Alumni Merit Award past recipients

Outstanding alumni from each school and college.

The Creighton University Alumni Merit Award recognizes outstanding alumni from each school and college. Additionally, recipients receive the Friend of the University and Recent Alumni Awards each year. These passionate leaders touch and enrich lives, encouraging and inspiring others while they serve selflessly, making a difference in their communities and leaving the world a better place.

Past recipients

Friend of the University

2021
Macaela Smith and Bette Walker

Recent Alumni Award

2021
Steve R. Hogan II, BA’08, MS’16, JD’16

College of Arts and Sciences

2021
Jane O’Keefe Addy, BS’74

2020
Mary Jane Oakley, BA’66

2019
Kathleen Hermann Balousek, BS’68

2017
Jim Simpson, BA’80

2016
Stephen Luby, MD, BA’81​

2015
Major General Marcia Anderson, BA’79

2014
James M. Van Leeuwen, BA’96, Ph.D.

2013
James B. Conahan, BS’83, MD’87 and Molly McComb Conahan, BA’83

2012
Dr. Georgette Magassy Dorn, BA’59

2011
William Roe, BSCHM’76

2010
David W. McLaughlin, Ph.D.

2008
Beth A. Katz, BS’00

2007
Timothy J. Sully, BA’85

2006
Mary Tapling Manning, BA’72

2005
Karen M. Hult, Ph.D., BA’78

2004
Kenneth H. Watts, BA’72

2003
Suzanne M. Bianchi, BA’73

2002
Kevin J. O’Brien, BA’81

2001
Carolyn Greco Mancuso, BA’68

2000
Heather Harden, BA’69

1999
Alejandro J. Portes, PhD, BA’65

1998
Joseph F. Klammer, BS’48

1997
Hon. Robert E. Davis, BA’61 

1996
Jerry M. Bartee, BA’76, MS’83

1995
Marcia A. Bredar, BA’74, JD’77

1994
John E. Enis, PhB Jrn’41 

1993
Rev. Timothy R. Lannon, SJ, BS’73

1992
Maryanne Belford, BA’62, and Timothy J. Rouse, BACLS’62

1991
Dr. William J. Gallagher, BSPhy’74

1990
Dr. Edward B. O’Connor, PhB’43

1989
J. Clay Smith, Jr., BA’64

1988
Anne Weinlader Parks, BA’69

1987
Millicent A. “Mimi” Feller, BA’70

1986
William E. Ramsey, BS’55

1985
Mary Alice Williams, BA’71

1984
Dr. Mary J.I. Gregor, BA’49 

1983
Jack N. Williams, BS’40

1982
Lawler S. Peyroux, BS’58 

1981
Dr. John W. Rebuck, BA’35 

1980
Hugh A. Fogarty, BA’28 

1979
Thomas J. Belford, BA’49 

1978
Hugh M.P. Higgins, PhB’30 

1977
Bernard J. Lachner, BS’50 

1976
Daniel D. Kelly, BS’41 

1975
Lloyd E. Skinner, BA’36 

1974
Lt. Gen. Leo J. Dulacki (Ret.), BS’41 

1973
Robert G. Phipps, PhB’28 

1972
John G. McBride, BA’48 

1971
Mary E. Flannigan, BS’46 

1970
No Awards Given 

1969
George (Pat) Rooney, BS’50 

1968
Joseph A. Ball, BA’25 

1967
Rev. Patrick Berther, OFM, PhB’24 

1966
Vladimir A. Klein, BA’29 

1965
Hon. Jack R. Miller, BA’38 
 

Heider College of Business

2021
Dennis L. Wiederholt, BSBA’75, MBA’85
Patricia Greco Wiederholt, BSBA’74

2020
Debra DeThorne Moritz, BSBA’84

2019
Jeffrey A. McCroy, BSBA’84

2017
Mark W. Henkels, BSBA’83

2016
Karen Soulliere Van Dyke, BSBA’88

2015
J. Patrick Curry, BSBA’78

2014
Nancy E. Felker, BSBA’74, MBA’81

2013
Richard A. Witt, BSBA’74​

2012
Ronald N. Quinn, BSBA’70, MBA’76

2011
Diane K. Duren, BSBA’81

2010
Thomas W. Garner, BSBA’70, MBA’71

2008
Thomas K. Nichting, BSBA’83

2007
Kevin B. McGuire, BSBA’73

2006
Lynn J. Brinker, BSBA’58

2005
Donald D. Graham, BSBA’58

2004
Michael J. Gaughan, BSBA’65

2002
Mary Pat Statz McCarthy, BSBA’77

2001
Michael P. Boyle, BSBA’79

2000
William L. McQuillan, BSBA’73

1999
Elias J. Eliopoulos, BSBA’67

1998
Joseph T. Sullivan, Jr., BSBA’63

1997
Donald L. Waite, BSC’54

1996
Dr. Norlin G. Rueschhoff, BSC’55

1995
Salvatore Valentino, PhD, BSC’49, JD’83

1994
James A. Herbert, BSC’47

1993
Paul T. Silas, BSBA’64

1992
Robert A. Reed, BSBA’61

1991
Warren H. Dunn, BSBA’56, JD’58

1990
Bernard W. Reznicek, BSBA’58

1989
James J. Corboy, BSC’51

1988
John L. Maginn, BSBA’61

1987
Herman E. Myers, Jr., BSC’50

1986
Joseph M. Freimuth, BSBA’66

1985
Hubert L. Tinley, BSC’40

1984
Donald A. Cimpl, BSC’54

1983
Walter R. Jahn, BSC’48

1982
John D. Minton, BSC’50

1981
Clarke E. Reynolds, BSC’42

1980
John J. Lohrman, BSC’41

1979
Joseph P. Murphy, BSC’31

1978
Robert W. Campbell, BSC’49, JD’50

1977
John F. O’Neill, BSC’48

1976
Leander E. Wegener, BSC’37

1975
James E. Hollander, BSC’46

1974
Frederick T. Rahn, BSC’35

1973
Dr. John P. Begley, BCS 24, BSC’26, MA’28

1972
Dr. Joseph Soshnik, BSC’41

1971
John D. Gaughan, BSC’46

1970
No Award Presented

1969
Edward Murphy, BSC’27

1968
Adolph J. Hallas, BSC’25

1967
Hon. Robert J. Downing, BSC’37

1966
Laurence R. O’ Donnell, BSC’27

1965
Frank E. Pellegrin, BSC’31
 

School of Dentistry

2021
Eugene Low, DDS’67

2020
Thomas D. Berry, DDS'83, MD'88

2019
Kurt D. Stormberg, DDS’91

2017
Terry Lanphier, BS’78, DDS’82, MBA’10

2016
Cynthia Leong, DDS’85 & Raymund Tanaka, BS’79, DDS’83 
 
2015
Dennis Higginbotham, DDS’67
 
2014
Martin J. Halbur, DDS’76

2013
Francis J. Ayers, DDS’69

2012
Anlee Kappenman Rola, DDS’77

2011
Linda J. Hixon, DDS’94

2010
W. Thomas Cavel, DDS’70

2009
Thomas M. Kiefer, BA’73, DDS’77

2008
Ray A. Lyons, DDS’79

2007
Vincent W. Mancuso, Jr., DDS’71

2006
Robert G. Griego, DDS’69

2004
Richard J. Ellenbecker, DDS’68

2003
Harold P. Kreski, DDS’53

2002
Roger B. Gerstner, DDS ‘69

2001
Marvin B. Dvorak, DDS’64

2000
Gerald P. Mancuso, DDS’57

1999
William L. Carlisle, DDS’58

1998
Lawrence R. Huber, DDS’60

1997
Benton Kutler, DDS’45

1996
Edward J. DeRose, DDS’61

1995
Theodore E. Bolamperti, DDS’65

1994
James B. Cunningham, DDS‘60

1993
Donald H. Stormberg, BS’49, DDS’54

1992
John H. Jameson, DDS’74

1991
David E. Hoover, DDS’59

1990
Arthur T. Matte, DDS’54

1989
Philip J. Maschka, DDS’53

1988
Alvin R. Posey, DDS’65

1987
James V. Huerter, DDS’52

1986
Donald M. O’Meara, DDS’51

1985
Joseph A. Devine, DDS’52

1984
Anton C. Zeman, DDS’48

1983
Walter A. Cyhel, BSD’44, DDS’45

1982
Donald C. Dendinger, BSD’45, DDS’46

1981
Louis B. Westendorf, DDS’40

1980
Leo V. Bongers, BSD’46, DDS’48

1979
Randolph J. Drahota, BSD’44, DDS’45

1978
Benjamin L. Lynch, BSD’45, DDS’47, MA’53

1977
Andrew L. Cahoy, DDS’31

1976
Raymond W. Shaddy, DDS’53

1975
Norman H. Olsen, DDS’51

1974
John J. Butkus, DDS’48

1973
Robert H. Schemel, DDS’17

1972
Emery J. LaPorte, DDS’23

1971
Walter W. Key, DDS ’30, BSD’31

1970
No Awards Given

1969
Lawrence A. Donahoe, DDS’16

1968
Stanley J. Honsa, DDS’29

1967
Charles M. Stebner, DDS’32

1966
Frank F. Theisen, DDS’17

1965
Lessing R. Sattler, DDS’19
 

Graduate School

2021
Jeffrey J. Gross, BSPHY’93, MS’95

2020
Charles Thomas, Jr., MS’09, EDD’14

2019
Philip A. Grybas, MA’71

2017
General Anthony Zinni, MS’15

2016
Susan Russell Toohey, EdD’13

2015
Jeff Thompson, MS’10

2014
Rev. Steven E. Boes, MS’94

2013
Dorothy A. Ostrowski, Ed.D., BA’78, MA’81, MS’97

2012
Melvin G. Beckman, MA’73

2011
Daniel Semrad, BSBA’71, MA’09

2010
Lt. Col. Alan G. Glodowski, MS’90

2008
Beth Balkus Fink, MS’02

2007
Lu Amy Sun, MD, PhD’90

2006
Edward J. Keenan, Ph.D., BS’70, MS’72

2004
Dr. Brian P. Copenhaver, MA’66

2003
Col. James P. Mault, MA’77

2002
Rev. Maurice Watson, MA’97

2001
Kenneth D. Rice, MBA’84

2000
Dr. Richard K. Wilson, BA’75, MA’77

1999
Dr. George J. Haddix, MA’66

1998
Lt. Col. Michael P. Anderson, MS’90

1997
Dr. Richard V. Andrews, BS’58, MS’60

1996
Thomas W. Klein, BS’66, PHD’73

1995
Dr. Patricia Wortman Leslie, BA’68, MA’74

1994
Dr. Kenneth G. Alfers, PhD, BA’66, MA’68

1993
Dr. Leonard W. Scheibel, BS CHM’60, MS’62

1992
Rev. John A. Flynn, MS EDU’66

1991
Dr. John J. McGee, MS GUID’71

1990
Dr. Wayne L. Ryan, BS’49, MS’51

1989
Maj. Gen. William L. Doyle Jr., MA’67

1988
Timothy E. O’Connor, BA’73, MA’75

1987
Bernadette “Bonnie” Maxwell Pryor, MS EDU’71

1986
Dianne Drahota Barkley, MA’74

1985
No Awards Given

1984
John A. Knebel, MA’62

1983
Sr. Annette Bower, PhD, MS’67

1982
Dr. Mary A. Engles, MA’43

1981
Dr. Robert P. Giovacchini, BS’48, MS’54

1980
Dr. Donald E. Gardner, BS’55, MS’58

1979
Dr. Charles L. Wittenberger, BS’52, MS’54

1978
Dr. John S. O’Brien, MS’58, MD’60

1977
Wendell A. Dwyer, PhD, BS’30, MA’32

1976
Robert L. Gilmore, PhD, BA’35, MA’39

1975
Jean Sullivan, MA’66, BPJ’66

1974
Sr. Mary V. Schuller, OSF, MA’48

1973
Rev. Joseph H. Jackson, MA’33

1972
Dr. Robert F. Himmelberg, MA’58

1971
Donnal E. Leahy, MS EDU’58

1970
No Awards Given

1969
Sr. Mary Richard Pendergast, OSB, MA’49

1968
John D. Fitzpatrick, MA’33

1967
Dr. Edward J. Kuncel, PHB’35, MA’36

1966
Rt. Rev. Msgr. Eugene M. Kevane, MA’49

1965
Dr. Leo R. Kennedy, BA’24, MA’25
 

School of Law

2021
Felecia Turner Epps, JD’83

2020
Judith Twidwell Pogge, JD’79, and John P. Pogge, JD’78

2019
Steven W. Seline, JD’79

2017
Donald E. Montgomery, BSBA’84, JD’89

2016
Major General Cassie Strom, JD’82

2015
The Honorable Joseph Bataillon, BA’71, JD’74

2014
John McKay, JD’82

2013
Judy A. Weill, JD’79

2012
Hon. Robert W. Pratt, JD’72

2011
Hon. Donald O’Brien JD’48

2010
Hon. Douglas F. Johnson, JD’87

2008
Walter J. Smith, JD’72

2006
Brig. Gen. David G. Ehrhart, JD’81

2005
Deborah A. Macdonald, BA’72, JD’80

2003
Mike Johanns, JD ‘74

2002
Amy L. Longo, BSN ‘70, JD ‘79

2001
Michael D. McKay, JD ‘76

2000
Thomas C. Riley, JD’75

1999
Hon. James M. Murphy, BS’52, JD’54

1998
John C. Brownrigg, JD’74

1997
John J. Cavanaugh, III, JD’72

1996
Robert D. Mullin, Sr., PHB’41, JD’42

1995
James A. Lane, JD’40

1994
Harold L. Rock, BS’54, JD’59

1993
Hon. C. Thomas White, JD’52

1992
Elmer “Al” M. Gunderson, JD’56

1991
Thomas R. Burke, JD’51

1990
Hon. Colleen R. Buckley, JD’62

1989
Roman L. Hruska, JD’29, Honorary’58

1988
Hon. Lyle E. Strom, BA’50, JD’53

1987
Hon. John T. Grant, JD’50

1986
Neil J. Welch, JD’51

1985
Hon. Robert C. McGowan, BA’42, JD’47

1984
Hon. Samuel P. Caniglia, JD’35

1983
Milton R. Abrahams, BA’26, JD’27, Honorary’86

1982
Hon. Patrick W. Lynch, BA’37, JD’38

1981
George E. Reed, Sr. BA’37, JD’39

1980
Emmet Tinley, BA’38, JD’41

1979
William Grodinsky, JD’13

1978
Joseph J. Vinardi, PHB’30, JD’32

1977
Hon. Albert G. Schatz, JD’48

1976
Hon. Robert V. Denney, JD’39

1975
Januarius A. Mullen, PHB’28, JD’30

1974
John J. McCarten, BSC’38, JD’40

1973
Harry L. Welch, JD’27

1972
George B. Boland, BA’20, JD’23

1971
James J. Fitzgerald, Jr., BA’25, JD’27

1970
No Awards Given

1969
Bert W. Kronmiller, JD’31

1968
William D. Redle, JD’38

1967
Hon. Richard E. Robinson, JD’27

1966
August W. Heuertz, JD’21

1965
Hon. John W. Delehant, BA’10, MA’11, JD’13

 

School of Medicine

2021
Jane M. Carnazzo, BSCHM’82, MD’86

2020
Sister Katherine Seibert, MD’76

2019
Joseph J. Herbert, MD’66

2017
Marjorie K. Leimomi Mala Mau, BS’81, MD’85

2016
Oliver Harper, MD’70

2015
Robert Troia, MD’79

2014
Recipient James P. Laumond, MD’64

2013
Joseph D. Lynch, MD’66

2012
Richard L. Deming, MD’80

2011
Eric A. Yancy, MD’76

2010
John Barnes, MD’55

2009
Allen D. Dvorak, MD’69

2008
Kenneth L. Noller, MD’70

2007
Mary K. Kratoska, MD’77

2006
George J. Bosl, MD’73

2005
Thomas R. Russell, MD’66

2004
Thomas M. Habermann, MD ‘79

2003
Emmet B. Keeffe, MD ‘69

2002
Vital E. Haynes, Jr., MD ‘52

2001
Wayne F. J. Yakes, MD ’79

2000
Joseph Robert Cali, MD’61

1999
James B. Willams, MD’51, MSM’56

1998
James J. Pattee, MD’53

1997
Dwaine J. Peetz Sr., BSM’46, MD’48, MSM’53

1996
Delwyn J. “D.J. ” Nagengast, BS’52, MD’56

1995
Richard Q. Crotty, BSM’46, MD’47

1994
Charles J. Antonini Sr., BSM’37, MD’39

1993
Sam D. Hoeper Sr., MD’43

1992
No Awards Given (School of Medicine Anniversary Celebration)

1991
James F. Arens, MD’59

1990
Howard Rudersdorf, BSM’41, MD’43

1989
Donald J. Greco, BSM’48, MD’48

1988
Joseph M. Holthaus, BSM’’46, MD’47

1987
John W. Ord, MD’52

1986
Edmond M. Walsh, BSM’28, MD’30

1985
Robert H. Quinn, BSN’41, MD’43

1984
Arnold W. Lempka, BSM’40, MD’41

1983
Richard L. Egan, BSM’38, MD’40

1982
Pasquale A. Carone, MD’40

1981
Leo T. Heywood, MD’39

1980
Frank J. Iwersen, BA’33, MD’35

1979
John W. Gatewood, BSM’31, MD’33

1978
Clinton B. Dorwart Sr., MD’34

1977
Thomas T. Smith, BSM’31, MD’33

1976
Jasper F. Williams Sr., MD’53

1975
Kenneth L. Roper, BSM’20, MD’22

1974
John D. Hartigan, BSM’41, MD’43

1973
J. Harry Murphy, BA’10, MA’13, MD’15

1972
Maurice E. Grier, MD’17

1971
D. Arnold Dowell, BSM’29, MD’31

1970
No Awards Given

1969
Margaret A. Storkan, MD’44

1968
John B. Demman, MD’34

1967
Richard D. Burk, MD’51

1966
John P. Cogley, MD’21

1965
Earl A. Connolly, BA’14, MD’18


College of Nursing

2021
MG (Ret.) Mary E. Link, BSN’83

2020
Josephine Politico Abboud, BSN’95

2019
Diane Cavanaugh Millea, BSN’77, DNP’11

2017
Patti Scott Higginbotham, BSN’86, MS’95

2016
 Ella (Ellie) Stradinger Brooks, PhD, BSN’81

2015
Dr. Dianne Travers Gustafson, BSN’79, MS’93

2014
Karen A. Monsen, BSN’78

2013
Dede Meyer Johnson, BSN’74

2012
Eileen Barr Van Tasell, BSN’68

2011
Dr. Ann Malone Berger, BSN’71

2010
Col. Leland L. Jurgensmeier, BSN’77

2008
Elizabeth Mohar Buschkemper, BSN’78

2007
Susan M. Dunn, RN, BSN’78

2006
Anita Mejstrik Becky, SCN’53

2005
Theresa J. Franco, BSN ‘78

2004
Mary K. Sullivan, BSN ‘83

2003
Dr. Carol Murray Rehtmeyer, BSN ‘71

2002
Dr. Elizabeth A. Walker, BA ‘76

2001
Dr. Alexa Kramer Stuifbergen, BSN’77

2000
Dr. Joan M. Lappe, MS’85

1999
Cynthia Remington King, BSN’83

1998
Patricia Lenaghan, MS’86

1997
Dr. Mary Ann Meister Hoefler, BSN’62

1996
Dr. Mary Lee Pruden Fitzsimmons, BA’67, BSN’80

1995
Ellen M. Townley, BSN’83

1994
Col. Nancy Curtis Molter (Ret.), BSN’68

1993
Sr. Francelyn Reeder, RSM, BSN’66

1992
Joan M. Mailander, BSN’74

1991
Madeleine A. Corbeil, BSN’70

1990
Colleen Casey Goode, MS’84

1989
Dr. Barbara J. Braden, SJN’66, BSN’73

1988
Dr. Theresa S. Foley, BSN’65

1987
Nancy Mehmert Lakier, BSN’75

1986
Sr. Mary B. Kribell, OSB, BSN’55

1985
Dr. Patricia L. Demuth, BSN’55

1984
Dr. Sheila M. Ciciulla, SJN’53, BSN’55, MS EDU’77

1983
Mary L. Schwery Holmberg, BSN’54

1982
Dr. Betty P. Tarsitano, SJN’52, BSN’58

1981
Rosemary C. Neville, SJN’44, BSN’45

1980
Ann M. Van Hoff, SJN’54, BSN’57

1979
Sr. Patricia J. Miller, SJN’52, BSN’54

1978
Dr. Elizabeth M. See, SJN’50, BSN’52

1977
Agnes B. Lempka, SCN’42, BSN’43

1976
Catherine A. Corboy, SJN’53, BSN’54

1975
Gloria F. Reed Green, BSN’49

1974
Mary Alice Jenkins, SJN’49, BSN’49

1973
Lt. Col. Billie Jean Barcus, SJN’52, BSN’54

1972
Dr. Mary E. Reres-Knott, BSN’63


School of Pharmacy and Health Professions

2021
Mary Wolpert-DeFilippes, PhD, BSPHA’63

2020
M. Douglas Ford, BSPHA’69

2019
Nicholas J. Kietzman-Greer, BA’04, DPT’07

2017
Daniel Hilleman, PharmD’81

2016
Brittany Stryker, BSHS ’06, OTD’06

2015
Robert Albers, BS’71, BSPha’76

2014
Robert J. Greenwood, BSPha’77

2013
Sr. Rovina Turyazayo, PharmD’96

2012
Christopher J. Forst, BSPha’81

2011
Douglas M. Pick, BSPha’83

2010
Sr. Margaret Wright, R.Ph., Ph.d., BSPHA’62

2009
John M. Blazek, BSPHA’77, MBA’86

2008
Nelly A. Nigro, BSPHA’45

2007
Sharon E. Connor, BA’88, PharmD’93

2006
David H. Pedersen, BS PHA’54

2004
Dr. Raylene Miller Rospond, BS PHA ‘84

2003
Sr. M. Therese Gottschalk, BS PHA ‘60

2002
Anthony J. Beraldi, BS PHA ‘86

2001
Gomer V. Taylor, BS PHA ’85

2000
Lester L. Carter, Jr., BS PHA’58

1999
James J. Giesler, BS PHA’60

1998
Earl G. Mahoney, BS PHA’50

1997
April M. Shaughnessy, BS PHA’81

1996
James M. Crampton, Ph.D., BS PHA’50

1995
Sr. M. Clarice Gentrup, BS PHA’62

1994
Dr. C. Curtis Barr, BS PHA’74

1993
Hugh A. Gibson, Jr., BS PHA’50

1992
Stephen K. Petruconis, BS PHA’65

1991
James M. O’Donnell, BS PHA’51

1990
Daniel J. Burns, BS PHA’57

1989
Luke J. Coniglio, BS PHA’60

1988
Gerard J. Shaw, BS PHA’80

1987
Thomas R. Dolan, BS PHA’64

1986
Maurice J. Steier, BS PHA’43

1985
Rose Marie Greco Wilson, BS PHA’58

1985
Bernard J. Wilson, BSPHA’ 58

1984
Duane H. Mines, BS PHA’52

1983
Louis J. Piccolo, BS PHA’51

1982
Sam Ban, PHC’29

1981
Donald H. Albright, BS PHA’53

1980
Norvin C. Jones, BS PHA’40

1979
George R. Myers, PHC’33, & Ella Olderog Myers, PHC’33

1978
Sr. Mary Raphael Hilger, O.S.B., PHC’32

1977
John A. Scigliano, Ph.D., BS PHA’41

1976
Lillian Dorsey, BS PHA’48

1975
Sebastian C. Pirruccello, BS PHA’36, MS’52

1974
John A. Johnson, BS PHA’48

1973
Edward M. Sohler, PHC’29

1972
B.R. Zastera, PHG’15

1971
Harold W. Mills, PHG’25

1970
No Awards Given

1969
Andrew E. Prince, PHC’30

1968
Sr. Mary Andrew Talle, S.C.L., BS PHA’53

1967
Norman L. Green, PHC’28

1966
Chester B. Larsen, PHG’20

1965
Francis A. Walsh, BS PHA’40, MS’52
 

College of Professional and Continuing Education

2020
Jeffery S. King, BSBA’14

2019
Eric V. Ernest, BSEMS’06, MD’10

2016
Anthony DeCanti, AS’07, BSCS’10

2015
Tammy Williams, BA’09

2014
Rev. Moses Luba Loli, BSEMS’08