2008 Alumni Merit Award Recipient

Beth A. Katz, BS'00

Sept. 27, 2008

It was apparent from her first days on the Creighton University campus that Beth Katz would be an agent of change. She was a born leader, a devout student of her Jewish faith, passionate about learning and justice, and determined to use her Creighton experience to promote religious tolerance and interfaith understanding. While a student, she coordinated the formation of an inter-faith group that included six different world religions. She was active in Amnesty International. She was inducted into Alpha Sigma Nu and received the Mary Lucretia Creighton Award. In 2000, she earned the bachelor of science in elementary education degree, summa cum laude.

Beth went on to earn dual master’s degrees in public policy and social work from the University of Michigan. She then returned to Omaha with a burning desire to organize and facilitate much-needed religious dialogue, especially between Muslims and Jews.

Beth is the founder and director of Project Interfaith. Over 2,100 people of different faiths and backgrounds have been educated in Project Interfaith programs, including educators and non-profit groups who teach diversity to over 7,500 students.

Beth Katz is truly “a woman for and with others.” She has adopted Gandhi’s philosophy of being the change you wish to see in the world. She believes that faith can move mountains. But the first step is to get people of all faiths to stop and listen to each other. Then, working together, barriers will fall and justice will prevail. Mountains will move, and peace will be possible.

For her tireless promotion of interreligious understanding and for acting as a role model for a life lived fully in the service of peace and justice, the Creighton University College of Arts and Sciences is proud to confer the Alumni Merit Award upon Beth A. Katz, this 27th day of September, 2008.