REMEMBERING FATHER KELLEY 1914-2000

A Look at the Fueling a Is This the Age of World’s Trouble Spots NASCAR Winner Junk Journalism? FALL 2000

UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE

COVER STORY

REMEMBERING FATHER 12 KELLEY Longtime Creighton Jesuit the Rev. William F. Kelley, S.J., died on May 2, 2000, leaving behind a wealth of friends and memories. Writer Bob Reilly, who once worked with Fr. Kelley, inter- viewed the popular Creighton priest just a few months before his death. He recalls a man who loved to be in charge, loved his Jesuit vocation and loved Creighton University.

Cover photo by Monte Kruse, BA’83 Photo by Bill Ramsey, BS’55

POLITICAL ‘HOTSPOTS’ 20 DOT THE GLOBE Creighton history professor Dr. Ross Horning takes a spin around the globe, highlighting a few of the world’s trouble spots and providing some brief history behind the turmoil.

2 FALL 2000 INSIDE

4 • LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

5 • LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

6-11 • UNIVERSITY NEWS

6 • NEW MORRISON SCHOLARSHIP ANNOUNCED: $1 million endowed scholarship fund honors Morrison.

10 • FAIR PLAY: Kids judge professors at this science fair.

11 • INTERACTIVE SCIENCE: “Build A Human” comes to Creighton.

40-49 • ALUMNI NEWS Photo by Monte Kruse, BA’83

FUELING A NASCAR WINNER When 41 • WITNESS TO HISTORY: 26 the pit crew members for NASCAR WW II veteran watched driver Dale Jarrett wanted to shave valuable Germans surrender. seconds off their pit stops, they called on Creighton exercise scientist Dr. Jeffrey Stout 42 • MAKING A CONNECTION: Alumnus (pictured above). He developed a nutrition and develops innovative math program. exercise program to put them on the fast-track 43 • ’91 GRADUATE WRITES to the winner’s circle. CHILDREN’S BOOKS: Stories aim to bolster parent-child interaction.

JUNK JOURNALISM In the age of O.J., 50 • DEVELOPMENT NEWS 34 Monica and Elián, what has happened to journalism? Are news organizations too 51 • THE LAST WORD focused on titillating and entertaining at the 51 • THE SILENT FIRST PATIENT: expense of educating and informing? The lessons learned at the dissection table are an impor- Creighton graduate Mary Kay Shanley, tant part of a medical student’s training. BA’65, a former Creighton’s Thomas Quinn, Ph.D., explains. reporter herself, examines these questions with CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE’S PURPOSE Creighton University Magazine, like the University itself, is committed to Creighton alum- excellence and dedicated to the pursuit of truth in all its forms. The maga- ni in the field zine will be comprehensive in nature. It will support the University’s mis- sion of education through thoughtful and compelling feature articles on a Photo by AP Wide World Photos and journalism variety of topics. It will feature the brightest, the most stimulating, the most professors at inspirational thinking that Creighton offers. The magazine also will promote Creighton. 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 indi- vidual, respect for all of God’s creation, a special concern for the poor, and the promotion of justice.

FALL 2000 3 LETTERS

DR. WILLIAMS PAVED THE WAY AFRICAN-AMERICANS LEAVE OMAHA I am a Creighton graduate (BS’79), an attorney (sorry, Rutgers Congratulations on the articles appearing in the summer 2000 ’84) and a member of the U.S. Army Reserve for the past 21 issue of Creighton University Magazine regarding the post gradu- years. I currently hold the rank of lieutenant colonel and recently ate achievements of African-American Creighton alumni. The completed an assignment as a battalion commander — the first careers of Dr. James Williams, Lester Carter, Cheryl Polk and African-American female officer in the 98th Division Robyn Davis make an impact not usually seen in your magazine. (Institutional Training) to hold such a position. Your article on I was a Creighton student during 1948-50. I received a fine Dr. Williams (Summer 2000) made me feel proud, thankful and education at Omaha Central High School and Creighton humble to know that he was a Creighton graduate as well as a University, but it was necessary for me and my African- former member of the Armed Forces. I have no doubt that his American friends and classmates to go to other cities to build our courage and sacrifice made it possible for me to achieve my careers. This trend is seen yet in the careers of the four alumni current rank. In fact, I am more determined than ever to pursue you recognize. As we enter the new millennium, I pray that sig- greater positions of responsibility. nificant progress can be made in using the education, gifts and In my current position as the clerk of the court for the U.S. talents of African-American Creighton graduates to enhance the Bankruptcy Court for western Wisconsin, I am one of the few total Omaha community. African-Americans in the federal court system at this level. How- Earl Hunigan, BUS AD’51, Sterling, Va. ever, every day, I see more and more recognition of the fact that talent and ability come in all shapes, colors and are not gender A BUG’S LIFE specific. Each day, we move a little bit closer to a workplace that Congratulations on the superb article by Theodore Burk makes decisions based on merit, but we are still a long, long way (Summer 2000). It made me realize, as never before, the role of from that goal. Thanks again for writing such a terrific article. bugs in our lives. I liked, especially, the account of the monarch Marcia C. (Mahan) Martin, BS’79, Beloit, Wis. butterfly. John Scott, S.J., Omaha DR. WILLIAMS A ROLE MODEL Your feature article titled, “The Fight for Equality,” was THE FIRST SPIRIT OF CREIGHTON outstanding. What a great life story about a most interesting I’d like to thank you for your informative article in the gentleman who overcame many odds to become a model for all Creighton Magazine (Summer 2000) about past recipients of the young people, regardless of color or creed. Spirit of Creighton Award. I was in the Air Corps pilot training program, but I never real- As the grandson of the very first recipient, Walter D. James Jr., ized, until reading your story, the shabby treatment black officers I believe I have a story that is an important part of the Spirit of were receiving from the military! What a disgrace! Creighton Award and the University. On April 23, 1945, I recorded in my diary a bombing mission My grandfather, who died somewhat unexpectedly last year, over Austria. This was just 10 days after those black officers were wrote a book about our family history titled Our Story. In one sec- formally charged with treason. My comments described the tion, he described his graduation from Creighton’s law school. intense enemy fire. The flak and resulting damage were greater “At the graduation ceremony June 2, 1949 ... Father William H. than on any of my previous missions. At our side were the P-51 McCabe, the president of the University, announced the creation “black pilots,” who flew fighter escort for our bomb group. These of a new student award which would be the only student award pilots were the products of top-notch fighter training at Tuskegee to be conferred during the graduation ceremony. Junior (as Air Field. The white officers who didn’t want black officers in their club were playing discrimination games, while those P-51’s protected us every day on our bombing missions. Letters to the Editor can be e-mailed to Editor Rick Davis Dr. Williams and his brothers, Jasper and Charles, have probably at [email protected], faxed to (402) 280-2549, or mailed to done far more for humanity, black and white, than most of those Creighton University Magazine, 2500 California Plaza, white officers who were intent on segregation because of color. Omaha, NE 68178. Letters may be edited, primarily to Thanks again to Creighton University Magazine for telling this conform to space limitations. Please include your name, story. Congratulations also to Dr. Williams and his brothers for city, state, year of graduation (if applicable) and telephone setting a great example. number on all letters. Ben Haller Jr., Ph.B.Jrn.’42, West Des Moines, Iowa

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

Creighton University Magazine (USPS728-070) is published quarterly in February, May, August, and November by Creighton University, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178-0001. Periodicals postage paid at Omaha, Nebraska, and additional entry points. Address all mail to Public Relations and Information, Omaha, NE 68178. Postmaster: Send change of address to Creighton University Magazine, P.O. Box 3266, Omaha, NE 68103-0078. RECYCLED AND RECYCLABLE COPYRIGHT © 2000 BY CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY

4 FALL 2000 LETTERS

Grandpa was known) was the first recipient.” being awarded every second or third year. According to the book, Fr. McCabe told the audience that this My grandmother has returned the certificate that accompanied award would “not recur in the future, unless the kind of student the original award to the University so that its display might be achievement it recognizes — and the high degree of perfection it enjoyed by all. recognizes — recurs, and commands the respect and gratitude Sean P. Joyce, Omaha that are commanded in the present instance.” My grandfather Editor’s Note: James’ certificate is on display in the Skutt wrote that Fr. McCabe envisioned the Spirit of Creighton Award Student Center on the Wall of Distinction.

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Reflections on Coming to Creighton I am writing this, my first column, from the Dominican classroom in 1976 as a member of the political science faculty. Republic and Creighton’s Institute for Latin American Six years later, having been mentored by Mike Morrison Concern. I have spent the last three weeks here and have in academic administration, I started my odyssey in higher observed the profound effect Creighton students are having education adminis- on this poor island nation and the transforming effect this tration, culminat- beautiful country, with its warm, friendly people, is having ing in my selection on our students. as president of USF Just an hour ago, I watched as 46 Creighton students head- in 1991. Eighteen ed out to the Dominican countryside to serve the needy and years later, I am the sick, as hundreds of Creighton students before them have returning to done. They are spending their summer vacations serving oth- Omaha, and I am ers and giving life to the Jesuit commitment to a faith that does delighted, if some- Fr. Schlegel meets with Isabel justice — hallmarks of a Jesuit education. It is truly inspiring. what daunted, by Rodriquez, her husband, Mario, right, Since being selected in November as Creighton’s 23rd presi- the challenges. and two of their 14 children during a dent, I have reflected often about the decision, about its impli- This brings me visit to the Los Arroyos campo in the cations and about the future. Again, I am inspired. back to service. Dominican Republic. Isabel had I am very fortunate to be following Fr. Michael G. Morrison, Over the years, I received a mother of the year award. S.J., a man of integrity, vision and faith. I am proud to call him have kept in contact with dozens of Creighton alumni who are a friend and mentor. He has bequeathed to me a university living out the Jesuit dictum of being “women and men for oth- that is vibrant, focused and fiscally stable — great building ers.” They do it in great and quiet ways. They do it as health blocks for the Creighton of the new century. I will not care professionals, lawyers and business leaders; for public compromise his legacy. companies and non-profit entities; at home and in such far- Many times I have been asked about my decision to go to away places as the Dominican Republic. There are thousands Omaha after nearly 10 years as president of the University of of Creighton alumni who are doing well for themselves and San Francisco. The obvious questions were raised about miss- their families while doing good for others. ing the Golden Gate Bridge (which I could see from my office That is, in part, what brings me back to Creighton — the window), the diversity of the Bay area, my fondness for the product. The end result. Our graduates and the lives they lead Pacific Rim and the weather. “Yes,” as San Francisco Mayor are proof that the Catholic, Jesuit philosophy of education, Willie Brown astutely observed at a recent function, “it fostered at Creighton, has taken root and is bearing fruit. As snows in Omaha.” Creighton graduates, you are not shy about living ethical lives Indeed it does; so be it. My return to Creighton goes beyond motivated by our common Judeo-Christian heritage and the tangible and the evident. It is an affair of the heart. I first Catholic social teaching. came to Creighton in 1969-70 as a “regent” to teach politics for So I ask you to join me in this wonderful adventure I am a year before going on to study theology and be ordained. about to embark upon. Join me in building on Father That year, teaching politics at the height of the Vietnam War, Morrison’s legacy as we, together, craft Creighton’s future. confirmed my love of college teaching, my desire to continue I, for one, believe the best is yet to come. my studies to be a priest, and my hope of returning to You and yours are in my prayers. Creighton. After my ordination in 1973 and the completion of my doc- torate in international politics, I returned to the Creighton

FALL 2000 5 UNIVERSITY NEWS

GRANT TO ENCOURAGE MORE MINORITIES TO ENTER HEALTH PROFESSIONS Creighton will work with local schools and com- munity agencies to increase the number of African- American students entering health sciences education programs with the help of a five-year $347,000 grant from the American Association of Medical Colleges, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

Photo by Kent Sievers and the W.K. Kellogg At a May 5 farewell reception held on campus, a portrait of Fr. Morrison Foundation. was unveiled. It will hang in the V.J. and Angela Skutt Student Center. The new collaborative The portrait is by Melinda Harvey Kizer, BFA’91, right, of Omaha. effort, called the Health Pro- CREIGHTON ANNOUNCES MORRISON SCHOLARSHIP FUND fessions Partnership Initia- A $1 million endowed Creighton Board of Morrison served on the tive, will allow university scholarship fund was Directors. Funding for the board of directors from faculty and staff to identify established at Creighton endowment came from cur- 1997 to 2000. and address challenges that University to honor the rent and former members of Fr. Morrison stepped face African-American mid- Rev. Michael G. Morrison, the Creighton Board of down as president of the dle school, high school and S.J., for his 19 years of ser- Directors. The scholarship University on June 30. He community college students, vice as president of will be awarded to Native was the longest-serving recognizing and addressing Creighton. American students who are president in Creighton’s gaps in programs that The Michael G. Morrison, members of federally recog- history. Under his leader- encourage their enrollment in S.J., Endowed Scholarship nized tribes. Preference will ship, Creighton’s endow- health professions education Fund was announced on be given to graduates of Red ment has grown 10-fold, programs. Collaborating April 27 during a thank-you Cloud Indian School in Pine reaching more than agencies also will focus on dinner hosted by the Ridge, S.D., where Fr. $220 million. science teachers and enrich- ment programs. “This program dovetails WEST OMAHA CAMPUS ESTABLISHED well with our other minority Creighton University make its new home at the Old West Omaha’s traditional outreach efforts, such as the has expanded its vision to Mill location. and non-traditional students ‘Pipeline to Success’ program west Omaha. This fall the The West Omaha Campus who have told us they wanted funded by the U.S. Depart- University will offer several has 12,000 square-feet of a Creighton quality education ment of Health and Human Graduate School classes in space and houses eight class- in a more convenient loca- Services and the ‘Build A education, graduate classes rooms and offices. It will tion,” Morrison said. “As Human’ program funded by from the College of Business meet the growing needs of dedicated as Creighton is to the Howard Hughes Medical Administration and classes non-traditional students, the new West Omaha location, Institute,” said M. Roy from University College at according to former Creighton we are deeply committed to Wilson, M.D., dean of the its new West Omaha Campus president the Rev. Michael G. our main campus and the School of Medicine and located at 11111 Mill Valley Morrison, S.J. excitement generated by interim vice president for Road. The Creighton Institute “Creighton has established the revitalization of the health sciences. for Information Technology this new West Omaha Campus downtown area east of and Management also will in response to the need of Creighton.”

6 FALL 2000 UNIVERSITY NEWS

FR. SCHLEGEL STURGEON NAMED the Greater Omaha Chamber of nursing and an associate INAUGURAL TO CREIGHTON of Commerce during 1997. in the Center for Health EVENTS PLANNED BOARD Sturgeon was instrumental in Policy and Presidential inaugural John A. Sturgeon, presi- Mutual of Omaha’s “Make a Ethics, has a activities for the Rev. John P. dent and chief operating offi- Difference” campaign in master’s Schlegel, S.J., cer of Mutual of Omaha which Mutual associates degree in will be held Companies, has been elected pledged to complete 10,000 community Sept. 14-16. to Creighton’s board of direc- hours of community volun- health nurs- The theme tors for a four-year term. teer work and completed ing and a for the fes- Sturgeon 42,000 hours of volunteer doctorate in Furlong tivities is has held his work. political “Embracing position as science. She received her law the Future president FURLONG RECEIVES degree from Creighton in Together.” Fr. Schlegel since 1997 NATIONAL HEALTH May. There will be several events and added CARE AWARD Furlong was chosen for the for alumni, faculty, staff, stu- the duties of Beth Furlong, Ph.D., award for her demonstrated dents and friends, including chief operat- JD’00, was honored by the commitment to advocacy on the Mass of the Holy Spirit on ing officer in Sturgeon Roscoe Pound Institute in behalf of women and chil- Thursday, Sept. 14, at 11 a.m. 1998. He joined Mutual and Washington, D.C., in July as dren, her extensive volunteer in St. John’s Church. United of Omaha Companies the recipient of the 2000 work and her commitment to The inaugural ceremony in 1982. He is a graduate of Elaine Osborne Jacobson teaching legal concepts to will be held Friday, Sept. 15, Midland Lutheran College in Award for Women in Health health science students. She at 1:30 p.m. in St. John’s Fremont, Neb. Care Law. The award is given also was cited for her clerk- Church. The service will be Sturgeon served as presi- each year to a female law ship with the Nebraska followed by an all-campus dent of United Arts Omaha in student who demonstrates Appleseed Center for Law in celebration. 1997. Under his leadership, dedication to members of the Public Interest through Fr. Schlegel began his the organization raised $1.75 the community who do not which she helped to promote duties as Creighton’s 23rd million for area arts groups. receive adequate health care. the expansion of care for low- president in August. He also served as director of Furlong, assistant professor income children.

SCHOOL OF PHARMACY AND ALLIED HEALTH PROFESSIONS RECEIVES $1 MILLION GRANT The School of Pharmacy Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) with- Web-based chat rooms to double the enrollment in and Allied Health Profes- out leaving home except for develop further dialogue Creighton’s Pharm.D. sions was awarded a two lab-based courses, and answer students’ Program to more than 200 $1 million grant from the annual outcomes-based questions. students within three years Institute for the Advance- assessments and clinical The School of Pharmacy without any expansion of ment of Community rotations. The lab-based and Allied Health the physical plant. The pro- Pharmacy (IACP) to devel- courses could be taken at Professions will add to its gram also would allow stu- op an online degree pro- Creighton, or at a designat- set of more than 500 clinical dents to shave a year off the gram. The IACP grant to ed institution near the sites across the country by amount of time needed to Creighton is part of student’s home. working with the National earn a Pharm.D. by taking $4.7 million being awarded This program will offer Association of Chain Drug classes three semesters a over five years to 21 phar- course materials via the Stores and the National year. Using this format, stu- macy schools. Internet from professors Community Pharmacists dents taking the Web-based The program, which is and a mentoring program Association to identify new pathway could graduate expected to be online in the utilizing community phar- sites for clinical clerkships. one year earlier than the fall of 2001, will allow stu- macists. The mentoring will The Internet coursework traditional campus-based dents to pursue a Doctor of be accomplished using program is expected to students.

FALL 2000 7 UNIVERSITY NEWS

CREIGHTON RECEIVES $2.5 MILLION NIH GRANT TO STUDY CALCIUM, VITAMIN D IN OLDER RURAL WOMEN Creighton University from a nine-county area. abound, but those looking provide the final answer to researcher Joan Lappe, The double-blind study of at fracture rates are more questions that have been Ph.D., R.N., is the principal randomly selected women difficult to carry out. Also, lingering for the past 20 investigator on a five-year will examine whether calci- we need to know years, providing infor- $2.5 million National um and vitamin D supple- more about vita- mation to Institutes of Health grant to mentation reduces bone loss, min D supple- guide health determine whether calcium prevents osteoporotic frac- mentation, so we care and public and vitamin D supplementa- tures and relieves secondary will look at policy deci- tion can prevent fractures hyperparathyroidism, a con- whether combin- sions. caused by the bone-thinning dition in which reductions ing it with “As our disease osteoporosis. of vitamin D cause calcium calcium population Lappe, an associate pro- to be removed from the changes the ages, osteo- fessor of nursing and bones to support and main- effects. porosis medicine and a researcher in tain calcium levels in other “The rea- becomes a larg- Creighton’s Osteoporosis parts of the body. son this population- er public health Research Center, will lead “Many physicians and based study is concern,” she the population-based study, many members of the scien- important is that by select- added. “Unless we can slow which will be conducted at tific community still doubt ing participants randomly, the development of osteo- the Fremont Area Medical calcium’s effects on prevent- we will have results that porosis, it will become a Center in Fremont, Neb. The ing fractures,” Lappe said. are more generalizable to major drain on our economy study will draw about 1,100 “Studies showing that calci- the population,” Lappe con- in addition to causing much women at least 55 years old um improves bone density tinued. “This study may personal suffering.”

LAPPE RECEIVES NURSING ALUMNI MERIT AWARD

Joan M. Lappe, MS’85, received the School of She has worked as a head nurse of an obstetrics unit Nursing’s Alumni Merit Award on June 9. and as a staff nurse in an oncology unit. For 17 years, she A renowned researcher, Lappe is a leader in the field taught nursing at Metropolitan Technical Community of osteoporosis. A major focus of her recent work has College in Omaha. In 1984, she joined Creighton as an been to examine the ways children’s nutrition and assistant professor of nursing and as a nurse research exercise habits affect bone health and coordinator in the School of Medicine. development. She is one of the few Since 1987, Lappe has served as a researcher in researchers in the world who is Creighton’s Osteoporosis Research Center. She was studying bone health in children and promoted to her current position, associate professor adolescents. of nursing, in 1993. Lappe pioneered the use of quanti- Lappe earned a nursing diploma in 1965 and later tative ultrasound (QUS) in measuring completed her bachelor’s in nursing at the University of bone quality in children. This proce- Nebraska Medical Center. She earned her master’s Lappe dure has enabled scientists to study degree from Creighton in 1985 and her doctorate the bone health of children without exposing them to from the University of Nebraska in 1992. radiation. A recent grant from the National Institutes Lappe was inducted as a fellow in the American of Health is providing funding to study the effect of a Academy of Nursing in 1998. This prestigious academy high calcium diet and exercise on the bone health of is composed of only 1,300 nursing leaders. adolescent girls.

8 FALL 2000 UNIVERSITY NEWS

CANCER EXPERT DR. LYNCH RECEIVES AWARD, $2.8 MILLION GRANT CREIGHTON OSTEOPOROSIS EXPERT RECEIVES $2.5 MILLION NIH GRANT Henry T. Lynch, M.D., pro- ing with hereditary cancer. With the help of a $2.5 million grant from the National fessor and chair of preventive The funding from the National Institutes of Health, Robert R. Recker, M.D., will study the effects medicine and public health Cancer Institute will provide of combining low-dose hormone replacement therapy with alen- and director of Creighton’s infrastructure and project dronate (brand name Fosamax) to treat osteoporosis in post- Cancer Center, received the funding to enhance menopausal women. The study will last five years. 2000 American knowledge-sharing According to Recker, professor of medicine, clinical trials of Cancer Society that “will lead to hormone replacement therapy and of alendronate have shown Award at the improved clinical that both are effective in causing gains in bone mass and in pre- American Society of management in the venting bone loss and fractures in post-menopausal women. Clinical Oncology detection, manage- These components use different mechanisms and so, in cases of annual meeting in ment and ultimately, severe osteoporosis, a physician may recommend they be used May. The award the prevention of together, despite the lack of scientific evidence to support the honors his clinical cancer,” Lynch said. combination. work leading to the Photo by Kent Sievers The grant will help “There is pressure from clinicians and patients who want to recognition of hered- Dr. Lynch make Creighton’s use every treatment available, so we need to examine the safety itary forms of colon cancers, database of thousands of and efficacy of this combination,” Recker said. breast-ovarian cancer and family pedigrees tracing The trial will follow 240 women for three and a half years and malignant melanomas. various hereditary cancers will monitor spine bone mineral density and total hip bone The award is presented available to a network of mineral density as well as other measures. annually to recognize scien- cancer researchers and clini- tists, practitioners and cians. One funded project researchers who have made a will allow Creighton re- NEW CLINICAL ANATOMY DEGREE OFFERED significant contribution to can- searchers to work with Creighton University will offer a new degree, a master of cer prevention and control, researchers from Exact Labs science in clinical anatomy, beginning this fall. research or practice. of Massachusetts who have The degree is designed for people who would like to teach In addition, Lynch has developed a way of examining clinical anatomy or who intend to pursue further graduate study received a five-year $2.8 mil- DNA in stool specimens of in medicine or another health profession. lion grant to help coordinate a people at high risk of “There is a chronic shortage of human anatomists who are network of 20 institutions deal- developing colon cancer. trained to teach clinically relevant anatomy in the health sci- ences,” said Tom Quinn, Ph.D., an anatomist and professor of THEOLOGY JOURNAL PUBLISHES FOUR biomedical sciences. “A knowledge of applied human anatomy, CREIGHTON AUTHORS especially when coupled with research capabilities in related fields, provides one with excellent credentials when a tenure- Four papers written by part of Creighton’s under- track position is sought. ” Creighton alumni while they graduate senior seminar in were undergraduate students theology. have been published in The The Creighton authors and RADIO PROGRAM RECEIVES NATIONAL AWARD Journal of Theta Kappa. Theta their papers are: Damion “Creighton Healthwise,” a weekly half-hour interview program, Kappa is the national honor Shepherd, BA’98, “A Look at has been recognized with a national award from the Public Relations society for religious studies and James H. Cone: Black Theology Society of America (PRSA). One of 32 “Bronze Anvil Award“ theology. and Death”; Lea Boldt, BA’99, winners selected from 1,001 entries, “Creighton Healthwise” was “To be published in this jour- “Kant’s Ethical Soteriology: the only winner from the state of Nebraska. The show won top nal is a great academic honor,” A Christian Application”; honors in the category of audio programs for an organization’s said Joan Mueller, Ph.D., associ- Megann Walker, BS’98, “The internal or external use. ate professor of theology at Soteriology of Luke 23:32-48”; Lori Elliott-Bartle of Creighton University’s Department of Public Creighton. No other university and Mary Tobkin, BA’98, Relations and Information conceived and developed the program and has had more papers published “Is there a Problem with the continues to produce and host the weekly show that covers a wide in this prestigious journal over Justice/Mercy Dynamic in range of health topics from consumer health tips to explorations of the past two years. ‘The Parable of the Prodigal ethical issues. “Creighton Healthwise” airs Mondays at 10:30 a.m. on The papers were written as Son’?” Omaha radio station KIOS 91.5 FM.

FALL 2000 9 UNIVERSITY NEWS

A SCIENCE FAIR WHERE KIDS JUDGE PROFESSORS Students grading teachers? projects, activities and infor- That’s the idea behind the mation booths that brought Brains Rule! Neuroscience science to a level that children Fair that was held late last could grasp and understand. spring at the South Omaha The professionals’ task was to Boys and Girls Club. make the projects visual and Hosted by Creighton stimulating to pique the stu- University, the Brains Rule! dents’ interest in pursuing a Neuroscience career in science. In a twist, Fair brought the children judged which together 120 chil- projects were the most educa- dren from two tional and fun. Omaha public There were 12 booths with schools, the 60 presenters at the fair from Photos by Kent Sievers Omar Ahmad, above, presents “Brain Attack” to children Ponca Wellness a number of health fields: at the Brains Rule! Neuroscience Fair. Ahmad, OTD’00, is Center and mem- neuroscience, nuclear medi- an assistant professor of occupational therapy Zardetto- bers of the South cine, physical therapy, occu- in the School of Pharmacy and Allied Health Smith Omaha Boys and pational therapy, pharmacy Professions this fall. Girls Club to observe and and medical technology. therapy in the School of is made up of neuroscientists learn about neuroscience, the The Brains Rule! program Pharmacy and Allied Health and allied health profession- brain and the human body is funded by a grant to Professions, through a als who team up to teach and from scientists and allied Creighton University and its Science Education Drug to raise awareness and under- health professionals from program director, Andrea Abuse Partnership Award standing of the human brain across the community. Zardetto-Smith, Ph.D., assis- from the National Institute on and the value of neuroscience The scientists prepared tant professor of physical Drug Abuse. The partnership research.

STOICISM COURSE TO INCLUDE WOLFE NOVEL 2000 William O. Stephens,Ph.D., moral theory, A New Stoicism associate professor of philoso- by Lawrence Becker. Becker BLUEJAY phy and classical and Near imagines what Stoicism would Eastern studies, is teaching a be like today if it had had a course on Stoicism continuous tradition JAMBOREE this fall that through the Middle Ages, Dinner/Auction Fundraiser for Athletics includes reading the Enlightenment and “Catch the Bluejay Magic” Tom Wolfe’s latest 20th century Anglo- novel, A Man in American philoso- Saturday, Nov. 11 Full. The ancient phy. Ridley Scott’s Creighton University Stoic philosopher latest Hollywood Gymnasium Epictetus, who was movie, Gladiator, Chairman: born into slavery and starring Russell Jim Niemeier, BSBA’84, JD’88 later founded a school Crowe, also will be viewed to teach Stoicism, provides and studied for its strong Stoic To donate an auction item or make dinner reservations, please call salvation for two of the nov- themes. The November issue Carol Ketcham at (402) 280-1794. el’s main characters. Students of Creighton University also will read Epictetus’ main Magazine will feature an article work, The Discourses, and a by Stephens on the rebirth SAVE THE DATE recent book in contemporary of Stoicism.

10 FALL 2000 UNIVERSITY NEWS

STUDENTS LEARN HOW TO ‘BUILD A HUMAN’

Far left … Students build a three- dimensional model of a molecule. Right and inset … Dr. Quinn works with students on constructing a model hand. Photos by Kent Sievers

Eighteen middle school students spent two weeks on campus this summer building three-dimensional models of molecules, observing the development of chicken embryos and constructing a larger-than-life model of a hand. Ten sci- ence teachers observed sessions and worked to develop more interactive activities through a master’s level course. The fun was all part of “Build A Human,” funded by a four-year $225,000 grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI). The program is designed to encourage under-represented minority students to maintain and pursue interests in science. “The projects are designed to blend creativity with scientif- ic know-how,” said principal investigator Thomas Quinn, Ph.D., professor of anatomy. Creighton was one of 35 institutions receiving grants from HHMI to enrich science education and help attract a broad range of students to biomedical careers. Students examine a human brain.

NEW SPORTS INFORMATION STAFF FALL SPORTS INFORMATION Michael Molde is the new Molde was an assistant sports information director sports information director at Looking for Bluejay and Amy Wilson has been Northern Illinois University fall sports schedules? named the new assistant in DeKalb, Ill. sports information director Wilson was media and at Creighton. public relations coordinator Check out the Athletic website at Molde’s first official day at for USA Rugby in Colorado www.goCreighton.com Creighton was May 1, and Springs, Colo., a position she for the latest on Bluejay athletics. Wilson started her duties on accepted after serving a four- June 5. Both will work on month internship in the media For Creighton merchandise, visit promoting and publicizing and public affairs division of all Creighton University ath- the United States Olympic efollett.com on the Web. letic teams. Committee.

FALL 2000 11 COVER STORY

Kelley’s father, William, owned a A young Bill Kelley in the lumber company summer of 1931, the same year in Milwaukee. His he entered the Society of Jesus. He was ordained a mother, Elizabeth, priest on June 21, 1944. was a registered nurse. Kelley’s junior class at Marquette High School. The future Creighton Jesuit is in the front row, second from the right.

He served Creighton for 46 years. He loved the University, his Jesuit order, being a priest. He came to accept death. And, in the end, Fr. Kelley was ready to see God. By Bob Reilly

About the sixth inning of our annual fast-pitch softball when hospitalized, he was wheeled frequently back to his game between Creighton’s faculty and a team of student nearby campus office, to respond to accumulated mail, visit all-stars, our pitcher, the Rev. William F. Kelley, S.J., looked with his fellow Jesuit priests, even provide a stirring vale- like he was fading. Kelley specialized in junk, serving up dictory at the annual Alpha Sigma Nu dinner. soft lobs with a lot of deceptive spin. The third base- Despite this amazing show of willpower, Kelley man dined on pop flies. We had a comfortable could not forever delay the inevitable. On Tuesday, lead but the undergrads had started to solve May 2, 2000, he quietly died. the Jesuit dean’s delivery. As faculty team cap- A few days earlier, he had told his associate tain, I strode purposefully to the mound. Mike Leighton, vice president for University “You getting tired, Father?” I inquired. Relations, that his doctors had informed him “You want me to bring in someone else?” he would probably die that day. Kelley didn’t even look at me. “I’m ready,” said Kelley. “You want to win this game?” he But death didn’t catch up with him that shot back. day, and he wondered if he should apologize to I acknowledged that I did. those he notified. Death came soon enough. “Then go back to the outfield.” Despite his reputation as one who sought to con- I retreated, allowing Kelley to finish and win trol every situation, he found something he could- the contest. n’t manage. That anecdote tells you a lot about the long- Rev. William F. Kelley, S.J. “But,” Leighton said, “it was inspiring to see 1914-2000 time Creighton Jesuit. Kelley liked being in how ready he was to see God. He was anxious to charge, relished a challenge, wanted to finish what he start- see the God he served for more than eight decades, all but ed, and hated to leave the field. In his painful battle with three of them as a priest.” cancer, the 86-year-old vice president of the Creighton Uni- Flash back half a century. versity Foundation mobilized all of these attributes. Even When I returned to the Hilltop in 1950 to serve as

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The Creighton Jesuit swings away at the University’s picnic on May 14, 1952.

Kelley watches as Mary Pajunas demon- strates new technology, the electric type- writer, on Creighton’s campus in 1953. Also watching are, from left, Sister Mary Mercedes and Esther Weitkamp.

Kelley with his mother and father at the celebration of his first solemn high Mass on June 25, 1944, at Gesu Catholic Church in Milwaukee.

Creighton’s alumni secretary and director of public rela- “The goal of the Society,” he explained, “is to use your tions, Kelley, who preceded me to campus by a year, was talents for the greater glory of God.” temporarily handling the PR function. He measured me The eldest of three children, Kelley was born on Feb. 11, with those pene- 1914, in Madison, trating eyes and Wis. This devout counseled me Catholic family about the staff I’d figured a younger inherit. His advice son, Bob, as the was direct, free likely vocation. of sentiment, and, Bob kept a home- as I later learned, made altar in his remarkably room. With accurate. sports, studies, It might have even a few girl- been on that occa- friends (“but sion he supplied nothing serious”), me with a wooden Bill seemed too ruler inscribed busy to adopt a WILLIAM more restricted KELLEY LUMBER regimen. But, COMPANY, a motivated by his souvenir of his cousin, the Rev. father’s Milwau- Raymond Ire- kee business. land, S.J., and the The future Jesuit Jesuits who descended from Fr. Kelley’s Jesuit ordination class of 1944 included seven other future Creighton priests. Vincent Decker is in taught him in sec- the second row from the top, second from left. Carl Reinert, John Scott and James Kramper are in the fourth immigrant stock, row down, first, second and sixth from left, respectively. Norbert Lemke, Austin Miller and Harold McAuliffe are ondary school, with both grand- in the bottom row, third, fourth and fifth from left. Kelley is in the third row down, second from left. the eldest son parents emigrating surprised them from Ireland. The Kelley motto suited him: “Turris Fortis all by entering the Society in 1931. Mihi Deus” or “God is a tower of strength for me.” In one At the Jesuit seminary in Florissant, Mo., Kelley made interview, Kelley paraphrased this wording to fit his current lifelong friends, including half a dozen who also served situation. Creighton. The Revs. Vincent Decker, Carl Reinert, Austin

FALL 2000 13 COVER STORY

Kelley, middle, in 1963 as president of Marquette University sits with past MU presidents Fr. Edward J. O’Donnell, left, and Fr. Raphael C. McCarthy. Kelley served as president of Marquette from 1962 to 1965.

Fr. Kelley, as president of Marquette, gives With his name stenciled communion to his parents at their 50th on a helmet, Fr. Kelley visits wedding anniversary in 1962. The altar boys Fort Riley in 1955. are Kelley’s nephews Robert, left, and Steve Kuhnmuench. Kelley in 1959 as the first appointed vice president for academic affairs at Creighton.

Miller and Harold McAuliffe preceded Kelley in death and Veteran Creighton University biology professor Al the Rev. Norbert Lemke is stationed in New York, but the Schlesinger, now retired, first met his future boss in Kelley’s Hilltop remains home to the Revs. James Kramper and pastoral capacity, at Visitation Parish in Minneapolis. John Scott. “He gave thoughtful homilies and, after Mass, there Kelley always valued these associations. would always be a crowd around him,” Schlesinger said. “There’s a unique richness of going through training for “A lot of women, but men, too. They admired his golfing 15 years ... the closeness you feel because you ate all your skills, something that supplied entry into the business meals with them, worshipped with them, competed in community.” games against them... They do break up and Eileen Lieben, formerly Creighton’s dean go to different places for scholastic teaching, of women, observed his charm on many but when you’re that close to people for so
   occasions. long a time, there’s an easy familiarity. You “He liked women,” she said, “and could feel comfortable and there’s more joshing     say all the right things without overdoing.” and kidding and references to things that  She credits Kelley with opening Alpha happened in common. It’s true in most   Sigma Nu, the Jesuit Honor Society, to friendships. And that’s what makes the   women. Jesuit family life so rich and fulfilling.”   
“He forged ahead,” Lieben said, “want- His classmates share those same fond ed things done right now, and would worry memories. Fr. John Scott, S.J. about the consequences later.” “I always admired his sense of humor,” By the time he had completed his doc- Scott said of Kelley. “He was never at a loss torate in educational administration, Kelley for a snappy comeback, always knew what had been assigned to Creighton. He served to say. And I respected his tremendous memory for names as assistant to the president in the Rev. William McCabe’s and faces.” final year (1949-50) and was on hand for the inaugural of Scott, Kramper and Kelley celebrated together their his classmate, the Rev. Carl M. Reinert. For most of the 60th anniversaries as Jesuits in 1991, and reassembled for 1950s, Kelley held the office of dean of the College of Arts Kelley’s 85th birthday eight years later. Kelley’s remaining and Sciences. sibling, his sister, Betty Kuhnmuench, was also on hand While attesting to the “remarkable friendship” Kelley for that occasion. Younger brother Bob tragically drowned showed toward him, Schlesinger acknowledged what oth- in 1934 on the eve of his entry into Marquette University. ers have experienced, that Kelley could be a tough taskmas- Prior to his 1944 ordination, Kelley taught at Saint ter and a hard sell when you were after project funding. Louis University High School and later served a pair of “He had all the communication skills, including debat- Minneapolis parishes. ing, so it was difficult to be yourself in his presence. He

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Five Creighton priests celebrated 50 years as Jesuits In June 1964, Kelley presented Robert Kennedy with in 1981. Sitting are Kelley and McAuliffe and standing, an honorary Doctor of Laws degree as president of from left, are Kramper, Scott and Decker. Marquette.

Preparing for a wedding in June 1973 at Creighton’s St. John’s Church. increased insecurity in insecure people, and you didn’t win develop intelligent followers. The reporter didn’t catch many arguments,” Schlesinger said. “Still, he was personal- the twinkle in those blue-gray eyes. Neither did the ly concerned about my career and approved a sabbatical for Marquette faculty. me long before we really had them at Creighton, so I could The 3 1/2 years Kelley spent as president of Marquette wrap up my doctoral degree.” were sometimes stormy, fueled by faculty dissent in an age Another former CU faculty member, Harry Dolphin, when dissent was the norm. But he could look back on a who chaired the journalism department, said that when string of accomplishments, like restoring the university’s Kelley introduced him, he always said how delighted he basketball program to prominence with the hiring of coach was to have Dolphin on the faculty, then added, “I didn’t Al McGuire and the campus construction of the unique hire him.” Saint Joan of Arc Chapel from imported French stone. Even Dolphin said Kelley was “a straight arrow, telling you more permanent in its impact was the Kelley-abetted urban exactly what was on his mind.” renewal of a 16-block area adjacent to Marquette, allowing Dolphin’s successor, Dave Haberman, recalled seeing a for the university’s future expansion. more vulnerable and emotional side of Kelley, when the After a two-year stint in Washington, D.C., directing a Jesuit was serving as vice president for academic affairs and survey of the assets and needs of America’s 28 Jesuit col- was handed a difficult new student program to oversee. leges and universities, Kelley returned to the Hilltop in “I was on the committee supervising this program,” 1967, first as assistant to the president and, later, as vice Haberman said, “and one younger member was sharply president of the Creighton University Foundation. He also critical of Father Kelley’s management. I spoke up on began his long association with Alpha Sigma Nu, which Father Kelley’s behalf and he seemed genuinely moved, ended just months before his death. A student ASN scholar- surprised someone would stick up for him.” ship bears his name as does the long-established honor When Kelley became president of Marquette University society lecture series. in 1962, replacing another classmate, the Rev. Edward Kelley packaged all his experience positively, the pro O’Donnell, S.J., he made a habit of visiting faculty on their and the con. own turf, in their offices, so he could make more intelligent “Never for a minute,” he insisted, “had the thought decisions on their future requests or complaints. This occurred to me that I would be happier elsewhere. There personal scrutiny wasn’t always understood. Neither was may have been disappointments, but I’ve never thought of his quick, sometimes cutting, wit. another life.” In the early days of his presidency, a reporter asked him He also claimed he’d never been stationed anywhere he about his plans for Marquette. Kelley replied that he noted didn’t like. Madison, Milwaukee, Minneapolis, St. Louis, most schools seemed to be intent on creating leaders, which Washington — and Omaha. led him to consider that “if there are no followers, there can “This is my home,” he asserted when discussing be no leader,” so perhaps Marquette’s role would be to Creighton.

FALL 2000 15 COVER STORY

Fr. Kelley celebrates the union Kelley gives the invocation at the 1983 of Matthew, BUS AD’86, and Therese Democratic Congressional gathering in (Mullin), BA’85, Montesi in 1987. Fr. Washington, D.C. Kelley’s scrapbooks are filled with pictures of weddings at which he officiated. Marlin Perkins, the host of television’s Wild Kingdom, and Fr. Kelley met in February 1984. Kelley sings “The Star- Spangled Banner” at the 1988 Democratic Congres- sional Dinner.

Kelley enjoyed Omaha’s restaurants and golf courses. That attitude and determination helped him exit the hos- His passion for the arts ranged from Rembrandt paintings pital in time to celebrate the millennium with his Jesuit to the ballads of his youth. The day he died, this former community. It also brought him back to his office for a few member of the Milwaukee Orchestra Board sang along to a hours daily. He had long since abandoned any thought of videotape of one of Lawrence Welk’s television programs. retirement. He also loved sports and attended many of Creighton’s “I think this is a full life,” he said, “and a good one. home basketball games, men’s and women’s, often driving People are universally kind and friendly. Wouldn’t it be a carload of Jesuits to the Civic Auditorium. terrible not to be out among them?” “We sit along the third ramp,” he said. “Section 89. Four So he stayed at his desk as long as he could, surrounded or five rows from the roof. I like it there. You can see every- by a massive montage of candid photographs that seemed thing develop.” ripped from a thousand albums. They’re pictures of former It’s the same way he appreciated the view from his Saint students, with most of whom he still corresponded. Joseph Hospital window, looking out over the city and the “Maybe it makes the office look shabby,” he admitted, Creighton campus, reflecting that he helped erect some of “but they’re all important to me.” the University structures. He could identify each of them, recite some personal “I was there; I saw it go up,” he commented. history. He put these architectural advances in perspective. “He demanded a lot,” said his assistant, Sister Audrey “They do stand as tangible evidence of one sort of devel- Tramp, OSB, who holds a pair of Creighton degrees and has opment,” he wrote in 1962, “but they are only dumb sym- been with Kelley’s office for 14 years. “But he was a very bols of what education really is.” kind boss.” It was the students, always the students, who interested One trait no one dismisses was Kelley’s love of and Kelley, and not the environment, which he figured loyalty to the Jesuit Society. That attachment went beyond impressed newcomers in any era. present concerns. He was part of a crew of Jesuits and lay “People like what they see now, but so did students in people who kept tidy the graves of Jesuits — over 90 of the fifties. They thought this campus was a knockout, even them — buried in Omaha’s Holy Sepulchre Cemetery. Now before the residence halls and library.” he rests with this cadre, men he said he knew and loved. In his final days, he looked older than the young Jesuit Among the lay people accompanying Kelley at the annu- who humbled student batters. Cancer thinned the once-lus- al cleanup of the graves has been Bill Ramsey, a Creighton trous hair and the eyes were more pensive than pervasive. graduate and public relations professional. He remarked on In the hospital, he was something of a model patient, eating Kelley’s rapport with this crew and with other alumni. well, walking a few blocks daily in the corridors. “He always knew you, had a smile, and a word of “I’ll gladly stay with it,” he said of the medical regimen, encouragement,” Ramsey said. “if this is the way to improve.” Prompted by this twin devotion to his Creator and his

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Kelley served for many years as moderator Fr. Albert DiUlio, former president of Marquette, of Creighton’s Alumni Chapter of Alpha Sigma Barbara Bush and Fr. Kelley at Marquette’s May 1992 Nu, the Jesuit Honor Society. commencement. Marquette conferred an honorary Doctor of Laws degree upon Kelley that year.

Fr. Kelley performed many baptisms. Here, he celebrates the baptism of Lauren Alt with her parents, Mike and Claire (Remington) Alt, BA’81, in 1989.

colleagues, Kelley initiated another memorial project. In from Omaha and from as far away as California. He a Jesuit residence corridor, he placed portraits of knew them all, had special words for each. And even in deceased Midwestern Jesuits. This gallery, numbering this sterile setting, they shared a few laughs. some 400 pictures, meant a lot to Kelley as he strove to For me, the scene that seemed a coda to Kelley’s life remind younger members of the Society of those was one described to me as occurring that last weekend remarkable men who preceded them. in the hospital room. Scholer and Skrydlak were there When I phoned him in March for an interview to and Sister Audrey came in. support this piece, Kelley sweetly inquired, “Is this an “Oh, Father,” she apologized, “I should have brought article or necrology?” my copy of the Twilight Prayer. We could have said it I nearly walked back to the outfield. together.” As it turns out, he was right again, and this serves as This prayer by Cardinal Newman was a favorite of something of an obituary, one started Kelley’s and he recited it often at the while he was alive, finished after his bedsides of the dying. It also appeared death.
     on the back of his mother’s Mass card, That final week was a series of alarms tucked into his well-worn missal, and on and reversals, with friends summoned    the back of his own Mass card. to his bedside or merely dropping by.     “Don’t worry,” Kelley assured her, Each time they expected his calm predic-  
“I know it by heart.” And he began to tion of his impending demise to be recite it. fulfilled. But the patient continued to Robert Skrydlak “May He protect us all the day long, confound them. The mind persisted, the till the shades lengthen humor remained incisive, the desire for and the evening falls control stayed paramount. and the busy world is hushed Steve Scholer, Creighton’s director of estate and trust and the fever of life is over services, visited Kelley often over those last days. and our work is done ...” “He was as warm and genial as ever,” Scholer said, When he finished, Kelley said, “Let me repeat the last “but he’d also let you know when he wanted you to few lines, because they are the most important.” leave. He never relinquished command.” “Then in His mercy Scholer and his associate, Robert Skrydlak, called may He give us safe lodging Kelley a symbol of what the Jesuits truly represented. and Holy rest Skrydlak went further. “God revealed Himself to me and peace at the last. Amen.” through Father Kelley,” he said. — About the author: Reilly is a free-lance writer working in A parade of old friends stood vigil by his bed, people Omaha.

FALL 2000 17 COVER STORY

Kelley, a regular at Creighton basketball games, with Alpha Sigma Nu inductees and basketball play- ers Holly Sivesind, BA’97, Heather Horner, BSBA’96, (kneeling) and Becky Flynn, BA’96, in 1996. At Kelley in St. John’s right is fellow chapter moderator Church, celebrating 50 Fr. Thomas Krettek, S.J. years as a priest.

Kelley’s office walls were covered with pictures of alumni and friends, as this 1995 picture shows.

Celebrating 50 years in the priesthood in 1994 were, from left, Lemke, Scott, Kramper and Kelley.

THE IDEAL GOODWILL AMBASSADOR By Rick Davis The Rev. William F. Kelley, my father,” Gillick said. S.J., was remembered in tears Gillick said Kelley’s life and laughter by relatives, paralleled the gospel reading friends and fellow clergy who for the Mass, in which a man filled St. John’s Church for the asks Jesus what he has to do funeral Mass of the beloved to enter the Kingdom of Heav- Creighton Jesuit. en. Jesus tells him to sell his The Rev. Larry Gillick, S.J., possessions and follow Him. explained in his homily that “Bill Kelley left home to Jesuits are given the opportu- make his home in the Society nity to plan their own funeral of Jesus and in the homes and Mass. When Kelley was asked hearts of those who call him a who should say the homily, he longtime friend,” Gillick said. responded: “Any kind Jesuit.” “He left everything to fol- “But Father (Thomas) low Jesus,” he said. Shanahan (rector of the Jesuit Gillick said Kelley helped community) couldn’t find others grow in their faith, but one,” Gillick said jokingly. was not afraid to speak his Gillick said that his mother mind. and father both grew up with “Bill Kelley was very Kelley in Wisconsin, and that direct, even abrupt,” Gillick his mother once dated the said. future Jesuit. “I asked Father (Lawrence) “It boggles my mind to Fr. Kelley’s casket is led out of St. John’s Flanagan for one adjective to think that he could have been Church after the funeral Mass. describe Father Kelley,”

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The cleanup brigade of 1998. Fr. Kelley was devoted to remembering those Jesuits who came before him. He organized an annual cleanup of the Jesuit gravesites at Omaha’s Holy Sepulchre Cemetery.

Michael G. Morrison, have kept the faith.” S.J., called Kelley the “I can hear you saying to us “ideal goodwill ambas- now, ‘Don’t you have something sador for Creighton better to do?’” Gillick said. University.” “Yes, we do,” he said. “We “He was a dedicated, need to keep your memory and religious and faithful mission alive. You taught us how priest,” Morrison said. to live the Eucharist and how to Kelley, in writing live as followers of Jesus. Thank down his funeral wish- you, Father Kelley.” es, quoted from St. Paul: As Kelley’s casket was guided “I have fought out of the church, those gathered Kelley’s fellow Jesuits, including former Creighton president the good fight, I have sang “God Bless America” — one the Rev. Michael G. Morrison, S.J., remember him fondly. finished the race, I of Kelley’s favorite songs.

Gillick said, “but we couldn’t come up with one — at least not MEMORIALS in church.” Gillick told the story about how Memorials in Kelley ’s name may be sent to Creighton University he and a fellow Jesuit once asked and specified for either the “William Kelley, S.J. Endowed Lecture- Kelley to settle a disagreement. ship” or the “William Kelley, S.J. Endowed Scholarship.” The They were arguing over the names Endowed Lectureship benefits Creighton University ’s Alpha Sigma of the libraries at Marquette and Nu Chapter for its annual lecture and other chapter expenses. The St. Louis universities. Endowed Scholarship benefits needy students in the Colleges of Arts “I called him up, and he said, and Sciences and Business Administration and the School of Nursing. ‘Don’t you guys have anything Checks should be made payable to Creighton University and mailed better to do than that?’ Then he to Creighton University, Office of Development, 2500 California hung up,” Gillick said. Plaza, Omaha, NE 68178. Please note the specific fund. Former president the Rev.

FALL 2000 19 A look at current and future flare-ups

By Ross C. Horning, Ph.D.

 this attack emerged the legendary Chechen leader, the Imam Shamil, who united the Chechens against Russia. Russian military tactics increased the Chechens’ hatred of Russia. In 1859, after more than 40 years of fighting, Russia is immense; Chechnya is small. How is it that Russia finally was able to force Chechnya into the such a small country is able to resist Russia — and how Russian Empire. long will that resistance last?
 Chechnyan resistance to Russian rule goes back to Russia 1722, when Peter the Great tried to incorporate Chechnya Chechnya Population: 1.3 million (1990 est.) into the Russian Empire. Chechens are Muslim; Russians, Total area: 6,100 sq. mi. Orthodox Christian. As in many places around the globe, (slightly smaller than Hawaii) Georgia their conflict has religious roots. In 1817, Russia tried Capital: Grozny again to control Chechnya. The Russian campaign was Conflict: Muslim Chechens seek Turkey brutal, destroying villages and killing women and chil- Armenia independence from Orthodox dren. Such tactics brought temporary success, but, out of Christian Russians; dates to 1722.

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Feb. 23, 1944, is a date that all 16,000 troops from India into Chechens remember. On that date, the mountains of Afghanistan. Josef Stalin ordered the entire Only two men out of 16,000 Chechen population, 425,000, returned to India, a soldier and jammed into railroad cars and taken a medical doctor, Dr. William to Kazakhstan. It is estimated that Brydon. It is the worst defeat 100,000 died in the transport. Those in the history of the British who lived had to fend for themselves military. in the frozen land. It was Stalin’s final In 1979, the Russians invad- solution, but it did not work. On the ed Afghanistan. They should contrary, the incredible suffering of have learned from the British the Chechen people united them experience. The Russian-Afghan more than ever. Chechens, whose loy- War was extremely unpopular alties are to their clans and villages, in Russia — and the Russians do not submit to virtually any politi- also were defeated by the cal authority, let alone Russian. Afghans and the mountains. For years, Russia has been fighting The Chechens are now in the

Chechnya. Russia has destroyed the Photos World Photo by AP Wide mountains. As with both the Chechen capital, Grozny. But, in 1996, A Russian soldier acting as a mine sweeper British and Russian experiences with thousands of Russian deaths, checks the way for a military vehicle, in Afghanistan, the Russians seized from Islamic militants, in the moun- Russia was forced to leave Chechnya. tains of Vedeno Gorge in southern Chech- will find it incredibly difficult to A major supporting reason for nya in April. The region’s mountainous penetrate into the mountains Vladimir Putin’s rise to power and terrain has made it difficult for the larger, and defeat the Chechens. better equipped Russian military popularity as the new Russian presi- to defeat the Chechens. Even if Russia, using massive dent was his authorization of a power and numbers, does renewed offensive against the Chechens. defeat the Chechens and force them to return from the But two examples illustrate the immense difficulty of mountains, the Chechens will find another way to contin- winning a military campaign in mountainous regions ue their resistance. similar to Chechnya. In 1842, the British sent more than Putin, as well as the international community, will face the bitter Chechen-Russian conflict well into this new millennium. Editor’s Note: When we asked Dr. Ross Horning, professor of history, to   take a spin around the globe, with the world’s Pakistan India trouble spots in mind, he selected five places to The Vale of Kashmir is one of the most beautiful watch in the year ahead, landscapes in the world, and one of the most dangerous. some already in the Recently, Kashmir rebels have deliberately murdered

Photo by Monte Kruse, BA’83 headlines, others still in European tourists there. Dr. Ross Horning, the background. Not It all began in 1947, when India was split into Pakistan professor of history meant to be an exhaus- and India. Since that time, the two countries have fought tive study of each troubled area, Dr. Horning’s story two wars over Kashmir, and currently a vicious civil war instead focuses on the salient issues, many of them of is going on with the Kashmiri rebels seeking either the long historic standing, that are pushing these areas independence of the Kashmir-Jammu State from India or into prominence. In a future issue, we’ll focus in-depth the right to join Pakistan. with Dr. Horning on one or two hotspots. In 1947, the Maharajah of Kashmir was a Hindu, while the Kashmir population was, and is, Muslim. When

FALL 2000 21     

Pakistani troops denies the Indian accu- invaded Kashmir, the sation, but does admit Maharajah asked India to giving some assis- for assistance. The last tance to the rebels. Governor-General of The fighting has India, Lord Louis been vicious, with Mountbatten, advised hundreds of innocent the Indian leadership, people, such as the headed by Pandit Sikhs, being killed. Nehru, to give the The fighting will con- Maharajah assistance, tinue on and off for but on condition that many years to come. Kashmir become a Pakistan argues that Photo by AP Wide World Photos World Photo by AP Wide political unit of India. Kashmiris living in Pakistan-held Kashmir raise their hands to show the Kashmiri citizens On Oct. 26, 1947, solidarity with Indian-held Kashmiris prior to President Clinton’s are Muslim, and the Maharajah accept- visit in March. The rally was described as a plea for U.S. mediation should have the choice, in the decades-old Kashmir dispute, which has been at the center of ed the conditions, two of three Indian-Pakistani wars since 1947. Clinton called the through a plebiscite and Kashmir became South Asian region “the most dangerous place in the world.” that has never been an Indian state. carried out, to choose However, on Oct. 27, Lord Mountbatten made it clear rule by either Pakistan or India. that India’s acceptance was provisional. Mountbatten India responds that more than 90 million citizens of wrote: India are Muslim, and that Indian Muslims have been “As soon as law and order have been restored elected to the position of president of India. Furthermore, to Kashmir and her soil cleared of the invader, the issue has been settled: Kashmir-Jammu is a state of the question of accession should be settled by a the Indian Federation. reference to the people.” The outlook for Kashmir is not hopeful. For more than 50 years the issue has prevented a peaceful life and the   utilization of resources by both countries. There is little Afghanistan Population: 7.7 million (1991 est.) that the United States or the European nations can do China Total area: 85,806 sq. mi. about this situation that deeply affects Asian peace. Pakistan (slightly larger than Idaho) The issue will fester on and on, and from time to time, Kashmir Conflict: Subject of dispute between fighting will break out. And with both nations now hav- India and Pakistan since the partition ing nuclear capability, Kashmir will continue to be an of the Indian subcontinent in 1947. explosive situation for Asian peace in particular and India world peace in general.

The plebiscite was never held. On Jan. 1, 1948, the United Nations Security Council took up the issue. In the    meantime, fighting had broken out between India and Defense Corps Pakistan. Finally, the United Nations, on Jan. 1, 1949, Yugoslavia of Kosovo arranged a cease-fire. For a number of years United Nations observers were stationed in Kashmir, but on An old foreign affairs cliché states, “It is much easier Jan. 1, 1957, India announced the “irrevocable” annexa- to get in than it is to get out.” Bosnia and Kosovo reflect tion of Kashmir. the accuracy of this statement. After the 1995 Dayton India regards the issue as settled. Kashmir-Jammu is Accords were signed, President Clinton promised to one of the Indian states. Pakistan does not accept the bring home American troops in one year. Despite the Indian decision. Pakistan currently controls the western intense bombing of Kosovo in 1999, American troops are one-third of Kashmir and India the eastern two-thirds. still in Bosnia and Kosovo, and will be there for an India blames Pakistan for the recent civil war. Pakistan indefinite time.

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   nationalist Serb, the Serbs are God’s people and the Montenegro Yugoslavia Population: 2.2 million (1996 est.) historic Serbian song, “God, Give Us Justice,” will ring again. Total area: 4,203 sq. mi. (slightly smaller than Connecticut) Into this historical morass NATO has jumped. NATO Kosovo has ended the fighting and Serbian atrocities. If NATO Administrative capital: Pristina remains in Bosnia and Kosovo, the semblance of a peace- Conflict: Struggle between Muslim ful life will continue. Albania Albanians and Orthodox Serbian Macedonia nationalists; dates to 1389. But where does the road lead now? How many years can NATO, of which the United States is the leader, with Of the two conflicts, Kosovo’s will be the more diffi- the best of intentions, remain in Bosnia and Kosovo? It is cult. Out of Kosovo’s 2 million population, only 200,000 possible that NATO has become a prisoner of Balkan his- were Serbs. Now there are fewer than 30,000 Serbs. Yet, tory, and will be there well into this new millennium. Kosovo is the heart of Serbian nationalism. As a young Serbian lieutenant said to William Finnegan of The New Yorker, “This war is about history. All of our wars are      about history. You need to go back 1,000 years to under-

The Good Friday Agreement Thousands of On April 10, 1998, the United Kingdom (Northern Ire- ethnic Albanians celebrate the land, England, Scotland and Wales), the Republic of Ire- arrival of French land, and the Unionist, Social Democratic Labor, and the NATO troops in Sinn Fein (Ourselves Alone) political parties signed the the town of Gnjilane in cen- Good Friday Agreement. tral Kosovo on The Sinn Fein party is the political arm of the Irish June 13, 1999. Republican Army (IRA), but the party, headed by Gerry More than a year Adams, does not control the IRA. later, American and other NATO The Good Friday Agreement provided for a pledge troops remain in from the IRA to begin disarmament. In the nearly 30 the war-ravaged years of fighting to force the union of the Six Counties region.     

Photo by AP Wide World Photos World Photo by AP Wide Northern Population: 1.7 million (1998 est.) Ireland stand anything here.” The event about which the young Total area: 5,452 sq. mi. officer was speaking is the legendary and mystical Battle (about one-sixth of the whole island) United of Kosovo, June 28, 1389, when Prince Lazar and his Capital: Belfast Republic Kingdom forces were crushed by the Ottoman Turks. Over the 600 Conflict: Irish-English tensions trace of Ireland Belgium years since the battle, the Serbs take pride in the fact that back to the defeat of The Great O’Neill they have remained faithful to their Orthodox Christian and O’Donnells at Kinsale in 1601. France faith. Religion plays a major role in both domestic and international affairs. (Northern Ireland) to join with the Republic of Ireland, Muslim Albanians have horrible memories of recent the IRA alone has killed more than 1,800 people. Serbian atrocities. Serbs have memories of the vicious Despite the agreement, the IRA did not accept the idea Croatian organization, the USTASHA. Despite NATO of disarmament. The agreement also provided for an presence, incidents of Albanian revenge have taken place. elected 108-seat Assembly in Northern Ireland, out of Serbian civilians remember the NATO bombing. which would be formed an executive council to run daily At every turn, Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic affairs. The election was held on June 28, 1998. The has lost. Kosovo is gone. The GREATER SERBIA DREAM Unionist Party, under David Trimble, won the most seats, is gone. But it will never be forgotten. To the strong and Trimble was chosen as the first minister. Sinn Fein

FALL 2000 23     

earned two seats on the council. Scots and Anglican English However, as long as the IRA to forever change Ulster. would not even discuss disar- Michael Collins, leg- mament, Trimble would not call endary IRA hero of the a meeting of the executive Anglo-Irish Civil War (1920- council. After a two-month 21), about whom numerous stalemate, Secretary of State books and movies have been for Northern Ireland Peter made, and co-signer with Mandelson canceled everything Arthur Griffith, of the 1921 and threatened to return to Anglo-Irish Treaty, which direct rule from London. established Northern Ire- Suddenly, on May 6, 2000, land, was assassinated in the IRA, through Adams, Sinn 1922 by unknown Irish Fein leader, announced that it Photos World Photo by AP Wide opponents of the 1921 Treaty. Masked Irish nationalists prepare petrol bombs in would “initiate a process that response to a 1999 Protestant Apprentice Boys’ At Michael Collins’ will completely and verifiably parade in Northern Ireland. The controversial parade gravesite, one of his friends put IRA arms beyond use.” commemorates the 1689 Siege of Derry — during and supporters, General which, legend has it, 13 Protestant apprentices shut The IRA announcement was the city’s gate to advancing Catholic troops. Richard Mulcahy, said, “We a major development in North- are all mariners on the deep, ern Ireland. As long as the IRA continues to accept the bound for a port still seen only through storm and spray, inspection of its secret arms dumps, the opportunity for a sailing on a sea full of dangers. And, that, after all, is lasting peace will grow. not so good.” However, the IRA announcement also can be regarded Ireland also has been a prisoner of its history, and as a major defeat for the IRA. The Good Friday Agree- there are few happy endings. But perhaps this is one ment and the May 6 IRA announcement virtually guaran- of them. tee that the Six Counties (Northern Ireland) will remain with the United Kingdom and not join the Republic of Ireland.   
    The ultimate objective of the Social Democratic and Republic of China Labor Party (John Hume, leader and Nobel Prize recipi- China (Taiwan) ent), the Sinn Fein, and the IRA has been that the Six Counties (Northern Ireland) be joined with the Republic In March 2000, Chen Shui-bian, long an advocate of of Ireland. Hume’s efforts were through peaceful means, independence for the Republic of China as a separate and the IRA through physical force. nation to be known as Taiwan, won the position of presi- Over the years, disillusionment can grow within the dent of the Republic of China over the 50-year dominant IRA and the American Irish, whose dream always has party, the Kuomintang (Nationalists). Chen Shui-bian is been that the Six Counties (Northern Ireland) would join the former Mayor of Taipei and leader of the Democratic with the Twenty-Six Counties of the Republic to bring Progressive Party. about a united Ireland. Off-shoot organizations — the With this victory, he dramatically and sharply REAL IRA and the CONTINUING IRA — do not accept increased the political tension among the Republic of the IRA decision.   
    The historical source of contemporary difficulties can China be traced to the defeat of The Great O’Neill and the Population: 21.6 million O’Donnells at Kinsale, 1601, and the subsequent Flight of Total area: 13,969 sq. mi. (slightly smaller the Earls in 1607 from Ulster, out of which in 1921, Taiwan Pacific than Maryland and Delaware combined) through the Anglo-Irish Treaty, emerged the Six Counties Ocean Capital: Taipei or Northern Ireland. South Conflict: The Republic of China seeks in- Because of the Flight of the Earls from Ulster, the China dependence from mainland; schism dates British government was able to bring in Presbyterian Sea to Chinese Civil War of the late 1940s.

24 FALL 2000     

China (Taiwan), the People’s Republic of China (Beijing) cate independence from the mainland. All through the and the Republic of China’s major supporter, the years, the Nationalists regarded themselves as the legiti- United States. mate government of China, and pursued dreams of The Republic of China is a political entity. Taiwan is a returning to the mainland. geographical area, slightly smaller than Maryland and But Chen Shui-bian and the Democratic Progressive Delaware combined. It has a population of 22 million, Party do not have the same political and emotional ties to and a robust economy. the mainland as the Nationalists do. It was originally conquered by the Manchu Dynasty in Chen Shui-bian strongly advocates the Republic to 1683, and held by China until the Japanese took it in 1895. be a sovereign nation, known as Taiwan, separate and Japan held it until the Cairo Conference, when Churchill, independent from the mainland. Roosevelt and Chiang Kai-shek agreed to return Taiwan The Beijing government will not permit Taiwan to to China at the end of World War II. It was assumed, become an independent nation. To it, Taiwan is a however, that this meant Chiang Kai-shek’s Kuomintang province of the mainland. It would be as if Hawaii were (Nationalist party) would to desire to separate from obtain Taiwan. the United States and The Battle of Hsüchou in become a sovereign nation December 1948 was the known as Hawaii. climatic battle in the Chinese At the same time, Civil War. Chiang Kai-shek’s Beijing does not have the forces were thoroughly capability to invade Taiwan, defeated by Mao Tse-tung’s and the Republic of China Communist Army. (Taiwan) is protected by The following year, Decem- the United States. ber 1949, Chiang Kai-shek fled So far, Chen Shui-bian is to Taiwan and established the following a prudent policy.

Republic of China. He still felt Photos World Photo by AP Wide He is striving to increase the that his government repre- Chinese armed guards practice near Tiananmen Square in Republic’s commercial inter- Beijing in May. China has repeatedly threatened to use sented all of China, not just its massive military against Taiwan if it refuses to national success and pres- Taiwan. In the meantime, on reunify and seeks independence. tige, while holding off the Oct. 1, 1949, Mao Tse-tung for- People’s Republic and mally established the People’s Republic of China. down-playing his ultimate objective of independence. As of 1949, there were two governments, both claim- The Republic of China (Taiwan) and the People’s ing to represent the state of China. Chiang Kai-shek’s Republic controversy will go on for years. The major Nationalists totally rejected the idea of an independent question for the United States is: How far will American Taiwan. They always felt that they would return to the society go in support of Taiwan? mainland as the rightful governing party. If Chen Shui-bian, in the future, should increase his Until 1972, the United States always recognized the efforts for independence and the People’s Republic Republic of China on Taiwan as the legitimate govern- responds with force, will the United States actually fight a ment of China. In 1972, President Richard Nixon visited massive war against the People’s Republic of China? Beijing. Nixon’s visit to Beijing was a form of diplomatic ••• recognition in international law. From that time on, the In addition to the five “hot spots” briefly discussed United States has recognized the Beijing government, here, there are other places around the world to watch: but maintains a special relationship with the Republic of the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian controversy; the China (Taiwan). In international law, a state cannot recog- political split on the Island of Cyprus, involving two nize two governments for the same state. A “Two Chinas” NATO members, Greece and Turkey, and Cuban-Ameri- concept is not possible. can relations. No foreign policy decision is perfect, but As long as the Nationalists were in power (Chiang all of these potential trouble spots will be continuously Kai-shek was followed by his son) there was never any addressed by American policy leaders and the real danger that the Nationalist leadership would advo- American people.

FALL 2000 25 harlotte, N.C.—It’s another 12- C hour workday at Robert Yates Racing. In one area of the 100,000 PitPit PowerPower square-foot facility, two men construct How Creighton exercise scientist Jeffrey Stout helped roll cages from long steel bars — mak- ing precise welds that will save a dri- fuel Dale Jarrett’s ride to NASCAR’s biggest prize ver’s life if he is involved in a crash during a race. In another area, a body by Sheila L. Swanson fabricator is adding the skin, or sheet metal, to one of the 18 cars in the No. 88 Quality Care/Ford Credit stable. Someone else is working on the chassis setup for a new car. In another area, eight built engines valued at $50,000 each are lined up along one wall. A group of mechanics is fine-tuning the setup on a car for the next week’s race. And located in a large workshop is the gem of Robert Yates Racing — the engine department. At least 10 mechanics are working on the engines — engines they build, tear down, rebuild and test on millions of dollars worth of equipment, always in search of more horsepower to pull the 3,400- pound stock cars around a racetrack for 500 miles. Upstairs in the gym, several members of the No. 88 pit crew are going through a strenuous workout with the fitness trainer. It’s 7 a.m. and their day has just begun.

Have you ever considered a NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) Winston Cup pit crew member an elite ath- lete? The answer probably is no. Jeffrey Stout, Ph.D., would be quick to set you straight. Stout is an assistant professor of exercise science at Creighton Uni- versity. He is one of a handful of exercise science Ph.D.’s in the Unit- ed States. who applies the science he learns to athletes. Stout has done extensive research on how athletes Photo by AP Wide World Photos World Photo by AP Wide Several cars make a pit stop during this year’s NAPA 500 on April 30 at can boost their performances the California Speedway in Fontana, Calif. through fitness and nutritional pro-

26 FALL 2000 grams that are geared toward the either two or four tires, add fuel to our guys to have consistent 15- to physiological needs for their sport. the car and make adjustments to the 16-second pit stop times.” During the past three years, car’s handling. Crew chiefs say a Benfield had heard of Stout Stout has consulted with profes- good two-tire stop takes 10 seconds, through FSI Nutrition, a pharmacy sional football and baseball teams. about the same time it takes a company owned by Creighton His work with Major League Base- sprinter to run 100 meters. A good University alumni Mike Carnazzo, ball was featured in the April 2000 four-tire stop takes 15 seconds. BA’81, and his brother, Joe, issue of ESPN the Magazine. Stout Benfield explained the impor- BSPha’87. also was featured on a BBC- tance of saving even a small Stout was a bit surprised when produced documentary (“Hormone amount of time during a pit stop. Benfield phoned him. Heaven”) explaining “Initially, I wasn’t how diet and exercise sure what I could do. I can maximize the natural had never even watched release of “feel good, a NASCAR Winston muscle building and fat Cup race and frankly burning hormones.” didn’t consider pit crew In May 1999, fitness members as elite ath- trainer/strength coach letes,” Stout said. James Benfield of Robert Upon viewing Yates Racing contacted videotape of a pit stop, Stout. Benfield wanted Stout realized that the help in conditioning the pit crew members pit crew members for were indeed explosive the No. 88 Quality athletes. Care/Ford Credit team “These guys had 15 owned by Robert Yates. seconds to change four “Between the hard tires that weigh 75 workouts, pit stop prac- pounds each; add two, tices and time spent in 11-gallon (75-pound) the race shop, I was dump cans of fuel to concerned about their the car; and make any energy level. I felt they adjustments that the could benefit from a crew chief or driver felt nutritional program as were necessary to well,” Benfield said. improve the car’s The way pit crews handling,” Stout said. Photo by Monte Kruse, BA’83 operate has changed Creighton’s Jeffrey Stout, Ph.D. … Through his fitness and Stout also was tremendously over the nutritional program, the pit stop times for Jarrett’s crew impressed with the past five years. dropped from 17.5 to 16.5 seconds. NASCAR Winston “Gone are the days Cup drivers. where these guys can ignore their “Gaining a tenth or a hundredth “Studies have shown that during physical fitness,” Benfield said. of a second in the pits means mov- a 500-mile race, a driver expends “There is so much parity with the ing up positions on the race track,” the same amount of energy as a cars and the technology. It’s the lit- Benfield said. “To give some per- runner during a full marathon. The tle things that can add up to win- spective, one second gained or lost drivers have to be well conditioned, ning a race.” in the pits equals 400 meters on a hydrated and focused,” Stout said. Working on a stock car pit crew race track. You can see how that After traveling to Charlotte to is an exercise in teamwork. During can affect the outcome of a race. In meet with Benfield, crew chief Todd a pit stop, the crews will change order to be competitive, we needed Parrott and the pit crew, Stout real-

FALL 2000 27 ized he had found a unique group bursts. Marathon runners are aero- With the pit crew, Stout found of athletes. bic using more oxygen and keeping they needed both endurance and “When I consult athletes, I look their heart rates at an elevated level explosive power — endurance for at the demands of the sport and for an extended period of time. The the long workdays during the week every sport is a little different. way you would design a diet for a and the day of the race and explo- Volleyball, football and baseball distance runner is a lot different sive power for the pit stops. players are anaerobic using large than a diet for an explosive athlete,” So Stout and Benfield developed amounts of energy in short, sudden Stout said. a nutrition and exercise protocol DietaryDietary SupplementsSupplements:: TheThe PromisesPromises andand thethe PitfallsPitfalls

he dietary supplement industry has been a booming business some exceptions, any product intended for ingestion as a supple- Tsince Congress passed the Nutritional Labeling and Education Act ment to the diet. This includes vitamins; minerals; herbs, botanicals (NLEA) in 1990 and the Dietary Supplement Health and Education and other plant-derived substances; and amino acids (the individual Act (DSHEA) in 1994. Americans spent $12 billion for vitamins and building blocks of protein) and concentrates, metabolites, con- minerals, herbals, sports supplements and specialty supplements stituents and extracts of these substances. in 1997 alone. In an industry with few regulations, many products Sidney Stohs, Ph.D., dean of Creighton’s School of Pharmacy are not always what they seem. and Allied Health Professions, noted that the vast majority of According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), con- dietary supplements, and particularly herbal products, do not have sumers need to be on the lookout for fraudu- standardized manufacturing practices. lent products, which, at the very least, “If a product’s label is marked U.S.P., it waste consumers’ money and may cause “There is no magic pill indicates the manufacturer followed standards physical harm. established by the U.S. Pharmacopeia,” “The supplement industry needs to be out there that is going to help Stohs said. “Without this marking, consumers FDA-regulated,” Jeffrey Stout, Ph.D., said. someone change their body really don’t know what they are getting “Within the next year or two, I expect Con- composition to the way when they buy dietary supplements.” gress will pass another act that will clamp Stout recommends that unless you are an down on the manufacturing of supplements they want it. There is nothing elite athlete, you should avoid taking supple- and implement a system to check the purity on the market that can work ments such as creatine. “There is no magic pill out there that is of the products.” better than a good diet, In fact, in 1999 three NFL players tested going to help someone change their body positive for a banned substance that was exercise and hydration.” composition to the way they want it. There is found in an over-the-counter supplement Jeffrey Stout, Ph.D. nothing on the market that can work better they were taking. than a good diet, exercise and hydration,” “When you buy dietary supplements on Stout said. your own, you really don’t know the purity and quality of the prod- Stout does research and scientific advising for several nutritional uct,” Stout said. “These football players did not realize that the sup- companies in the United States and will not work with a company if plement they were taking contained a banned substance.” its products are not pure and of high quality. He does not do con- The FDA considers dietary supplements to be products made of sulting work with colleges and universities. Stout has worked with one or more of the essential nutrients, such as vitamins, minerals Charlie Oborny, head strength and conditioning coach at Creighton, and protein. The DSHEA broadens the definition to include, with but does not design programs for Creighton student-athletes.

28 FALL 2000 that would enhance both systems. 41-week period. Once the season the benefits of exercise. “For the pit crew, it was about ends in Atlanta in late November, “You can’t perform if you are energy, building strength and plans for the February 2001 season- sick, and your body can’t recover speed, and preventing injury and opening Daytona 500 and the next from workouts if it is run down,” illness because their season is so three to four races begin. Stout said. “It was crucial for the pit long,” Stout said. According to Stout, the key crew members to maintain their This year’s NASCAR Winston for any athlete is to have a nutri- immune systems because there is Cup season has 34 races during a tional program that enhances no downtime in this sport. The plan

He also realizes that there are people who feel athletes should body needs them. They don’t cause the body to do anything.” not take supplements and that using supplements or other agents Stohs noted that performance-enhancing supplements should to achieve a competitive edge undermines the spirit of athletic com- not be confused with herbal products such as St. John’s Wort, petition. As of Aug. 1, 2000, the National Collegiate Athletic Associ- gingko biloba, ginseng and senne. The American Pharmaceutical ation (NCAA) no longer allows Division I colleges and universities to Association warns that herbals can produce drug or drug-like effects. provide nutritional supplements “The general public looks to student-athletes, citing at herbal products like the lack of long-term studies In a recent survey, any other supplement. on possible side effects and 100 Olympic athletes were asked: Many herbal products can lack of FDA regulation. In produce physiological addition, according to the “If you could take a drug “If you could take a drug that effects,” Stohs said. “It’s NCAA, institutions that have that was undetectable but could guarantee you would also important to realize the resources to provide could guarantee you a gold win every race for the next five that the label ‘natural’ such supplements to their medal at the next Olympics, years but you would die in five does not guarantee a student-athletes could obtain would you take it?” years, would you take it?” product as safe.” a competitive advantage. According to Kansas “This new NCAA bylaw City Chiefs Strength really doesn’t make much Coach Jeff Hurd, Stout sense because it does not 95% has been an unbelievable ban any nutritional supple- 95% resource. ment. Instead, it leaves it up saidsaid yesyes 50%50% “We are so busy to the student-athlete to buy saidsaid yesyes training the players, I the product and take it unsu- don’t have the time to pervised while not knowing research dietary supple- if the product is of good ments and nutritional quality,” Stout said. “This The reality is that illegal drugs such as steroids, insulin and needs for the team,” growth hormones are available, and doping in professional could lead to misuse and and Olympic sports is not uncommon. If athletes feel the Hurd said. “Dr. Stout has possible exposure to health pressure to improve their performances, they will take been able to tell us what risks because the student- whatever is available. is good and what isn’t athlete may feel if a little is Source: “Over the Edge.” Sports Illustrated, April 1997 good. He has allowed good then more is better. me to do a better job “What exercise science professionals are trying to do is find an and better inform our players.” effective and safe way for athletes to increase performances,” Stout Hurd also feels that what Stout is doing will help athletes make said. “It’s important to remember that there is a difference between better choices. “If the players are not informed or shown the proper drugs and dietary supplements such as creatine, tyrosine and pro- way to do things, they will go out on their own and make some tein. A drug — like steroids, ephedrine and caffeine — binds to poor decisions. They don’t do this because they are trying to do receptors in the body causing a metabolic reaction, whereas tyro- something illegal, but rather because they don’t have enough infor- sine, creatine, carbohydrates and proteins are only utilized if the mation to make good choices,” Hurd said.

FALL 2000 29 I recommended for them was geared toward accelerating the rate of recovery and increasing their mental concentration and endurance,” Stout said. TheThe AnatomyAnatomy Stout designed a long-term plan NASCAR allows only seven people over the wall during a pit stop. to maximize the benefits of training The tire carriers (two) carry a new 75-pound tire to the car’s right side and place each and a short-term plan to maximize on the wheel after the tire changer removes the old tire. During a four-tire stop, the process their race day performance. is repeated on the left side with new tires rolled in by crew members behind the pit wall. For the long-term, the pit crew The tire changers (two) each run to the car’s right side and use air impact guns to members drank a nutrient-dense remove five lug nuts off old tires and bolt on the new tire. The process is repeated shake — which contained protein, on the left side during a carbohydrates, vitamins and miner- four-tire stop. als — after each workout. They also The jack man carries a took a small amount of creatine 45-pound hydraulic jack mixed with water each night from the pit wall to raise before bed. the car’s right side. After Creatine is an amino acid (the new tires are bolted on, he building blocks of protein) made in drops the car and repeats the liver, pancreas and kidneys and the process on the left side. is found in many foods. It is trans- The gas man pours two, ported in the blood and taken up 11-gallon (75-pound) by muscle cells where it is convert- dump cans of fuel into ed to creatine phosphate, also the 22-gallon fuel cell. called phosphocreatine. The catch-can man holds Phosphocreatine is stored in the can to collect overflow muscle tissue until it is used to pro- from the fuel cell. He also duce chemical energy called ATP signals the jack man when (anaerobic adenosine triphosphate). refueling is complete. It is used for quick energy needs for The crew chief directs any sport or exercise that may the action of every pit crew involve explosive movements. Simi- member using headsets. lar to glycogen (stored carbohy- He tells the driver when the drate), when creatine is stored in work is done and it’s safe muscle cells, it enhances the hydra- to leave the pit area. tion of the cell which increases the water content. Scientific studies

have shown that when a cell is What is NASCAR? Photo by David Chobat The first NASCAR race properly hydrated or volumized, it was run on Feb. 15, 1948, on the beach/road course in Daytona Beach, Fla. The may improve protein synthesis and vision of Bill France Sr., the sport has grown in popularity since its early days when it was muscle growth. primarily a southeastern United States sport. NASCAR is second only to the NFL as the “The average person uses most-watched sport on cable television. In 1998, the NASCAR Winston Cup Series attracted approximately two grams of crea- 6.3 million people to its 33 events. It is a business worth more than $1 billion. Last year, tine per day. To replace the used Fox, NBC and Turner Sports spent $2.4 billion for a six-year television package deal, creatine, the body synthesizes about one to two grams per day, while another one gram is obtained Dale Jarrett’s pit crew in action during last year’s Pepsi Southern 500 through a ‘normal diet,’” Stout said. at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, S.C., on Sept. 5. Athletes participating in a

30 FALL 2000 resistance-training program have been shown to benefit from creatine supplementation because the sup- plementation allows them to com- ofof aa PitPit StopStop plete their workouts at a higher intensity due to increased phospho- which takes effect in 2001. creatine stored in their bodies. The Winston Cup is the premiere circuit in NASCAR. The championship is determined by “Higher-intensity workouts pro- a point system ranging from 175 to 31 points awarded for finishing 1st through 44th vide for a greater training stimulus respectively in a race. If a driver leads a lap, he receives five bonus points. The driver lead- and enhanced physiological adapta- ing the most laps receives an additional five bonus points. Because of this point system, tions over time,” Stout added. consistency is rewarded. Drivers do not have to win many races in order to claim the cham- Stout recommended creatine for pionship at the end of the season the pit crew because when com- if they finish consistently in the bined with their weight training, it top-five or top-10. would help maintain their explo- Winston Cup racing is a siveness throughout an entire race. detailed and technical sport. Most NASCAR Winston Cup races Nearly all of a car’s parts are last four to five hours. built by mechanics at the Above all, Stout emphasized the race shop. importance of fluid intake to pre- All race tracks are different in vent dehydration. terms of degrees of banking, sur- “No one should take supple- faces and length (the shortest on ments unless they drink a lot of the Winston Cup circuit being the water. I never recommend a supple- Martinsville Speedway at .526 ment that does not promote hydra- miles and longest the Talladega tion,” Stout said. Super Speedway at 2.66 miles). Stout also never recommends Speeds reach around 190 mph that athletes take supplements in at some of the larger tracks. pill form. Prior to race day, a driver’s “When supplements are taken in crew spends hours analyzing powder form, they are mixed with notes to determine the ideal fluids. The powder form absorbs handling package. A poor han- faster into the system and there are dling car causes the driver to fewer side effects like gastrointesti- work that much harder to get nal irritation because of this,” Stout around the track. If a car is said. “tight,” the driver is turning the The short-term plan, used a day- wheel as hard as he can and the and-a-half before competition, was car pushes to the outside wall. If intended to provide maximal ener- a car is “loose,” it feels like the car is on ice and is slipping all over. The goal is for the car gy on race day. It also hyperhydrat- to “hook up” (finding the groove of the track where the car stays with little effort from the ed the athletes helping reduce the driver). chances of cramping and perform- During practice, teams can alter the front and rear suspension by changing springs, ance decrements from dehydration. shocks and sway bars as well as adding or removing a spring rubber to stiffen the springs. “Drinking water is especially During the race, the tires are what tell the story of how the car is handling. Goodyear important on race day,” Stout said. supplies the tires for all Winston Cup races. After a pit stop, the crew evaluates the tire “Slight dehydration can cause a wear to determine if the car is tight or loose. During the race, when time is precious, decline in physical and mental per- adjustments are made at a lightning pace to help the car’s handling. formance. Anyone who has ever watched a race knows that it is as

FALL 2000 31 PotentialPotential MedicalMedical UsesUses ofof CreatineCreatine By Lori Elliott-Bartle esearch on creatine is moving from look- continued. “He gained 12 pounds of lean muscle cramping complications when taken Ring at the ways it can enhance athletic muscle and had more energy. His physician at the recommended dosage. At the same performance to ways in which it may also monitored liver enzymes to see time, the panel noted that there is no enhance the quality of life in people who whether the creatine adversely interacted assurance that creatine use is free from have muscle degeneration due to chronic with medications he took for the condition health risks that may be discovered in disease or aging. and saw no changes.” years to come and further research on its Jeffrey Stout, Ph.D., is excited about Stout cites this lack of enzyme change long-term effects must continue. the possibilities. He continues to collaborate in this case study and in other research Sidney Stohs, Ph.D., dean of with researchers at the University of Wis- studies as demonstration that creatine sup- Creighton’s School of Pharmacy and Allied consin to examine the effects of creatine plementation at the recommended dose Health Professions, agrees. supplementation in patients who have amy- should be safe for longer-term use. “Side effects from creatine use are very otrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or Lou “There is research data on five years of dose dependent. A low dose usually does Gehrig’s disease. He also will work on a continuous supplementation with the only not produce any side effects,” Stohs said. study with Creighton researchers to monitor “When creatine is taken at a high dose, creatine supplementation in AIDS patients however, there have been cases of side who have suffered nerve damage. effects. Just because creatine is natural “We already know that in cardiac reha- “When she started, she does not mean it is automatically safe at bilitation, in neuromuscular disease patients couldn’t hold a 16-ounce glass any dose. My concern with creatine use is and with AIDS patients that exercise can ... After six weeks ... she there are no long-term studies on how it be very beneficial,” Stout said. “Creatine could stand up, sit down and effects the heart, brain and reproductive supplementation may help those benefits systems.” walk a little ... The only occur even faster.” Stout has seen the potential of crea- Stout cites research done in Canada change she made in her regi- tine’s medical applications in his family. His that looked at 18 neuromuscular diseases. men was to add the aunt, who has multiple sclerosis, took crea- Researchers found that one common factor creatine supplement.” tine and made notable gains. “The majority among patients was a decrease in skeletal of the time, my aunt is wheelchair bound, muscle creatine stores. With supplementa- so I asked her to try creatine,” Stout said. tion, researchers documented marked “When she started, she couldn’t hold a improvement in strength and lean body side effect being weight gain,” Stout said. 16-ounce glass to serve herself the crea- mass of the patients. “There is speculation about possible effects tine. After six weeks of taking creatine “I worked with a student at Creighton but no data yet — reports of cramping every day, she could stand up, sit down who has myasthenia gravis,” Stout said. and other effects are anecdotal and and walk a little without assistance from “Symptoms of the disease include extreme probably indicate that the person is taking anyone. She could eat and drink by herself. fatigue, loss of muscle and loss of strength. much more than the recommended dose The only change she made in her regimen This young man had been an athlete and of creatine.” was to add the creatine supplement — went from 190 pounds to about 160. He In a recent issue of the journal Medicine she didn’t have additional physical therapy began an exercise program and the disease & Science in Sports & Exercise, a scientific or other dietary changes. progression seemed to stop, but he didn’t roundtable of 12 world-renowned special- “I think it’s important for people to improve. We wanted to see whether taking ists reviewed hundreds of scientific studies understand that creatine will not cure dis- creatine would enhance the results of his on creatine. The panel concluded that while eases, but if it can improve quality of life it exercise program. creatine is perceived as relatively safe there could be very important. If people can get “With permission from his physician, has been little real critical evaluation of its up and do daily tasks they weren’t able to he took five grams of creatine daily for 15 health implications. The panel agreed that do before — to take a walk with their chil- weeks, and we saw upper and lower body there is no definitive evidence that creatine dren or to hold their grandchildren — it strength improve 30 to 40 percent,” Stout use causes gastrointestinal, renal and/or means so much.”

32 FALL 2000 much a mental as a physical sport.” crew started showing improve- level,” Stimberis said. Part of the short-term plan ments in their pit stop times. Vince Valeriano, shock absorber included taking a tyrosine-based “Before they started the pro- specialist for the No. 88 team, supplement as a mental booster an grams, the No. 88 crew’s pit stops agreed. “No matter how advanced hour before competition. were averaging around 17 to 17.5 the equipment becomes in Tyrosine is an amino acid natu- seconds. They finished the 1999 sea- NASCAR Winston Cup racing, the rally found in the brain. The brain son with an average of 16.5 seconds human element is always there.” converts tyrosine to the stimulatory per pit stop,” Benfield said. Each week, nearly 40 people will neurotransmitters: dopamine, work on one car to get it ready norepinephrine and epineph- for a race. rine (the last two being the “We can’t afford to have a “fight or flight” hormones). physical or a mental break- These are known collectively down during competition or as catacholamines. Approxi- during the week as we prepare mately 95 percent of the cars for different races. The brain’s catacholamines are workouts and following Dr. synthesized directly from tyro- Stout’s program really helped sine. Studies have found that our pit crew produce consis- during stressful events, the tent pit stop times,” Valeriano level of naturally occurring said. tyrosine goes down. It was that consistency that “It’s similar to having a fire helped pave the way for driver going and you are running out Dale Jarrett and the No. 88 of wood. If you can’t maintain team to win the 1999 NASCAR the fire, it will burn out. It’s Winston Cup championship. the same way for the brain,” “All of us, including Robert Stout said. Yates, Todd Parrott and Dale Administering tyrosine Jarrett, felt Dr. Stout’s help was before competition and before a crucial part in the team’s suc- the effects of stress occur help cess last season,” Benfield said. prevent the tyrosine level from As for Stout, he is happy to dipping below normal. Tyro- provide his consulting services sine is then available when the to strength coaches, trainers body needs it to make the cat- and professional athletes. acholamines that create sharp- “It’s been fun watching the Photo by AP Wide World Photos World Photo by AP Wide er mental awareness, Dale Jarrett celebrates winning the 1999 success the teams and athletes counteract mental fatigue, pro- NASCAR Winston Cup Series championship. that I have worked with have mote improved hand-eye realized,” Stout said. “I don’t coordination and create sharper According to Kevin Stimberis, take any money for my consulting focus and concentration. the front tire carrier for the No. 88 work. I do it because I love it. I “Tyrosine-based products are team last season, the nutritional enjoy meeting the athletes, and I only for athletes who compete for program helped improve the pit consider my work a service because more than four hours at a time,” crew’s performance on race day and I want to discourage athletes from Stout said. “On race days, pit crew during the long work hours at the doing things to boost their perform- members work 12 hours. From start race shop. ances that are bad.” to finish, they cannot afford to make “I wasn’t nearly as worn out on — About the author: Swanson is an a mistake.” Mondays as I had been in the past. associate editor of Creighton Univer- Within a month on the fitness The fitness and nutritional pro- sity Magazine and can be reached via and nutritional programs, the pit grams really boosted my energy e-mail at [email protected].

FALL 2000 33 junkjunkjunk journalismjunkjunk journalismjournalismjournalismjournalism Has journalism stooped to a new low? And, if so, who or what is to blame?

By Mary Kay Shanley, BA’65 Photo by AP Wide World Photos World Photo by AP Wide

id we really need to ride Millions watched live on to hear or read those details over and over (and over) again? Ddown the Santa Monica Free- television as the infamous way with law enforcement offi- Was the posturing between cials in slow pursuit of O.J. white Ford Bronco, carrying Elián González’ American rela- Simpson? a despondent O.J. Simpson, tives and the Federal Government Are we better off for knowing was followed by police the most important news story in every intimate detail of the Oval this country? For weeks? cars in slow pursuit along a Office goings-on between Presi- Or was at least some of that dent Clinton and Monica southern California freeway coverage “junk journalism”? Lewinsky? If yes, did we need on June 17, 1994. While there’s no dictionary defini-

34 FALL 2000 tion for the term, Cruise’s newest movie. Another Dallas station burned John McCaa, To people on the inside a house down and talked about BA’76, anchor and of the industry, however, what it takes to get out alive. “You news manager at junk journalism goes deep- can make the argument that some WFAA-TV in Dal- er. “It happens when we of their information was helpful,” las, said simply, allow people to rename McCaa said, “but I’d say their “You know junk the things we do,” McCaa piece was image driven rather journalism when said. “For instance, a news than content driven.” you see it.” organization may use sur- Julie Asher, BA’79, national edi- And these days, veys and polls to deter- tor of the Catholic News Service in some of those who “Looking at mine what viewers want. Washington, D.C., offers her own report the news demographic Looking at demographic version of junk journalism. “Look and some of those information is OK, but at how the Elián González story information is who consume it basing coverage solely on was covered,” she said. “Journal- say they see junk OK, but basing those results presents a ists camped out with the demon- journalism in coverage solely problem. In the end, it is strators in front of the relatives’ newspapers, news- on those the job of the journalist to (Miami) home, then reported what magazines and on results presents determine what the news the demonstrators said. But how TV all the time. a problem.” issues are and to report much did we hear that was con- Stories are short, on them.” trary to that? Not everybody in John McCaa, BA’76 light, titillating and Anchor and news Real journalism, McCaa Little Havana agreed with them. entertaining. But manager at WFAA-TV said, is content-driven and The Haitian community, for exam- are they news? in Dallas requires hard work. “We ple, was wondering why this boy And are they newsworthy? just went through a ratings peri- was getting special treatment. There is no line in the sand to od,” he said. “Our station spent a “I think news organizations got measure a story’s worth, but there lot of time on a story about all caught up in the hysteria of the is a feeling and a fear that what’s whether a doctor whose license thing and ended up giving us only being offered as news is really had been suspended should be one point of view.” news lite or “McNews.” Take your practicing medicine. We looked Watching reporters get caught pick. Neither is complimentary. at his habits and his practices up in the moment doesn’t surprise Consumers may regard junk and ended up with a piece four Asher anymore. She talks about a journalism as a “60 Minutes” minutes long.” recent incident when actor episode where the whole point is to “get” somebody (“gotcha” “I think news journalism). Or, per- organizations haps, junk journalism is got all caught up in when local TV news the hysteria of the presents a series where thing and ended up the anchor learns to do giving us only one other people’s jobs — point of view.” from driving a semi to leading a drill team. Or Julie Asher, BA’79 maybe it’s when the National editor of the Catholic News Service on the Elián newspaper devotes 10 González coverage inches to a city tax issue and 35 inches to Tom

FALL 2000 35 Christopher Reeve and Mary Jane because there were 11 news did we get back to such a state?” Owen — who is with the National media choppers overhead. When I “Look at the history of U.S. Catholic Office for Persons with went into a bar 50 yards away journalism,” she said. “It was Disabilities — and others were on to call the Times, everyone was scandal and sensationalism in Capitol Hill. They were testifying watching it on TV!” the beginning. There was no pre- about legislation that tense of objectivity.” would lift a ban on fed- She offers the perfect eral funding for research example: In 1897, involving the destruc- William Randolph tion of human embryos. Hearst sent Richard Owen supported leav- Davis, a fiction ing the ban in place and writer, and Frederic Reeve said it should be Remington, an illustra- lifted. “The reporters tor, to Cuba to report on just loved Christopher the insurrection there. Reeve, but they gave When the men reported almost no time to the that it looked like there woman in the wheel- would be no war, chair,” Asher said. “Ms. Hearst replied, “You Photo by Shane Michael Kidder Owen was well spoken, furnish but they dismissed her in favor of “Definitely, the media the pictures and I’ll furnish the a famous actor.” are going toward the (Spanish American) War.” Rob O’Neil, BA’70, chair of the lighter, the frothier.” Wirth asked, “‘What’s the dif- media arts department at Los ference between an 1890 headline Angeles’ Pierce College, agreed. Rob O’Neil, BA’70 in the New York Journal that Chair of the media arts department “Definitely, the media are going at Los Angeles’ Pierce College promised a ‘Marvelous New Way toward the lighter, the frothier,” and a correspondent for the L.A. Times of Giving Medicine: Wonderful he said. But he’s also concerned Results from Merely Holding about the media creating news out O’Neil was among those recent- Tubes of Drugs Near Entranced of relatively insignificant events. ly commended by the Times for Patients,’ and ‘Strange Things Several summers ago, O’Neil — reporting an August 1999 shooting Women Do for Love’ or ‘Why a summer correspondent for the at the North (San Fernando) Val- Young Girls Kill Themselves,’ L.A. Times — found himself just ley Jewish Community Center day which you see on TV during yards away from a stalled truck care facility by an avowed racist. sweeps week?” driven by a man who had stolen a O’Neil credits an editor who told Then, she added, “Junk journal- spearfishing gun from a sporting him to steer clear of the “wolf- ism doesn’t get much worse than goods store and subsequently led pack journalism” at the police com- the New York Daily News photo of police on an “even slower than mand post and get into the nearby Ruth Snyder being executed. O.J. Simpson” freeway chase. neighborhood where “frightened Somebody sneaked a camera into “The police were shouting at him residents and tense cops had the death chamber and shot the through bullhorns to surrender plenty of insights to share.” photo as she was being electrocut- and the guy — who we later So, how did we get to this ed. The next day — Jan. 14, 1928 learned had accidentally shot him- junk/gotcha/wolf-pack state of — the photo took up an entire self with the spear gun — was journalism? Dr. Eileen Wirth, chair page.” yelling back that he was hurt and of Creighton’s Department of Wirth went on to say that what wanted to surrender,” O’Neil said. Journalism and Mass Communica- we had in the ‘40s, ‘50s and early “But no one could hear anything tion, might instead ask, “How ‘60s was an aberration. “We’d

36 FALL 2000 gone through the Depression and emphasis on bottom-line profit. Internet gossip Matt Drudge. World War II and into a Cold And readership dropped. “The Life’s not any easier in the War,” she explained. “The gov- number of people reading a broadcast industry. There, we’ve ernment, the press and our citi- newspaper today is about the gone from the big three network zens all felt the same threats, from same as it was following World channels to hundreds, and with Nazism to Communism. That put War II,” O’Neil said. “But there that, a relentless pursuit of ratings the press and the government on are a lot more people now.” and audience shares. And enter- the same team.” Fierce competition for readers tainment — which is what draws That explains why Edward R. most people to the TV screen to Murrow lost his TV program for begin with — touches on all sorts challenging Sen. Joe McCarthy, of news issues from good-looking and why James Reston sup- anchors to condensing tough top- pressed a Bay of Pigs story at the ics into little packages. government’s request. Then there’s the Internet, “Then, the Baby Boomer gener- where some of America’s bright- ation cut its teeth on rebellion est young people go for all of (against the government) and their news. Journalists know what external threats to the country’s we’re seeing in that regard is only existence disappeared,” Wirth the proverbial tip of the iceberg. said. “The combination of nation- For starters, the pace set by tech- al and international political nology is having a profound developments was so powerful effect upon the reporting of news. that now, when the government “Everybody’s competing to get says to the media, ‘Don’t do this; the news out first,” said Williams. it’s a threat to our existence,’ we “That means reporters have less

say, ‘From whom? From Photo by Kent Sievers time to think, to evaluate. Their Paraguay?’” writing becomes less important Mary Alice Williams, BA’71, an “Look at the history of — which still makes my teeth Emmy-award-winning veteran U.S. journalism: It was hurt!” television journalist, cites another scandal and sensationalism Williams cites another driving reason for the media-government in the beginning. force in journalism today — a breakup. “During the Vietnam There was no pretense mean-spiritedness. “Unfortunate- era, the government was lying to of objectivity.” ly, you make your name covering us repeatedly, constantly, pre- really bad news,” she said. Dr. Eileen Wirth dictably,” she said. “We didn’t Chair of Creighton’s Department of “Cover something prurient and become skeptical, but rather Journalism and Mass Communication the ratings go up.” cynical, about what we were She thought — hoped — that being told.” has pushed print editors to enter- the “low-water mark” in terms of This was at the same time tain rather than challenge, to blurring the lines between junk when the number of newspapers report a little bit about a lot and and professional journalism was began their dramatic decline, to put what sells on Page One. O.J. Simpson. “With that one, which also affects journalism Additionally, the print industry everybody sunk to the lowest today. Evening papers as well as increasingly relies on visuals, a common denominator,” she said. some morning dailies in large practice introduced by USA Today. “Then along came Monica and we markets folded. Those remaining And yes, editors often lean had another crescendo. We’re all went from independent to corpo- toward sensationalism to compete depleted from those experiences.” rate ownership, often with more with everybody from TV news to Williams does not hesitate to

FALL 2000 37 place blame. “This all has to do “This all has to do with the appetites of the Ameri- can people,” she said. “So I ask, with the appetites should we treat them as con- of the American people. sumers or citizens? As people with appetites or attributes? Are So I ask, should we to look at them only in terms we treat them as of our bottom line?” If, indeed, it is the American consumers or citizens?” public’s appetite that is setting the standards for news, WFAA- Mary Alice Williams, BA’71 TV’s McCaa would ask, “Have Emmy-award-winning we forgotten that journalists play television journalist

Course Explores Media Ethics

TV newsman John McCaa Zuegner said Creighton stu- strong foundation in ethics.” studies Plato and Aristotle. “I dents “by and large, really care She finds today’s students have to,” he said. “It’s the journal- about others; they believe in the more cynical about journalism ist’s job to examine society’s insti- Jesuit mission and for that, we ethics than when she began teach- tutions. To do that, you must have ing at Creighton three years ago. “I want them (students) to knowledge of what is good and “I ask my students how many decent. That comes from the realize that if they have think journalists are always ethi- study of ethics and philosophy.” strong convictions about cal, and no hands go up,” Zuegner Creighton University agrees right and wrong, and the said. “Then, I ask how many with its alumnus. That’s why Dr. confidence to apply those think journalists are sometimes Carol Zuegner, journalism convictions, they can ethical, and a few hands go up.” instructor and faculty advisor to handle the multitude of But when she tells them she The Creightonian, begins every situations they’ll encounter worked 15 years for the Associat- semester by going through the as working journalists.” ed Press, they all believe she was

Society of Professional Journal- Jeff Maciejewski, always ethical. “Their vision of a ists’ Code of Ethics with her stu- assistant professor journalist is colored by the excess- dents. “The code addresses such of journalism and es of what they see,” she said. mass communication topics as personal responsibility, “They don’t understand yet that, minimizing harm, accountability are blessed. But journalists can for most journalists, the sins are and admitting and fixing mis- be confronted with a situation of omission, not commission.” takes,” she said. “Then, we spend where they must decide what Beginning this fall, Zuegner the rest of the semester putting to do in a matter of minutes. So will receive some hefty assistance that code into practice.” journalism students need a getting that ethics message across.

38 FALL 2000 a special role in the constitutional think it appropriate for family TV, Des Moines Register. The Creighton system of checks and balances? NBC’s counterparts made a simi- journalism graduate currently works as There’s a reason for the (First lar decision. They were all coming an author and free-lance writer from Amendment) and that reason is from similar standards, and they her home in West Des Moines, Iowa. not to make money.” were reasonably sure that others Shanley has written for such national Still, even such a high-minded from the L.A. Times to the New magazines as Better Homes and Gar- purpose doesn’t change reality. “I York Times would exercise similar dens and Family Circle. Her sixth don’t think there’s any question restraint.” book, For Parents Only — Tips for that we are going to live with this Now, it’s about profit and rat- Surviving the Journey from Home- forever,” said Wirth. “There is no ings. And restraint is often out the room to Dorm Room, which she co- turning back. It used to be that if window. authored with Julia Johnston, was NBC News didn’t run the story —About the author: Shanley is a for- published this summer by Barron’s because the news director didn’t mer reporter and feature writer for the Educational Series, Inc., New York.

Jeff Maciejewski, an assistant pro- I want to engage students in the working journalists.” fessor of journalism and mass process of saying, ‘What do I He concedes that moral sensi- communication, will teach Media think? What do I believe? What tivities are low right now, adding Ethics. His students will explore would I do if…?’ I want them to that junk journalism isn’t helping the ethical and practi- anybody or meeting any cal questions of mass higher end. But he communications. believes that can change. “We know there “People imply that the are moral and ethical media is like some kind of principals that can be third party, created by applied to problems other-worldly beings and in mass communica- beamed down to us from tions,” Maciejewski God knows where,” he said. “But you can said. “But the media is a prescribe many human product, suscepti- answers to one ble to subtle and signifi- problem, and those cant changes in the human answers will differ condition. Photo by Kent Sievers widely. So within this Jeff Maciejewski, an assistant professor of journalism “I have faith that we framework, we’ll look and mass communication, will move beyond, rise at specific problems, and Dr. Carol Zuegner, journalism instructor again, partly because we asking the students to assess each realize that if they have strong are teaching students they can from varying viewpoints, but convictions about right and make a difference. They don’t always using moral and ethical wrong, and the confidence to have to do what everybody else is principals. apply those convictions, they doing,” he said. “You can be a “And,” he added, “we’ll talk can handle the multitude of moral communicator simply by about how that applies in real life. situations they’ll encounter as doing what is right.”

FALL 2000 39 DEVELOPMENT NEWS

DONOR PROFILES

NURSING DEAN they must rely heavily upon scholarship Through the endowed scholarship fund, ESTABLISHES ENDOWED support as they balance the demands of Kitchens will assist non-traditional nurs- SCHOLARSHIP FUND the classroom and the clinical components. ing students and ensure that her parents’ Graduates of Creighton’s School of Kitchens decided to make the gift in encouraging spirit, as well as her mother’s Nursing truly personify the University’s honor of her parents, who provided dream, will continue in perpetuity. mission of “men and women for and with others.” As nurses, they have dedicated CORDOBAS HELP their lives to caring for humanity, provid- CONTINUE DENTAL ing not only physical care but oftentimes SCHOOL’S TRADITION mental and spiritual support as well. OF EXCELLENCE Dr. Edeth Kitchens, dean of the School of Since 1905, Creighton’s School of Den- Nursing, is passionate about furthering the tistry has been providing an excellent, nursing profession as well as the Universi- values-centered education to its graduates. ty’s mission. She recently demonstrated Dental students complete a rigorous cur- her commitment to the nursing program riculum, and many students participate in by establishing the Dr. Edeth Kitchens service opportunities. Alumni and friends Photo by Monte Kruse, BA’83 Endowed Scholarship Fund for Nursing to Dr. Kitchens with a patient of the School of Dentistry ensure the assist nurses in furthering their education. continuation of this tradition of excellence As a former non-traditional student, unconditional support through every step through their work and volunteer service Kitchens appreciates the financial of her education and career. Her success in to the Creighton community. demands and special challenges these men the nursing profession has been especially David, DDS’63, and Rose Ann Cordoba and women face. Due to the rigorous touching to her mother, who always had are an excellent example of the wonderful nature of the nursing curriculum, students aspirations of becoming a nurse but never support Creighton receives from alumni have little time for employment. Therefore, had the opportunity to pursue her dream. and friends. Longtime members of the Creighton Society, David and Rose Ann feel strongly about ensuring that other LOVE FOR CREIGHTON CONTINUES TO GROW young men and women have the opportu- Creighton University holds a special place in the hearts of Dr. Gene, BA’75, and nity to share the Creighton experience. Pam (Brown), BSMT’76, Brooks. The two met at Creighton on their first day of The Cordobas have supported the Uni- freshman orientation, fell in love and got married. They have versity, giving of both their time and been together for 24 years and are the parents of two daughters. resources. They recently illustrated their Just as their relationship has continued to grow, so has their commitment by establishing the David fondness for Creighton. Recently, they decided to express their and Rose Ann Cordoba Endowed Scholar- support for the University, as well as their belief in strengthen- ship Fund for Dentistry. The scholarship ing educational opportunities for minority students, by creating fund will assist students in the School of the Mary Dora Endowed Scholarship Fund. The scholarship Dentistry who are in need of financial fund is named in honor of Pam and Gene’s grandmothers, assistance. acknowledging the vital role these women played in their “I decided to establish the scholarship upbringing. fund because of how much Creighton has Gene and Pam spoke of the scholarship saying, “We wanted contributed to my education and well- the scholarship to be a general merit scholarship. There are so being. When you get to a certain point in many different avenues that students can choose, and we didn’t your career you begin to consider what’s Dr. Gene and want to limit their options.” Pam Brooks been important in getting you there,” The Brookses hope their gift will encourage others to support David said. minority students, enabling them to cultivate their talents and see their dreams Thanks to the generosity of the blossom. Through the Mary Dora Endowed Scholarship Fund, Gene and Pam Cordoba family, Creighton’s School of have ensured that their grandmothers’ nurturing spirit will help young men and Dentistry will continue to provide a quali- women for generations to come. ty, values-centered education for many future students.

50 FALL 2000 THE LAST WORD The Silent First Patient By Thomas Quinn, Ph.D.

ortui vivos docent, the dead teach the living, is a phrase quickly outweighs their natural reticence. The experience is Mthat has been used since the early days of anatomy. unique and invaluable. Each of our bodies differs at least Medical students have dissected human bodies as part of subtly from the norm; time, disease, accidents, surgery and their training since the days of ancient Greece, although the even the whims of nature uniquely mark each of us. This practice has not always been accepted. Pope Boniface VIII lesson is not lost in the flurry of activity surrounding dissec- placed a ban on human dissection in 1248, which lasted until tion and cannot be replaced with computer-based simula- the end of the 13th century. It would be many years before tion programs. These early encounters with the uniqueness the science of anatomy could equal that which the ancient of each body will guide the physicians and other health-care Greeks possessed. providers in their future careers to a thoughtful and careful Anatomy became a more modern discipline in 1542 after approach to each patient. the publication of Andreas Vesalius’ work, the beautifully After many months of lectures and hours of dissection, illustrated De Humanis Corporis Fabrica, which was based on the basic anatomy of the body has been learned. Students his personal dissections. The demand for bodies for dissec- realize that their best instructor was their silent first patient. tion rapidly increased in the ensuing years and soon had As the donated bodies are cremated, the students prepare to outpaced the supply of “unclaimed” bodies. lay them to rest. A memorial At the end of the 19th cen- service for anatomical donors is tury, students and “resurrec- held annually at Creighton. tionists”( i.e., body snatchers) Students from medicine, were plying a profitable trade dentistry and allied health that more than once culminated plan and perform the service, in the murder of a potential which gives students an anatomical subject. The subse- opportunity to recognize and quent public reaction to this dis- thank anatomical donors for reputable trade resulted in the their gift toward furthering passage in England of the Anato- their education. Poems and my Act of 1832 through which eulogies are written, flowers medical schools were to receive are given, and St. John’s any “unclaimed” bodies, those of Church echoes with hymns. executed criminals, and the bodies Creighton students hold an annual Students often create memorial service for anatomical donors. of those who donated them for mementos for families filled with anatomical study. original and selected poems and meaningful Bible passages. Medical schools in the United States primarily depended Even in this time of remembering the dead, there is some- on “unclaimed” bodies until the Uniform Anatomical Gift thing very vital here. There is a sense that some immediate Act was passed in the late 1960’s. This act gave Americans good will come to others because of the generous act of the legal right to donate their bodies for scientific study. The the donors. advent of organ transplantation and the need for individuals Following a reception for students and families, there is to specify their intention to donate has further heightened a graveside service at St. Mary Magdalene Cemetery in the public awareness that donation of tissue, organs or one’s Omaha, where there is a marker for the cremated remains entire body is a benevolent and humanitarian act. The gift of that says, “Here in honor lie the remains of those who one’s body for the education of healers no longer bears any taught us the secrets of the human body. May they rest in social stigma among most in our society. And there is a eternal peace.” growing need for such gifts as more health sciences students —About the author: Thomas Quinn, Ph.D., is a professor of — such as those in physical therapy or dentistry programs biomedical sciences who specializes in anatomy. He coordinates the — learn from dissection. This last gesture affords health sci- anatomy curriculum for medical students and assists students in ences students and researchers an unparalleled opportunity conducting the annual memorial service for anatomical donors. to experience firsthand the intricacy of the body. For more information about anatomical donation, please contact Students often initially are tentative in their approach to your state anatomical board or discuss a gift with your family dissection, but a sense of gratitude for this opportunity and your attorney.

FALL 2000 51 PROFILES OF ACHIEVEMENT Spirits of Creighton

or more than 50 years, the Spirit of Creighton Girls Club and Adopt-a-Family. FAward has been Creighton University’s highest She served as an officer in Omicron Delta student honor. Kappa, the national leadership honor society, The award recognizes those students, who, and was a member of the National Residence through their initiative, wisdom, honesty, tireless Hall Honorary and the Alpha Phi Omega service personal sacrifice fraternity. and reverence West, a for God, have member of the exemplified the Creighton men’s best qualities of basketball team, the University’s was recognized founders. as a devoted, These are dedicated and qualities found inspirational in the most student-athlete. recent honorees — Originally a Sarah Elizabeth walk-on, West Waetzig of eventually earned Billings, Mont., a scholarship and and Matt West of a starting spot Omaha, who on the team. He received their helped guide awards at Sarah Elizabeth Waetzig Matt West the Bluejays Creighton’s May commencement. to the 1999-2000 Missouri Valley Conference Waetzig earned a bachelor of science degree in Tournament title and a berth in the NCAA biology in May. West planned to earn his bachelor Tournament. of science degree in exercise science in August. West was an all-MVC scholar athlete and a Waetzig was recognized for giving selflessly of member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. her time and energy — as a resident advisor, He enjoyed visiting local schools and talking with as a mentor to new students and as an active students about the dangers of drugs and alcohol leader in the Residence Hall Council, MAGIS and the importance of education. Ambassadors, Welcome Week and campus Congratulations to Sarah Waetzig and Matt ministry retreats. Waetzig also was active in the West — and to all the Creighton students they rep- community, volunteering with the Siena/ resent — for their commitment to living as people Francis House, the South Omaha Boys and for others in the spirit of Creighton University.

® Anchored in ethics. Centered on service. Pledged to excellence.