talent, hard work, dreams and values are not usually the issue. Something else is causing their poverty. “There, but by the INNER-CITY POVERTY AND SOCIAL ISOLATION gracegrace of God, In his book, When Work Disappears, W.J. Wilson argues that one of the causes of inner-city joblessness is go I.” social isolation. By example, one of the entrepreneurs, Susie — Business and Society student Woodruff, wanted to start a travel agency. A graduate student who worked with her, Durl Reed, is in the travel industry. Reed helped Woodruff understand how the work ethic. The notion that if “these people just worked industry works, and gave her some networking tips and harder they could pull themselves up by their own boot- some resources. straps and live more comfortable lives” resounded in us. It was really nothing more than Reed would have But the people we met during our sessions worked given someone he met on a golf course or at a Friday hard, and many worked smart. afternoon party. The difference is the “Susies” of the Through our time spent with the women from North world do not play golf and do not frequent the same Omaha we discovered that they have the same dreams parties as the “Durls” of the world. The “Susies” of the
SPRING 2000 31 BEYOND PHILANTHROPY: a Move Toward Social Innovation Innovation
he fact that there is 15 percent unemployment itself. are mindful of community needs Tunemployment in North Oma- However, the model of corporate and underserved populations and ha while there is 2 percent unem- social responsibility is evolving. have a sense for promoting the ployment in the rest of Omaha does Rosabeth Moss Kanter, in her recent common good. Second, they have not justify the judgment that there Harvard Business Review article, business savvy. They have strong is economic injustice, nor that busi- “From Spare Change to Real imaginations and are very creative. ness should do something about it, Change,” writes that leading com- They see the community needs as without an added ethical assump- panies understand their interde- economic opportunities — to devel- tion about sociopolitical philosophy pendence with their communities. op new markets, new technologies, or corporate social responsibility. new management practices, and to The modern concept of social solve long-standing business prob- responsibility encompasses four lems. Social innovators fund their types of business responsibilities: A company’s bottom line projects out of research and devel- economic, legal, moral and citi- opment budgets or operating zenship. While society expects budgets rather than public business to simultaneously do is positively and directly relations budgets or philan- all four — make profits, obey positively thropic foundations, thus laws, not harm their stake- treating the social projects as holders and be philanthropic impacted when it central to their company’s (by giving to charity, promot- operations. They use their ing volunteerism, etc.) — most skilled employees to only the first three are effectsreal real social change work on the projects, which required. Philanthropy is seen reinforces the idea that as discretionary, something these projects are business responsible companies do vol- by confronting investments. untarily, something that is above Social innovation brings new and beyond the call of duty. meaning to the phrase “good cor- According to this model, even if we economic injustice. porate citizen.” A company’s bot- can establish that there is economic tom line is positively and directly injustice in Omaha, an Omaha impacted when it effects real social business is not economically, legally change by confronting economic or morally required to do some- They have moved past corporate injustice. Thus, Omaha businesses thing about it. And while a good philanthropy to corporate social have an economic responsibility to corporate citizen voluntarily gives innovation. be socially innovative. As the old something back to the community The business leaders who are saying goes, “by doing good, they through philanthropy, an Omaha social innovators have several char- will do very well.” Corporate citi- business is not ethically required acteristics in common. First, they zenship is no longer a warm fuzzy. to address the injustice of have a basic moral sensitivity. They It is good, solid business. — BK
32 SPRING 2000 good workers. She devised a plan to provide sliding necessary scale day-care for employees who have recently partici- “It’snecessary to get to pated in NCDC’s programs and worked their way off welfare. Other graduate students who work for local know people for who they are. banks focus on the entrepreneurs’ need to acquire know loans. Modeled after Vermont National Bank and Amer- ican Savings Bank of Los Angeles, students’ plans A person’s worth cannot not be determined by design less restrictive underwriting criteria that open doors for the credit-worthy while creating new loan where they live, by thecolor color markets for banks. A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY of their skin, by the money they make. Creighton’s service-learning Business and Society course is one of only a few avenues through which dream North Omaha entrepreneurs meet and mix with busi- We alldream and we all struggle. ness people and business students outside of the North Omaha area. The course gives graduate students a We can learn from everyone.” unique opportunity to challenge their beliefs about busi- ness and poverty and their commitment to the common — Business and Society student good. A bridge for transcending race and class differ- ences is being built at Creighton. An avenue for promot- ing corporate social innovation is being developed. world do not attend schools like Creighton University I think the graduate students are right. There is hope. where they can meet the “Durls” of the world and leave — About the author: Beverly Kracher, Ph.D., is an assistant the system with a network of opportunities. professor of business ethics and society at Creighton. She can The students came to appreciate Wilson’s argument be reached via e-mail at [email protected]. that social isolation, which restricts networking and job opportunities, causes joblessness and poverty. Visit the Business A FINAL PROJECT Each Business and Society student, as a final project, and Society Website is required to create a community involvement plan for the company in which he or she is currently employed. They must state the plan’s justification and respond to potential objections. The plan must include projected financial costs and benefits of the proposed program. Several graduate students’ plans have the markings of social innovation (see box, page 32). Having toured North Omaha and worked with North Omaha entrepre- neurs, students have created plans that are profitable for their companies while providing opportunities for the unemployed or underemployed in the community. For example, one student created a plan for a West Omaha manufacturer having trouble recruiting good workers for entry-level jobs. The plan included the firm’s participation in the Welfare-to-Work program Log on to the Creighton University while providing reliable transportation services for new Business and Society website at employees. Another student from the same company http://cobweb.creighton.edu/businesssociety. noticed the difficulty the organization has with retaining
SPRING 2000 33 Lawrence Raful Professor of Law
Elijah the Prophet lived in Israel during the ninth and 10th century BCE (Before Common Era). Although his name does not grace the title of any of the biblical books of the major and minor prophets, throughout the ages he has become the central figure in Jewish traditions, a mysterious and beloved “everyman.” Elijah, in various disguises and roles, works for justice and performs miracles to help the poor and downtrodden. He is best known as part of an important ritual in the Passover meal, and he is said to be present at births and weddings. But Elijah’s most prominent role, perhaps the major reason that he has become so popular, is as the precursor, the forerunner, of the coming of the Messiah (see Malachi 3:24). It is for this reason that Jews everywhere greet the end of the Sabbath day and the beginning of a new week with a prayer that, God willing, Elijah the Prophet will appear this week, to herald the coming of the Messianic era.
When I was young, maybe warmed me and sent chills down the fourth or fifth grade, I my spine. The cantor told of a I had a wonderful, kind young boy who continually asked Hebrew School teacher, a cantor by his father, the proprietor of an inn, trade but serving double duty on when he would meet Elijah the Tuesday and Thursday afternoons Prophet. His father always told him trying to ride herd over active and to be patient. One night, the boy disinterested 10-year-old boys. He was left to care for the inn while his would spice up our seemingly dull father was called off to tend to Hebrew lessons with songs and sto- another matter. A poor man ries, and often he talked about Eli- entered, obviously hungry and jah the Prophet. He spoke Elijah’s tired, weary from his travels, name much as Ichabod Crane spoke dressed in a poor man’s set of of the Headless Horseman — with a Photo by Monte Kruse, BA’83 clothes. The beggar pleaded for combination of fear and reverence. Creighton Law Professor Lawrence a place to rest and a bite to eat, Raful said Elijah’s most I remember to this day my prominent role is as the precursor of but, because his father did not favorite story, because it both the coming of the Messiah. want these kind of people in his
34 SPRING 2000 establishment, the young boy scold- shook his head. greeting Elijah the Prophet, and he ed him and demanded that he “Don’t you know that perhaps it will deem it time for the Messiah.” leave. The poor man turned to the was Elijah the Prophet who came to • • • door and left. Soon the father call upon us? Why didn’t you invite returned and asked if anyone had him to stay? Perhaps it is time for Rabbi Joshua ben Levi entered while he was gone. the Messiah to come. But now that met Elijah and asked “No, Father, nobody came.” you have not greeted him, perhaps II him, “When will the The father asked again, “Are you Elijah will think the time is not yet Messiah come?” certain that no person was here?” right.” The Prophet answered, “Go and “Well,” the young boy stam- And the cantor looked at us — ask him. He sits at the entrance to mered, “there was a filthy beggar 10-year-old boys sitting silent, in the city, among the poor and the who stopped in, but I sent him awe, in anticipation — and he said, lepers.” away as quickly as I could.” “You should make it a habit for The rabbi asked, “How will I rec- The father was quiet for a your entire life to greet all people ognize him?” And Elijah replied, moment, and then asked his son, by saying ‘Shalom Aleichem,’ “The lepers untie all bandages at “My son, did you greet this man? regardless of rich or poor, old once, and rebandage each separate- Did you call out ‘Shalom Aleichem’ or young. Maybe the fate of the ly, while he unties and rebandages (peace be unto you)?” The son world to come will rest upon your each separately, thinking, ‘Should it
This 15th century German “Haggadah” — the ritual book used during the Passover celebration — depicts the coming of Elijah on Passover Eve.
SPRING 2000 35 be the appointed time for my weekend was a traditional Friday informal manner, with part of his appearance, I must not be night Sabbath dinner, but because of shirttail hanging out, and it is possi- delayed.’” the large crowd, this dinner was ble that his attire had not seen the So Rabbi Joshua went to the held at the social hall of my parents’ inside of a washing machine for place and greeted him, “Peace upon synagogue instead of at the dinner some time. He walked around the thee, Master and Teacher.” And the table at home. There is usually a Fri- circle, looking puzzled, and then he Messiah replied, “Peace upon you, day night Sabbath service there, but smiled, found an empty chair, and son of Levi.” the rabbi was taking part in a special promptly became part of the circle. “When will you come?” asked ceremony at another synagogue and He joined in singing a Yiddish song Rabbi Joshua. And he replied, the services were canceled that we had started, and it was obvious “Today.” night. So we had the whole place to that he relished this chance to join Rabbi Joshua returned to meet ourselves. Dinner was slow and in song. I looked at my dad, who Elijah, and the Prophet asked, relaxed and filled with traditional pretty much knew all the Jews in “What did he say to you?” The rab- prayers and songs, stories and visit- their small town, and he looked at bi said, “Surely he was joking with ing. We ended dinner with the tradi- me and shrugged his shoulders, as me, for he said he would come tional blessings after meals, led by if to say “I don’t know who he is!” today, and yet he has not.” the five grandchildren. But he wasn’t bothering anyone, so And Elijah the Prophet answered Because it was such a beautiful we let him sit and he sang along him, “This is what he said to you: evening, we then decided to move with us as we started another song. ‘I will come today, if you hear my outside to the patio area. Everyone A few minutes later, two well- voice.’ The Messiah is waiting to grabbed a chair while my brother dressed young men, perhaps in be called.” and I moved the small upright their 20s or 30s, came in to the patio Mishnah Sanhedrin 98a piano outside so that we might con- area, and looked around and spot- tinue with our singing, which ted the old man sitting in our circle. • • • ranged from traditional Jewish My dad went over to them and I have written previ- songs to Broadway show tunes. We whispered quietly. We all kept ously in these pages singing, but it was pretty obvious III (WINDOW, Fall ’94) that most of us wondered about about my parents. My father was an what was to happen. Was this man American soldier who, at the end of an escapee from the hospital? Was World War II, met my mother, a he a bum on the lam? Was he home- Hungarian girl who survived the less, wandering through town try- concentration camps. Two years lat- ing to find a decent meal? er, they married. Last year, our fam- The old man was oblivious to the ily prepared to celebrate their 50th conversation that was taking place wedding anniversary with great Susy and Bob Raful not 20 feet away, and he smiled and pleasure and emotion. Family and celebrated their 50th wedding continued to sing with gusto. My friends came from across the coun- anniversary with family, friends dad concluded the whispering and and an unexpected guest. try and from around the world for walked over to me and quietly said, the festive weekend. My brother set up the chairs in a circle around “The old man is here to say Kaddish and I, our wives and our children, the piano, and I was nominated to at services; those are his two sons worked diligently to tell in story, lead the group in our songfest. who came to join him.” I under- song and prayer the truly won- Fifteen or 20 minutes into the stood then that the gentlemen had drous miracle of this union of two spirited singing, an elderly man come expecting the usual 8 p.m. Fri- special people. The three-day week- shuffled in from the parking lot. He day night services, and the old man end of activities was a great success, had a shock of white hair and came to find a minyan (10 people a mixture of laughter, tears and appeared unkempt, and he walked who are required in order to pray) love. with a difficult gait, aided by a so that he could say the memorial The opening event of the cane. He was dressed in a most prayer for a deceased relative who
36 SPRING 2000 had died on this particular date in peace”) to those in the room, and A few weeks later I told a good years past. Jews certainly can recite the old man smiled, put down his friend the story, telling him that it many prayers alone, but some prayer book, and, without a word, had stayed with me and seemed so prayers require a minyan, and the shuffled out the door. His two sons odd to me, sort of mysterious and Kaddish, the memorial prayer, is came forward and shook my hand bizarre. My friend listened to the one such example. and thanked me, and my father, whole story and, in a tone that It was clear what we should do and then they left. We never learned showed that the answer was obvi- — at the end of our song, I the identity of the man and for ous to him, said, “It was Elijah.” His announced that our “friends” had whom he prayed (his parents? his comment startled me — I had not come to say Kaddish, and that we wife? brothers and sisters?), and my even thought about Elijah, that this needed some people to go into the man might be the disguised synagogue so that we could chant Prophet visiting us to participate in the Friday evening service. A num- our celebration, or to make sure that ber of men and women immediate- we were good people of good ly got up and went into the intent, people who would stop in sanctuary, and Dad asked me to the middle of a 50th lead the services. I chanted the anniversary party so traditional Friday night Sab- that a disheveled old bath service at a brisk speed, man, a stranger, and the others in the minyan joined could recite Kaddish. in at the appropriate parts. I stole a I remembered the glance, once or twice, at the old story my teacher told, the man, but he was not following the story about the boy left service at all. His prayer book was alone in the inn. I did not even open, but he was looking around say Shalom Aleichem to this man. the sanctuary at the people there, Had I been a disappointment to Eli- and never once did I see him Elijah the Prophet, from a 1941 jah the Prophet? Did my actions utter the prayers. Passover “Haggadah.” further delay the coming of the Finally we arrived at the conclu- Messiah? I hope not. sion of the brief service, and I folks have never seen him again in I still don’t know who the man announced in a loud voice that their house of worship. was, and I don’t know when the those who were mourning or who The incident stayed in my mind Messiah will come. But I once heard were observing a yahrzeit (the for some time after that weekend, Elie Wiesel, Nobel Peace Prize anniversary of a relative’s death) and I felt a mixture of emotions. I recipient for his work in chronicling should join me in reciting the Kad- felt ashamed of my initial negative the Holocaust, say this: “Christians dish prayer. As is the custom in reaction when he first arrived, barg- believe the Messiah has come and most synagogues, I said the prayer ing in on our special festivities, and will come again, and Jews believe in a loud, clear, slow tone, so that I knew that his appearance repelled the Messiah is still to come. Why those who are unfamiliar with the me. I felt proud that I could, in can’t we wait for the Messiah prayer, or those who do not regular- some small way, balance this behav- together, in peace?” ly attend services, might be able to ior by leading the service and the When you meet Elijah the follow along. It was at this point prayer of remembrance. I admit to Prophet on the street, remember to when I first heard the old man focusing too much on his dress and say “Peace unto you” so that Elijah mumble in Hebrew, and he fol- his manner and his odd behavior, may think the time is right, hasten- lowed along with some difficulty, and I was sorry that I spent part of ing the days of peace on earth. but he knew the required words. the prayer service wondering if he — About the author: Lawrence Raful is We concluded the services, I was really there to pray when I saw a professor in and former dean of the turned and said Shabbat Shalom that he did not participate in the School of Law. He can be reached via (“may you have a Sabbath of service like others in the synagogue. e-mail at [email protected].
SPRING 2000 37 PROFILE
Alums aid malnourished by in Honduras Rick Davis
ittle Jessica sits listlessly on the tile floor. Her dark brown, sunken eyes stare blankly L across the corridor. Her black hair is thin and brit- tle. She is 16 months old, but at 10 pounds, she weighs less than some newborns. While most children her age have begun to toddle around and curiously explore their world, tiny Jessica has yet to take her first steps. Her legs cannot support her weight. Her illness? Malnutrition. In Ocotepeque, a mountainous region of 130,000 peo- ple located on the western edge of Honduras (one of the Dr. Dethlefs treats a malnourished child, swollen from a poorest countries in the Western lack of protein, at the nutrition center while two of his children play in the foreground. Hemisphere), Jessica’s condition is not unique. side Casa de Maria, a small health complex where Hans “In our area, about 35 percent works. The complex, which is directed by three Francis- of the children fall below the can sisters, included a convent, a medical clinic and a growth curve,” said Dr. Hans nursing home. But no nutrition center. Dethlefs, BS’87, a volunteer with “The kids really needed a dedicated environment the Christian Foundation for where they could go to reverse the cycle of illness and Children and Aging working malnutrition,” Hans said. “The public health centers in Ocotepeque. didn’t have a good way to address it. And we didn’t “Some of the kids are at the have a good way to address it.” point where they get swollen After more than a year of planning and seven months from a lack of protein.” of construction — and thanks to the generous donations For Hans and his wife, Andrea from churches and individuals in the United States — (Nigro) Dethlefs, BS’89, the the center opened this past June. plights of Jessica and other Hon- The center includes inpatient beds and cribs for duran children like her were an up to 20 children. It also includes an outpatient center, Tiny Jessica (pictured at inspiration, a calling. which provides ongoing care to the children once they 16 months and 10 pounds “We thought, ‘There’s a real go home. in the photo at the top of this page and at 20 problem that’s not being “With the inpatient center, we can keep kids for sever- months and 8 pounds addressed here, and we have to al months to recuperate from malnutrition if they are heavier in the photo do something about it,’” said severely malnourished,” Hans said. “At the outpatient above) was one of Dr. Andrea. center, we see the patients once a month, at which time Dethlefs’ patients. The Dethlefses began an effort we give them provisions, powdered milk and other ba- to build a nutrition center along- sic food. We also educate the parents on health issues so
38 SPRING 2000 PROFILE
and, for the younger children, a story time. “It’s really kind of a new thing for them,” Andrea said. “They really don’t know what it’s like to read for pleasure. You can tell they love it. They are really enthused about it.” Andrea and Hans met while at Creighton. Both took part in Creighton’s Institute for Latin American Concern (ILAC) program, aiding the poor in the Dominican Republic, and spring break service trips. “I think Creighton very much fostered a service orien- tation attitude,” Hans said. “The University really does a good job of getting one into a service mind-set.” After Hans completed his family practice residency in Hans and Andrea Dethlefs have lived in Honduras Wichita, Kan., the couple began searching for service since September 1997. They have three children: opportunities in Third World nations. The Christian Allison, 6, Rachel, nine months, and Christopher, 4. Foundation for Children and Aging, a lay Catholic They will return to the U.S. this June. organization headquartered in Kansas City, Kan., was a they can provide a safer and cleaner home environment.” perfect fit. The agency serves more than 150,000 needy Flipping through the Dethlefses’ photo album, one children and the elderly in more than 1,000 communities alternately aches with sadness and swells with hope. and 26 countries around the world. After four months in Hans’ care (including five days The poverty in Honduras is staggering. According to in the Dethlefses’ home), tiny Jessica gained eight the World Bank, the average annual income is about pounds and started to walk. Her body has filled out. $650 (U.S.), with more than 50 percent of the population Her eyes twinkle. Her hair has filled in. And a smile living in poverty. creases her round face. “People will walk seven hours (to the clinic) rather “It’s been fun to watch the children that we have than walk two hours to the main road and pay 50 cents helped,” Hans said. “We have another two-and-a-half year old who wasn’t able to crawl or anything when she came in, and now, after about three-and-a-half months, she’s starting to walk. “They really catch up amazingly quick.” “When they first come in, a lot of them are just kind of lifeless and can’t move much,” Andrea said. “After they are in our care for a few months, they are much happier, more active.” The Dethlefses are, themselves, the parents of three children: Allison, 6, Christopher, 4, and Rachel, nine months. The Dethlefses have been working in Honduras since September 1997. Rachel was born at a hospital The nutrition center seen here under construction was the in nearby El Salvador. They plan to return to the U.S. idea of the Dethlefses’. The center was completed last June. this June. In addition to Hans’ work with the nutrition center, to take a bus, because 50 cents is a big deal to them,” Andrea teaches English to the children sponsored by the Hans said. Christian Foundation for Children and Aging and But the Hondurans also are a loving people, the helped to build and furnish a small library in town. Dethlefses said. They named the library St. Columbkille, after the “They have a welcoming attitude,” Hans said. Papillion, Neb., grade school that helped raise funds for “They are always hugging and shaking hands.” the project. Students collected 90,000 pennies during Both said it will be tough to leave. Advent. Another fund-raiser had students paying 50 “We are very personally invested in the place,” cents to wear jeans to school once a week during Lent. Hans said. The library opened last August. To the delight of the Added Andrea: “We feel we are part of the children, Andrea has established a reading program community.”
SPRING 2000 39 DEVELOPMENT NEWS
KRESGE CHALLENGE GRANT MET WAITE KEYS COBA Science equipment: the words evoke funds will help Creighton equip its STUDENTS INTO THE images of microscopes and test-tubes, undergraduate science laboratories for FUTURE goggles and lab coats. Yet, to Creighton’s the 21st century. Creighton alumnus Donald Waite, undergraduate science students and As a critical campus priority, the Initia- BSC’54, has made a generous gift of faculty, these words translate into real tive prompted tremendous support from nearly $100,000 to establish the Sea- opportunity for scientific inquiry and alumni, faculty and staff, board of direc- gate Technology Electronic exploration. tors, corporations and foundations. The Commerce Laboratory for the Last fall, Creighton’s undergraduate Omaha World-Herald Foundation was College of Business Adminis- laboratories received a vital influx of one of the first to endorse the laboratory tration (CoBA). Through his funds for new, state- renewal project with a leadership gift of extraordinary commitment, of-the-art science $500,000, and Wayne Ryan, Waite has helped supply equipment. Acting as BS’49, MS’51, chairman Creighton’s business students a powerful catalyst, and CEO of Streck Lab- with the tools for academic The Kresge Founda- oratories, Inc., in Oma- and professional success. tion of Troy, Mich., ha, helped Creighton There was a time when all a student awarded the Univer- conclude the Kresge needed for homework assignments sity a grant of Challenge with his gift was a trusty Underwood typewriter. $400,000 with the of $100,000. Today, educational technology is trans- challenge that Creighton Uni- porting Creighton’s student body Creighton raise versity remains across the globe, enhancing the lessons $2 million for the grateful to The Kresge taught in class and cultivating group Success in Science Foundation for its interaction and communication among Initiative. With grant of $400,000 and students and faculty. Equipped with $2,045,005 raised, Creighton is pleased to to all its constituencies which supported 24 workstations, the Seagate Laborato- announce the successful completion of the the Success in Science Initiative. Through ry helps sharpen CoBA’s cutting edge Kresge Challenge. this Initiative, generations of Creighton in the study of electronic commerce. Through the Success in Science Initiative, undergraduates will have access to the Furthermore, the Seagate Laboratory Creighton has established the Equipment latest science equipment as well as an prepares those students pursuing a Repair and Replacement Fund and the expansive world of discovery, knowledge Master of Science in e-commerce with Equipment Endowment Fund. Both and scholarship. a technical telecommunication infra- structure. Through Waite’s tremen- dous support, Creighton business CREIGHTON University. Moreover, gifts to the Jesuit students and faculty are keyed into the INTRODUCES NEW Circle honor the scores of Jesuit educators future. who have profoundly impacted genera- An Iowa native, Waite earned his GIVING LEVEL tions of students for more than 450 years. bachelor of science in accounting at Gifts to Creighton University at leader- For information about the Jesuit Circle, Creighton in 1954. He serves as the ship levels go the extra mile in equipping Creighton Society and the Annual Fund, executive vice president and chief students with the education, skills and please contact the Office of Development administrative officer at Seagate Tech- ethics to lead and serve in an increasingly at 1-800-334-8794. nology, Inc. In 1997, the College of complex world. Creighton’s premier Business Administration conferred the Donor Recognition Club, the Edward and BANNER GIFT YEAR Alumni Merit Award on Waite for his Mary Lucretia Creighton Society, has Creighton’s Office of Development had leadership in the world of corporate recently introduced a new giving level for one of the best fund-raising years in finance and information technology. alumni, parents and friends who make an Creighton’s history during 1998-99. Even Waite’s personal and profound com- unrestricted gift of $5,000 or more to the though not in a fund-raising campaign, mitment to Creighton complements Annual Fund. Named the Jesuit Circle, the University raised $19,001,955 in gift his dedication to his family, his com- this new giving level honors those who income. That was up from $17,675,602 in munity and his work. extend an extra measure of support to the 1996-97 and $14,767,949 in 1997-98.
50 SPRING 2000 THE LAST WORD More Casualties of War By Pamela Adams Vaughn hen Fr. Don Doll, S.J., journeyed to El Salvador this Ernesto inspired Fr. Cortina to begin a grassroots move- Wpast summer to document the Jesuits’ work in this ment to locate the war’s lost children. war-ravaged land, he knew some of what he would Meanwhile, Kathleen Cassidy, a New Jersey social encounter: worker, adopted Ernesto in good faith from El Salvador in The sunlit garden at the University of Central America 1984. She renamed her 2-year-old Peter, raising him in that had been defiled 10 years ago by the murders. The Princeton, and thinking all along that her son was a war Jesuit residence that easily had yielded to the boots and orphan. Then, Fr. Cortina’s group called. weapons of thugs. The simple rooms, still haunted by the His adoptive mother, Kathleen, was troubled. “I needed slayings, one of which Fr. Doll would occupy. to calm myself on the whole issue,” she told Fr. Doll, espe- But the Creighton Jesuit also would encounter face-to- cially the fear “that this would mean that he wouldn’t face a different casualty of war — and one person’s efforts be my son.” to tell its truth and to put the past to rest. Soon, she and Peter were traveling to El Salvador to Former Jesuit classmate Fr. Jon Cortina, who was away meet her son’s family of origin. from his home the morning of Nov. 16, 1989, when his six The results of that meeting were many. Peter said that Jesuit house-mates, the journey put him their housekeeper in touch with his and her 15-year-old “deep roots,” a her- daughter were slain, itage that acknowl- had unearthed edges his part another terrible busi- Salvadoran origins, ness of the civil war “and that no matter in El Salvador: the — even if you do murdering of parents live in the States, and abduction of you will always their children to sell have a place here.” in adoption in the Peter returned in United States. the summer of 1999 “He found a for a visit to his wound in many fam- original family on Fr. Doll’s video Finding Ernesto appeared on ABC’s Nightline in November. his own. ilies that wouldn’t At the age of 2, Ernesto Sibrian was abducted by El Salvadoran soldiers, heal,” Fr. Doll said of who murdered his mother, and was adopted in the U.S. as a war orphan. His mother Fr. Cortina on his Kathleen added video that resulted from the journey. “As part of the army’s that Peter, “living in Princeton as a teenager (doesn’t have) scorched earth policy, children of the opposition were all that much opportunity to see how other people live and abducted from the battlefield by soldiers and falsely to know how different things are in (his) world. labeled war orphans. Many were channeled into a corrupt “And (now, Peter’s) had that opportunity in a pretty and lucrative adoption business.” significant way,” she said of his meeting the Sibrians. “And One such victim was Ernesto Sibrian, then 2 years old: I think it’s changed him. It’s changed him in a way that can His mother was murdered by soldiers as she clutched only be better.” Ernesto to her breast. The bullet that killed his mother rico- Fr. Doll, who journeyed to El Salvador in 1990 on the cheted through Ernesto’s arm in the process. His 6-year-old first anniversary of the Jesuit slayings, said returning with sister, Lilian, could only watch in horror. Then, cradling a video camera nine years later enabled him to share the Ernesto, she ran with him to the river. Sibrians’ and Cassidys’ stories with a much wider world, Soon, soldiers were separating the two children, claim- thanks to Ted Koppel and Nightline, which aired the video ing that Ernesto would be taken to a place for orphans, to in November. be cared for, with other children. That was the last his fam- Fr. Doll believes such journeys and their telling drive to ily would see of him for 13 years, though they would the heart of yet another truth: “the absolute need we have search for him tirelessly. The Sibrians’ efforts to find for a saving and compassionate God.”
SPRING 2000 51 PROFILES OF ACHIEVEMENT McCarthy Climbs KPMG Ranks
t was 1973, and Mary Pat partners, directs KPMG’s Statz was a freshman at client service activities on ICreighton from Parkston, behalf of electronics, com- S.D. If the young woman munications, media and soft- found it difficult to leave her ware companies, and pro- small farming community for vides technical and business a larger city, it didn’t show. guidance to clients in these Soon, Statz would help fields. She also has authored lead freshman orientation, a book on revenue recogni- serve as an admissions tion for software companies. assistant, preside over Beta Her opinion on industry Alpha Psi, the national issues has been sought by a accounting honor society, variety of media, including chair her sorority’s scholar- Business Week, The New York ship program, and be Times, Financial Times, and the inducted into Alpha Sigma MSNBC website. Nu, the Jesuit honor socie- In the spirit of Creighton ty. At the end of four years, University, McCarthy’s service she would graduate magna Mary Pat (Statz) McCarthy, BSBA’77, is the highest- continues beyond her work to cum laude. ranking woman in her firm, KPMG LLP, and the first her community and family. She Today, her life shows woman in her firm to hold the position of Vice Chair. serves on several boards of the same energy and focus. directors and, together with her Mary Pat (Statz) McCarthy, BSBA’77, is the husband, Kevin, BSBA’75, is busy raising Alexandra, highest-ranking woman in her firm, KPMG LLP, Maggie and Connor. and the first woman in her firm to hold the position Congratulations, Mary Pat McCarthy, for making of Vice Chair. a difference in your profession, your family and In her present post, McCarthy leads a team of your world! more than 300 assurance, tax and consulting
® Anchored in ethics. Centered on service. Pledged to excellence.