Creighton of the Future Program Specifically for African-American New Strategic and Master Plans Set an Ambitious Course for Growth

Enron 101: Lessons from a Corporate Scandal

Of Threshers,Creighton Cobblersat 125: and Nuclear Waste: IambicThe Curriculum Pentameter The BusinessFeeling of Quilts ‘Alive’ Whosein Nepal Problem is It?TeachingToys About & Gender Terrorism Winter 2003 Visit the magazine online at: www.creightonmagazine.org WINTER 2003

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4 Letters to the Editor 5 University News New VP Named Cam Enarson, M.D., M.B.A., joins Creighton from Wake Forest University as the new vice president for Health Sciences and dean of the School of Medicine. Healthy Churches Creighton occupational therapist Shirley Blanchard has designed a wellness Building the Creighton of the Future program specifically for African-American New strategic and master plans set an ambitious course for growth. women that is being implemented through 14 local churches. Creighton at 125 40 Development News Part II Pattee Gives Back Forever grateful for the opportunity to attend Creighton University, James Pattee, MD’53, and his wife, Jane, have made a $50,000 unrestricted gift to the School of Medicine. 44 Alumni News Photo by Mark Romesser California Dreamer The Curriculum The Business Creighton alumna Teresa Heger Onoda, Takes Shape of Quilts BA’75, is living a dream — painting 18 In the early years, a debate 24 Creighton professor develops California landscapes. centered on electives versus traditional liberal Quilt Price Index as quilts sell for record prices. Humanitarian Effort arts education. Jeffrey Goodman, MD’71, travels to Iraq to provide medical care as a volunteer with the International Medical Corps. 55 The Last Word Writer Mary Kay Shanley, BA’65, heads back to the classroom and finds the experience very revealing. AP Photo/Dennis Cook Whose Problem Toys and Gender Contact Us Why you may want to rethink Executive Editor: Stephen T. Kline is It, Anyway? (402) 280-1784 [email protected] 30 A journalist and a philosopher 34 your holiday shopping list. Editor: Rick Davis examine the issue of high-level nuclear waste And, Advent symbols ... powerful spiritual (402) 280-1785 [email protected] disposal. reminders. Associate Editor: Sheila Swanson (402) 280-2069 [email protected] Creighton University Magazine’s Purpose Visit the magazine online at: Creighton University Magazine, like the University itself, is committed to excellence and dedicated to the pursuit of truth in all its forms. The magazine will be www.creightonmagazine.org comprehensive in nature. It will support the University’s mission of education through thoughtful and compelling feature articles on a variety of topics. It will feature the brightest, the most stimulating, the most inspirational thinking that Creighton offers. The magazine also will promote Creighton, and its Jesuit Catholic identity, to a broad public and serve as a vital link between the University and its constituents. The magazine will be guided by the core values of Creighton: the inalienable worth of each individual, respect for all of God’s creation, a special concern for the poor, and the promotion of justice. Message Featuresfrom the University President

A Season of Hope and Excitement

Warmest holiday greetings to you! As I write this, the fall colors • Creighton was ranked No. 1 among Midwestern comprehensive have disappeared from the Jesuit Gardens and the harbingers of universities in U.S. News and World Report’s “America’s Best winter are evident. Shortly, the campus will come alive with the Colleges” for 2004. This is the sixth time in eight years that we lights, sights and sounds of Christmas. Students are wrapping up were ranked No. 1! In that same edition, Creighton’s exceptional what from all accounts has been a highly undergraduate research and creative project opportunities were successful semester. singled out. Of all institutions evaluated by U.S. News, only 39 As mentioned in my last column, merited this distinction. Creighton was in the company of the Creighton has a very healthy enrollment. nation’s finest institutions. The freshman class was up 16.5 percent • Creighton was also listed in the Princeton Review’s best 351 colleges, and academically well prepared, retention from the more than 3,500 universities and colleges surveyed. The was well above the national average at publication puts Creighton on the “top twenty” lists in areas of 88 percent, and all of our professional faith development, civic and community service and our city-to- programs were well subscribed. The institution (“town-gown”) relations with the city of Omaha. Photo by Monte Kruse, BA’83 Photo by Monte Kruse, bottom line being, Creighton’s enrollment for fall 2003 was the largest in our history — 6,559 students! They National recognition such as this, along with so many other are a wonderful group of young people. findings and rankings, fortifies our belief that Creighton is On Sept. 2, we celebrated Creighton’s 125th birthday. At a news “regionally dominant and nationally prominent” in what we conference, we rolled out the new Campus Master Plan. Our do as the finest comprehensive Jesuit university in the country. objective is to create a contemporary city-sited campus in a park-like Finally, I am very pleased to announce that our energetic setting and to provide a cutting-edge learning and living management team is now complete. Dr. Cam Enarson is the newly environment to benefit our students as well as the entire Creighton appointed dean of the School of Medicine and vice president for community. What we will achieve will advance Creighton into the Health Sciences. Dr. Enarson comes to us from Wake Forest front rank of the nation’s faith-based and student-centered School of Medicine. I am confident he will continue to nurture the universities, with broad-based initiatives to enhance academic research, education, patient care and service across all of the units excellence, health care education and delivery, as well as an in the Creighton University Medical Center. Dr. Enarson was enriched campus life. Details of the Master Plan may be found in welcomed with the news that Creighton’s Medical School was a the story that begins on Page 14. I hope that you will save this issue recipient of the prestigious Association of American Medical of the magazine for future reference as our plan unfolds. Colleges Award for Outstanding Community Service for 2003. Three features of that plan are already in evidence: the new Congratulations to all involved in bringing such distinction to Hixson-Lied Science Building that connects a totally renovated the University! Rigge Science Building with the renovated and expanded Criss The future is bright. The vision is focused. The direction is clear. Buildings (see Fall issue); the on-campus soccer field is “in play” Thank you for making this possible. and garnering rave reviews for its design and surface; and, much to Please enjoy this issue of the Creighton University Magazine. the delight of the students, town homes are rising out of the Burt May this season of Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa fill your Tower site like crocuses in springtime. And anticipation is building home with joy, hope and renewal. May it bring you the peace and as the Creighton Bluejays prepare to play men’s basketball in the the presence of our common God. new Qwest Center Omaha arena to a record-setting crowd of season All seasonal blessings. ticket holders. As I wrote in my last column, we have much to celebrate as we reflect on the achievements of the past decades and the present wellness of the University. Since then, there is more good news: John P. Schlegel, S.J. dietitians and their knowledge and understand how nutrition impacts health. With increasing demands on physicians, I would encourage them to refer those patients University Magazine in need of nutrition education to a dietitian. Jennifer Schulte, RD, LMNT Omaha Enron 101: Publisher: Creighton University; Rev. John P. Lessons from a Corporate Scandal Schlegel, S.J., President; Lisa Calvert, Vice Where’s the Diversity? Of Threshers,Advancing Cobblers Science and Creighton Celebrates Eating Disorders Iambicat Creighton Pentameter Feeling125th ‘Alive’Anniversary in Nepal Teachingin About Children Terrorism President for University Relations. Creighton Fall 2003 The cry today in most universities, including University Magazine staff: Stephen T. Kline, CU, is diversity. My question is, Executive Editor; Rick Davis, Editor; Sheila “Where is it at CU?” Of late, we were Swanson, Associate Editor; Pamela A. Vaughn, Features Editor. Editorial Advisers: Christine confronted with Kelly and Mack (see Wiseman, J.D.; Greg Johnson; Diane Dougherty; Spring 2003). In the Summer 2003 Rev. Donald A. Doll, S.J.; Ruth Purtilo, Ph.D.; issue, we were given Bergman’s Jesus, Tamara Buffalohead-McGill; and Jayne Schram. Letters Scripture and the Ethics of War. Maybe Bergman can crawl into the minds of Creighton University Magazine (USPS728-070) is to Bush, Hillary Clinton, Bin Laden, published quarterly in February, May, August Hussein, even Christ. But us lesser and November by Creighton University, 2500 the Editor folks have a bit of trouble doing this, California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178-0001. and we prefer to look adversity in the Periodicals postage paid at Omaha, Nebraska, Dietitians Fit the Bill and additional entry points. Address all mail to eye, and even punch the nose that is situated Public Relations and Information, Omaha, NE After reading Dr. Robert P. Heaney’s editorial between each eye. Let this letter be the first to 68178. Postmaster: Send change of address to “Why Nutrition Doesn’t Make it Onto Medicine’s laugh heartily at him, as did the several Creighton University Magazine, P.O. Box 3266, Radar Screen,” (Summer 2003) which discussed sensible letters to the editor in the same Omaha, NE 68103-0078. how physicians don’t have time to educate mentioned issue about Kelly and Mack. themselves or patients about nutrition, I Jeff and Judy Webster (see Letters, Spring For more enrollment information, contact the thought to myself, wouldn’t it be wonderful 2003) ought to find a better country than where Undergraduate Admissions Office at if there was a profession in which someone’s 1-800-282-5835, [email protected]. they currently reside. Their unwillingness to job was to educate people regarding nutrition accept the truth tells of their unfamiliarity with To make a gift to the University, contact the and how it impacts our health. the Constitution of both the U.S. and the state Development Office at 1-800-334-8794. Then I remembered that in my career as a of Florida. It is evident they prefer to ignore registered dietitian, I am doing that on a daily them and/or change them to suit their fantasies. For the latest on alumni gatherings, contact the basis. It is frustrating that there was no How about a little diversity in your Alumni Relations Office at 1-800-CU-ALUMS mention of RDs in Dr. Heaney’s article. magazine? Do not let it become a wasteland. (800-282-5867) or check online at I have been fortunate in my career to work www.creighton.edu/alumni. Hugh J. Manhart, BS’55 with health professionals who truly value Omaha Send letters to the editor to Rick Davis at [email protected]; fax, (402) 280-2549; CHRISTMAS AT CREIGHTON — Creighton University, Office of Public Relations, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178. 125 years in the making Update your mailing address or send alumni news (births, weddings, promotions, etc.) electronically through www.creighton.edu/alumni, call 1-800-334-8794 or mail to Development Office, Creighton University, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178.

Visit the magazine website at www.creightonmagazine.org

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Recycled and Recyclable Printed with Soy Ink The 18th annual Christmas at Creighton Mall-lighting and Christmas blessing ceremony in front of St. John’s Church beginning at 5 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 2. Sponsored by Creighton’s Inter Residence Hall Government (IRHG). www.creighton.edu/IRHG

4 Winter 2003 University News Enarson Named Medical Dean, VP for Health Sciences Creighton University named Cam E. Enarson, M.D., M.B.A., dean of Creighton’s School of Medicine and vice president for Health Sciences. Enarson joins Creighton from Wake Forest University School of Medicine, where he was senior associate dean and associate professor of public health sciences and anesthesiology. He began his new duties at Creighton this fall. “Dr. Enarson is highly regarded as an accomplished physician, teacher and successful medical school leader. He will continue to Photo by Dave Weaver build on Creighton’s Creighton President the Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J., left, blows out the candles on Creighton’s birthday cake with students John Schwietz, president of the Creighton Students Union (CSU), and Tracy Slump, exceptional medical CSU’s vice president for finance, at the Sept. 2 birthday celebration and news conference. school, health sciences programs Creighton Celebrates 125th Birthday and research initiatives. He has As Creighton began a yearlong celebration of its 125th anniversary on Sept. 2, Creighton both medical President the Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J., announced one of the most ambitious campus Enarson education and expansion plans in the University’s history. The news conference coincided with Creighton’s business expertise, 125th birthday celebration. The University first opened its doors on Sept. 2, 1878. For more which makes him ideally suited to lead our information on Creighton University’s campus expansion plans, see the story on Page 14. For medical school and health sciences more information on Creighton’s yearlong 125th anniversary celebration, please visit enterprises into a new era of growth, service http://www.creighton.edu/125_anniversary or see the ad on the back cover of the magazine. and prosperity,” said the Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J., Creighton University president. Creighton is committed to providing CU Professors students with the best medical education and training while embarking on cutting- Receive National the 28 U.S. Jesuit colleges and universities. edge health and scientific research. Jesuit Book Award “It is a high honor to win this award Reflecting this commitment is Creighton’s because the books are judged by a group of new $55 million expansion and renovation Creighton University Ethics Professors the authors’ peers and it is a distinct award of its science instructional and research Ruth Purtilo, Ph.D., and Amy Haddad, for scholarship,” said Peg Fennig, director space, including expanded research space in Ph.D., won the 2003 Alpha Sigma Nu of Alpha Sigma Nu. the Criss Buildings. The $18 million Hixson- National Jesuit Book Awards competition in Purtilo is the director of Creighton’s Lied Science Building, which opened in the Health Sciences division Center for Health Policy and Ethics and is early 2003, is central to Creighton’s for their book Health the Dr. C.C. and Mabel L. Criss recommitment to science education. The Professional and Patient Professor of Clinical Ethics. She Science Building fosters learning among Interaction. also is a professor of physical undergraduate and professional health The National Jesuit Book therapy in the Creighton sciences students and faculty. Award was established and University School of Pharmacy “I am excited about the opportunity to endowed by Alpha Sigma Nu, and Health Professions. come to Omaha. Creighton is clearly ‘on the the national Jesuit honor Haddad is the associate move,’ and I look forward to working with society, in 1979. It was director of the Center for students, faculty and staff in all the Health founded to recognize Health Policy and Ethics and a Sciences schools to facilitate continued outstanding scholarly faculty member in Creighton’s growth in research, education and clinical publishing achievement by School of Pharmacy and Health service,” Enarson said. faculty and administrators of Professions.

5 Winter 2003 University News Rich to Serve on National HHS Advisory Committee

Eugene C. Rich, M.D., has been invited by Tommy G. Thompson, secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to serve on the Advisory Committee on Training in Primary Care Medicine and Dentistry of the Health Resources and Services Administration. He was nominated for this position by

several national Photo by Dave Weaver internal medicine JayWalk Raises Funds for Jesuit Middle School Rich organizations. As part of this The Creighton Students Union, in cooperation with Creighton University and the Creighton committee, Rich, Tenet Healthcare Prep Student Council, hosted a benefit walk/run for Omaha’s Jesuit Middle School on Sept. Endowed Chairholder and professor and 27. More than 400 walkers and runners participated in the JayWalk and $6,000 was raised for chair of Creighton’s Department of the Jesuit Middle School of Omaha. JayWalk participants began the walk/run at Creighton Medicine, will provide advice and Prep and finished on the Creighton University campus. Pictured above are William P. “Pat” recommendations on a broad range of Kelsey III, DDS’76, in the gray sweatshirt, and his wife, M. Nan (Kersenbrock) Kelsey, BS’74, public health programs under DDS’78, in the dark blue Creighton sweatshirt. the Public Health Service Act and the Health Professions Education Partnership Act of 1998. NIH Awards CU calcium and phosphorus, rather than Throughout his career, Rich has been calcium alone. Other research studies active in research, academic administration, $1.13 Million for suggest that the safest way for osteoporosis and public policy concerning medical patients to meet their needs for both education and primary care. His research Calcium Study calcium and phosphorus is to use a source explores the influence of the practice The National Institutes of Health (NIH) that provides both nutrients, such as dairy environment on health professional has awarded Creighton University Medical products and/or a calcium phosphate decision-making. He is the author of more Center a $1.13 million grant to study the supplement. Other data indicate that there than 100 publications in this area. codependence of calcium and phosphorus may be a phosphorus deficiency among the The committee is made up of 23 on bone health. The NIH grant will be population most prone to osteoporosis that practicing health professionals from across used for human clinical trials to investigate is often overlooked. the U.S. who are involved in training and the effect of calcium and phosphorus “The NIH grant will enable us to conduct teaching, including faculty from supplementation in osteoporosis sufferers definitive research that will determine educational institutions. Business, labor and who receive bone building therapy. The differences between calcium health insurance interests also are study will be conducted by Robert P. supplementation with and without represented on the advisory committee. Heaney, BS’47, MD’51, an internationally phosphorus,” Heaney said. Rich will serve a three-year term. recognized expert in the field of bone Calcium phosphates have been widely “I am honored and pleased to serve in biology and calcium nutrition, over the next used in pharmaceutical products for many this manner, and to represent Creighton four years. Heaney, the John A. Creighton years because of their excipient properties. University Medical Center on this national University Professor, is a principal scientist (Excipients are necessary inactive committee,” Rich said. “The at Creighton’s Osteoporosis Research ingredients in a formulation for making recommendations we make will help Center. tablets.) As a result of the NIH grant and Secretary Thompson with matters of The NIH grant follows recent research by other research, the nutritional value of significance concerning public health.” Heaney that indicates osteoporosis can be calcium phosphates in dietary supplements addressed more effectively by taking may become more widely recognized and nutritional supplements containing both more widely used.

6 Winter 2003 University News

recognition of our academic excellence. It University’s history. Students of this caliber Creighton Ranks validates that Creighton students enjoy a do their research, and a consistently high No. 1 Among Best high-quality academic and campus U.S. News & World Report ranking is one of experience. It also adds momentum to our the many reasons students choose Midwest Universities enterprise at a time when record numbers Creighton,” Fr. Schlegel said. “However, of students are enrolling at Creighton, and magazine rankings only tell part of the Creighton University is listed No. 1 in the we are steering Creighton into a new era of story. We encourage students to make U.S. News & World Report magazine 2004 growth, service and prosperity,” said campus visits when evaluating schools rankings of Midwest comprehensive Creighton President the Rev. John P. because that’s the best way to judge the universities. Schlegel, S.J. quality of a university.” It is the 17th straight year Creighton Several factors appear to have boosted The U.S. News category, Universities- University has been ranked at or near the Creighton to the top spot: “We have a clear Master’s, reflects the schools’ missions, top of U.S. News & World Report magazine’s providing a full range of undergraduate and “America’s Best Colleges” edition. master’s-level programs and in Creighton’s In addition, U.S. News lists Creighton Creighton was the case, doctoral programs. The criteria are among 39 prestigious national institutions academic reputation, graduation and as having an excellent “Undergraduate only Jesuit school retention rates, faculty resources, student Research/Creative Projects” program. ranked No. 1 selectivity, financial resources and alumni Creighton was the only Catholic school to giving. The category includes 573 schools. be so honored. Independently or in small by U.S. News. Creighton also is cited as outstanding by teams, students in such programs are other publications, including Money, mentored by a faculty member when doing advantage in academic reputation, due to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance and Peterson’s intensive or self-directed research or creative our exceptional faculty. And we have a Best 311 Colleges. Princeton Review Inc. ranked work that results in an original scholarly significant edge in the rate of alumni giving. Creighton among the nation’s top 351 paper or other product that can be presented For example, last year was a strong fund- colleges and universities. Princeton Review on or off campus. raising year for us in spite of the weak cited, among other things, Creighton’s “top “This return to the No. 1 ranking is a economy,” Fr. Schlegel said. twenty” national ranking among schools reflection of Creighton’s careful strategic “This fall, our entering freshman class that have developed excellent relationships planning for growth and increased national has the highest academic profile in the with their surrounding communities.

Directors and Creighton Names chairman and chief Three Executives to executive officer of Commercial Federal Board of Directors Bank. Prior to joining Creighton University has named three Union Pacific executives to its Board of Directors: Ivor J. Railroad, Evans (Ike) Evans, Constance M. Ryan and Gail M. served with General Werner-Robertson, BA’84, JD’88. They began Motors Corporation Evans Ryan Werner-Robertson their four-year terms in October. beginning in 1965 Evans is president and chief operating and held key operating positions with manufacturer of quality control products for officer of Union Pacific Railroad and a several divisions, including Chevrolet, Buick clinical laboratories with distribution director of the Union Pacific Corporation; and Delco Products. In 1985, he became channels across the United States and in 42 Ryan is president of Streck Laboratories; and president of Blackstone Corporation, an countries. She joined Streck in 1982 and has Werner-Robertson is founder and president automotive industry manufacturer. Evans held various sales positions, including vice of GWR Companies. then joined Emerson Electric Company, president of sales. Prior to Streck, Ryan was “On behalf of Creighton’s Board of where he held a number of executive a medical technologist for the University of Directors and Creighton University, we management positions including senior vice Nebraska Medical College. welcome these executives who bring a president. Werner-Robertson is founder and broad array of talents and expertise to Evans is a director of Cooper Industries, president of GWR Companies, which Creighton’s board. Together with Creighton and the immediate past chairman and a includes GWR Investments, GWR Financial President Fr. John P. Schlegel, S.J., we will director of the American Association of and GWR Law. GWR Companies combine continue to build on Creighton’s momentum Railroads. professional, financial and investment of growth and success,” said William A. In 1992, Ryan was named president of services to enable clients to succeed in Fitzgerald, chairman of Creighton’s Board of Streck Laboratories, an Omaha-based financial matters.

7 Winter 2003 University News

Alumni Merit in 1952 and came to the United States Nebraska since 1956. As governor, Johanns the following year. She earned her has promoted an agenda of tax relief, less Awards Presented bachelor of science degree in pharmacy at government, building the economy, Creighton and her master of science degree protecting families and ensuring the health, School of Medicine in hospital administration from Saint Louis safety and success of Nebraska’s children. Emmet B. Keeffe, MD’69, received University. Johanns began Creighton University’s Alumni Merit Award Sr. Gottschalk has practicing law at the for the School of Medicine on Sept. 26. received several firm of Cronin & After graduating from Creighton’s School awards, including an Hannon in O’Neill, of Medicine, Keeffe completed his honorary doctorate Neb., then moved to postgraduate training in internal medicine of humane letters Lincoln, Neb., where and gastroenterology at Oregon Health from the University he joined the law Sciences University. He then served as a of Oklahoma. She is firm of Nelson staff physician at the a Fellow of the Johanns Morris Oakland Naval American College of Holdeman and Titus. Regional Medical Hospital Adminis- He sought public Center, and trators, a member of Sr. Gottschalk office for the first Johanns completed two years the Catholic Health time in 1982 and was elected to a four-year of research training Association board of directors and past term on the Lancaster County Board of in hepatology at the president of the Oklahoma Hospital Commissioners. In 1989, Johanns was University of Association and the Oklahoma elected to the Lincoln City Council. He California, San Confederation of Catholic Hospitals. then served as mayor of Lincoln from Francisco. He joined 1991-98. School of Law Stanford University Keeffe Johanns serves on several national School of Medicine Nebraska Gov. Michael O. Johanns, governors’ organizations and meets with in 1995, where he currently is chief of JD’74, received the School of Law’s 2003 international leaders to promote their use of hepatology, co-director of the Liver Alumni Merit Award on Oct. 10. Nebraska agricultural products. The Transplant Program and a professor of Johanns was sworn into office as American Coalition for Ethanol recently medicine. Nebraska’s 38th governor on Jan. 7, 1999. In presented him its Political Award for his Keeffe has served on the boards of the November 2002, he became the first efforts to raise awareness of the benefits of American Liver Foundation and the Republican to be re-elected governor of ethanol and to increase its use. American Digestive Health Foundation, as well as on the editorial boards of several professional journals. He has been very Loan Repayment initial funds for the program were active in national organizations in his field provided to ease the financial burden of and has held several leadership positions. Program Sends Out new graduates in exchange for their He is past president of the American Society First Checks commitment to and completion of of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Keeffe practicing a number of years in public currently is president-elect of the American In an effort to help those who choose interest law. The first checks were mailed Gastroenterological Association and will to practice public interest law and to seven graduates last summer. serve as its president in 2004-2005. provide legal assistance through “The Harding Loan Repayment employment in public interest law firms, Assistance Program is one way in which School of Pharmacy and Health Creighton University’s School of Law we are pursuing our Jesuit mission of Professions has established the Loan Repayment service to the community. By supporting The School of Pharmacy and Health Assistance program. some of our recent graduates who have Professions presented its 2003 Alumni Merit The program is designed to encourage chosen public service, we hope to Award to Sr. Mary Therese Gottschalk, new law school graduates to provide encourage more to follow their path,” BSPha’60, on Oct. 3. legal assistance, through employment in said Patrick Borchers, dean of Creighton Sr. Gottschalk is the president and chief specific public interest legal settings, to University’s School of Law. executive officer of Saint John Health people of limited financial means who According to Borchers, the Harding System in Tulsa, Okla. She also is president cannot otherwise afford legal assistance. Loan Repayment Assistance Program of Marian Health System, one of the largest Salaries at these types of positions are will help make other students, who may nonprofit Catholic health care organizations often far below what can be made not enroll in the program, aware of the in the United States. working in a law firm. need for assistance to the poor, and Born in Bavaria, Germany, Sr. Gottschalk Through the generosity of Creighton therefore encourage them to provide pro entered the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother alumnus William L. Harding, JD’48, bono service.

8 Winter 2003 University News Creighton Student networking techniques and principles,” Creighton. He’s been president of Kiewit Writes Book on Harbeke says. “I’m no expert; I just try to let Residence Hall’s governing council and the them know about the opportunities that are Alpha Kappa Psi business fraternity. He’s Networking available. I try to give them the straight-up also been involved in Creighton’s Freshman — here are some things you may want to Leadership Program (honored as Male Dan Harbeke ... author. think about.” Leader of the Year in 2000-2001), Creighton The Creighton senior smiles and shakes Students Union and the crew team. his head. In high school, Harbeke was active in “I’m just a 21-year-old kid who goes to student government and attended college,” Harbeke says sheepishly. “Now, all leadership camps in South Dakota and, of a sudden, I’m an author.” later, in Australia. It was through these Indeed. Harbeke’s book, Get In! How to camps that Harbeke made connections to Market Yourself and Become Successful at a the publisher. Young Age, was released by Rowman & Harbeke banged out the manuscript, on a Littlefield Publishing Group in October. borrowed laptop, at home last winter Harbeke says the idea for the book came during Creighton’s holiday break. He from classmates and friends at Creighton, mailed it to friends and business leaders he who often asked: “How do you network?” knew for their feedback, and then flew to “How do you get in with a certain company Washington, D.C., in May to deliver the or profession?” manuscript to the publisher, which had “There’s nothing written by people my already agreed to the book deal. age geared for people my age about how Photo by Dave Weaver “It was actually pretty easy,” Harbeke you get your foot in the door,” Harbeke Harbeke discusses his new book, which was says. “The book came from the many explains. released in October. conversations I’ve had; I just wrote them all So, on a flight back to Omaha from The book’s conversational style is down.” Chicago, Harbeke scratched out, “on a little evident, with chapter headings like “How to Harbeke is excited about the book’s sheet of paper,” some ideas that eventually Talk the Talk and Walk the Walk,” “Like a release, and has already arranged for book became the outline of his 128-page book. Good Scout, Be Prepared,” “The Key to signings in Omaha and North Dakota. But The book is geared toward high school Success” and “Get Off Your Butt.” he’s still not entirely comfortable with the and college students. The Fargo, N.D., native is majoring in “author” moniker. “I try to give them some simple marketing and political science at “I’m very humbled by it,” he says.

care of patients and the advancement of Cancer Research, the American Association Lynch Receives medical science. of Cancer Research/American Cancer Scripps Medal Award “Dr. Henry Lynch is certainly an example Society award for research excellence in of this spirit and was selected for his cancer epidemiology and prevention, the Henry T. Lynch, M.D., hereditary cancer resounding contributions to our Brinker International Award for Breast expert and professor of medicine at understanding of the genetic determinants Cancer Research from the Susan G. Komen Creighton of cancer,” Silver said. Breast Cancer Foundation, and the University Medical Lynch manages a database of thousands American Cancer Society Medal of Honor Center, has been of family pedigrees tracing various Award for research in hereditary cancer and selected to receive hereditary cancers. His detailed histories its clinical translation to patient care. Earlier the Ellen Browning and tissue collections have provided the this year, Evanston Northwestern Scripps Medal evidence leading to the discovery of gene Healthcare Center in Evanston, Ill., named a Award. mutations such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 Henry T. Lynch, M.D., distinguished According to Dee mutations that contribute to hereditary lectureship in his honor. Silver, M.D., chair of breast cancers, rare strains of colorectal The first Ellen Browning Scripps Medal the Ellen Browning cancers in Native Americans, and the Award was given in 1979 to cardiologist Scripps Medal strain of hereditary nonpolyposis colon Eugene Braunwald, M.D. Other past Award Selection Lynch cancer dubbed the Lynch Syndrome in recipients of this award include transplant Committee, the his honor. pioneer Thomas A. Starzl, M.D., Nobel Prize guiding principle of the committee is to In addition to the Scripps Medal Award, recipient Stanley B. Prusiner, M.D., and recognize an individual each year who Lynch has received the Bristol-Myers Squibb former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett has made a significant contribution to the Award for Distinguished Achievement in Koop, M.D.

9 Winter 2003 University News

Purcell Named Vice Safire Visits Creighton Chair of Tax Committee Author and New York Times columnist Thomas J. Purcell III, BSBA’72, associate William Safire, winner of the 1978 professor of accounting and professor of Pulitzer Prize for distinguished law at Creighton University, has been commentary, visited Creighton on Sept. named vice chair of the Tax Executive 18. Safire was in Omaha to deliver the Committee of the American Institute of Nebraska Humanities Council’s 8th Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). He Annual Governor’s Lecture in the will start a two-year term as chairman of Humanities. Safire answered questions the panel in October 2004. from Creighton students and other The Tax Executive committee is the tax audience members at the Lied Education policy and standards setting body of the Center for the Arts in the general area of AICPA and represents AICPA members on “The Government and the Press.” tax matters being considered by Congress, Safire was a White House adviser and the IRS, the Department of Treasury and speechwriter in the Nixon Photo by Dave Weaver William Safire spoke at Creighton in other public groups. The committee also administration. The conservative September. oversees the work of the AICPA Tax commentator joined the staff of The New Division, which is comprised of AICPA York Times as a political columnist in This column on grammar, usage and members who have a significant interest in 1973. He also writes a Sunday column, etymology has led to the publication of taxation and many of whom serve on the “On Language,” which has appeared in 10 books and made him the most widely Tax Division’s committees, technical The New York Times Magazine since 1979. read writer on the English language. resource panels and task forces. Purcell has served as a member of the AICPA’s governing Council, the Tax focus on boosting the academic dental care. Executive Committee, the Pre-certification performance of underrepresented minority Keynote speaker David Satcher, M.D., Education Executive Committee, the Tax medical students, encouraging medical Ph.D., the 16th surgeon general of the Accounting Committee, the Tax Policy school graduates to provide health care to United States, spoke at the congress. Committee and on numerous tax task underserved people, and raising the Satcher seeks to broaden the meaning of forces, as well as chair of the Tax Section’s recruitment and retention rates of minority oral health to mean more than just teeth. Strategic Planning Task Force and chair of faculty in the School of Medicine. According to Oral Health In America, A the Tax Section’s Operations Task Force. “With the COE grant, we can continue Report Of The Surgeon General, there are our commitment to recruiting, educating, myriad conditions affecting the craniofacial CUMC Receives developing and challenging the potential of complex, including diseases of the gums, minority students and faculty, thus throat, tongue and lips that are often taken $1.7 Million Center improving the quality of health care to the for granted. of Excellence Grant diverse U.S. population,” said Sade Kosoko- “Oral health is inextricably linked to our Lasaki, M.D., associate vice president for general health and well-being, and as such, Health Sciences’ Multicultural and deserves our attention with regard to The Office of Health Sciences’ Community Affairs. providing proper dental care for children Multicultural and Community Affairs and and adults,” Satcher has said. Creighton University Medical Center’s In Oral Health in America, Satcher also School of Medicine have received a three- Creighton Hosts reports large disparities in dental disease by year $1.7 million grant as a Center of International Congress income. More than 100 million children and Excellence (COE) from the U.S. Department adults lack dental insurance, more than two of Health and Human Services Health on Dental Ethics times the number who lack medical Resources and Services Administration insurance. Many children have not seen a (HRSA). Creighton is one of only 11 “Rights, Access and Justice in Oral Health dentist prior to entering kindergarten. Pain universities throughout the U.S. to receive Care” was the focus of the 5th International and suffering due to untreated oral diseases a COE grant. Congress on Dental Law and Ethics, hosted in children can lead to problems in eating, The COE program serves as a catalyst for by Creighton University Medical Center last speaking and learning. institutions seeking to train students from summer. This is the first time the congress Other discussion topics included justice minority groups in order to build a more has met in the United States. for underserved populations, patients’ diverse health care work force. Creighton’s At the congress, a CU 125 event, rights and the role of education in Office of Health Sciences’ Multicultural and participants and speakers from around the advancing justice in oral health care. Community Affairs will use COE funding to world discussed how to improve access to

10 Winter 2003 University News

disease, cancer and diabetes — all of which, Paul is an excellent role model for his CU Professor to some extent, are affected by diet and church,” Blanchard said. “He exercises, exercise. maintains a healthy weight and Develops Healthy Through her research, Blanchard found understands the importance of prevention.” Church Project that “the No. 1 problem” in terms of obesity Sylvia Coleman, a registered nurse and in African-American women was “physical member of Greater St. Paul, has worked Shirley Blanchard, Ph.D., is on a mission. inactivity and emotional cues to eating.” with Blanchard to establish and coordinate The assistant professor of occupational She began developing an easy-to-use the program. The program objectives were therapy at Creighton is dedicated to health and fitness manual designed modified to meet the church’s mission, and providing African-American women in specifically for African-American women. other health care providers and students Omaha with a community-based, culturally And she knew exactly where she wanted to pursuing health care careers volunteer their relevant health education program. roll it out: local churches. services. To that end, she developed the Healthy Blanchard’s program lasts one year. Church Project and is teaming with local Monthly Wednesday meetings are reserved churches to spread her message of health for health education. Topics have ranged and fitness. “I have two expectations. from nutritional cooking to stress “Is this my ministry?” Blanchard asks management. Participants, who now rhetorically. “I think it is.” I ask them to walk ... and to include men and adolescents, also weigh in Blanchard’s calling came from a research drink four to eight glasses of and set new weight-loss goals for the month study she conducted last March on obesity ahead. among African-American women in Omaha. water per day. That’s it.” Blanchard’s message is simple: As part of the study, Blanchard surveyed “I have two expectations,” she said. “I some 400 women, and she kept getting the —Shirley Blanchard, Ph.D. ask them to walk 30 minutes, three to five same question: “What can you do to help us assistant professor times per week and to drink four to eight with our health?” of occupational therapy glasses of water per day. That’s it.” Was it a divine calling? The results? “God sometimes comes to people when “It’s going beyond my expectations,” said you least expect it,” Blanchard said. “And “That’s where there’s a connection,” Pastor Shannon, who plans to incorporate He expects you to use your knowledge to Blanchard said, “and there’s support.” the program into the six other churches he help others.” She began with Omaha’s Salem Baptist oversees. “We’ve had one parishioner who So Blanchard got to work. Church and is now working with Greater St. lost 15 pounds and another lost 12 pounds. She already knew that African-American Paul Church of God in Christ. The support The success stories are all over the place.” women have the highest mortality rate has been incredible, she said. Coleman arranged walking teams to take among all ethnic groups for stroke, heart “Pastor Joseph Shannon Sr. of Greater St. advantage of a walking path Blanchard measured off outside the church. Team members motivate each other and Callone Elected to Higher Learning encourage attendance at the monthly meetings and weekly weigh-ins — which Commission Executive Committee Blanchard religiously attends. “I go to every weigh-in,” Blanchard said. Patricia R. Callone, vice president for Institutional Relations at Creighton University, “It’s important for them to see that I’m has been elected to a three-year term on the Executive Committee of the board of committed to the program.” trustees for the Higher Learning Commission of the North She talks about meal portion sizes and Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Callone’s term alternatives to fatty, high-cholesterol foods. runs until Aug. 31, 2006. But she’s not preachy. “All food is good The Higher Learning Commission is part of the North food,” she said. “I’m asking for two lifestyle Central Association of Colleges and Schools and is committed changes: drink more water and walk.” to developing and maintaining high standards of excellence. Blanchard would like to see the program The association, founded in 1895 as a membership expand to include other ethnic groups and organization for educational institutions, is one of six regional churches. “Research shows that Hispanic institutional accrediting associations in the United States. and Latino women mirror African- Through its commissions it accredits and grants membership American women in terms of obesity and Callone to educational institutions in the 19-state North Central region: health disparity,” she said. Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, “Shirley is an incredible person,” said Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, New Pastor Shannon. “She has a passion for Mexico, South Dakota, Wisconsin, West Virginia and Wyoming. what she’s doing.”

11 Winter 2003 Creighton Blossoms The vibrant colors that flowered across Creighton’s campus this past spring and summer have faded with the chill of winter. But, in the photos below, we bring a little bit of nature’s brilliant display back to life, as we wait for the show to begin again next spring.

All photos by C. Petit

12 Winter 2003 “God gave us memories so that we might have roses in December.” — Scottish novelist James Matthew Barrie (1860-1937)

Top, from left: From the Reinert Alumni Memorial Library deck toward the Hixson-Lied Science Building, in front of the Humanities Building, by the fountain, near Gallagher Hall.

Bottom, from left: In the Jesuit Gardens, up close, in front of the Reinert Alumni Memorial Library, leading to the Skutt Student Center, by the Administration Building, along the Skinner Mall.

13 Winter 2003 Building the Creighton By Therese Vaughn of theFuture Photo by Mark Romesser

Creighton President the Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J., stands on the roof of the Administration Building, with a view of the east edge of campus and downtown Omaha behind him. Thanks to efforts by the city and Creighton, this area is poised for dramatic growth.

Creighton University has laid the will offer students, faculty and the and borders; and a more unified, groundwork for the most ambitious community a model urban campus in a aesthetic, community-oriented campus. campus expansion in its 125-year verdant, park-like setting. Already in Campus boundaries will be Cuming history. Like the earth-moving progress, “the planned learning and Street to the north, Cass Street to the equipment already traversing the living environment will help advance south, 17th Street to the east and 32nd campus, the University is on the move. Creighton into the highest rank of the Street to the west. The University’s At Creighton’s 125th anniversary nation’s faith-based and student-centered grounds now cover approximately kick-off celebration this fall, University universities,” he said at a Sept. 2 news 90 acres; the expansion effort will add President the Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J., conference marking Creighton’s 125th another 20 acres. unveiled an impressive campus master birthday. Creighton originally took root on a plan, which will transform the The capital project will encompass seven-acre site deeded by the founding University’s strategic priorities into state-of-the-art academic buildings; a family: brothers Edward and John action and complement Omaha’s dynamic student residential Creighton, and their wives, sisters Mary downtown renewal. neighborhood; a sports venue with Lucretia and Sarah Emily Wareham. Schlegel envisions that when all the soccer and baseball fields; expanded Composed of five pieces of property dust — literally — settles, Creighton green space; redefined campus entries purchased from five different parties, the

14 Winter 2003 Building the Creighton of the Future original site cost $12,000 back in 1878. Midtown Development Program is also renewal, planning was oriented Today, standing on “The Hill” and very complimentary of our plan,” according to the same principles that looking eastward, you may catch a Schlegel said. launched Creighton 125 years ago: glimpse of tomorrow’s campus along At the September news conference, intellect and faith, technical progress with the rising sun. The time has never Schlegel congratulated Nebraska Gov. and enlightened judgment, spirited been better for Creighton to extend its Mike Johanns, JD’74, and Omaha Mayor innovation and enduring Jesuit values. physical borders. Just as the University Mike Fahey, BA’73, who were both The campus master plan will be has grown up with the city of Omaha, it present and are both Creighton alums, implemented in coordination with is committed to growing ahead with the for attracting and assisting business and Project 125, the University’s strategic community during this historic industry to invest in downtown Omaha. plan, which was rolled out last spring. opportunity. Creighton’s 125-year “I believe it is important to state The University’s strategic, fiscal and partnership with Omaha provides publicly that much of Creighton’s campus master plans are aligned, common ground and an uncommon motivation to embark on such a Schlegel said. vitality from which to launch the historically dramatic expansion was The vision statement for all comprehensive plan. triggered by the dynamic development institutional planning maintains that With the new, neighboring $291 million and renewal of downtown Omaha,” “Creighton University will be a national Qwest Center Omaha arena and convention Schlegel said. leader in preparing students in a faith- center and surrounding upsurge of based setting for responsible leadership, lodging, shopping and recreation professional distinction and committed infrastructure in the area, the riverfront citizenship.” is seeing even more of a development Priorities of the University’s strategic boom than when Omaha was a raucous plan steered development of the prairie town. The arena and convention “The planned campus master plan. “We have center, which will host Creighton men’s embarked upon the most ambitious basketball home games, will increase learning and living campus expansion in Creighton the University’s visibility as it draws history,” Schlegel said. “Guiding our thousands of locals and tourists into growth is a newly promulgated downtown Omaha. environment will strategic plan, which charts a path to “The first thing you see as you advance Creighton into the first ranks of come into Omaha from the east is our help advance the nation’s institutions of higher Administration Building, which is now learning. We will direct our efforts to lighted at night,” Schlegel said in an each of the following strategies over the interview. Creighton into the next years: Even the planning process itself, which • Enhance Creighton’s national identity spanned five years and involved students, highest rank of and focus its dedication to faculty, staff, administrators, board its mission; members, alumni, neighbors and the • Nurture Creighton’s academic wider community, served to strengthen the nation’s excellence; Creighton’s connections with • Create a diverse human community downtown Omaha. faith-based and of students, faculty and staff; “We’ve been coordinating our • Provide a dynamic living-learning planning efforts with the city. Response environment for Creighton students; from the business community has been student-centered and extremely positive. Campus expansion • Ensure overall financial stability for will provide an excellent opportunity universities.” the University and its schools and for the University to further network colleges.” (See “Charting a Course,” with Omaha’s corporate, private and — The Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J. Page 16.) civic enterprises,” Schlegel said. According to Schlegel, Creighton’s Schlegel calls it a “willed future” — immediate neighbors also support the Likewise, Creighton’s investment in strategic, financial and campus master campus master plan. Local its own future demonstrates its leadership, planning that is visionary, yet neighborhood associations have support and commitment toward its pragmatic; realistic, yet future embraced the initiative. The Gifford wider community. The project may responsive. Campus development will Park Association, which is west of the become a model for cooperative public be implemented in three or four phases, main campus and proximate to the and private development at other urban spanning 10 to 12 years. Each phase will Creighton University Medical Center, institutions across the country. be freestanding and part of the overall has been particularly supportive. “The In plotting the course for campus strategic framework.

15 Winter 2003 Building the Creighton of the Future

Charting a Course Already under way, the campus The campus master plan addresses Creighton’s strategic priorities, setting a expansion is propelling Creighton’s course to advance the University into the first ranks of the nation’s faith-based and academic excellence and national student-centered institutions of higher learning. identity to unprecedented levels of distinction. Schlegel said the new Strategic Priority A Strategic Priority D Hixson-Lied Science Building is “a To enhance Creighton’s national identity To provide a dynamic living-learning prototype of the first-class buildings that and focus its dedication to its mission. environment for Creighton students. we will construct.” The building is the centerpiece of the • Master Plan Response: In order to • Master Plan Response: To create a $55 million initiative to revitalize foster a vibrant Jesuit presence on campus that addresses the whole Creighton’s undergraduate and health campus and extend opportunities for student — his or her unique professions science facilities. Dedicated faith-based spiritual growth to faculty, academic, social, emotional, last spring, the new six-story structure, staff, students and alumni, the campus physical and spiritual needs, the along with extensive renovations to the master plan calls for expanded master plan recommends enhanced adjoining Rigge and Criss science conferencing and retreat facilities and residential options, including a for a consistent identity through signage, multiuse academic neighborhood; a buildings, will comprise an exciting, architectural details and symbols. “one-stop shop” student services interdisciplinary hub for students and center; enhanced technological faculty. The Hixson-Lied building adds 67,000 Strategic Priority B resources; a state-of-the-art sports center; expanded green, open square feet of usable space, providing To nurture Creighton’s academic multipurpose, high-tech classrooms; excellence. spaces for recreation and reflection; improved parking; optimal multimedia lecture halls; and fully • Master Plan Response: In order to security; a campus loop road and equipped laboratories. develop outstanding, integrated shuttle system; and a more unified, Among the nation’s premier educational programs, the master plan aesthetically-pleasing, functional universities in scientific, preprofessional indicates the development of new and environment. and health-related education and research, upgraded academic facilities as well Creighton is home to nationally acclaimed as signature identities for individual Strategic Priority E undergraduate science programs, and schools and colleges. Creighton’s To ensure overall financial stability world-renowned researchers are housed academic excellence will also be for the University and its schools and in the Creighton University Medical enhanced through a new visitor’s colleges. Center. Creighton undergraduates enroll center/student services facility for in the sciences at a pace nearly five times advising, career counseling and • Master Plan Response: To build the national average. Undergraduate placement services. the University endowment and link students have the unprecedented budgeting to strategic planning, the opportunity to participate in research Strategic Priority C master plan calls for deferred programs normally reserved for To create a diverse human community maintenance for existing facilities, graduate students. Enrollment in these of students, faculty and staff. as well as the careful phasing of programs has doubled in the past five capital projects. years, outpacing available lab space. • Master Plan Response: To cultivate a The Integrated Science Center not sense of global community on campus, the master plan provides for a variety only will provide critical facilities of spaces — academic, athletic, social upgrades, it will make Creighton a and recreational — appealing to diverse national model for cross-disciplinary student populations. In addition, the programs that foster collaboration among students and faculty at the multiuse facilities will enhance Below, an architectural drawing of opportunities for interaction among the new junior/senior housing undergraduate, graduate and faculty, staff and students. already under construction to the professional levels. In addition, the east of the current ball fields. center will bring together world-class investigators with converging avenues of research; increase extramural funding; and promote intra-institutional partnerships, all of which can profoundly affect science. Completion of the Integrated Science Center is a key factor in enhancing Creighton’s national academic profile. Also pivotal to the campus master

16 Winter 2003 Building the Creighton of the Future plan and strategic vision is improving “The townhouses are primarily Schlegel said. “Much of what we’re doing the living environment for Creighton designed to retain an upperclassman is indigenous to this part of Nebraska — students. “A goal in our strategic plan is presence on campus. Juniors and the grasses, trees and shrubs — so they to provide services, programs and seniors have a mentoring role, a can handle the dry and wet cycles.” environments that support student leadership role to play for freshmen and While the campus will be greener, the learning,” Schlegel said. Positive student sophomores,” Schlegel said. “Currently, University embraces its location amidst life and campus experiences are critical we have very few (upperclassmen) the hustle and bustle of downtown to the excellence of Creighton. living on campus. The east campus Omaha. “Creighton is an urban The campus experience extends neighborhood offers a tremendous institution; it’s who we are,” Schlegel beyond work in the classroom, clinic opportunity to develop a more close- said. “We are proximate to downtown; or lab. knit community among all students.” we are on Cuming Street, which is now Today’s students arrive at college In creating “a dynamic living-learning a vital thoroughfare.” The enriched with luggage, laptops and evermore environment for Creighton students,” park-like campus will present an sophisticated expectations. Additionally, the campus master plan includes a new attractive oasis within Creighton’s Creighton’s increasing enrollment sports venue with soccer and baseball increasingly busy neighborhood. requires enhanced living opportunities fields at the east terminus. Completed The response to the campus master to keep pace with the needs of entering this summer and currently “in play,” the plan, particularly the external response, freshmen. With a near 100 percent capacity soccer field represents a rallying point has been extremely positive, Schlegel in campus housing, new residence halls for students, alumni and the community. said. “Everyone from the governor to are critical for the University to continue The Bluejays’ new home will match the mayor to the chairman of the board on the path of its planned growth. their national soccer reputation while has been very enthusiastic. Much of the Through new housing; recreation, providing Omaha and the region with a city administration, downtown Omaha, athletic and common spaces; and a major new site for city, state and regional local interest groups and alumni have more spacious, attractive campus, tournaments and for community events endorsed the plan.” Creighton will provide an environment such as summer concerts, art shows and According to Schlegel, the campus that is educationally, emotionally, youth marching band contests. community is equally excited. “My physically, socially and spiritually A 5,000-seat soccer stadium and student breakfasts tell me that it’s very supportive — an environment that is additional infrastructure will take shape popular with the student body. Science steeped in the Jesuit tradition of cura as the year progresses. Within walking faculty are particularly pleased with the personalis or care for the whole person. distance for students and Bluejay fans new Integrated Science Center,” he said. “We believe residence halls are more who live and work downtown, the When asked how the campus than just buildings — they are vital $12 million soccer stadium will further expansion, construction and renovation extensions of the learning environment,” support Creighton’s connection to efforts will be financed, Schlegel said, Schlegel said. downtown Omaha and the wider “The most important response is how it With this in mind, Creighton is community. It also will be home to state will not be funded — it will not be funded constructing a multipurpose academic and regional tournaments at all levels, through student tuition.” Private neighborhood to include townhouse- including NCAA post-season competition. benefaction through individuals and style apartments; pleasant new social, Schlegel anticipates that the soccer foundations, as well as some bond monies, dining and recreational spaces; stadium will be the premiere soccer will underwrite the revitalization project. expanded academic facilities; and safety facility in the nation. For the next decade, scaffolding and and security enhancements. The east Additional athletic facilities, including steel may be common landmarks on campus neighborhood also will feature baseball diamonds and tennis courts, Creighton’s campus. But just as Omaha’s a new visitor center/student services also would be concentrated at the first settlers looked out upon wind- facility, creating convenient “one-stop eastern edge of campus. swept prairies and beheld a future ripe shopping” for academic advising, career Cultivating a park-like setting within its with opportunity, the University again and placement services. New conference metropolitan locality, Creighton plans to has set its sights on new horizons. facilities will round out Creighton’s east expand its green space. The campus Through the far-reaching campus campus, allowing the University to host master plan includes grassy lawns, development project, Creighton will retreats for students, faculty, staff, trees, pleasant walkways, plazas and extend its frontiers of education, research alumni and visitors throughout the year. fountains to create a more cohesive, and service into the 21st century. The first phase has begun with inviting campus. In addition, a unified residences for juniors and seniors. The theme among lampposts, benches and About the author: Therese Vaughn is a new housing, intended to complement distinctive signage will provide a sense freelance writer living in Omaha. existing neighborhood and campus of continuity and identity. Even the structures, will aid in student retention. carefully planned flowerbeds are part of Completion is planned for the fall of the University’s “willed future.” 2004. “Landscaping is now planned,”

17 Winter 2003 The Curriculum Takes Shape By Dennis N. Mihelich, Ph.D., Associate Professor of History, Creighton University Historian A Creighton College Catalogue from the early 1880s.

— Parl— Two — The sense of achievement gained from initiatives that would thrive when the year later, they bequeathed a thriving producing the first graduating class at environment improved. John Andrew institution to their successors. The robust Creighton University evaporated quickly. Creighton not only underwrote the University boasted a large liberal arts college The Panic of 1893 ushered in a national continued existence of the school; in 1892, (which maintained a high-school division), depression that ravaged the institution’s he established Creighton’s medical school professional schools for medicine, law, finances. Once again, the college entered the and financed construction of a hospital at dentistry and pharmacy, and programs in doldrums — and the Missouri Province 10th and Castelar (the forerunner to post-baccalaureate studies. considered shuttering the school. Creighton University Medical Center), Symbolically, Creighton University Moreover, the depredations of the anti- creating a university in deed, not simply in reached maturity (21 years of age) in 1899; Catholic American Protective Association name. In 1898, the Rev. Michael P. Dowling, it had endured a tempestuous childhood, but contributed to a siege mentality and further S.J., resumed the duties of rector-president during early adulthood, historical trade disheartened spirits. The boom of the 1880s (he also was here from 1885-89) and provided winds began to blow. Subsequently, it ended with the bust of the 1890s, and forced energetic leadership for the next decade. celebrated its 30th birthday as a financially Creighton University to start over again at John Andrew and Fr. Dowling established secure, stable, proud Jesuit American the dawn of the new century. a vibrant partnership that transformed the university, but one constantly on guard, Yet, as in the previous decade, the University into a dynamo. When John defending the Ratio Studiorum against the University did not merely survive the Andrew died in February 1907, and Michael onslaught of American educational reformers downturn: It actually nurtured new Dowling moved on to a new assignment one led by the likes of one Charles Eliot.

18 Winter 2003 The Curriculum Takes Shape

At the time of Creighton’s coming of age, at least four distinct groups were arguing over the nature and purpose of a college curriculum at the dawn of the 20th century. Historian Herbert Kliebard categorized the contending parties in American education as: (1) the “humanists,” who defended the “ancient tradition” — this would include the Jesuits and the Ratio Studiorum, the Jesuit code of liberal education that entailed the rational study of the liberal arts and sciences; (2) the devotees of the “child-study movement,” who wanted to reform the curriculum to match “the natural order of development in the child”; (3) the “social-efficiency educators,” who wished to use science to create a “coolly efficient, smoothly running society”; and (4) the “social meliorists,” who wanted A Creighton classroom in 1888. to use the schools to affect social change. Harvard University President Charles required courses down to the high- systems of study: Eliot was among the most vocal of school level. American educational reformers. He In 1893, Eliot chaired the National This is precisely the method followed in added a distinctive element that made Education Association’s Committee of Moslem countries, where the Koran “electivism” — that is, the student Ten, which advocated the creation of a prescribes the perfect education to be deciding which courses to take — choice of four different courses of study administered to all children alike. ... central to the debate. for high schools. Then, in 1899, in the Another instance of uniform prescribed At Harvard, Eliot had abolished Atlantic Monthly, Eliot published an education may be found in the curriculum required classes for seniors by 1872, for article describing the application and of the Jesuit colleges, which has remained juniors by 1879, for sophomores by expansion of the elective system. He almost unchanged for four hundred years, 1884, for freshmen by 1885, and had concluded the scholarly analysis with a disregarding some trifling concessions to even proposed the elimination of flippant remark about prescribed natural sciences. The insult provoked an instant response from the “humanists,” including Catholic and Jesuit educators. Catholic educator Ruth Everett chastised Eliot for his comments, arguing that “professors of the Jesuit colleges keep up with the times.” She claimed, “To-day forty-seven per cent. [sic] of the students’ time is given to modern studies — proportioned during four years to the study of English, mathematics, modern languages, and natural sciences.” For her, the disagreement hinged “on the age at

College of Arts, reading room, circa 1911.

19 Winter 2003 The Curriculum Takes Shape

which the student is deemed competent The Great Educational Debate to elect for himself.” Jesuits believed that the undergraduate lacked the In the late 1800s, as schools like colleges, stating that their curriculum maturity to choose courses wisely and Creighton came into their own, had remained “almost unchanged for needed to develop as “a thinker and a American educators engaged in a four hundred years.” reasoner” before specializing in spirited debate over what constituted Educators like the Rev. Timothy professional school. the best educational system for this Brosnahan, S.J., pictured below at left, Soon the Rev. Timothy Brosnahan, S.J., growing country. responded in kind. The Jesuit and the former president of Boston College, Among the hotly contested issues: president of Boston College compared complained that Eliot ignored the electivism, in which students selected those educated solely by electives to evolution of the Ratio Studiorum, observing: their own courses, versus traditional “hollow-chested acrobats,” who can liberal education, which required perform a few feats but “remain ... The man whose whole education has been coursework in certain prescribed educational curiosities.” In contrast, he special or elective is as pitiable an object as academic disciplines. said a liberal education develops “all a hollow-chested acrobat who can toss Educational reformers like Charles the faculties” of a student. barrels with his feet. Both have undergone Eliot, pictured below at right, Creighton even addressed the issue, ‘training for power,’ both have made a championed an expanded elective weighing in on the merits of liberal thorough study of a few things, but both system. The Harvard University education in its 1899-1900 Catalogue, will remain to the end of their days president and chairman of a national the beginning of which is shown educational curiosities. education committee derided Jesuit below. Creighton also joined in the fray, immediately publishing in the 1899-1900 Catalogue a 13-point defense of the Ratio Studiorum. The copy asserted “that the aim of a truly liberal education is the harmonious development of all the faculties, the careful training of mind and heart, the formation of character, rather than the actual imparting of knowledge and the specific equipment for a limited sphere of action.” The Catalogue went on to stipulate “that there are some branches of study absolutely necessary in any scheme of liberal education,” and “that young students are not the proper judges of the studies essential for a systematic and thorough development of their faculties.” The statement also Photo courtesy of University Archives, John J. Burns Library, Boston College John J. Burns Library, Archives, Photo courtesy of University Photo courtesy of Harvard University Archives University Photo courtesy of Harvard proclaimed “that religion should not be divorced from education; that morality is impossible without religion and that is far more important than knowledge for the welfare of the individual and the safety of society. The commonwealth needs good men more than it needs clever men.” While the controversy swirled, a conference of Catholic colleges met in

20 Winter 2003 The Curriculum Takes Shape

Chicago in 1899, resulting in the creation Despite erroneous newspaper reports for ways to certify programs — and of the Association of the Catholic to the contrary, the Chicago meeting setting entrance requirements. Colleges of the United States (ACC), saw no attempts to offer more science In 1884, for example, the University of which became the Catholic Education courses nor to increase the number of Nebraska established entrance Association (CEA) in 1904. Today, the electives in Catholic colleges. But the requirements and began accrediting National Catholic Education Association meeting did pass a resolution: to warn high schools that met its standards. In is the largest private professional “apathetic college men in some states 1889, only 12 high schools in the state education organization in the world. [who] are allowing their educational could send their graduates to the Efforts to standardize educational rights to be filched from them by University of Nebraska without operations and increase efficiency unscrupulous and secularizing examination. spread across the nation, as the educators.” At the turn of the century, Harvard founding of the National Association of The resolution referred to the early University dropped all Catholic schools, State Universities, 1896, and the stages of accreditation. With the rise of except Georgetown and Notre Dame, Association of American Universities, so many colleges, curricula and from its list of schools whose students 1900, attest. standards, elite schools started looking could enroll in its law school without Darwin Not Imagine you’re a Creighton student ... Discussed Imagine you are a Creighton in class about Charles Darwin, who is Creighton Historian Dennis Mihelich student enrolled around 1900. busy rocking the scientific world with tells us that neither the University’s You are most likely from Omaha — the astounding theory of evolution. chroniclers nor the official course of or another small Nebraska town, If you’re an out-of-town student in study make reference to “the major though you might be in the minority the fall of 1906, you might be rooming religious controversy of the era, hailing from Iowa. at St. John’s Hall, at the corner of 25th Darwinian evolution.” Chances are about three to one that and California streets. In the 1870s, American Catholic you’re enrolled in the academic Your day? It probably consists of scholars “only occasionally” portion of the school (to prepare you rising early, with the college opening discussed the issue of evolution, but for college) rather than in college itself. at 7:30 a.m. By lunch, you’re ready for when they did “it was to wield the You are probably one of about 40 a bite at the Beanery at St. John’s Hall. shillelah with vengeance.” students in your classroom, as Creighton’s You’ll likely put in a full day, with During the following decade, belt-tightening with the times meant eight classes. some Catholics followed Liberal that your professor was holding Will you be asked to recite in class Protestants in abandoning their classes at about the top capacity. today? Probably not. Creighton, like opposition to the theory. For Still, as you look around your its counterparts across the country, is example, in 1896, Fr. John Zahn, classroom (taking just a moment’s leaning more and more toward CSC, of the University of Notre break from the ongoing lecture of a lecture, rather than the old form of Dame, wrote Evolution and Dogma, stern pedagogue), you might notice recitation on the part of the students. which argued that no conflict the newly installed electric lights. Classes will likely meet until existed between religion and What’s more, the street you crossed to midafternoon (half-days on Saturdays, science. get to class was probably already followed by confession), at which In 1898, however, Pope Leo XIII newly paved with brick. point, it being spring, you may head argued otherwise. He issued Testem As a Creighton student, it is out for an intramural game of Benevolentiae, warning against unlikely you would have heard much baseball. erroneous ideas of faith in the United States; Fr. Zahn withdrew his book from print. At the time, Creighton College did not teach specific science classes in biology or geology (the fossil record), and Fr. William Rigge’s research in astronomy did not deal with the origins of the universe; thus, the controversy seemingly had no impact on Creighton’s curriculum. — Creighton Catalogue, 1899-1900

21 Winter 2003 The Curriculum Takes Shape

(Sr. M. Bonaventure and Sr. M. Camillus) to teach two of the sections. The arrangement continued into the 1909-10 academic year, and the sisters taught syntax and Greek rudiments, Latin, English and mathematics. By that time, Creighton College also employed a Mrs. C. Burkhard as a vocal music teacher, and the medical school had hired Mary Strong, M.D., as “Demonstrator in Obstetrics.” Part of what made enrollment shoot up at Creighton was the creation of the “Special Classes” category, which attracted 26 students by 1906. Students in that group usually were skilled in English and mathematics, but not in Greek or Latin. Some of them were older-than-average students who had little formal education and needed special tutoring; for example, a 29-year- The College of Law dean’s office in 1914. One of the first professional schools at Creighton, after the medical school, the law school was established in 1904 by John A. Creighton. old evangelist was enrolled who wanted formal training in “sacred oratory.” examination. The United States Bureau at all; and degrees could even be At the other end of the spectrum, the of Education, national education bought” — the ACC feared that state college introduced an honors program, organizations and state governments requirements could signal the demise of consisting of special study beyond the joined the accreditation crusade. Catholic colleges. ordinary work of a class, for poetry Although Creighton’s Fr. William But likely as not, the students of (sophomores) and rhetoric (juniors). Rigge understood the legitimacy of the Creighton College were oblivious to the At the same time, the American situation — “Indeed, it was a notorious controversies surrounding education in model of education continued to affect fact that sometimes degrees were given their day. Probably, watching the eight the Ratio Studiorum. In 1902, Creighton in branches the student had not studied graduates at commencement seated College divided itself into departments on the stage of the and began to abandon Jesuit College Hall (the terminology. The “High School or third-floor Academic Department” consisted of auditorium in today’s four years of study; “Humanities,” Administration which had been the first-year, college- Building) provided level class, became the last year of high the highlight of 1899. school, and the three years of college During the era, became the freshman, sophomore and total enrollment junior-senior years. increased, so much so Overall, the new curriculum called for that by 1904 the a student to enter elementary school at Creighton age 7, study seven years and enter high administration had to school at 14, then college at 18. The create four divisions administration also arranged college of Third Academic — classes into the “essential” branches — the first year of high Latin, Greek, English, mathematics and school — and to hire astronomy — and the “non-essential” two Sisters of Mercy branches — modern languages, physics

First graduating class from Creighton College in 1891.

22 Winter 2003 The Curriculum Takes Shape and chemistry. In order to advance to the next year, a student had to pass 1893’s Prerequisites: examinations in all essential branches. Non-essential electives also included English Grammar to Good Behavior vocal music — and, by 1901, “courses of instruction in typewriting with Creighton made changes to its and applied these general statements Remington and Smith Premier undergraduate Course of Study in “in such a way that any boy they Machines” for students so inclined. 1893, eliminating the preparatory chose to admit could qualify,” one The young college received a department. All entrants were contemporary observed. lukewarm review from the United required to have the minimum of a The 1893 Course of Study States Bureau of Education in 1902. sixth-grade education, which emphasized the need for strict Though the assessment did not prepared them to pass entrance grading; that is, assigning “a certain denigrate the program, it alluded more exams in English grammar, spelling, definite amount of matter to each to weaknesses than strengths. arithmetic and geography. The class, thus preventing one class from “The standard in the classics and mathematics [was] ... fully equal to that decision forced some Catholic trespassing on another,” according to of any school in the state,” the report students to go to public school first a chronicler. asserted. However, while the “people of because they could not do “decimal Furthermore, at a time when the Omaha have been remarkably generous fractions.” lecture system rapidly eclipsed the in gifts for the scientific departments,” Another new admission standard recitation system at secular colleges, the review noted that the Creighton at Creighton required “satisfactory Creighton’s revised course of study collection was not “extensive” and the testimonials of good conduct” on also demanded that, “Prelection school gave “less attention ... to scientific behalf of students transferring from (student discourse related to a professor’s studies by the faculty than is the case in other institutions. Yet, most Catholic lesson) should be strictly carried out the State University or other secular schools, Creighton included, phrased by the professors of all classes.” schools.” Similarly, the faculty library’s 7,000 volumes seemed adequate, but funds that is, required, rather than elective. extolling his undergraduate experience; for acquisitions ($200 per year) On the other hand, Creighton College his opening epistle evaluated his remained “too limited.” Moreover, received a personal, glowing review Harvard class of 250 students from all although the curriculum paid “about from the home of the elective over the United States: the usual amount of attention” to revolution. Paul L. Martin, who had philosophy, logic and ethics, “a marked obtained his A.B. at Creighton in 1902, ... from what I have thus far seen of them contrast” existed in comparison “with entered Harvard Law School that fall. in and out of class I have not the slightest the best universities of the time”: the Over the next three years, he wrote hesitation in saying that Creighton men “course is almost wholly prescribed,” eight letters to Creighton’s Fr. Dowling who take advantage of their opportunities need have no fear in competing with these fellows whom President Eliot would have us believe vastly superior in training to the students of Jesuit colleges. His concluding letter maintained the same tone, arguing that while Harvard may have better facilities and a greater variety of classes, his years there “only served to convince me the more firmly that for the undergraduate Creighton is much to be preferred to Harvard.”

College of Arts, physics lecture room, circa 1914.

23 Winter 2003 The Business of Quilts The

Business By Ozzie Nogg of

Creighton Professor, with Colleague’s Help, Develops Index to Track Quilts as Investments Two years ago, Juli-Ann Gasper, Ph.D., found her: A Price Index Study of needed a topic for her sabbatical research American Quilts. paper. Inspiration came from her And so — just as the quilting process daughter’s new boyfriend when, during requires her to select and put together what Gasper describes as a getting- varied, complex pieces — Gasper began acquainted-bonding-session, the young gathering and sorting through quilt man asked what activities interested her. prices, with the help of Wingender, Gasper, associate professor of finance at Ph.D., and graduate research assistant Creighton, immediately answered, “Quilts!” Sarah Collins. When Gasper’s and proceeded to introduce the boy to Quilt Price Index is finished, the joy and wonder of patchwork the database will be a helpful pillow tops. tool in the growing Impressed with quilting (and the phenomenon called This Gasper family) the young man returned Business of Quilts. home and forwarded to Gasper an e-mail from a listserv that included a Plain or colorful. “call for papers” for an academic Muslin or silk. Utilitarian, conference on quilting to be held in lopsided, or sophisticated Lincoln, Neb. “Why not present a paper works of art, quilts have there?” he suggested. For Gasper, an been part of America’s active member of the Creighton Campus cultural, political and Quilters, that was an “aha!” moment. social fabric since “I jokingly asked John Wingender, Plymouth Rock. chair of the Finance Department at the Log Cabin. Courthouse time, if he thought a quilt paper would Steps. Sunshine and qualify for publication credit in my Shadows. Drunkard’s Path. quest for promotion and tenure. John Wild Goose Chase. Their very reminded me that quilts are bought and names reflect our collective sold. They have prices. He encouraged memories. me to track what quilts are going for Generations of wives and these days — no one had done it before mothers sat by firelight, — and write a paper about the rate of stitching quilts to keep their Gasper and Wingender with some of Gasper’s quilts. return on investment in quilts.” families warm, while Gasper found that “... investing in American quilts The topic for Gasper’s paper had young girls carefully can produce an excellent rate of return.”

24 Winter 2003 The Business of Quilts Photo by Mark Romesser

X Winter 2003 The Business of Quilts

appliqued Double Wedding Ring and then sell it, you can easily find your own collections, as well as large dreams on quilt tops for their hope rate of return. If you bought the item for corporations with portfolios of art, chests. $100 and sold it a year later for $105, recognize the potential value of During slavery years, members of the you know you made $5 on a $100 spectacular quilts and the need to keep Underground Railroad used quilts to investment, or a 5 percent return. But if track of how their “endowments for the send messages and mark safe houses of you don’t want to sell the asset to find future” are faring with respect to value. refuge and escape routes to freedom. your rate of return from owning it — if A case in point? Esprit. A Before women got the vote in 1920, you want to hold that asset for a period manufacturer of fashion clothing and quilting was their forum. Quilt displays of time — how can you determine the accessories headquartered in San at agricultural fairs gave voice to rate of return you’re earning? How do Francisco, the Esprit Quilt Collection women’s patriotic sentiments and you know how much a long-term began in 1972 and soon became known expression to their views about political, investment is making?” as perhaps the best collection of Amish social and economic issues. If that long-term investment is in a quilts in the world. The collection is The AIDS Memorial Quilt — its 44,000 stocks and bonds portfolio, the answer constantly added to, re-evaluated and panels as big as 16 football fields and is simple. Just turn to the financial page, changed, and today includes an eclectic weighing 50 tons — documents the lives look up the current price of that mix of unusual “maverick” American its creators feared history would forget. particular investment, compare that to art quilts, all boldly expressive, highly Nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize in your purchase price and calculate the personal and eccentric. This masterful 1989, the AIDS quilt is the largest return you’d receive if you chose to sell. collection of quilts — ranging in size community art project in the world and And, if you wanted to estimate the from doll quilts to large bed quilts — redefined the tradition of quilt-making worth of your entire portfolio, you’d is the only art Esprit displays, and the in response to contemporary check the daily price index for securities pieces are placed where visitors can circumstances. as a whole. “If the price index went up,” always get within at least 10 or 12 feet of After the events of 9/11, the nationwide Gasper said, “it’s likely your portfolio’s each, even if the quilt hangs in someone’s United We Quilt exhibit let artists value went up, too. If the price index office. Obviously, the changing value of express grief, anger and sadness in went down, then in all probability your these quilts is of great interest to the response to the tragic loss of human life, portfolio lost money.” company. and proved, once again, that quilts can But what if your portfolio isn’t in Closer to home, on the University of bring comfort to those who make them stocks and bonds, but in art — perhaps Nebraska-Lincoln campus, the as well as to those who view them. in quilts? How can you track daily International Quilt Study Center eagerly prices when there usually is no daily awaits Gasper’s Price Index, too. As a quilter herself, Gasper sees quilts trade reporting in the art world? Launched in 1997 with a $1 million as history, storytelling, spirit and “There’s only one van Gogh donation and a gift of nearly 950 quilts community. As a finance professor, she Sunflower, and the lucky owner isn’t from collectors Ardis and Robert James, understands that in recent decades — able to look at the market, see a sale of the dollar value of quilts housed in the when quilts were acknowledged as art that painting and gauge what his center continues to rise. and moved from the bed to museum, painting is worth. But, the van Gogh In 2002, Lucinda Ward Honstain’s gallery and corporate walls — collectors owner could check what’s happening, Reconciliation Quilt was donated to the began looking at them in the same way worldwide, in the general trend of Old center by the Jameses. Widely they looked at paintings. Suddenly, Master sales, and get an idea as to photographed and publicized, the quilt collectors looked at quilts and saw whether prices are higher or lower than holds the world-record price for a quilt dollar signs. they were a few years ago.” sold at auction — $264,000 in 1991 at As American quilts sell for record Average prices. Rates of return. Sotheby’s. Completed in 1867, the quilt’s prices at auction — some for hundreds Portfolio worth. Who asks the questions 40 blocks depict scenes of domestic, of thousands of dollars — more and wants answers to any of this, anyway? commercial and political life in the companies and individual collectors According to Gasper, “Finance people United States during the years before view the art form as another real asset love to look at the portfolio effects of and after the Civil War, and the work is investment. The real asset market is well adding a new type of asset to an considered an outstanding example of the understood for photographic prints and investment program. They wonder — use of textiles for the expression of paintings by master artists, but, since when the stock market is down, is the political sentiments — in this instance, there are no published studies of quilt quilt market up? Well, for that answer, the abolition of slavery. prices, their worth as investments is still they’ll have to wait for our published In 2003, the International Quilt Study unclear. research data!” Center was gifted with the Jonathan “That’s why we want to create a price Holstein Quilt Collection and the index for quilts,” Gasper explained. “A Not only the “finance people” will Holstein Collection of Archival price index measures the average price get answers from Gasper’s report. Materials. Valued at more than $2.2 of an asset. When you buy something Individuals who buy quilts for their million, the collection numbers more

26 Winter 2003 The Business of Quilts

“We have 35 years of published data on antique quilts, including their descriptions. The data show that in 1970, a 1930s Sunburst pattern patchwork quilt was priced at $32. It then shows that in 1980, that kind of quilt was priced at $273. From this, we can calculate the rate of return from owning a 1930s Sunburst quilt.” According to Gasper, an investor can use these 35 years of prices to figure the rate of return on a quilt portfolio. “You take the raw average price for each year and compare that price from year to year,” Gasper said. “For example, in 1969, we show 11 quilts with an average price of $42. For 2002, we show 132 quilts with an average price of $1,529. If you look at the change from one year to the next, you see the average price sometimes goes up and sometimes goes down. During the 35-year period used in our study, quilt prices rose, on average, 17 percent each year. Compare that with an average of 9 percent for the Standard and Poor’s 500-stock index, 8.6 percent for the Dow and a 6.7 percent price increase for gold, and you realize that investing in American quilts can produce an excellent rate of return.” Excellent, indeed. As recently as the 1980s, antique quilts rarely sold for Photo courtesy of the International Quilt Study Center/University Nebraska-Lincoln more than $10,000. The boom of the The Reconciliation Quilt made by Lucinda Ward Honstain and dated 1867 fetched a record $264,000 at 1990s changed all that. Prices of $10,000 auction in 1991. and more have become the norm for exceptional pieces, and some fetch six than 400 quilts and hundreds of qualities to those found in modern abstract figures. Recently, an astronomy quilt research documents that rank among art, the exhibition brought quilts to the with an image of the galaxy as it was the top five collections in the world attention of an audience that had never known in the late-18th and early-19th pertaining to American quilts. The gift before considered them in such a context. century sold for $225,000. was a joint venture between Holstein, a And with that attention, came an Patriotic quilts are extremely collector and author, and the Jameses. up-tick in quilt sales as real assets. desirable. After the attack on the World The Holstein Collection is one of the Trade Center, the country went on a most historically important, superlative Since the 1920s, quilt prices have risen patriotic buying binge. Sales of items collections of Amish quilts ever assembled, steadily and within the last 15 years particularly emblematic of America — and the contemporary works in the Amish, Mennonite, early appliqued and think presidents, eagles or our national collection comprise perhaps the most album quilts have brought prices in the colors — rose as much as 50 percent in a aesthetically important group in existence. thousands of dollars. To people who few weeks. Even before Sept. 11, a quilt In 1971, 60 of Holstein’s abstract art grew up sleeping under grandma’s from the 1876 Philadelphia Centennial quilts, now belonging to the center, were scrappy Postage Stamp quilt, today’s Exhibition with flags and George exhibited at the Whitney Museum in prices may seem staggering. In the Washington images was priced above New York. Most quilt scholars regard 1930s, an exquisite handmade quilt $20,000 and might be priced even that exhibit as instrumental in igniting could be purchased for as little as $8.50. higher today. the quilt renaissance of the 20th and 21st The same quilt today might bring Need more examples? centuries. By presenting them on the $30,000. These are exactly the kinds of A 1916 cartoon character quilt walls of a prestigious art museum and numbers Gasper is crunching in her called Funny Papers brought $300 in by comparing their graphic and painterly Price Index. 1979. It was eventually auctioned for

27 Winter 2003 The Business of Quilts Campus Quilters Stitch Anniversary Quilt Part of Creighton’s mission statement reads: “Service to others, the importance of family life, the inalienable worth of each individual and appreciation of ethnic and cultural diversity are core values of Creighton.” The Campus Quilters is one of many University groups that reflect this mission. “But,” said a smiling Micki Dukat, executive assistant to the vice president for Administration and Finance, and member of the Quilters, “we have more fun than most of the other groups with our friendships, both old and new, and our fabric scraps — both old and new.” While this fellowship of about 30 Creighton employees meets regularly to Photo by Mark Romesser make personal, individual quilts, they Members of the Campus Quilters at Creighton work on the 125th Anniversary quilt. Clockwise from also turn their enthusiasm and love of bottom left are Micki Dukat, Barb Epps, Barb Slattery, Liz Gustin, Wendy Maliszewski, Debi Kibbee the craft to benefit other women less and Judi Bergjord. fortunate. Each year since 1997, the Campus Quilters have created a group true spirit of generosity. Cap and Gown, the Omaha firm that quilt that is raffled during Creighton’s What’s next on the group’s agenda? makes Creighton’s academic regalia. Holiday Spirit campaign — a time Stitching together Creighton’s 125th Other quilt blocks represent when the Creighton community strives Anniversary Quilt. Richard Jizba, University vice presidents, and the to open its heart and extend a helping head of the reference department at student body is spotlighted in blocks hand to underprivileged needy or Creighton’s Health Sciences Library called Bright Hopes, Friendship Star, homeless people and families. and a member of the Anniversary Union and CU Bluejay. Top and The winning raffle ticket is drawn in Committee, came up with the original bottom borders show day and December at the Child Development idea for the quilt, which traces nighttime skylines of campus buildings, Center’s Chili/Soup luncheon. “Every Creighton’s history from 1878 to 2003. and the border surrounding the main year most of us still get emotional about Designed by Judy Bergjord, Health field includes embroidered names of all giving the quilt away and giving the Sciences Library, with help from Dukat, of Creighton’s past presidents. money to charity,” Dukat said. To date, the work features blocks representing “We wanted signatures for the back the project has netted more than $3,000, Creighton’s various schools in colors of the quilt,” Dukat said, “so we’ve all of which has been donated to the established by the Intercollegiate Code attended alumni, student and Catholic Charities Shelter for Abused to represent different departments of anniversary events and sold quilt Women and Children in Omaha and to learning. “A pattern called Barrister’s signatures for $1 each to students, staff Phoenix House in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Block was a natural choice for the Law and alumni. The money helps defray Clearly, much love is sewn into the School,” explained Dukat, “as was costs of fabric and quilting, and the quilt along with the fabric, and, in 2002, Road to Fortune for the College of signatures make the quilt even more the Creighton University Committee on Business and Tree of Life for the personal and give it added historical the Status of Women recognized School of Medicine. And, just for fun, significance.” The Creighton University Campus Quilters for their spirit of we picked Sawtooth Star to represent 125th Anniversary Quilt will be on collaboration, selfless service to others, our School of Dentistry.” Velvet for the exhibit from Jan. 17 to Feb. 15 at and for fostering companionship and a school blocks is a gift from Willsie Creighton’s Lied Center Gallery.

almost $19,000. value over five years and recently sold But Gasper warns that the ups and A 1930 quilt depicting interracial for $20,000. downs of this emerging market must scenes, including a black doctor caring Work by significant contemporary art always be considered. for a white patient, sold for a few quilters hangs in prestigious galleries “The Quilt Index looks at the dollars in 1960. A collector later around the country and can demand volatility of returns, and shows that purchased it for more than $50,000. between $20,000 and $80,000 per piece. during the 35 years under study, stock Even a relatively modest 1937 floral Even these few examples show quilts indices were much steadier than those quilt called Center Medallion tripled in now qualify as top-drawer real assets. for quilts. During that time period, both

28 Winter 2003 The Business of Quilts

fades them. Temperature changes, moisture and air pollutants eat away at quilts, and the damage is irreversible. On top of that, people want to hold quilts, touch them — and touching them hurts most of all.” Kirk also emphasizes the importance of provenance. “The first thing people ask about a quilt is — do you know who made it? So, document, document, document. A tattered quilt with a story will sell for much more than a mint- condition quilt with no documentation. If you want to realize a significant return on investment, you’d better know the history of the quilt.” Bottom line, Kirk advises, “Buy a quilt with your heart. The only guaranteed return on investment is the pleasure you’ll receive from having the quilt in your home.” As for Wingender, he is, of course, intrigued by the bear versus bull aspect of quilts as commodities, but admits he had no particular interest in quilts before he began helping Gasper gather data. “Now, I view them in a totally different way,” he said. “I still have the quilt my Swedish grandmother made for me 53 years ago. And each of my three adult sons still has the quilts their grandmother made for them. I realize how much of our family history is wrapped up in these quilts. I doubt if they’re worth any money, but they have enormous sentimental value and that’s a good enough reason to treasure them.” What is the fascination with quilts all

Photo AP/Eric Draper about? There are many explanations, About 15,000 panels of the 44,000-panel AIDS Memorial Quilt are displayed in front of the Rose Bowl in but perhaps collector Holstein says it Pasadena, Calif., in this 1995 photo. The largest community art project in the world, the quilt’s three- best. by-six foot panels would stretch for 50 miles if laid end to end. “Quilts exert their great force in our minds and imaginations because they the S&P 500-stock index and the Dow Other things to consider when combine in single objects so much Jones industrial average showed 10 dealing with quilts? Preservation and information of importance to us: the years of negative returns, while the quilt provenance. potent congruence of beauty, sentiment, index showed 16 years in which the Nancy Kirk of the Kirk Collection is a history, utility and significant function. average price was lower than it was the dealer and appraiser of quilts in Omaha. People were born and died under them. previous year. The old finance adage — “Quilt preservation is difficult,” she They cover our dreams.” to get higher returns you have to take said. “Collectors usually keep coins or And if you dream of an investment higher risks — holds true in the quilt stamps in bank vaults where they’re with both esthetic and financial payoffs, market. If you choose the right year to pretty sure nothing will happen to quilts may have you covered there, sell your collection, you could make a them. Paintings and even lithos can too. hang on walls and, under the right bundle, but if you choose the wrong Editor’s Note: Ozzie Nogg is a freelance conditions, suffer no damage. But year, you could, quite simply, lose writer living in Omaha. money.” textiles give investors a hard time. Light

29 Winter 2003 Xxxxxxxx Whose Problem is It, Anyway? The Disposal of High-Level Nuclear Waste By Carol Zuegner, Assistant Professor of Journalism

Zuegner and Fleming

Deep in the bowels of the earth off the coast of Sweden, a philosopher and a journalist wear hard hats and clutch their emergency oxygen masks as they peer down a borehole to examine a 25-ton canister that one day may hold

AP Photo/Dennis Cook nuclear waste.

X Winter 2003 Whose Problem is It, Anyway?

The philosopher, Patricia Fleming, academic research in science journalism attention even though they can’t easily Ph.D., and the journalist, Carol Zuegner, in the 20th century. My role was to be quantified, for they are often justified Ph.D., trekked 1,509 feet below the explore how the business and routines by a different value-weighting than that Swedish countryside to the Äspö Hard of news-gathering frame complex assigned by risk assessors’ equations. Rock Laboratory, where scientists from stories like nuclear waste disposal. People don’t view risk as an equation: around the world experiment with Informing the public about the risks is Studies have shown people are more methods to store nuclear waste thousands essential, but in many cases, the news fearful of catastrophic risks they can’t of years into the future. The expedition media add to the problem of polarizing control despite the improbability of the capped a conference where politicians, opinion on risky issues because of the catastrophe. For example, people would physicists, philosophers, psychologists, way stories are framed as black-and- protest building a nuclear waste site nuclear regulators, industry officials, white arguments. Citizens become near their homes, but they would drive journalists, and students from Europe, confused, not informed, and solutions away from the protest smoking Eastern Europe, the United States and seem impossible. The challenge for cigarettes and without buckling their Canada delved into the question of how journalists is how to illuminate seatbelts. On a technical assessment to make decisions about environmental problems and help people find solutions scale, the latter are much more likely to risk — like disposing of nuclear waste. while remaining fair and balanced. kill you than a nuclear accident. Deciding how and where to dispose Values and framing of news aren’t the of high-level nuclear waste isn’t only a usual topics included in discussions National and Global Issue scientific question, answered by risk about nuclear waste disposal. But There’s reason, of course, to be assessment equations. The decision on values underlie all the decisions and it’s concerned about nuclear waste. The nuclear waste disposal involves social, often through the media that many radioactive danger from nuclear waste moral and ethical questions. Societies people get the information to make the can last for hundreds of thousands of have delayed answering those questions, decision. The search for a solution to years. Now, in the United States, spent but the growing amount of nuclear waste disposing of nuclear waste has to go fuel rods from decades of nuclear- from nuclear power plants and other beyond technical and scientific generated power and other uses rest in sources isn’t going away any eon soon. calculations if citizens are to accept the pools and casks at 131 sites in 39 states. risk. Those calculating the scientific and By law, a site can contain only 70,000 The Valdoc Conference technical risk have to take into account metric tons, and the combination of Seeking answers to those questions the way people view hazards. Risk civilian radioactive waste and Defense led the two Creighton professors to the assessment produces equations Department waste is already almost Valdoc conference in Borgholm, enumerating the probability of accidents enough to fill any first site to capacity. Sweden. Valdoc was designed as a and exposure. For many citizens, those As of December 1998, the United States “summer school,” where participants equations are multiplied by their own had accumulated 38,400 metric tons of representing all sides of nuclear waste fears and concerns about catastrophes used or “spent” nuclear fuel from disposal heard lectures from invited and ultimate worst-case scenarios. commercial power plants alone, faculty on risk, values, the media and These citizen concerns also need serious according to a report by the Department other topics before splintering into groups for discussion. Philosopher Fleming, senior associate Location of Nuclear Plants dean in the College of Arts and Sciences, More than half of the U.S. states have nuclear plants and waste may be transported and I, an assistant professor of through as many as 43 states enroute to Yucca Mountain. journalism, were among the Sites storing spent nuclear fuel, high-level international faculty. Fleming’s research radioactive waste, and/or surplus plutoniom in philosophy has focused on values destined for geologic disposition and science and on environmental ethics. Her own interest in nuclear waste disposal questions grew out of once living nearly in the shadow of Yucca Mountain, the controversial Nevada desert site the United States has chosen to entomb its nuclear waste. In her lecture, Fleming explored the role of values in a complex technical society. I was asked to join the Valdoc faculty because of my professional background as a reporter and editor covering nuclear waste disposal issues and my Source: Office of Civilian Radioactive Waste Management 31 Winter 2003 Whose Problem is It, Anyway?

of Energy. It expected that number to Values infuse every aspect of making performance and the expert judgment more than double by the year 2035. decisions about nuclear waste disposal method, where best estimates are based Power plants are running out of room from the timetable to site selection to the on possible scenarios — the worst-case for what was intended as temporary or proposed method of disposing of the scenarios. interim storage. At the same time, some waste. By including values in the “It’s not so easy to collect the kind of regulators are beginning to talk about a discussions, the hoped-for result is that data at such a complex site to make the second site for future spent fuel, within all sides recognize the scientific, prediction needed over a 10,000-year viewing distance of Yucca Mountain. economic, social and political realities of period,” Fleming said. Tests involving The threat of terrorism also has upped the risk, creating the best solution. an almost 7-mile tunnel being bored the ante for making a decision. U.S. “You can find a role for values in all into the mountain have provided some Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham said nooks and crannies of this issue,” important data, enabling scientists to compelling national interests of Fleming said. modify earlier models. Other measures homeland security and threats of For example, asking where to dispose include thermal tests that generate data terrorism were part of his considerations of nuclear waste generates questions on the effects of heat on water, rock in 2002 when he recommended Yucca about equity in the distribution of risk. chemistry and rock structure, and the Mountain in Nevada as the U.S. site. Should a waste site be located where relationships among them. Nuclear waste also is a global issue — there are more nuclear power plants or For now, expert judgment and 436 nuclear power plants in 31 countries should it be located where there are fewer performance assessment modeling are piling up spent nuclear fuel, but no people, even those who derive direct consider deep geological disposal as the country has built a disposal site, according benefits from nuclear power? Asking safest method for storing nuclear waste. to the U.S. Department of Energy. when produces questions about our The United States, Sweden and other Finland, represented at the Valdoc ethical obligations to future generations countries plan to use that method, conference, is the first country to gain and questions about the uncertainties where the waste is wrapped in copper agreement on a disposal site in Eurajoki, about disposal. Do we have an or titanium, surrounded by clay home of the Olkiluoto nuclear plant. obligation to take care of this problem impervious to water and stored at least Everywhere people are grappling with now? Do we wait in case an easier and 1,000 or more feet underground in a scientific, political and ethical questions safer method of disposal comes up in system of tunnels. Expert judgment is about how and where the nuclear waste the future? Asking how raises questions bolstered by data from experiments and will be stored for thousands of years. about regulations and regulators and work by scientists in hard-rock labs like The Valdoc conference organizers whether those regulators are trustworthy. the one in Sweden. sought ways to replace the often confrontational nature of risk debates Scientific Modeling The Role of Ethics with a process that involves dialogue, When predictions must be made Knowing what we do about people leading to decisions about whether to thousands of years into the future, and the way they are most fearful of accept or reject risks. Now, the debates scientists use modeling of a total system catastrophic risks they can’t control, is it often pit exasperated scientists and risk analysts against not-in-my-backyard citizens and protest groups. How to do it differently? Swedish physicist Kjell Andersson, the driving force behind the Valdoc conference, has been instrumental in developing a model called RISCOM. The RISCOM Model The RISCOM model seeks transparency, meaning the process, the risks and the benefits of any risk issue are clear to all involved. Those asked to bear the risks must understand them. And citizens should be actively engaged in making decisions about the risk. The model calls for stretching of arguments on all sides, so that scientists, politicians and citizens understand the values, the pressures and the dilemmas each face when attempting to craft a solution to Management of Civilian Radioactive Waste Photo courtesy of the Office the risky problem. A scientist at Nevada’s Yucca Mountain site uses ultra-violet light to study how fluids move through rock. Water is the biggest enemy of deep geological disposal.

32 Winter 2003 Whose Problem is It, Anyway?

dispose of nuclear waste. The Role of Journalists From Polar Ice to In contrast, the Swedish government, Journalism’s role in the process seeps Yucca Mountain Swedish nuclear regulators and the into many nooks and crannies as well. nuclear fuel company are using the The best journalism makes issues As far back as the 1950s, U.S. RISCOM model to find a site in their transparent, and journalists are scientists began researching ways to country for the spent nuclear fuel from obligated to stretch arguments by seeing manage nuclear waste — which can the 11 nuclear power plants. and writing about an issue from many remain radioactive from a few years viewpoints, not just from those of to millions of years. A Different Selection Process experts and officials who are easy to Disposal options that were studied What makes this selection process quote in digestible sound bites. A included: burying it in the ocean different is the government’s pledge to current movement called civic floor, burying it in polar ice, sending gain public acceptance of the waste site journalism seeks ways to create those it into outer space and placing it in a through every stage of the process and arenas of public participation, at the very deep hole. to involve local governments and very least in news stories that include In 1982, the U.S. passed the citizens from the start. One potential values inherent in issues like nuclear Nuclear Waste Policy Act, which area in northern Sweden has already waste disposal. The story should not requires entombing radioactive been rejected by the local municipality. begin and end with only scientific waste in a deep underground facility An exhaustive public information and equations or political posturing. — known as a geologic repository. communication campaign addressed Communities and countries continue While Congress and President environmental, scientific and social to grapple with the problem of nuclear Bush, in 2002, approved Yucca concerns in concrete and specific ways, waste, but the discussions are widening Mountain as a suitable disposal site, involving the community of to include philosophers, journalists and the process is far from over. The Oskarshamn on all levels. Oskarshamn citizens. has an advantage as a site because it’s Nuclear Regulatory Commission still A ‘Thematic Rapporteur’ must approve a license application already home to nuclear power reactors, The Organization for Economic before construction can begin. The an interim nuclear waste storage site and the hard rock lab, all of which Cooperation and Development (OECD), Energy Department is seeking that provide about 1,000 jobs for the an international group based in Paris, approval in hopes of having the site community of 27,000. Still, the intensive asked Fleming to serve as a “thematic up and running by 2010. campaign used scores of meetings and rapporteur” at a Forum for Stakeholder workshops where community members Confidence in Ottawa, Canada. Her role possible to find a community that were paid for their time as they was to observe and comment on ethical would accept a nuclear waste site? One examined safety and other issues. issues in the process that emerged from of the most important ethical issues is The campaign did not just involve a week of meetings about storing low- developing a morally right way to solve meetings at the city hall. Members took level nuclear waste in Port Hope the environmental problems. information about the nuclear waste site Township. “Many countries have failed to where people were — from markets Canada’s new legislation, based on a politically to find a workable solution to hockey games. Swedish physicist report from the Seaborn Commission, because they have not paid close Andersson, one of the developers of the now recognizes that an “ethical enough attention to the role of ethics, RISCOM model, believes the combination assessment” be part of the political and particularly, the duty to seek of transparency, public participation decision-making process in finding sites informed consent. Such consent is and the creation of arenas for public for the storage of nuclear waste. That difficult to get,” Fleming said. discourse can add up to a process that process must involve consultation with In the United States, the decision to leads to a decision that people can Native People about how such a facility continue investigating Yucca Mountain accept even if it means a nuclear waste might affect their traditions and values. for a disposal site has raised strident disposal site in their backyard. In her report to the OECD, Fleming protests in Nevada. The state has sued A pivotal vote of the Oskarshamn encourages all those involved in this President George Bush, the Department municipality council showed the success important issue, from regulators and of Energy, the Environmental Protection of the campaign: Council members producers of nuclear waste to Agency and the Nuclear Regulatory voted 49-1 in favor of continuing the site environmental activists and locally Commission to try to stop the process. investigation. Officials are quick to say affected citizens, to stay on the high- Opponents say the federal government this doesn’t mean overwhelming road of ethics. didn’t follow its own rules in selecting support for locating the waste site in “There is a low-road involving the the site and that the site is not Oskarshamn, but they see the vote as imposition of risk on affected parties,” geologically right for nuclear waste. one of confidence in the process, Fleming said. “But before any country Great Britain, France and Canada also including trust in the government and embarks on it, they should be well-aware have run aground in their attempts to the power company. of its high social and moral costs.”

33 Winter 2003 Xxxxxxxx Photo by Mark Romesser

34 Winter 2003 Toys and Gender

So you’re a man’s So says Creighton’s Isabelle Cherney, Finding the Ph.D., assistant professor of psychology. Perfect Toy “I’m going to get lots of phone calls,” man and you’re she said with a laugh that hints of her Creighton psychology professor native Switzerland. Isabelle Cherney, Ph.D., offers the But don’t worry, macho man, your following thoughts and advice for raising your son to son’s not going to get “sissified.” In fact, toy shoppers. a kitchen set just might help him one • Educational Toys: Parents are be a boy’s boy? day become a top-notch quarterback, “very concerned about that most multitasking of all football educational toys,” Cherney said, positions. “but they really don’t know Well hold off on the As for your daughter ... buy her a ball what it means. I don’t want to and send her outside with it — we need put parents down at all. But Hulk merchandise to boost her spatial skills so she can do how far can educational toys well in math and science! go? They don’t do everything. this holiday season, Perhaps she’ll land an engineering job You can’t just put a child in down the road. front of a toy and expect the toy Be careful what ye give for holiday gifts, to do all of the work.” tough guy; after Mom and Dad; the toys you wrap with • Violent toys: Stay away from such glee on the night before just may them; Cherney said they do not reading this, you just be parking your child’s brain in neutral. stifle aggression as she said is Cherney knows of what she speaks, often touted. practically as well as theoretically. A • Video Games: Though they’ve may want to get 1996 CU alumna, she has two boys — been shown to improve spatial ages 14 and 17 — and can match the skills and are popular with the your son his very harrowing tales of many other parents. older kids, you’re limited. Many For the past 10 years, she’s also studied of them are violent, and few are the mental makeup of children, made for girls. Cherney said own ... kitchen set. especially as it relates to gender. boys and girls “both start with ... Her latest research, published recently fairly neutral type” or in Educational Psychology, threw toys into educational video games. “Then the mix, studying how little ones play it becomes adventure, bloody. It Maybe a dolly, too. with toys and whether there are differences becomes quite aggressive, by the by age, gender and toy preference. time they’re 11 to 13. Girls, on Kids at play aren’t just playing; they’re the other hand, start with quite learning, too. And, it appears, certain female-stereotyped games early toys elicit “complex play” behaviors on and then move into the male- that just might make your tot smarter. stereotyped games. When you “What we found,” said Cherney, “was go into a video store ... you see that the female-type toys were very there’s almost nothing that conducive to that.” females would like to see. The Thus the Easy-Bake Oven for Junior choices are just very limited. (hold off on the Tonka). “We were Ask girls what they would like looking at ... how many sequences can a in a video game, and it’s not at toy elicit in a child?” Start with a doll, all what you find on the for instance. “In order to be fed, you need shelves.” to be cooking something on the stove. By Anthony Flott Then you have to cut it into pieces, you have to blow on it and put it onto a fork and feed the baby. That is more complex play than ... with a truck.”

35 Winter 2003 Toys and Gender

Why It Matters Why is a study on toys important? The Study’s Most Popular Toys Many at-risk children — especially younger ones — are assessed while at Below are the most popular toys by gender and minutes played from play. Such moments reflect “a mirror into Cherney’s study of more than 100 children ranging in age from 18 to 47 months. She labeled some 60 toys as “gender neutral,” “male stereotyped” and “female a child’s mind,” Cherney said. “Early on, stereotyped” and then observed the children playing with them. they don’t have the language to tell us, so the only way we can actually infer MALE NEUTRAL FEMALE what might be going on in their brain is Blocks —————————————— ... by observing behavior. They role-play. Camera——————— They copy what they have learned and Car ———————— develop their own little world.” Cash Register ——————————— At-play behaviors of at-risk children Crayons ————————————— are compared to those of “normal” Disney Pop-up ——————————— children. But what if “normal” isn’t so BOYS Farm ——————— clear? What we don’t know, Cherney Gumball Machine ——— said, is if boys and girls play with Phone ————————————————————— different toys differently. “It’s an area Tow Truck ————— nobody had ever looked at,” she said. And what we don’t know could lead Bears —————————————— to misdiagnoses. A boy might be labeled Cash Register ——————————— as lacking complex cognitive abilities Crayons ————————————— because he never exhibited any such Disney Pop-up ——————————— skills during play. But perhaps he simply Doctor’s Kit ————— wasn’t given the right toys with which Farm ——————— to strut his stuff. Cherney’s work can GIRLS Gumball Machine ——— make such assessments more reliable. Lion Puzzle ———————————— So the research matters. Nesting Cups —————————————————— But it’s also fascinating fodder for any Phone ————————————————————— of us parents who have watched with frustration as a child has forsaken the high-priced toy we bought him to play with in favor of the low-tech box it their visual skills improve, or is it because came in. they have better visual skills that they enjoy playing? It’s unclear which one Chickens and Eggs comes first.” Before delving deeper into Cherney’s Girls, meanwhile, tend to gravitate findings, though, let’s admit that we’re toward inside play and often talk to not exactly sure why such differences their toys. “They’re usually earlier exist, or how they came into being. Are talkers,” Cherney said. “This type of they innate, or man’s own doing? behavior seems to elicit more verbal “It’s a difficult question to answer,” skills, which they later excel in.” said Cherney. “If you look at evolution, The differences can be exhibited before there might be some innate part of that. children can even walk. “You can give When you look at the brains in adults, toys that are not toys, that they have there are different areas that might opt never seen. Normal objects ... and they for different types of tasks. But it is will treat that normal thing differently. unclear how that develops.” Boys tend to whack it and manipulate it. For instance, explained Cherney, boys They tend to look at its resistance ... from love sports-play that enhances spatial a physical point of view. Girls ... just skills. Such skills later on can boost math manipulate toys in a different way. They and science scores. But, she asks, “Is it are more likely to talk to them. They prefer because they like playing, and therefore stuffed animals they can relate to. They’re

36 Winter 2003 Toys and Gender Photo by Mark Romesser Isabelle Cherney in her laboratory at Creighton. Her research is shedding new light on the role gender plays in how girls and boys play with toys.

looking for relations even with toys.” was evidently an ‘earth mother,’ and I behaviors were observed and coded Consider the experience of CU grad kind of was at the time, too. Within five later. Recordings were made of how Ruth Murray, BSN’80, with four boys, minutes my child, who had never been long toys were played with, what toys now ages 12 to 21. Murray, who home- exposed to guns, was hiding behind were played with and how the toys schooled each of the boys at one point chairs in the middle of a fake gunfight were played with. “Complexity of play” or another, was intent her sons be with her three children.” was determined by the number of exposed to brain-building toys and Murray was aghast; Earth Mother just “sequences” a child used with a toy. A shielded from violent ones, like guns. smiled. “She ... correctly interpreted my child takes a truck and makes a noise Her sons’ reaction? “Pow! Pow! Pow!” gaze and said, ‘You weren’t going to give with it (“Vroom, Vroom, Vroom,” said “We were at a car dealership,” she said, them any guns, were you?’ I said, ‘No.’ Cherney), qualifying as one sequence. “and another mother walked in and She said, ‘It’s going to happen,’ and she The same child puts a person in the asked why Sesame Street wasn’t on. She was right. I found out boys will be boys.” truck for a second sequence. And so on. The Study Findings Cherney discovered the same thing — Now, the envelope please. Among the sort of. Her research involved more than study’s more interesting findings: 100 children, ages 18 to 47 months, who • As alluded to earlier, the highest played individually for 40 minutes in a levels of play complexity — for girls large room with easy access to nearly 60 and boys — were exhibited when toys. Toys were coded as being stereotyped female-stereotyped toys were used. as “male” (i.e., a tow truck), “female” • On average, boys tend to play marginally (nesting cups) or “neutral” (crayons). longer with toys than do girls. Such stereotyping, said Cherney, “is • Both boys and girls played most often done mostly by adults and probably and for longer periods of time with implicitly passed on to children.” “mechanical toys” — i.e., the phone, Play sessions were videotaped; camera and cash register (the

37 Winter 2003 Toys and Gender

most-played with toy). Why? Think • Contrary to expectations, girls did not slot machines. “It’s a reward system,” gravitate toward female toys. Half of Cherney said. A gumball machine the 10 toys girls played with the that required children to place a ball longest were neutral toys. Another in a transparent container and press a three were boy toys, while just two lever to release it also was popular, female toys made the list. even though for some it took time to • Boys, on the other hand, spent most of master. “They just loved that one. It their time with either neutral or male was frustrating at first, then that skill toys. Just one female toy, the phone gets developed. You have taught (shocker, huh?) made the boys’ Top them problem-solving, and it has 10. Stereotypes, Cherney said, seem to some innate rewards.” affect boys more than girls. “It really • Girls spent more than twice as much constricts the boys. A lot of studies time with puzzles than did boys. have shown that ... fathers have a toys. Cherney suggests leaving a set “Girls are better on fine-motor skills, hard time with the boys playing with number of toys out. When they get and probably throughout their lives,” typically female toys. Dolls and doll bored with those, take out the ones in Cherney said. This may reflect the accessories. Girls are less stigmatized storage. To them, it’s almost like playing better-developed corpus callosum in terms of types of toys they play with a new toy. most females have connecting the two with. It’s OK for a girl to play with As for what toys to buy, Cherney sides of the brain (yes, fellas, there are cars and trucks. It’s not OK for boys advises providing “a good mixture of two sides). “Girls tend to use more ... to play with dolls, typically. male and female toys, no matter the parts of the brain for most activities gender of the child. I think the spatial than boys,” said Cherney. “More men “Maybe that has changed, but frankly skills are often underestimated in terms are likely to do things in sequence, I doubt it.” of what they learn with those. I think and are very good at doing one thing girls should play much more with cars Holiday Gifts at a time. Like watching television — and trucks and baseballs and footballs, you talk to them and they don’t know So what toys do you get the kids for because ... that will help them later with you’re talking. Girls are better at the holidays this year? math and sciences.” multitasking; they can iron and talk First of all, don’t get too many — Think simple, too. Cherney gives and watch television at the same time.” children easily become bored with their thumbs-up for “good-old toys” like Legos, blocks and Lincoln Logs. Murray said her son once built a guy from Lincoln Logs that, “We rubber-banded together and could do everything a Master of the Universe or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle could ever do.” You don’t want to buy a toy that limits your child’s imagination, either. “Buy things you can build on or add to. Like kitchen or farm sets,” Cherney said. Every quarterback-to-be should have one. Editor’s note: Anthony Flott is a freelance writer living in Omaha.

Female-stereotyped toys, like this kitchen set, yielded the highest complexity of play among boys and girls in Cherney’s study.

38 Winter 2003 Toys and Gender Symbols Give Special Meaning to Advent

It sounds odd to hear a priest — an accomplished spiritual director, no less — proclaim that he’s sick of Christmas. Not Christmas per se, mind you. The birth of Jesus Christ brings the Rev. Larry Gillick, S.J., such joy that he ends a mid-August phone call — temperatures outside are topping 100 degrees — with “Merry Christmas.” No, Gillick is fed up with what Christmas has come to mean for many — a gift-giving, card-sending, party- throwing, house-decorating, day-after- Thanksgiving-sale, over-commercialization whose symbols no longer call to mind that which they are supposed to symbolize. “Because we get used to the symbols, we don’t know what they’re symbols of,” said Fr. Gillick, director of Creighton’s Deglman Center for Ignatian Spirituality. “Then what happens is you can say, ‘Well, I don’t know what the BA’83 Photo by Monte Kruse, original meaning of that symbol is, so Fr. Gillick lights an Advent wreath candle at St. John’s Church. Candles are one of the symbols I’ll make one up and live with that.’” of Advent. Few Catholics — Fr. Gillick estimates just 2 percent — know the meaning thing that mattered was that Christ rose fruitfulness of the Christian life,” behind the Christmas symbols. from the dead,” he said. “Resurrection Fr. Gillick said. “There will be So two years ago, he decided to fight was more important than the birth.” fruitfulness in our life. Fertility in the back. He began with a talk on Creighton’s But early in the fourth century a great physical order is going to be transferred campus regarding Advent preparation heresy arose — Arianism — denying to the spiritual order. You have a huge and various symbolic meanings. Christ’s humanity. It was condemned by symbol in our houses of a contradiction It was so popular he gave it again last the First Council of Nicea in 325. of life in the midst of what appears to be year and plans to do so once more in 2003. One way the Church countered this death, which is exactly the resurrection. Advent begins the Sunday nearest heresy, though, was by adapting a pagan “A real Christmas tree ought to have Nov. 30 and continues until Christmas. celebration to its own message. “If you some fruit on it. If I were to buy a According to the Catechism of the really want to emphasize that He (Jesus) Christmas tree, I would have packages Catholic Church, Advent is a time for the was a human, you emphasize His birth,” of seeds because the seeds are going to faithful to renew their ardent desire for Fr. Gillick said. “A celebration of a very grow.” Christ’s second coming. “By celebrating human person, Jesus of Nazareth. Then Consider a few other symbols to the precursor’s birth and martyrdom, it becomes the birth will lead to death ponder this season. the Church unites herself to His desire: and then to resurrection. What appears Light amid darkness: We see lights ‘He must increase, but I must decrease.’” to be death is actually going to be life.” everywhere — wired on houses and Does that sound like the Advent or The pagan feast adopted involved the trees; candles in windows; on Rudolph’s Christmas you know? marking of the winter solstice. Pagans nose leading the way. If you’re looking for a more spiritual brought trees inside their homes and Humility: Charlie Brown’s little Christmas this year, one in which the decorated them with fruits, symbolizing Christmas tree; the little snowflake. symbols of the season mean something, that even though the sun was “dying,” Remind you of anyone’s birth? begin by considering how the early it would return and there would be life, Reversals of attitude: Scrooge. Christians marked Christ’s birth. fertility, again. Wrapped presents: What doesn’t They didn’t. Christians took the celebration and appear at first glance soon is going to be In fact, said Fr. Gillick, Christmas “tweaked” it. “While the pagans next revealed (think swaddling clothes). wasn’t celebrated for roughly the first door are celebrating fruits ... we will 325 years of Christianity. “The only celebrate that those represent the

39 Winter 2003 Development News

Fornaris Gift students in several University divisions. Pattee Gift to Honors Parents, In 1982, he became rector of the Jesuit Benefit School community and served on Creighton’s Helps Students Board of Directors. He also served as of Medicine chaplain of the School of Dentistry for a With Creighton’s expanding combined 20 years. Today, Fr. Holbrook is In July of 1942, Creighton University enrollment, endowed scholarship support retired and living at the St. Camillus basketball coach Eddie Hickey offered helps the University meet the ever- Jesuit Community in Wauwatosa, Wis. James Pattee, MD’53, a scholarship to increasing need for student aid. That is This year’s recipient of the Joseph and play for Creighton. That following why the Rev. John G. Holbrook, S.J., Carmel Fornaris Endowed Scholarship is September, Pattee left his home in Iowa encouraged his nephew, Peter Fornaris, to Creighton student Stephanie Endsley. with a bag that contained all of his establish a scholarship at Creighton Endsley, a senior from Milwaukee, Wis., is clothes, $100 and an opportunity to University in his parents’ names. pursue his dreams of becoming a With a gift of $25,000, the physician. Joseph and Carmel Fornaris “The help I received was essential for Endowed Scholarship Fund will me to attend college,” Pattee said. “Not provide scholarships for only did Coach Hickey offer me a students in Creighton’s scholarship, but he also found a job for undergraduate schools and me so that I could make some money colleges who demonstrate for meals.” financial need to continue their Grateful for the opportunity to attend education. Creighton, Pattee and his wife, Jane, have “Peter wanted to do made a $50,000 unrestricted gift to the something in honor of his School of Medicine. Unrestricted gifts mother and father, my sister and late brother-in-law,” Fr.

Holbrook said. “We talked Photo by Dave Weaver about a scholarship gift to Creighton senior Stephanie Endsley is this year’s recipient of Scholarships the Joseph and Carmel Fornaris Endowed Scholarship. Creighton, and he felt that Celebrate the would be a good way for people to majoring in communications and political remember them and help students finance science. She met Fr. Holbrook during her Gondringers‘ Lives their education.” freshman year at Creighton. The late Joseph Fornaris managed the “Fr. Holbrook truly impacted my When Beth Nohr grieved the loss of first Merrill Lynch office in Baton Rouge, experience at Creighton,” Endsley said. her parents, Gene and Jean Gondringer, La. His wife, Carmel, was a homemaker. “I have been awed by his ability to make the Creighton and Omaha medical Today, Peter lives in Baton Rouge and each life he touches a little bit better and communities joined her. takes care of his ailing mother. Peter is a inspired by his dedication to serving To memorialize them, Mrs. Nohr and contractor who restores old houses. others.” her husband, Rodney, of Yankton, S.D., Although neither Peter nor his parents Because of the Fornaris scholarship, established two $25,000 endowed funds, attended Creighton, the scholarship fund Endsley did not have to take out any one in Nursing and one in the School of recognizes Fornaris’ deep respect for the loans this year to finance her education. Pharmacy and Health Professions. The University and the Jesuits. Her tuition and fees are covered by the Jean Jerman Gondringer, SJN’44, and “During conversations with my uncle, Fornaris scholarship, and she receives free Eugene V. Gondringer, BSPha’49, he encouraged me to make a gift to room and board as an assistant resident endowed scholarships celebrate their Creighton,” Fornaris said. “My uncle’s director for Deglman Hall. lives and their loyalty to Creighton. long association with Creighton was a “Receiving this scholarship has been an Mr. Gondringer grew up on a farm driving force behind my decision to honor. I am grateful to my mentor and near Shelby, Neb., and put college on support the University with a scholarship friend, Fr. Holbrook, and to Mr. Fornaris hold to serve in World War II. Following fund to help students in need.” for his generosity,” Endsley said. his capture in North Africa, he spent Fr. Holbrook worked at Creighton To make a contribution to the Joseph 25 months as a prisoner of war in University for 39 years, retiring last May. and Carmel Fornaris Endowed Germany. Out of the military and He was director of the Department of Scholarship Fund, please contact the decorated with the Purple Heart, the GI Pastoral Care at St. Joseph Hospital from Development Office at (800) 334-8794, Bill afforded him an opportunity to 1972-1986 after having served for eight (402) 280-2740 or 2500 California Plaza, attend college. He graduated from years as a counselor to Creighton Omaha, Neb., 68178-0115. Creighton at age 31.

40 Winter 2003 Development News allow the University (or specified school co-authored three books: Medical Direction contributions to the educational goals of or college) the flexibility to direct in the Nursing Home: Principles and AMDA. Pattee was the first recipient of financial resources to the areas of greatest Concepts for Physician-Administrators; the award. need. Unrestricted gifts are especially Alzheimer's Disease: The Family Journey; Pattee is quick to credit his wife for his valuable to meet the ever-changing, and and The Health Care Future: Defining the successful career. “With a busy practice, if often unexpected, challenges of the Argument, Healing the Debate. (For more you don’t have the support of your future. These gifts are put to immediate spouse, it can be very difficult,” Pattee use and help hold the line on tuition. Grateful for the opportunity to said. “From the beginning, even when I Pattee attended Creighton until World was in medical school and we already War II service interrupted his education. attend Creighton, James Pattee had a couple of kids, Jane never From 1943-1946, he served in the U.S. Air and his wife, Jane, have made complained. She raised our eight Force. After the war, Pattee attended a $50,000 unrestricted gift to children and was always there for me Loras College in Dubuque, Iowa, for two the School of Medicine. and the kids.” years. He then returned to Creighton to The Pattee children are: Ann; Michael, go to medical school. information on Pattee’s books, go to BS’70, MD’74; John, MS’75, MD’78; Today Pattee is a retired physician and www.northridgepress.com.) In 1998, Mindy; Margaret; David (deceased); assistant professor of family practice and Creighton’s School of Medicine presented Lisa; and Laurie. community health at the University of Pattee the Alumni Merit Award. “Jane and I feel that if we give back Minnesota Medical School in Pattee also is a former board member some of the rewards of our hard work, Minneapolis. Throughout his career, of the American Geriatric Society and a maybe Creighton will find somebody else Pattee excelled in the practice of medicine past president of the American Medical who can benefit like I did,” Pattee said. and gave his time and talents consistent Directors Association (AMDA). In 1997, “It’s part of Creighton’s mission, to give with Jesuit teaching — providing care not the AMDA established the James Pattee an opportunity to those unable to afford only to his patients but also to the poor Award for Excellence in Education. The higher education, and we fully support and elderly in his community. Pattee has Pattee Award recognizes significant that mission.”

at Lutheran Medical Center. “They were Hauser Scholarship very dedicated to their hospitals,” Mrs. Nohr said. “If a storm was predicted, Fund Raises $300,000 Mom would stay at work overnight to help. She was a caregiver at the hospital About $300,000 has been raised thus and in our neighborhood. Dad would not far for the Richard J. Hauser, S.J. install a bedroom phone because he Endowed Scholarship Fund. The fund wanted to be wide awake when he took a recognizes Fr. Hauser’s extraordinary late-night call. He used the time walking services to Creighton University over the to the phone to become alert.” past three decades and provides financial Mr. Gondringer held Creighton in high support to Creighton students interested regard, helping to train Creighton in pursuing careers as youth ministers or students as pharmacists. “My father was Catholic grade school teachers through a a wonderful teacher,” Mrs. Nohr said. joint program offered by Creighton’s Education and Theology departments. Gene Gondringer fills a prescription delivered “He would sit and quiz me while I did by Jean Gondringer. my homework.” Fr. Hauser, former chair of Creighton’s Mr. Gondringer died on Jan. 23, 1995, Department of Theology (1978-90, 1996- Mrs. Gondringer, a native of West followed by Mrs. Gondringer on Oct. 10, 99), is a professor of theology, director of Point, Neb., always cared for others. After 2002. Creighton’s Master of Arts in Christian attending St. Joseph’s School of Nursing, “My parents’ scholarships will help Spirituality program and rector of the she made her avocation a career. When people the same way they did when they Jesuit community on campus. the Gondringers married in 1949, they were alive,” Mrs. Nohr said. “I really like For more information on the merged their professional and private having my parents’ scholarships scholarship fund or to make a pledge, lives in Omaha, with Jean and Gene endowed. They are perpetual.” contact the Creighton University Office of working together for a period of time at To learn more about endowed Development, 2500 California Plaza, Lutheran Medical Center. scholarship programs at Creighton, Omaha, Neb., 68178-0115, (800) 334-8794, Later, Jean served as assistant director please contact the Office of Development www.creighton.edu/development. of nurses at Doctors’ Hospital and Gene at (402) 280-2740 or (800) 334-8794 or visit served for many years as chief pharmacist www.creighton.edu/development.

41 Winter 2003 Development News

Brisch Donates collection at the Reinert Alumni Memorial he attended from 1923-1927. He then Library. Some will make their way into attended Loyola University in Chicago Book Collection to the library’s Rare Book Room. for two years before coming to Creighton Creighton Brisch, 93, didn’t want the books to be to study law. After graduating from sold at auction. Because of his ties to the Creighton in 1934, Brisch returned to his Some 62 years ago, Thomas L. Brisch, University, he chose to donate them to native Chicago to work for the family’s JD’34, started a book collection that has Creighton. brick company. He worked for the Brisch grown to nearly 10,000 volumes. This fall, “I wanted to know where the books Brick Company, becoming its vice Brisch donated that highly valuable president in 1941, until his retirement collection to Creighton University. in the 1960s. In 1986, he opened a The books cover a variety of areas bookstore in Galena, Ill., and ran the including titles on Latin America, store until 1996. It was his honeymoon Native Americans, railroad history, trip to the west that spurred his Western Americana and Catholic interest in book collecting. Americana. In addition to the books, “I started reading books about the collection contains maps, Western Americana on that trip in pamphlets and other historical works. 1941. That is when I really became “The materials in Mr. Brisch’s fascinated with historical books,” collection are generally not for casual Brisch said. or leisure reading,” said Michael Throughout the years, Brisch has LaCroix, director of the Reinert made smaller donations of texts, Alumni Memorial Library. “It’s pamphlets and maps to the University, specialized material that covers including a collection on the Union specific topics or areas that will add Pacific Railroad in 1997.

value to the library’s permanent BA’83 Photo by Monte Kruse, “Mr. Brisch is truly a bookman’s collection. Some of the material on Part of Brisch’s collection contains books on Native bookman. His collection contains Native Americans is especially American history. books that would be of great interest significant because it enhances the were going. The collection will have a to many collectors. We are very fortunate library’s collection on that subject. This is good home at the Reinert Library,” Brisch that Mr. Brisch thought of donating his important because Creighton offers a said. collection to us,” LaCroix said. “Books major in Native American studies.” Brisch’s connection with Jesuit have been a great pleasure in his life, After the books are sorted and education began at his high school, St. and we are happy to accept his very cataloged, most will be integrated into the Ignatius College Prep in Chicago, where generous gift.”

Guidelines on Creighton have grown dramatically over or write for a personalized proposal. the years. For gifts of appreciated stock Charitable remainder trusts and gift Year-End Giving owned more than one year, you are annuities can be ideal for individuals entitled to deduct the fair market value of who want to explore ways to increase By Steve Scholer, JD’79 the stock without having to report the their annual income, realize immediate Director of Estate & Trust Services capital gains you would have realized income tax benefits and also make a Once again, year’s end will find many had you sold the investment. If stock you deferred gift to the University. of you answering the calls for support own has decreased in value, you should In early February, the University will and evaluating how your gifts can best consider selling the stock and giving the send you a summary receipt listing the help others. Here are some general net proceeds as your gift. Then, you may total amount of your support for the year guidelines to assist you with your be able to claim a loss on the stock and and whether you received “any goods or planning: also claim a charitable contribution services” in exchange for your gifts. Gifts made by check and credit card deduction from the same transaction. Generally speaking, the IRS requires you continue to be the most popular way to Please call me at (402) 280-2180 or (800) to have this receipt as proof of your tax- support Creighton. Please note that only 334-8794 for the necessary forms and deductible contribution. gifts completed by Dec. 31, 2003, can be guidance on how to transfer stock and On behalf of the students, faculty and used to reduce your tax bill due in April mutual funds to the University. staff of Creighton University, thank you 2004. Your gift is generally considered If you are interested in converting cash, for your continued spirit of philanthropy complete upon the date of mailing. securities or land into a life income and willingness to help others. Your gifts Gifts of stocks and mutual funds to arrangement with Creighton, please call are making a real difference.

42 Winter 2003 Development News

“When I first came to Creighton in help Creighton student-athletes who are Leavitt’s Memory 1980-81, scholarship costs for the entire in need of financial aid to continue their Honored with Athletic Department were about $75,000. education. These costs were a fraction of the Athletic “In his spirit of giving, this scholarship Scholarship Fund Department’s operating budget and offers something back to those students certainly a small fraction of the revenue who participate in Creighton University for Student-Athletes that athletics generated,” Rasmussen said. athletics, which Dad so thoroughly “This year scholarship costs are between enjoyed,” Bob said. During his life, Len Leavitt made a $2 million and $3 million. And in contrast To make a contribution to the A. Len difference in the lives of many Creighton to 1980-81, they are now a large part of Leavitt Memorial Endowed Scholarship University student-athletes. As a lasting our budget and a large part of the Fund or for more information on tribute to his name, his everlasting belief revenue that we generate. Our hope is endowed scholarships at Creighton, in the good that is in everyone and the that the Leavitt Endowed Scholarship and please contact the University’s desire to see individuals succeed, other endowed scholarships in athletics Development Office at (800) 334-8794, Leavitt’s family has established the continue to grow so that those funds can (402) 280-2740 or 2500 California Plaza, A. Len Leavitt Memorial Endowed supplement our scholarship costs.” Omaha, Neb., 68178-0115 or visit Scholarship Fund with a gift of $25,000. The Leavitt Endowed Scholarship will www.creighton.edu/development. “We felt that this was a fitting way for people to remember my dad,” said Bob Leavitt of Omaha. “He loved Creighton Gratitude Leads that the people at Creighton care about University. He loved what the University our daughter’s education.” stood for and the quality of kids that Parents to Fund The Saylors’ gift provides a fully- attended Creighton. And he also loved endowed scholarship. The principal, the quality of the coaches and their Scholarship invested in an interest-bearing account, commitment to the kids.” creates an endowment that will Len was a father figure, friend and Kent Saylor understands good support Creighton students right away. mentor to many Creighton student- investments. The Sabetha, Kan., banker “The Saylors are excellent examples athletes and coaches. He tirelessly raised and his wife, Donna, viewed a of Creighton parents,” said the Rev. money for Creighton athletics and was a Creighton endowed scholarship as a John P. Schlegel, S.J., Creighton’s Jaybacker for nearly 30 years. Len and his good way to invest for the future by wife, Elsie, also created a family atmos- supporting Creighton students who phere for all of the athletes, making them need tuition assistance. feel welcome at their home at all times. The Saylors planned their $50,000 “The Leavitt doors were always open,” gift for the Kent P. and Donna C. said Bruce Rasmussen, Creighton athletic Saylor Endowed Scholarship as a way director. “Any of the students who to return the merit-based scholarships couldn’t make it home for Thanksgiving their daughter received. A visit to or other holidays were always invited to campus for Summer Preview 2003, a the Leavitt home. He also hired many of Creighton orientation that includes our student-athletes to work for him activities for parents, inspired the gift. during the summer.” Denise Saylor, an Arts and Sciences

After Len died due to complications freshman, is a bright student who Photo by Mark Romesser from lung cancer in 1997, his family applies herself to her studies. Her Donna, Denise and Kent Saylor continued to support the University. academic achievement and leadership “In the past, we have made gifts to the records made her eligible for Creighton president. “They will no doubt Student Athletic Support Center and the merit awards. encourage the students who receive renovation of the baseball complex,” Bob In gratitude for the institutional their scholarship to likewise share their said. “When our pledges were up, my support, the Saylors resolved to talents and resources with others.” mom and I met with Bruce Rasmussen to help other students by establishing The University will award the first find out where the needs were. Bruce a need-based scholarship. Saylor Scholarship in fall 2004. suggested that we consider an endowed “When the University recognized If you are interested in establishing scholarship in my dad’s name. My mom Denise based on merit, it meant a great an endowed scholarship at Creighton was ecstatic about this idea.” deal to us,” Kent Saylor said. “When or contributing scholarship support for According to Rasmussen, endowed schools make commitments to our Creighton students, please contact the scholarship support is important in kids, we like to make commitments Office of Development at (800) 334- maintaining the stability of Creighton’s back to them. It’s very nice to know 8794 or (402) 280-2740. Athletic Department.

43 Winter 2003 Going Back To The WordLast School By Mary Kay Shanley, BA’65

Our son is a rocket theories, this was bad news. “We scientist. won’t be using advanced math, Well, not technically a and we’ll stick pretty much with rocket scientist, but that basic physics,” Kriegler added. description is close enough I slumped down so far in my for those of us who were at- chair that my husband leaned over risk-of failure with anything and whispered, “Try not to fall beyond Mr. Wizard. asleep.” Technically, he studies weak “I won’t,” I whispered back. “I gravitational lensing by only slept in philosophy class.” large-scale structure, which With that, I whipped out my is the small coherent pencil and paper, ready to take distortion of background notes. But, wait! Lights are galaxies due to foreground dimming and a PowerPoint dark matter. presentation is rolling across a big That’s why I say he’s a screen up front. I come from the Photo by C. Petit 1 rocket scientist. 8/2-by-11, single-spaced, 12-point- When he calls home, I ask, “How was work today?” and he type overhead era. In those days, the instructor stood, back to says, “Fine.” Then I ask, “What did you do at work today?” and the students, reading from the screen while you spent the entire he says, “I looked at stuff on a computer.” hour trying to figure out which line he or she was on. As a writer, that’s also what I do, so it seemed like a strong By the time I realized Kriegler’s visuals were actually enough bond for me. Then one evening my husband wondered interesting, he’d launched into a discussion of retrograde aloud if we should be able to go into more depth when talking motion. I decided to take notes, but what with the lights so dim, with Jason. I couldn’t see to write. Nobody else was having this problem. Having worked very hard to get a D+ in high school However, nobody else experienced the Kennedy assassinations, chemistry, and having taken only basic math at Creighton, I said, the Vietnam War or the Carter Administration. “Definitely not! I don’t see why. What do you think? Maybe. Since we were auditing the course, that learning-for-the-sake- OK.” of-learning thing began to sound like a good idea. And so it was that we went back into college after 37 years to Even so, we felt compelled to study. Nights. Weekends. study Introductory Astronomy, taught by Adjunct Instructor During meals. At work. Instead of watching Seinfeld reruns. David Kriegler. We would be meeting on Monday nights from Instead of going out with friends. Instead of taking weekend 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Rigge Science Building. jaunts. We read. We underlined. We typed up notes. We quizzed Neither Kriegler nor the Rigge Building was around in my one another. We took tests and mastered Blackboard (where coed days. As well, you could not buy fast-food at the student you’ll find course websites) so we’d know whether we were center or pull a CD-ROM out of your textbook. Girls got in passing. trouble if they wore jeans on campus and wearing shorts was, at In the end, we got A’s, which means we now tell people at least, a venial sin. cocktail parties that, eventually, our sun will leave the Main Consequently, I was overdressed for my first class. When Sequence and become a Red Giant. Additionally, when Jason Kriegler walked in wearing sandals, shorts and a T-shirt, I calls, we ask what he thinks about the accelerating universe, not began to worry that I might also be out of touch. When a to mention dark energy. casually dressed coed settled in next to me, visions of our dean Even so, I still don’t get Einstein’s Theories of Relativity. But of women began dancing around in my head and it wasn’t a you know what? I can live with that. pretty sight. But I wasn’t there to critique clothing. Rather, Kriegler said we About the author: Shanley is a freelance writer living in West Des were there to consider the interstellar medium, the distribution Moines, Iowa. Her son, Jason Rhodes, is a postdoctoral scholar at of galaxies in space and, of course, Einstein’s Theories of California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. Relativity. Since I had spent a lifetime avoiding any of Einstein’s

55 Winter 2003 Calendar 125th Eventsof Anniversary

Feb. 4 — 10th Annual Markoe-DePorres March 27 — Student Honors Recognition April 20 — “The Humane Life,” Kenefick Social Justice Lecture on Globalization Luncheon Chair Luncheon Skutt Student Center Ballroom Skutt Student Center Ballroom Skutt Student Center Ballroom Speaker: The Rev. J. Bryan Hehir, President of Speaker: Marilyn Fischer, Ph.D., associate professor Catholic Charities USA April 1 & 2 — “Alzheimer’s Disease and of philosophy, University of Dayton. Aging: Clinical, Pharmacological and Basic Feb. 13 — “Women in Ministry to the Poor: Science Update” April 26 — “Behold, I Make All Things New” Honoring the Legacy of Mary Lucretia and Qwest Center Omaha and Skutt Student Center (Rev. 21:5) Sarah Emily Creighton” Skutt Student Center Ballroom Skutt Student Center Ballroom April 13 — “Leadership in the Service of Speaker: Zeni Fox, Ph.D., associate professor of Others: A Discussion of Expanded pastoral theology, Immaculate Conception Feb. 26 — Minority Media Forum Responsibilities of Successful Leaders” Seminary, Seton Hall University. Gallup University Auditorium Feb. 28 — National TRIO and Educational Speaker: Barry Z. Posner, dean of the Leavey School May 14 — Baccalaureate Mass, Opportunity Day of Business, Santa Clara University. School and College Commencement Skutt Student Center Activities April 15-17 — “Saris, Whistles & Buckets: Various campus locations March 8 — Community at Creighton Justice and Health Through Creative University – “Models of the Eucharist: Technologies” May 14 — Graduation Brunch A Liturgical Theology and Spirituality Skutt Student Center Skutt Student Center of the Eucharist” Skutt Student Center Ballroom April 18 — King David May 15 — Commencement Presenter: Monsignor Kevin Irwin, professor of Lied Education Center for the Arts – Main Stage Civic Auditorium theology, The Catholic University of America. April 20 — 125th Anniversary Concert June 11 & 12 — FINALE EVENT March 13 — The Second Vatican Council: Lied Education Center for the Arts – Main Stage Annual Alumni Reunion Weekend and the Retrospective and Prospective President’s Alumni Picnic Skutt Student Center

Dates are subject to change. For the latest information, visit Creighton’s 125th Anniversary website: www.creighton.edu/125_anniversary.