Current Honorees

Related Links

• View 2025 Honorees
• View Past Recipients of the Alumni Achievement Citation and the Alumni Merit Award.

 

2026 Alumni Achievement Citation

The Honorable Patricia A. Lamberty, JD’79  

“Going to prison was the best thing that ever happened to me.”  

Those were the words of a former defendant who later asked the Honorable Patricia Lamberty to officiate his wedding. He told her that his time in prison had changed the course of his life—and he wanted Pat to be part of his new chapter.  

“Anyone who encountered Pat from the bench would have seen her professionalism and dignity,” said the Rev. E. Scott Jones, PhD, who met Pat in 2010 as Senior Minister of First Central Congregational Church of Omaha.   

As a community advocate, lawyer, mediator and judge for Nebraska’s Fourth Judicial District, Pat Lamberty dedicated herself to a more equitable, compassionate and accessible legal system—and she brought that same sense of purpose to the many people and causes she cares about.  

“One of the things I admire most about Pat is that she doesn’t simply have ideas—she takes action,” said Jones. “Through her work at the church and on various nonprofit boards, she was always asking, ‘What can I do to make the world better?’ She is very smart, funny, a great hostess and, above all, genuinely loves people.”  

Pat was born and raised on a farm near Seward, Nebraska, where she attended a one-room country school through eighth grade. At 14, she began high school in Seward, where she met Lou Lamberty, the principal’s son. They married during Pat’s senior year of high school and began building their lives together. While Lou continued his college education, Pat finished high school through Lincoln High Adult, and together they welcomed three children.  

When Lou took a job in New Jersey, Pat began taking college courses at Rutgers University and later the University of Delaware, while raising their family. After the Lambertys returned to Nebraska and settled in Omaha in 1967, Pat continued her education at the University of Nebraska.  

Pat served as a YWCA program director, helped manage Senator George McGovern’s 1972 presidential campaign and opened her home to others, including unwed mothers, a student from Nigeria and a foster child. In 1975, she began attending UNO full time, earning a bachelor’s degree in public administration in 1976. That same year, she enrolled at Creighton University School of Law and earned her Juris Doctor, cum laude, in 1979.  

“One of the things that makes Pat so perfect for the Creighton Award is that Creighton’s purpose is to prepare students to live a meaningful life in service of others,” Mary Heng-Braun said. “Pat was living that way before she came to Creighton. What Creighton did was arm her to be even more impactful—to see where she could fit in and help. She was really good before Creighton. She was even better after Creighton.”  

After law school, Pat joined the firm of Zwieback, Brady, Kasher & Festerson, where she remained for 14 years. Her litigation practice focused on complex family and business matters, including divorce, child custody, protection orders, and paternity cases.  

Learning from her clients, Pat began to see that not every conflict needed to be resolved in a courtroom. In 1993, she established her own practice, focusing primarily on mediation and arbitration in family law, business, securities, and employment disputes. At a time when mediation was still emerging in Nebraska, she chaired the Omaha Bar Association committee that created the state’s first court-referred mediation program.  

When Lou received an engineering assignment in Romania, Pat went along without an assignment of her own. Before long, she was leading the development of a mediation program in a new country.  

“Pat, being Pat, quickly made friends with folks in the legal community there and set up a training program for some of their leaders for mediation, which they had really never heard of,” Lou remembers.  

In July 1998, Pat was appointed to the Nebraska Fourth Judicial District Court, where she served until retiring in 2011. On the bench, she continued to believe that the justice system could do more than determine a legal outcome. She helped develop youth and adult diversion programs that gave young people alternatives to incarceration through counseling, education, and judicial oversight.  

Through the Women’s Fund of Omaha, Pat worked alongside Heng-Braun, Dianne Lozier and Creighton alumna Pat Lenaghan, MS’86, bringing organizations and leaders together to address domestic violence.  

Heng-Braun remembers how their strengths complemented one another: Pat brought access, connections and influence; Dianne brought research; and Heng-Braun brought connectivity and organization.  

“The three of us fit together well,” she said. But Pat also brought an uncommon sense of determination.  

“There’s so much that couldn’t have been done without Pat,” shared Lozier. “She’s very eloquent, but she doesn’t shy away from asking the hard questions. Pat is one of the most tenacious people I have ever known.” 

Their collaborative work helped strengthen Omaha’s response to domestic violence and advance solutions focused on protecting individuals and families.  

“Pat and Dianne didn’t say, ‘We’re going to make an impact on domestic violence.’ They said: ‘We are going to stop domestic violence,’” said Heng-Braun. “I gulped at that. But it was their sense that we were going to make a difference, and Pat was a spearhead. Being a part of those efforts has given me meaning in life and has humbled me."  

Pat’s work also included years with Legal Aid of Nebraska and leadership and volunteer roles with the University of Nebraska Medical Center Board of Counselors, the Nebraska and Omaha Bar Associations and other civic organizations. She later served on the board of Omaha Home for Boys.  

Her contributions to Nebraska’s legal and civic life have been recognized with numerous honors, including the Nebraska State Bar Foundation’s Legal Pioneer Award and Woman of Distinction awards from the YWCA and the Nebraska Commission on the Status of Women.  

Family, colleagues and friends—including the Rev. Jones, Lozier and Heng-Braun—describe Pat as an extrovert with a wonderful sense of humor, an unforgettable smile, and a love for life.  

Whether she was guiding a family through crisis, bringing people together around a cause or officiating weddings for immigrants, former defendants or Warren Buffett and Astrid Menks—Pat always saw the person in front of her.   

“She’s just an amazing person, that’s all,” said Lou. “And she’s quietly done a whole heck of a lot. She impacted a lot of lives, most of whom she won’t ever really know.”  

Today, the Lambertys live in Omaha and have been together for 66 years. They have traveled to all seven continents, including Antarctica, and especially enjoyed taking each of their four grandchildren on a special trip following their 8th grade and high school graduations. They are the parents of Kim, Craig and Christopher; grandparents of four; and great-grandparents of three. Their grandson, Maxwell Lamberty, graduated from Creighton School of Law in 2025. 

 

2026 Recent Alumni Award

Heidi J. Tonne, BSN'06, MBA'22

A story her father often shared with her, The Starfish Story, has stayed with Heidi Tonne throughout her life. In the story, a person walking along a beach returns stranded starfish to the ocean, one at a time. When told that one person cannot possibly make a difference, the response is simple: It made a difference to that one.  

“My parents are my first heroes, and the story is especially meaningful because it was one my dad often shared with me,” Tonne says. “This taught me that small actions matter, and throughout my career I have seen that lesson proven true time and again. It continues to inspire me to serve others and reminds me that a life of purpose is built one person, one interaction, and one opportunity at a time.”  

Today, Tonne serves as nurse manager of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Nebraska Medicine, where she oversees patient care, staff development and quality initiatives. Since earning her Executive Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management from Creighton in 2022, she has served as interim manager of the 4/5 Lied Orthopedic Medical-Surgical Unit and the NICU, helped transition a supervisor model, developed a template and hands-on support for new nurse manager orientation and contributed to leadership development.   

Colleagues share, "From her early practice as a bedside oncology nurse to her current executive -level leadership role, Heide has remained grounded in the belief that high-quality care begins with compassion, advocacy, and dignity for every person." 

Her MBA enhanced two decades of clinical and management experience, giving her a broader understanding of healthcare operations and organizational strategy. During the program, she received the cohort’s Accretio Award for her contributions to the program and her classmates.  

“The education and values I gained at Creighton provided the foundation for my nursing career and later inspired me to return to earn my MBA,” she says.  

An Oncology Certified Nurse, she contributes to nursing research and quality improvement focused on palliative care, clinical outcomes and nursing practices. Her work has been presented at the Oncology Nursing Society Congress and the American Society of Clinical Oncology Quality Conference. She also serves as chair of the CAUTI Reduction Committee and as a member of the Nursing Research and Innovation Committee. Tonne received the Nebraska Medicine High Achiever Award in 2024. 

But Tonne’s path to this work began somewhere she never expected.  

“When I think about my connection to Creighton, the story I enjoy telling most is that I was never going to be a nurse. Nursing was not part of my original plan, but Creighton helped me discover a passion for the profession that I could not find anywhere else.”  

Tonne earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Creighton in 2006 and began her career as a staff nurse in the Oncology Hematology Special Care Unit at The Nebraska Medical Center. She cared for pediatric and adult patients while mentoring new nurses, employees and students, eventually serving as lead staff nurse, nurse case manager and associate nurse manager. She also served as a credentialed trainer for One Chart: Beacon, training multidisciplinary teams on the application.  

In 2016, Tonne became nurse manager of Medical and Surgical Oncology at Nebraska Medicine. A year later, she opened the 36-bed Werner Oncology Medical/Surgical Unit at Nebraska Medicine’s Buffett Cancer Center, recruiting the nursing team, developing unit policies and overseeing its operational readiness.  

During the COVID-19 pandemic, she organized and managed a 24-bed COVID unit serving both pediatric and adult patients. She also served as interim manager of the 4/5 Lied Orthopedic Medical-Surgical Unit from August to October 2023 and as interim NICU manager from February to March 2024.  

“I am not sure I would be where I am today without the foundation that Creighton provided. What began as an unexpected educational path became a lifelong calling, and for that I will always be grateful. Creighton didn’t just help me earn a degree—it helped me discover my purpose.”  

Her patients remain among her greatest influences.  

“Many of my patients have been heroes to me. I have learned invaluable lessons from their courage, perseverance, and grace in the face of illness and adversity. Their strength serves as a powerful reminder of why I chose a career in nursing and inspires me to continue serving others with compassion and respect.”  

Tonne serves on the Creighton College of Nursing Alumni Board and remains committed to supporting nursing students and future healthcare professionals. She is often among the first to volunteer for student initiatives, including writing handwritten notes for students, participating in the Blessing of the Hands Ceremony and hosting career presentations for junior and senior nursing students. She also makes time to connect with students as they begin their careers, answering questions and offering guidance, whether they plan to work at Nebraska Medicine or pursue opportunities elsewhere.   

“I love interacting with Creighton students and watching their excitement for nursing as they develop the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to care for others. Their enthusiasm is contagious and always brings a smile to my face.”  

 

2026 Friends of the University  

Bernard J. Ghiglieri, III

Nearly five decades ago, Bernie Ghiglieri and his parents, Anne and Bernard Ghiglieri Jr., transformed the loss of their daughter and sister, Creighton alumna Jane, into a lasting tribute in her name.  

Jane A. Ghiglieri, BSPHA’77, was born April 5, 1954, in Peoria, Illinois, and graduated summa cum laude from Creighton’s School of Pharmacy. An accomplished student and leader, she was a member of Alpha Sigma Nu - the National Jesuit Honor Society, and Rho Chi - the National Pharmaceutical Honor Society. She received the Eli Lilly Achievement Award for outstanding work, leadership, and extracurricular activities. Her Creighton peers remembered her for her “zest for life.” After graduation in 1977, Jane began her pharmacy career with Walgreen Drug Co. in Muscatine, Iowa.  

In March 1978, she was diagnosed with leukemia. Just weeks after celebrating her 24th birthday, and after a very short illness, Jane died on April 29. Her loss was sudden and devastating. 

In her memory, the family established the Jane A. Ghiglieri Memorial Scholarship at Creighton in 1978. Bernard and Anne presented the first scholarship the following year and continued the tradition until their deaths in 2002 and 1981. Bernie has been part of the scholarship since the beginning.  

Looking back at what began as a conversation around his family’s kitchen table, Bernie says, “Absolutely no one could have predicted what it would become. At the time, we could not see 50 days ahead, let alone see five decades down the road”  

The Ghiglieri family’s ties to Catholic and Jesuit education run deep. In 1995, Bernie and his father were named honorary Creighton alumni during the Pharmacy Honors Convocation. 

Year after year, Bernie has made the journey to Omaha to meet each scholarship recipient. He has taken the time to know the students behind it—listening to their stories, remembering their journeys and celebrating their accomplishments long after they leave Creighton.  

A former Ghiglieri Scholar shared: “From the moment I met Bernie, it was clear that he wanted to know who I was, why I chose healthcare, and how I hoped to serve patients. Over the years, he has stayed in touch, remembers my name when I am able to attend the annual Ghiglieri Scholars award presentation, and continues to encourage me as I grow professionally. He has been a reminder for me, and all scholars, that someone believed in us long before our careers fully took shape. His commitment to honoring his sister’s legacy by investing in future healthcare professionals reflects a rare and beautiful form of stewardship.” 

Through these relationships, Bernie has watched generations of Bluejays enter healthcare.  He has stayed connected to the challenges they face, particularly rural health, access to pharmacy services, and health insurance.  

“The work is never done,” Bernie says. “When I come back to Creighton every spring for the scholarship presentation, I hear about the students and past recipients of the scholarship speak of the progress on some things, lack of progress on other things and potential new problems. It all helps keep me connected to the issues.”  

Bernie has lived in Washington, DC, for more than 50 years and has volunteered with causes important to him, including Holy Rosary Church, a homeless shelter and efforts addressing health care access.  

Creighton has also brought Bernie unexpected connections. The late Rev. Don Driscoll, SJ, who served as School of Pharmacy chaplain, once discovered that a former seminary classmate was a cousin of Bernie’s mother. The discovery led to an unexpected reunion and became one of many unlikely connections Bernie experienced through Creighton and Omaha. He has never forgotten Fr. Driscoll’s words: “It’s not odd, it’s God.”  

Those connections, and the people he has met along the way, have shaped Bernie’s relationship with Creighton. “I have met many, many extraordinarily compassionate, super intelligent, kind and humble people at Creighton over the decades. I am extremely fortunate to have had many people who inspired me in many different ways.”  

As a Friend of the University, Bernie keeps Jane’s spirit alive through the students he meets and the qualities she embodied—a zest for life, a love of learning and a commitment to others. 

“Some people have described it as a triumph over adversity. I think it is helping people achieve their dreams and goals.” 

 

2026 Alumni Merit Award Honorees

College of Arts and Sciences
Matthew D. DeBoer, BA'08 

“When you pray, move your feet.” 

For Matthew DeBoer, BA’08, faith has always been about action. 

While watching the devastation of Hurricane Katrina unfold from his Creighton dorm room, DeBoer was deeply affected by the suffering he saw. His experiences through Creighton’s Schlegel Center for Service and Justice helped turn that experience into a desire to serve. 

“I define ‘vocation’ as where our God-given gifts and talents meet the needs of the world,” DeBoer says. 

A history and theology double major in the College of Arts and Sciences, DeBoer participated in SCSJ service trips, served as a resident assistant, as a referee and supervisor for intramural sports, and attended the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice. He also volunteered as an English teacher in Ethiopia. Along the way, mentors including Ken Reed-Bouley, retired director of the SCSJ, his self-described “Creighton Dad,” helped shape his understanding of faith, service and justice. As a senior, he was awarded the Martin Luther King Jr. Student Leadership Award, which recognizes students involved in activities that promote social justice, peace, religious, racial and cultural harmony and inspire others. 

“My years at Creighton were the most instrumental in rooting me in my faith and values that keep me motivated to live my faith and work for justice personally and professionally,” he says. 

After Creighton, DeBoer joined the Jesuit Volunteer Corps and spent six years teaching and serving as an administrator at the Good Shepherd School in New Orleans. He went on to earn a K–12 education certificate from Tulane University and a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Notre Dame through the Mary Ann Remick Leadership Program.

Colleagues and peers say, "What stands out about Matt is that he always leads by example. He is someone we can all look to. Not because he always has answers, but because of the way he carries himself and looks out for others."

In 2014, he became principal of St. Therese Catholic Academy in Seattle. Over eight years, he helped grow enrollment from 112 students to more than 200, improve academic outcomes, strengthen the school’s Catholic identity and move its finances from a significant deficit to a surplus. His leadership also earned national recognition through Notre Dame’s Alliance for Catholic Education. 

DeBoer served on the Fulcrum Foundation Diversity Committee, participated on Archdiocesan accreditation teams, mentored aspiring Catholic school leaders through Notre Dame’s Remick Leadership Program and led a five-part racial justice series for more than 40 Catholic school principals in the summer of 2020. 

In 2022, he and his family returned to the Midwest. After serving as campus minister at Cristo Rey Jesuit High School in Minneapolis, he became principal of Annunciation Catholic School. He remains active in the community, volunteering with the Sanneh Foundation and Feed My Starving Children, coaching youth basketball, serving his parish communities and donating platelets monthly through the American Red Cross.  

In 2026, he was honored with the Minneapolis Police Department's Citizen's Award of Valor, the highest-ranking award for a citizen, for his “extraordinary courage and selflessness to members of our community,” and was honored as a Community Champion by the Minnesota Twins and UnitedHealthcare. 

DeBoer and his wife, Rose, have three children and live in Minneapolis.  

 

College of Nursing
Catherine M. Todero, PhD, BSN'72

She left Creighton with the confidence to go "set the world on fire." She returned years later to literally create FIRE. As a first-generation college student from Omaha, Catherine Todero, PhD, BSN'72, never imagined the remarkable journey that would begin at Creighton University. Neither of her parents attended college, but her mother always spoke of Creighton as a place for exceptional students. When a nun at St. Joseph School of Nursing encouraged her to apply, telling her that with her grades, she belonged at Creighton, scholarship support made that dream possible.  

Looking back, Todero says Creighton gave her far more than a nursing degree.  

"Even though I began college with only vague knowledge of what it was like, Creighton University filled me with incredible personal confidence that I could 'go forth and set the world on fire.'"  

That confidence became the foundation for a career that spanned more than five decades. After earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Creighton in 1972, she completed a master's degree at the University of Nebraska Medical Center and a doctorate at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.  

She began her academic career at UNMC before returning to Creighton as an assistant professor and director of the RN-to-BSN program. She also proudly served her country as a Captain in the U.S. Army Reserve Nurse Corps with the 82nd Field Hospital from 1979 to 1983.  

As her career progressed, Todero became known for building outstanding nursing programs and investing in faculty and students. She held senior leadership positions at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, San Diego State University and Azusa Pacific University, founded the UNMC-Cosmopolitan Mobile Nursing Center, secured more than $12 million in federal, state and local funding for research, education and community health initiatives, and became an internationally recognized consultant to nursing programs in China and Saudi Arabia.

  

Her scholarship in circadian rhythms, nurse fatigue, chronic disease management and telehealth helped advance nursing practice and improve patient care. Yet, one dream never left her.  

"When I graduated from Creighton, I was so full of confidence, I remember telling a classmate that someday I would come back and be the Dean of the College of Nursing ... I still marvel at the audacity (and confidence) I felt to make such an assertion upon graduation."  

In 2015, that vision became reality when she returned to Creighton as dean of the College of Nursing. Four years later, she was appointed vice provost for Health Sciences Campuses, helping lead one of the most transformative periods in the University's history.  

She guided the expansion of nursing education to Phoenix, played a key leadership role in developing Creighton's $100 million Phoenix Health Sciences Campus, championed the College's first endowed chair dedicated exclusively to nursing and established the Center for Faculty Innovation, Research and Education (FIRE). 

A Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, she has held leadership positions throughout the nursing profession, including president of the San Diego Chapter of the Association of California Nurse Leaders, Chair of the Nursing Education Committee as a California Board of Registered Nursing appointee, advisory board member for the Institute for Career Advancement Needs (ICAN) Women’s Leadership Conference and president of Sigma Theta Tau International's Gamma Pi Chapter.  

She has served for more than two decades as a site visitor for the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education and on national expert panels addressing nurse fatigue and bioethics. Todero’s community service has included founding and directing the UNMC-Cosmopolitan Mobile Nursing Center, volunteering with the Medical Reserve Corps of United Way of the Midlands, serving on the Arizona Hospital & HealthCare Association board and supporting women's leadership, healthcare ethics and youth education through numerous advisory and community organizations. Currently, she serves as a board member of Children’s Nebraska. 

Friends and colleagues call Todero "the full package." "Always everywhere," with "endless energy." They said, "The trait I admire most about Dr. Todero is her faith. It permeates all she does, all she communicates, and all she has accomplished." Although she retired from Creighton in 2023, Todero continues to champion the nursing profession through consultation, mentorship, professional engagement, and the enduring influence of her scholarship and leadership.  

 

College of Professional and Continuing Education
Jeremy J. Bouman, MS'16

Sometimes a single invitation can change the course of a life. For Jeremy Bouman, that invitation came at Creighton University — and it continues today through the work of RISE.  

While working in University Relations and earning his Master of Science in Leadership, Bouman was part of a small formation group in which Rev. Larry Gillick, SJ, challenged him and others to be “men and women for others” beyond the University campus.  

That invitation led Bouman to begin volunteering at the Douglas County Jail through his church, where he discovered a deeper calling to serve individuals impacted by incarceration.  

“The Jesuit value of ‘finding God in all things’ and ad majorem Dei gloriam — doing things in the world ‘for the greater glory of God’ — resonated with me as I experienced the Holy Spirit at work in people’s lives in our jails and prisons,” Bouman shared.  

Bouman’s commitment to service was shaped by a lifetime of experience. After growing up in the New York City area and beginning his career in technology and business, his perspective on his own path shifted after witnessing the events of Sept. 11, 2001, and the days that followed from his office in lower Manhattan.  

Bouman transitioned into nonprofit leadership, serving organizations focused on social services, philanthropy and community development, including Lutheran Social Services of New York and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) Foundation. In 2010, Bouman joined Creighton University, and he graduated from the College of Professional and Continuing Education in 2016.  

Through his studies at Creighton, he gained greater clarity about his gifts and how discernment, reflection and Ignatian principles could prepare him for his next chapter.  In 2017, he founded RISE.  

What began as a small local chapter of a national organization, RISE became an independent non-profit and has grown into Nebraska’s largest prison reentry organization. Under Bouman’s leadership, RISE provides comprehensive support for people during their incarceration through reentry, including reentry planning and case management, trauma-informed educational programming, workforce preparation, entrepreneurship training, family support, and advocacy for systemic change. 

He is quick to credit the RISE team, volunteers, and community partners who make this work possible.

“Bringing people from the community into prisons brings so much hope to incarcerated people and lets them know that the community hasn’t forgotten them,” Bouman shared. “Learning about what we have in common, where our lives are different, and sharing our humanity with others leads to greater empathy and understanding.” 

More than 1,600 volunteers have entered Nebraska prisons with RISE to coach participants, judge entrepreneurship pitch competitions and celebrate program graduations. Volunteers and colleagues describe his leadership as "transformational, because it centers on dignity and belief in every person he encounters."  They share, "I've had a front-row seat to Jeremy's ability to communicate complex situations and emotional stories with clarity, compassion, and purpose."

Others describe him as "a tireless crusader" and "among the most selfless humans I've ever encountered." 

Through RISE, Bouman continues to build bridges between incarceration and community, creating opportunities for individuals and strengthening Nebraska as a whole.  

“When we help people returning to the community from prison, everybody wins,” Bouman said. “Public safety improves, families are strengthened, businesses add much-needed workforce, and the costs and devastating impacts of incarceration go down.”  

Nearly a decade after launching RISE, he continues to advance its mission of breaking generational cycles of incarceration. He is supported by his wife, Sarahjayne, and children, Sophia and Luke, who share his love for Creighton as devoted Bluejay fans.  

 

Graduate School
Larry V. Pearson, MBA'81

For Larry Pearson, some of the best learning happened after class — often over a beer at Bob Gibson’s Spirits and Sustenance or the Bluejay Bar a& Grill. As a working professional, husband and father pursuing his MBA at Creighton, Pearson’s experience looked different from that of a traditional student. 

“My MBA degree was earned through night school, so I didn’t have the campus presence or college experience when I attended Creighton,” Pearson said. “My focus was on learning and earning and using an MBA degree.” 

Those lessons extended beyond the classroom. Pearson fondly remembers the late Professor Jerome “Jerry” Sherman, PhD, and the conversations that continued after his Investments and Finance class. 

“Dr. Sherman and some of our classmates would retire to Bob Gibson’s Bar or the Bluejay Bar for after-class discussion and a drink,” Pearson recalled. “The discussion would cover the course material plus real-life examples of both class material and issues that we were dealing with in our jobs. Very interesting and pertinent to our studies.” 

After earning his undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, Pearson recognized the importance of complementing his technical background with a strong understanding of business. He pursued his MBA at Creighton while working full time. 

“My undergraduate degree was in Mechanical Engineering with no business courses. I recognized the need to be knowledgeable of business practices and received that knowledge at Creighton,” Pearson said. “My MBA degree not only prepared me to enter the business workplace, it gave me the tools and confidence to excel in my career in the energy business.” 

Pearson also credits Associate Professor Andrew Hoh, PhD, who taught Management, with making a lasting impact on his professional development. 

“Dr. Hoh had the biggest impact on me. Coming into his class, I didn’t know much about Management, but through his teaching, I learned more and how to practice the principles, which contributed greatly to my career.” 

That combination of engineering expertise and business knowledge served Pearson throughout more than 35 years in the energy industry.

Colleagues share, "Larry always talks about the people who helped him along the way, and he is always putting others first. He had a very successful career, but when he spoke about it, he said it was Creighton that propelled him. In all of the time I've spent with him, that humility has always shown up."

Before joining Tenaska, Inc. in 1988, he held executive positions with Enron Corp. and Northern Natural Gas Co. Over his career, he worked across management, natural gas and electricity marketing, natural gas procurement, utility regulation, finance, strategic planning and engineering. 

During more than two decades with Tenaska, Pearson held senior leadership positions before becoming president and CEO of Operations. In that role, he was responsible for all aspects of Tenaska’s 13,000-megawatt power plant portfolio and the operation of its pipeline systems, while also overseeing Tenaska Marketing Ventures, the company’s natural gas marketing business. 

Pearson retired from Tenaska in 2009 and continued serving on the company’s Board of Stakeholders until 2019. A registered professional engineer emeritus in Nebraska, he has also remained active in professional and educational leadership. 

His commitment to South Dakota School of Mines and Technology has spanned decades. Pearson served as the Omaha-area vice president of the SD Mines Alumni Association for more than 20 years before serving as international president in 2002-03. He later served on the SD Mines Foundation Board of Trustees from 2005 to 2017.  

His community leadership has included 21 years on the board of Nebraska Methodist Health System/Nebraska Methodist Hospital in Omaha, as well as service with the Omaha Chamber of Commerce, Nebraska Agricultural Leadership Council and Nebraska Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He also has a long history of volunteering with the Boy Scouts and has been active at St. Luke United Methodist Church in Omaha. 

Alongside his wife, Linda, Pearson has also invested in the next generation of leaders through Creighton. The Pearsons established the Pearson Endowment Fund to support MBA students in the Heider College of Business and later created the Larry V. and Linda J. Pearson Family Starting Guard Endowed Scholarship to provide ongoing support for a men’s basketball student-athlete who demonstrates integrity, leadership and achievement. They have also supported men's basketball as well as two Fly Together projects —The Bill Sports Performance Center and the McDermott Center Renovation.  

For Pearson, however, success has always been connected to the people who supported him along the way. 

“My family members — wife Linda, children and grandchildren — are my heroes because in their individual ways, they persevere when facing challenges while growing and being productive members of society,” Pearson shared. 

 

Heider College of Business
Paul J. Thompson, BSBA'84

Long before Paul Thompson became Chairman, President and CEO of Country Club Bank, his late father, Byron Thompson, taught him a principle-one of many "Byron-sims"-that would define his approach to leadership:

“People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”  

Byron Thompson, former chairman of Country Club Bank, believed great bankers first had to be great people. Raised as one of 11 children, Thompson credits his parents, Byron and Jeanne, with instilling the Catholic faith and values that have guided his life.  

"I would not have attended Creighton had I not been raised by great parents who ... instilled in me a commitment to my Catholic faith and a desire to attend a Catholic university."  

At Creighton, those values were strengthened through an education that prepared him professionally while shaping his character, leadership, and faith.  

"My four years at Creighton University were fantastic. Creighton provided an education that prepared me well for my professional life. Still, it also allowed me to grow socially and spiritually ... all while building lifelong friendships and memories."  

Thompson and the late Vincent O'Flaherty, BA'84, and Joe O'Flaherty, BSBA'86, shared a friendship that began at Creighton and grew over five decades through careers, families and life. When Vince was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer in 2023, Paul was by his side. Vince passed away in August 2026, but his words about Paul remain: "Compassion is always number one in his heart. Our world is much better with Paul in it." 

As a finance student at Creighton, Thompson served on the Student Board of Governors and was active in Pi Kappa Alpha, experiences that helped develop his leadership skills and foster lifelong friendships. He also found mentors who challenged him to grow. During a freshman business statistics class, the late Rev. Bernard Portz, SJ, unexpectedly paused his lecture to remind students that someday they would face challenges they could not understand—and that faith would sustain them.  

"His abruptness in delivery—and that his comment was so off-topic—made it even more poignant and memorable to me," Thompson recalls.  

Years later, after losing two sisters in separate tragedies, Fr. Portz’s words took on profound meaning.  

"I think attending Creighton allowed me to stay close to my faith during my college years and, accordingly, for the rest of my life. Along with the love and support of my wife, Mary, nothing has been more important to me than relying on my Roman Catholic faith to get me through my life’s journey."  

That faith and commitment to people guided Thompson throughout a more than 40-year banking career. As former Chairman, President and CEO of Country Club Bank, he led a $2.5 billion family-owned commercial bank serving the greater Kansas City area, including its trust and wealth management operations. Under his leadership, the institution continued to grow while maintaining its relationship-centered approach to banking. In 2025, Country Club Bank merged with Omaha-based FNBO, a seventh-generation family-owned bank.  

A respected leader in the financial services industry, Thompson served as a Class A Director on the Board of Directors for the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and as Chairman of the Missouri Bankers Association, where he received the association’s highest honor, the Chairman’s Award, twice. He also served on the Kansas Bankers Association Board of Directors and numerous committees of the American Bankers Association. A licensed CPA in Missouri, Thompson earned his MBA from Rockhurst University, is a graduate of the Colorado Graduate School of Banking and served on its Board of Trustees.  

Colleagues describe Thompson's philosophy, echoing another "Byron-ism, "it's not about me."  

Thompson has served on parish committees at St. Ann Church of Prairie Village and the Church of the Nativity and on the Rockhurst High School Board of Trustees. He has also been a longtime supporter of the Going the Distance for Brain Injury Run, formerly the Amy Thompson Run, which supports individuals and families affected by brain injury. The cause is close to his heart, honoring his sister Amy, whose serious brain injury inspired the event. 

Thompson’s connection to Creighton has continued throughout his life. He serves on the Heider College of Business Advisory Board and, for many years, he and his wife, Mary—and now their son, P.J. Thompson Jr., BSBA’10—have welcomed future Bluejays by hosting Creighton’s annual Accepted Students Reception for students and families from the Kansas City area. Together, they established the Paul J. and Mary B. Thompson Magis Teacher Corps Scholarship to support Creighton students.

Paul and Mary have also chaired the Catholic Charities Foundation of Northeast Kansas Snow Ball gala, and remain active in other philanthropic, educational and civic organizations throughout Kansas City. 

 

School of Dentistry
Robin R. Khan, DDS'96

“To love, to lift, and to lead.”  

Those principles—values Robin Khan, DDS, says she witnessed from a young age—have guided her life, career and commitment to caring for others. From her early years as an oncology and urology nurse to her work today as a dentist, mentor and advocate for lifestyle medicine, Khan has dedicated her career to helping people achieve healthier lives through compassion, collaboration and service.  

Raised in Woodbine, Iowa, Khan learned early the importance of community and caring for others. She often reflects that she was “raised by a village,” a value that continued throughout her life and became a defining part of her Creighton experience, where mentors, classmates and faculty helped shape the person and professional she would become.  

Before pursuing dentistry, Khan built a foundation in healthcare through nursing and met her husband, Ansar Khan, MD, whose compassion, humility and commitment to serving others continue to inspire her. She describes him as her greatest hero:  

“He possesses a rare gift for seeing the inherent greatness and potential in everyone he meets. His example has not only shaped our family but has been the quiet force of integrity behind everything I have achieved.”  

With his encouragement and support, Khan pursued her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree at Creighton University School of Dentistry, balancing dental school, family and motherhood—including taking classes over her lunch hour. She earned her degree in 1996.  

Khan went on to combine her nursing background with advanced expertise in cosmetic dentistry, craniofacial pain, temporomandibular disorders, dental sleep medicine and lifestyle medicine. As the founder and general dentist at Dentistry for Health in Omaha, Nebraska, she provides comprehensive, patient-centered care focused on improving oral health and overall well-being.  

Her connection to Creighton has remained a defining part of her life. Khan mentors future dentists and helps cultivate compassionate healthcare providers. She also served as a founding member and consultant for the School’s Mindfulness Curriculum Conception Team. Peers and colleagues describe Khan as "ahead of her time in bringing mind, body, and spirit to the forefront of whole-person care for Creighton students." 

Reflecting on receiving recognition from the School of Medicine, she credits the many people who supported and inspired her along the way:  

“While I am honored to receive this recognition, I view it less as a reflection of individual achievement and more as a testament to the community that has supported, challenged, and inspired me. I was raised by a village, and in many ways, Creighton served as an extension of that village—molding and guiding me to live out the principles I witnessed from a young age: to love, to lift, and to lead.”  

During dental school, Khan found lasting support among her classmates and credits longtime faculty member Terry Lanphier, DDS, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, as an important mentor.  

“A savvy businessman and a consummate professional, Dr. Lanphier was, above all, a kind and steady presence. He served as a mentor to so many of us, providing a consistent example of excellence and integrity that has stayed with me throughout my many years in practice.”  

A Diplomate of the American Board of Craniofacial Pain, the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, and board-certified with the American College of Lifestyle Medicine, Khan continues to advance whole-person care through practice, education and service. Her dedication has been recognized through honors including the American Cancer Society’s Nurse of Hope Award. She is currently pursuing professional coaching training to deepen her skills in mentorship, leadership and clinical collaboration. 

The Khans reside in Omaha. Together, they have raised four children, all of whom work in healthcare, and enjoy spending time with their three grandchildren.  

 

School of Law
William F. Hargens, BSBA'79, JD'81

A World War II veteran father, Jesuit mentors who strengthened his faith and a career built on relationships have shaped William Hargens’ life and legacy.  

His father, the late William E. Hargens, was his greatest hero. A World War II veteran who served overseas, his father earned his college education through the GI Bill and showed Bill the value of perseverance, opportunity and hard work.  

“He motivated and enabled me to become the attorney he never had the opportunity to become,” Hargens said.  

As a student at Creighton University School of Law, Hargens was influenced by mentors who shaped both his career and his faith. The late Rev. Richard Hauser, SJ, made the greatest impact on him.  

“Not only was Father Hauser a great theology professor through my personal relationship with him, but he also helped rekindle my Catholic faith that had been drifting for some years,” Hargens reflected.  

That relationship extended beyond the classroom. Father Hauser later married Bill and his wife, Patty, who have been married for 47 years.  He and Patty are the proud parents of Ann Marie Hargens, BS’11.  

Hargens also remembers the joy and friendships of law school, including Senior Spoof Day, when the late Rev. George Sullivan, SJ, stood behind a podium in his priestly collar and promised a “professional, tasteful and high-class production” before stepping out wearing white boxer shorts with green shamrocks.  

While at Creighton Law, Hargens also experienced how a simple act of kindness can open an unexpected door. On an icy Christmas Eve, he helped a woman whose vehicle was stuck. That encounter led to his first law clerk position at McGrath North—the beginning of a more than 40-year career with the firm. 

“‘Nice guys finish last.’ I never bought into that,” says Hargens. “I spent 45-plus years proving that you can be a nice guy and still not finish last.” 

Over his career, Hargens became one of Nebraska’s most respected trial attorneys, handling complex business litigation, mergers and acquisition disputes and high-stakes “bet-the-company” matters. Recognized by Chambers USA, “Best Lawyers in America” and “Great Plains Super Lawyers”, he built a reputation for thoughtful strategy, strong advocacy and creative problem-solving.  

In 2024, he was inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, an invitation-only distinction recognizing exceptional trial lawyers for the highest standards of advocacy, ethics, integrity, professionalism and collegiality. According to ACTL, there are currently more than 5,500 Fellows across the U.S. and Canada, but membership can never be more than 1% of the total lawyer population of any state or province. 

Colleagues describe Hargens as "an extraordinary trial attorney" and say, "He treats all with respect and dignity. He is a true servant leader."

Hargens has supported Creighton Law students and graduates through hiring, mentoring and professional development, while building lasting relationships with faculty and the School of Law. 

Colleagues and friends share, "He inspired me to be a better educator. Work hard and see the reward. He has inspired me to be a better friend. Check on those you care about.

"I can hardly imagine a better case study for a class on living Jesuit values than Bill." 

Hargens has served in alumni leadership, including as vice chair of the School of Law Alumni Advisory Board, and on the Werner Institute Advisory Board and reunion committees. He has also supported Moot Court and Mock Trial, provided pro bono legal assistance and contributed to the broader community.  His longtime commitment to Creighton Athletics was recognized with the Jaybacker of the Year award.  

Hargens recently retired from McGrath North, leaving a legacy of legal excellence and, perhaps most importantly, a commitment to investing in people. 

Upon his retirement, family and colleagues said, "Bill has helped me through some difficult cases. But beyond helping me grow as a lawyer, he helped me grow as a human." 

 

School of Medicine
Michael H. McGuire, BS'71, MD'75

The "McGuire stories" are still being told. 

For more than five decades, Michael McGuire, MD, has cared for patients, taught physicians and advanced the field of orthopaedic oncology. His career includes approximately 25,000 operations, care for more than 1,000 patients with bone and soft tissue sarcomas, more than 65 peer-reviewed publications and textbook chapters, and research presented nationally and internationally.  

He has served as a visiting professor at institutions across the United States and as far away as Buenos Aires and Abbottabad, Pakistan, and for 15 years served as faculty for the Harvard-Newport, Rhode Island Board Review/Prep Course.   

McGuire has served as an examiner for the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and Chair of the Creighton University Department of Surgery.

But ask the physicians he trained what they remember, and the conversation often turns to the stories. 

There is “McGuire’s breakfast before morning rounds”: Frosted Flakes covered with extra sugar and a Coca-Cola. There is the “BS” notation he occasionally wrote in patient charts. Residents eventually learned it wasn't what they thought—it referred to Buffalo Springfield and the lyric, “There’s something happening here. What it is ain’t exactly clear.” 

Years later, former residents still tell those stories to younger physicians. McGuire calls them “second-generation McGuire stories.” A former resident said, "I think about these cases often now while teaching my own residents. They taught me to take patients' complaints seriously,  to recognize when further investigation is needed, and to talk with trainees about uncertainty.

"Dr. McGuire put us at ease. He is a natural storyteller, and he often taught us lessons we didn't quite know we were learning." 

It is a fitting description for a teacher whose influence has traveled from one generation of physicians to the next. And the humor was part of the package. Two of his favorite mottos: “Sometimes the juice ain’t worth the squeeze!” and “Illegitimi non carborundum.” 

But when asked what makes a great physician, though, McGuire doesn't joke. 

“Compassion.” 

Another resident shared, "Dr. McGuire was my role model and inspiration in my career. His genuine empathy for patients and their families, and for their life-changing diagnoses, became my goal. Who I am, and where I am professionally, are due in large part to Dr. McGuire, a man whose blood is true Creighton Bluejay blue." 

Long before he became an orthopaedic oncologist, department chair or mentor, McGuire was a young man from northwest Iowa who arrived at Creighton in 1967.  

He came to Omaha as a farm boy and found a place that felt like home. During the Vietnam War era, he participated in ROTC, earned his Army commission and graduated in 1971 with a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. From the very beginning, he formed friendships that have lasted six decades. 

“I have been a ‘Creighton guy’ for 60 years,” McGuire says. “I feel that this has been my home ever since. Creighton proved to be the perfect place for me—I made lifelong friends and gained acceptance to medical school.” 

Those people remain an important part of how he remembers Creighton. He names the late Father Richard McGloin, SJ, his undergraduate friends, and his medical school classmates. 

“Each and all kept me going during the tough times; and all shared the celebrations of the good times,” he says. “My nostalgia relates somehow to the idea that all these years later we are still part of this incredible family and community of Bluejays.” 

At Creighton School of Medicine, McGuire found mentors who helped shape the physician he would become. As a medical student, he worked with world-renowned oncologist the late Henry Lynch, MD, on early hereditary cancer research. 

“Lynch laid it all out before molecular biology caught up,” McGuire says. “The next 30 years simply confirmed what he already understood.” 

After graduating from medical school in 1975, McGuire completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at Saint Louis University and an American Cancer Society Clinical Fellowship in musculoskeletal oncology at Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital. 

At first, he thought he would build a career in trauma and sports medicine. Then he met Henry Mankin, MD, a pioneering orthopaedic surgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital. 

“He wasn’t just a brilliant surgeon,” McGuire says. “He was an artist.” 

Mankin showed him another way to think about medicine—one that valued creativity and imagination alongside technical skill. 

“We’re only limited by our imagination,” McGuire tells students. “You don’t have to be at a certain place on a certain day to do important work.” 

McGuire ultimately found his calling in orthopaedic oncology. 

“My specialty became orthopedic oncology—cancer of the bones and joints,” he says. “I ended up coming back to exactly what I thought I was leaving.” 

McGuire also served two years of active duty at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri as a physician in the U.S. Army Medical Corps and continued that service for a number of years as a reserve physician. 

He returned to Creighton in 1988 and became Chair of the Department of Surgery in 1990. He continued caring for patients while teaching and mentoring students, residents, and fellows. 

And the teaching continued in ways he probably never anticipated. The physicians he trained carried his stories with them—and some eventually passed those stories on to their own children, bringing the “second-generation McGuire stories” full circle. 

Creighton also brought McGuire his family. He met Anne Dyer McGuire, BSN’73, on campus. At commencement, she received the 1973 Spirit of Creighton Award for embodying the Jesuit ideal of being “for and with others.” Mike and Anne married that same year, raised four children—Megan Colleen, Elizabeth Hyun, Michael Jong and Katherine Therese—and now have seven grandchildren. 

For 60 years, Mike has been the “Creighton guy,” building a career grounded in that same spirit of compassion and service. Today, he is a Staff Surgeon at VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System, a Consultant in Musculoskeletal Oncology at CHI Health Bergan Mercy Medical Center and Clinical Professor of Surgery at Creighton University School of Medicine. He and Anne continue to give back to the University that shaped their lives, including through the Anne L. and Michael H. McGuire Endowed Chair in Orthopaedic Surgery.

And fittingly, when asked who has been his greatest influence through those six decades, the physician whose own measure of a great doctor is “compassion” points to the person who has shared the journey with him: 

“My hero is Anne.” 

 

School of Pharmacy and Health Professions
David G. Kohll, BSPHA'86, PHARMD'88

“Creighton University gave me a chance.” 

To David Kohll, BSPHA'86, PHARMD'88, that opportunity became a lifetime of innovation, service and caring for others—continuing a family legacy built on a simple belief: “We always wanted to help people.” 

The legacy began with David’s grandfather, Louis Kohll (Kohlberg), who graduated from Creighton’s School of Pharmacy in 1930. In 1948, Louis and his wife, Leona, opened a small Omaha pharmacy, built on a simple commitment to personal service and meeting the health needs of their neighbors. Through long days and dedication to their patients, they earned the trust of physicians and families across the community. The profession was passed from one generation to the next, with Louis’ sons and several grandsons, including David, following him into pharmacy. 

More than 75 years later, David carries that tradition forward as a third-generation leader of the family business, Kohll’s Rx. 

A graduate of Creighton’s School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, Kohll earned his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy in 1986 before continuing his education in one of Creighton’s first Doctor of Pharmacy programs, graduating in 1988. 

Kohll’s experience at Creighton shaped his approach to pharmacy and his vision for the profession. He recalls how faculty mentors like Wayne Young, Sr., PharmD, and Michael Makoid, PhD, inspired his interest in innovation and technology’s role in improving patient care. 

“In the 1980s, they were leading the way in technology related to pharmacy. I felt the future of patient care would benefit from advancing technology.” 

That belief led to a professional collaboration with Young, with whom Kohll published work exploring the use of laptop computers by consultant pharmacists—an early example of technology advancing pharmacy practice. After graduation, Kohll returned to Kohll’s Rx and helped guide the company’s evolution from a neighborhood pharmacy into a comprehensive healthcare provider.  

Kohll was instrumental in introducing at-home medication packaging and advancing community vaccination programs. As the state's first pharmacy to offer immunizations, Kohll’s became the region's immunization leader. Kohll also helped develop services that connect medical needs with home accessibility and non-emergency transportation, providing medical and social support for patients. This summer, Kohll’s Rx expanded its presence in Nebraska with the opening of a new state-of-the-art location in Lincoln. 

He was named Pharmacy Times Entrepreneur Pharmacist of the Year. He has been a strong advocate for independent pharmacy, serving on the Nebraska Pharmacists Association Legislative Committee and regularly meeting with state and federal lawmakers discussing home medical equipment and pharmacy benefit manager issues. He has also partnered with the Nebraska State Patrol to combat prescription fraud and opioid misuse. 

His professional service includes membership on the Medicare Durable Medical Equipment Advisory Committee and on an Emergency Response Team. He has served as an associate professor and pharmacy preceptor at Creighton University and the University of Nebraska Medical Center and coordinated an educational program for UNMC’s pediatric and internal medicine residents. 

Kohll has served on the Creighton University Alumni Board for the School of Pharmacy and Allied Health and, for more than a decade, has mentored Doctor of Pharmacy students by reviewing their business plans and pharmacy service projects and providing practical feedback drawn from his professional experience.

One student shared, "I am inspired by Dr. Kohll's core values, his entrepreneurial spirit, and his willingness to give back." And colleagues and peers said, "he is a good listener and excellent communicator.  He is patient and has a genuine desire to serve." 

His commitment to service extends into Omaha’s Jewish community. He is past president of Beth Israel Synagogue, having served three terms in that role, and continues to help lead religious services at the Rose Blumkin Jewish Home. He has also served with the Destination Midtown Neighborhood Association and Midtown Business Association. In 2005, he was named Omaha Young Jewish Person of the Year. 

In 2014, Kohll faced a life-changing challenge when he contracted West Nile virus, resulting in partial paralysis and months of rehabilitation. The experience deepened his gratitude and reinforced his purpose. 

“I’m very happy to be alive and thrive each day, to have the chance to make a positive contribution.” 

That gratitude remains at the heart of his connection to Creighton.  

“Creighton University gave me a chance. They provided me with excellent resources to educate me about pharmacy. This educational tool enabled Kohll’s to care well for our patients. It seemed obvious to me to give back to Creighton.” 

Kohll resides in Omaha with his wife, Janet. They have five children: Anna, Sam, Max, Jack, and Leo. Anna and Max are partners in Kohll’s Rx and fourth-generation pharmacists, with Anna the first woman in the family to enter the profession.  

 

 

2025 Alumni Achievement and Alumni Merit Award Honorees

 

 

2025 Alumni Achievement Citation

Douglas J. Wells, BSBA’76, and Ellen Ahlers Wells, BS’76 

In 1935, the Wells brothers of Wells Enterprises engaged the Le Mars community in creating a mascot for their ice cream company. Today, the iconic Blue Bunny® remains a symbol of the enduring bond between the Wells family and their hometown. Third-generation retired Director/Owner Doug Wells and former special education teacher Ellen Wells continue this legacy of community care. They are celebrated as the 2025 Alumni Achievement Citation recipients, Creighton’s highest recognition. 

From classrooms to their communities: Living the Creighton mission 

For nearly five decades, Creighton Trustee Doug Wells and alumna Ellen Wells have remained devoted to the communities that shaped them — Creighton University and their hometown of Le Mars, Iowa.  

Ellen and Doug both grew up in Le Mars and graduated from Gehlen Catholic School in 1972. Though they came from the same tight-knit town and had known one another since the first grade, they like to say they “found each other” the summer between their freshman and sophomore years at Creighton.  

“Creighton taught us so much,” Doug says. “How to work, how to live with others, how to lead by example. We didn’t talk about our values at Creighton — we lived them. That’s how we’ve tried to live our lives.” 

A legacy built in Le Mars: The Ice Cream Capital of the World 

At Creighton, Doug joined Phi Kappa Psi fraternity and earned his business degree in 1976. “We had so many good, close friends,” he says. “It was a place where you felt welcome — where you learned that it doesn’t cost anything to be kind.”  

That lesson, rooted in Jesuit values, guided Doug’s career and leadership in the decades that followed. 

Doug studied dairy science at South Dakota State University before returning to Le Mars to join the family business — Wells Enterprises, Inc., the company behind Blue Bunny® ice cream. He started in quality assurance and soon partnered with his father to build out the company’s research and development department. Together, they transformed the product line, refining classics and creating new recipes using premium ingredients. 

“We worked hard to create one of the best vanilla ice creams in the country,” Doug said. “We used Madagascar bourbon vanilla and condensed our own milk. We were always trying to elevate the flavor — and honor the name behind it.” 

Doug dedicated four decades to Wells Enterprises, helping lead the company’s growth across operations, research, and engineering. He eventually oversaw the construction of the world’s largest frozen dairy dessert facility. In 1994, Le Mars was officially named the Ice Cream Capital of the World. Nearly two decades later, in celebration of the company’s 100th anniversary, Blue Bunny® partnered with Make-A-Wish® in 2013 to grant 100 wishes to children across the United States. 

Doug retired from day-to-day operations in 2007 but continued serving on the company’s board of directors. He played a key role in guiding the successful sale of Wells Enterprises in 2023, helping preserve the family legacy while positioning the company for future success. Throughout it all, he remained deeply committed to the company’s employees and the Le Mars community.  

Doug has also served in leadership roles across various industry and civic organizations, including Primebank Inc., Students in Free Enterprise, the Iowa Department of Agriculture, and the International Ice Cream Association. 

Champions for education: Helping every learner thrive  

Ellen followed her passion for education. At Creighton, she was active in the Student National Education Association and graduated magna cum laude from the College of Arts and Sciences in 1976. Her early tutoring experiences sparked an interest in special education. 

“I went to Creighton with the idea of being a teacher, but it was those early hands-on experiences that opened my eyes,” she says. “They fostered my interest in working with students with special needs.” 

Ellen taught in Omaha, Spencer, and Le Mars before stepping away to focus on her family and community. She continues to champion education through her involvement in the P.E.O. Sisterhood, helping women pursue their academic goals. “It’s always been about making sure others have the opportunity to thrive,” she says. 

Doug and Ellen raised three children — Kathryn, Joseph, and Sarah — who went on to earn degrees in law, finance, and healthcare from Marquette, Notre Dame, and Saint Louis University. 

“We always told our kids, ‘Not going to college isn’t an option,’” Doug says with a smile.  

“We’re just so proud of who they are and the lives they’ve built for their own families,” says Ellen.   

Strengthening Creighton and Le Mars for generations to come 

Doug and Ellen’s support of Creighton began in 1976 and includes the Doug and Ellen Wells Endowed Scholarship, which gives preference to students from Gehlen Catholic, Le Mars Community Schools, and the surrounding area. The Wells says it’s another way to maintain their strong ties to both Creighton and their hometown. 

“Through our support, we hope to give other students the same incredible experience we had at Creighton,” Ellen says. “Nearly 50 years later, we still look back with such fondness — and we want others to have that opportunity.” 

Now, with Doug’s election to the Board of Trustees, their commitment to advancing Creighton’s mission continues at the highest level of University leadership. 

The Wells have long supported Le Mars school initiatives, especially their alma mater, Gehlen Catholic Schools, through fundraising. More recently, they funded a scholarship at Creighton—the Douglas & Ellen Wells Endowed Scholarship—open to all area schools, contributing to initiatives that enrich learning and encourage academic excellence for advanced professional education.  

They even sponsored one of the town’s more than 50, six-foot-tall painted ice cream cone sculptures — each a fiberglass creation uniquely designed by artists from across the Midwest. 

“We’re proud the community created something iconic to celebrate our history,” Doug says. “It’s flattering — and it’s fun.” 

“And Creighton means so much to our family,” says Ellen.  “My three sisters are also graduates. It’s a big part of our conversations, whether we’re talking about Bluejay basketball or how the campus is growing.” 

Now retired, Doug and Ellen divide their time between Le Mars and Florida. They enjoy reconnecting with fellow Bluejays at Creighton’s Naples Presidential Celebration — and, most of all, cherishing time with their growing family, especially their grandchildren. 

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2025 Recent Alumni Award

Roselle M.A. Visenio, JD, BSW’15

From advocating for vulnerable clients at Legal Aid of Nebraska to serving as Assistant Chief Counsel with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Roselle Visenio has built a career grounded in service. She’s especially passionate about mentoring students and young professionals — many of them from her Creighton community. 

“I’m deeply grateful for the friends, staff, and mentors at Creighton who supported me along the way,” Visenio says. “To me, this award is a reminder of the power of connection and a call to continue building a strong Creighton alumni network that makes this University exceptional.  

“I’m honored to receive this award, and I believe it reflects the countless hours our community invests in preparing Creighton students to go forth and set the world on fire.” 

Prior to her current role, Visenio spent nearly seven years in the Health, Education and Law Project at Legal Aid of Nebraska as a client advocate. There, she represented clients in administrative hearings involving Social Security, Medicaid, and other public benefits. She also partnered with CHI Health and the Omaha VA Medical Center to address legal issues that impacted patient care.  

During her time at Legal Aid, she supervised undergraduate and law student interns and regularly gave presentations to healthcare professionals about public benefit programs and legal resources. 

Visenio earned her Bachelor of Social Work from Creighton University in 2015. As a student, she was deeply involved in service and justice initiatives. She was a member of the Cortina Community, led and joined SCSJ service trips, and participated in the Ignatian Family Teach-In for Justice in Washington, DC. She also served as a student coordinator and intern with the SCSJ, leading peer education on issues such as immigration and environmental justice. For her leadership, she received Creighton’s Martin Luther King Student Leadership Award. 

In 2018, Visenio earned her Juris Doctor from New England Law Boston, focusing on immigration and public interest law. While in law school, she interned with the Volunteer Lawyers Project, Maiona Ward Immigration Law, Foley Law Offices, and Asian Pacific Islander Legal Outreach. She also held leadership roles in the Asian Pacific American Law Association and the Immigration Law Association and was honored with the National Filipino American Lawyers Association Presidential Scholarship and the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court Pro Bono Honor Roll. 

Today, Visenio remains closely connected to Creighton. She volunteers with the Creighton Admissions Partner program and the Recent Alumni Academy and has also supervised social work practicum students. She supports her community through Project INTERACT, an initiative that helps improve access to advanced care planning for older adults. Visenio lives in Omaha with her husband, Michael Visenio, MD, BS’14, a fellow Creighton graduate. 

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2025 Friends of the University 

John “Jack” D. Diesing, Jr. and Terri C. Diesing  

From behind-the-scenes impact to front-row leadership, Jack and Terri Diesings’ friendship with Creighton is woven into the fabric of the University’s story — and Omaha’s, too. 

Jack is a graduate of Creighton Preparatory School, Class of 1963, and went on to earn an engineering degree from the U.S. Naval Academy. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War before beginning a successful career in the insurance industry. Jack later became chairman of the Omaha office of Aon Risk Consulting, where his clients included many of Omaha’s leading institutions — Creighton among them. 

Terri has been a dedicated civic leader since 1979, contributing her time and talent to a wide range of Omaha organizations. She has served on boards and led fundraising efforts for the Omaha Public Library Foundation, Joslyn Art Museum, Lauritzen Gardens, Salvation Army, Durham Museum, and Child Saving Institute. A two-term president of the Omaha Public Library Board of Trustees, she continues to advocate for literacy and learning through the Foundation’s Advisory Council. 

Together, Jack and Terri have played a major role in the growth and success of the College World Series of Omaha. In 1985, Jack joined the board of College World Series of Omaha, Inc., the nonprofit founded by his father, Creighton alumnus, John D. Diesing Sr., BA’40, JD’41, to support Omaha’s role as host of the NCAA Men’s College World Series.  

“There’s no ‘I’ in ‘team’ — I’ve always believed in doing whatever I can to give back and create something meaningful for the community,” says Jack. “I’m especially grateful to Terri, whose unwavering support and ability to build strong relationships made so much of this possible.” 

Jack became president of CWS, Inc. in 1989 and has led the organization ever since, helping transform the CWS into one of the nation’s premier sporting events. From the beginning, he has championed Creighton’s role as host institution — a partnership that began in 1950 and continues to this day.   

Terri has worked behind the scenes to support the CWS for more than 40 years. She has built trusted relationships with fans, NCAA officials, and volunteers, helping create the welcoming atmosphere that defines the event. 

This year, Creighton University broke ground on a state-of-the-art baseball practice field opening in 2026 near Charles Schwab Field Omaha that will serve Bluejay student-athletes and enhance the experience for CWS teams. Jack and CWS Omaha, Inc. played a major role in making sure this project became a reality. 

The new fields are funded by a combination of public and private support. The State of Nebraska’s Shovel-Ready Fund granted $30 million to support the CL and Rachel Werner Center for Health Sciences Education and the baseball and softball complex. The College World Series of Omaha, Inc., contributed an additional $2 million toward the baseball practice field. 

The Diesings have also been generous hosts of Creighton alumni and community events and are active supporters of the University’s Jesuit mission. In addition to his very important role as Chairman and President of the Board of College World Series of Omaha, Inc., over the years Jack has served on numerous other civic boards including the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce,  Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority(1999-2000) and Metropolitan Omaha Convention and Sports Authority (1996-1999) and the Omaha Sports Commission (2003-2016). Diesing has also served as president of Creighton’s Executive Jaybacker board.  

Some of Jack’s honors include Creighton’s Jaybacker of the Year Award (1998); the Midlander of the Year Award (shared with his father, 2004), 98th Face on the Barroom Floor Omaha Press Club (shared with his father, 2004)) Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce Headliner of the Year Award (2004); Nebraskaland Foundation Trailblazer Award  (1997); NCAA/American Baseball Coaches Association/CWS All Star Award (2025) and induction into the Omaha Sports Hall of Fame. 

Jack and Terri are the parents of three daughters — Traci, Christi, and Lisa — and grandparents to four grandsons. Their daughter Lisa now serves on the board and executive committee of College World Series of Omaha, Inc. 

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2025 Alumni Merit Award Honorees

College of Arts and Sciences
Cliftron "Cliff" L. Brunt II, BA’96 

From Omaha to the Olympics to Oklahoma City, Cliff Brunt, BA’96, has built a life around storytelling and service. A 1996 Creighton journalism graduate, Brunt credits mentors like Eileen Wirth, PhD, and Carol Zuegner, PhD, for inspiring his path. 

Today, he is an award-winning sportswriter for The Associated Press, based in Oklahoma City. He currently covers the NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder, athletic programs at the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University, and the Women’s College World Series. 

He lives in Oklahoma City with his wife, Creighton alumna Christina Mushi-Brunt, BA’97, and their three children: Elias, Evangelina, and Eden. 

“This honor means the world to me,” Brunt said. “It tells me that a University I deeply respect sees value in my life’s work — and that’s incredibly humbling.  

“It also reminds me that my late mother Estella’s prayers are still being answered. And it motivates me to live up to Creighton’s standards even more. I came from a place of great need. I knew I had some talent, but there were roadblocks. Thankfully, some very special people helped me overcome them — and I can never repay them directly. The best way I’ve found to honor them is to help others the way they helped me.” 

A native of North Omaha, Brunt was honored in 2022 as a North High Viking of Distinction for his professional achievements and community service. Since being inducted into Omaha North’s Hall of Fame, he has served on the Vikings of Distinction committee. He curates the Facebook page for an organization that funds scholarships for North students and selects inductees. 

He has volunteered as a youth football and basketball coach, helped organize Thanksgiving meal drives for families in need, and has supported future journalists through a scholarship for minority students at Omaha North High School. In his younger days, he mentored young writers through Pen & Ink, a creative writing program with Omaha Public Schools. He continues to mentor young journalists and often has them accompany him at the sporting events he covers. 

Brunt began his professional career at the Beatrice Daily Sun. After a short stint there, his hometown paper, the Omaha World-Herald, hired him. He worked there as a sportswriter from 1997 to 2001 and as a news reporter from 2001 to 2003. During his time as a news reporter, he returned to Creighton as an adjunct professor, teaching sports journalism and mentoring students with guidance from Dr. Wirth.   

Throughout his career, Brunt has covered marquee sporting events, including the Super Bowl, the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Final Fours, the NBA Finals, the WNBA Finals and the Indianapolis 500. He has covered four Summer Olympic Games — Beijing (2008), Rio de Janeiro (2016), Tokyo (2021), and Paris (2024). He has been a Heisman Trophy voter since 2017.   

In 2022, Brunt was selected for the AP’s inaugural LEAD program, a global initiative designed to build leadership skills and promote newsroom innovation. Since then, the National Sports Media Association has twice named him a finalist for Oklahoma Sportswriter of the Year. 

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College of Nursing
Kathleen Keough Soto, BSN’75

For Kathy Keough Soto, nursing is a calling shaped by family, faith, and a Creighton education. She has devoted her life to elevating the profession — through compassionate care and transformational philanthropy 

Her father, renowned Coca-Cola executive and Creighton alumnus Don Keough, BS’49, HON’82, and her mother, Marilyn Keough, instilled in their children the importance of service and the value of a Jesuit education.  

That foundation led Kathy to Creighton, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1975. 

“My father was very proud of his Creighton degree, and I’m extremely proud of my nursing degree,” Soto said. “We are strong believers in Catholic education, and I’m grateful to my parents for giving us the ability to give back. Creighton taught me how to truly care for patients — not just treat them. That has stayed with me my whole life. The world needs more Creighton nurses.”  

Soto launched her nursing career in Texas, caring for patients in obstetrics and pediatric intensive care units across the Rio Grande Valley. She later transitioned into leadership roles at Knapp Medical Center, and she also found success in business as a district manager and independent sales director with The Pampered Chef. 

Soto has remained deeply connected to her alma mater and her family’s legacy of philanthropy. As a trustee of the Donald and Marilyn Keough Foundation, she helped establish the Keough Family Endowed Chair in Nursing at Creighton University  

Together with her husband, Gilbert Soto, BA’72, and her brother, Michael Keough, she has helped bring several meaningful projects to life at Creighton, including Keough Plaza — a vibrant, welcoming space at the heart of campus where the Bluejay community comes together. 

She also co-founded the Soto Nursing Scholars Program, which prepares compassionate, culturally responsive nurses who are dedicated to advancing health equity and social justice. Through global partnerships and community collaboration, the program supports sustainable, locally driven improvements in healthcare. 

Soto has also served on the College of Nursing Alumni Advisory Board (2013–2017) and the National Alumni Board (2007–2014). As a student, she was a proud member of Theta Phi Alpha sorority.  

Her dedication to service extends to Texas, where she champions the arts and community through her support of the Long Center and the YMCA of Austin. She and her husband make their home in Texas. They have two children, Brian and Laura. 

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College of Professional and Continuing Education
Anthony A. Houston, EdD’21 

From his early days as a hospital orderly to his current role leading one of Arizona’s largest and most complex health systems, Dr. Anthony Houston has spent more than 25 years transforming the way care is delivered — always with a focus on equity, excellence, and the common good. Today, he is President of the Arizona Market for CommonSpirit Health  

“I love working in Catholic healthcare because I get to be part of a team doing hard things well — for others and for the greater good,” he says. 

“My father always encouraged me to dream big and work hard to achieve what others might say is impossible. He introduced me to this quote from Muhammad Ali, who said, ‘It’s the repetition of affirmations that leads to belief. And once that belief becomes a deep conviction, things begin to happen.’ That’s how I try to live.”

Houston, a native of Cincinnati, earned a Doctor of Education in Interdisciplinary Leadership from Creighton University, a Master of Health Services Administration from Xavier University, and a Bachelor of Science in Biology from the University of Cincinnati. He is board-certified in healthcare management and a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE). 

Houston’s healthcare journey began as a hospital orderly, a role that ignited his passion for patient care and shifted his path away from dentistry. He went on to hold positions in hospital operations and leadership, including roles at the University of Chicago Medicine, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Fitch Ratings. 

Since joining CommonSpirit Health, he has held several key executive roles: market president of CHI Saint Joseph Health in Kentucky, president and COO of CHI Memorial in Tennessee, and president of CHI St. Vincent in Arkansas. His experience in both hospital administration and healthcare consulting allows him to lead with strategic insight and compassion. 

Grounded in his Catholic faith, Houston finds deep meaning in serving within a ministry that reflects his personal values. He describes his leadership as shaped by Jesuit principles—especially the call to serve others, promote justice, and reflect on one’s actions and purpose. His time in Creighton University’s EdD program, particularly his engagement with Heroic Leadership by Chris Lowney, further deepened his commitment to mission-driven leadership. 

In addition to his executive role, Houston serves on several Arizona boards, including Mercy Care, the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, the Arizona Business Roundtable, and the Health System Alliance of Arizona. He also teaches in the Doctor of Health Administration program at Morehouse School of Medicine and in the Interdisciplinary Leadership doctoral program at Creighton University. 

Houston and his wife, Rebecca, have been married for more than 24 years. They are the parents of two adult daughters. 

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Heider College of Business
Paul W. Markwardt, BSBA’83, JD’86

Paul Markwardt’s story begins in the fields and gardens of rural Iowa, where he first learned the values of hard work, humility, and community — lessons that shaped a remarkable legal career and a lifelong commitment to service. 

As a child, Markwardt spent countless hours helping his parents tend the farm and garden, often alongside his grandparents, aunts, and uncles. This early connection to the land instilled in him not only a love of nature but also a deep sense of responsibility and care for others.  

These values remained with him as he pursued higher education at Creighton University, earning both a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and a Juris Doctor, graduating summa cum laude. 

As an undergraduate at Creighton, Markwardt was actively involved in campus life. He served on the Welcome Week team and was a member of Beta Alpha Psi (the national honorary accounting fraternity), the International Relations Club (IRC), the Accounting Club, and Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. While in law school, he served as executive editor of the Creighton Law Review and was a member of the Moot Court Board. In 1984, he was named Best Oralist, earning the highest speaker points at a moot court tournament.

“Creighton gave me an excellent education — a foundation that has supported my entire career,” he says. “But many colleges offer that. What sets Creighton apart is how it shaped my understanding that who we are — the values we hold, the responsibilities we carry, and the way we live in our community — is as important as what we know.” 

Markwardt began his career in Omaha at McGrath North (then McGrath, North, O’Malley & Kratz) while he was still a student at Creighton. Next, he moved on to New York City, where he continued his legal career at a major law firm and earned a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Taxation from NYU School of Law. He quickly built a reputation for excellence in tax law — a specialty that would define his career. 

Today, Markwardt lives in Minnesota with his partner, Richard Allendorf. He works as an attorney at Winthrop & Weinstine in the Twin Cities and is nationally known for his expertise in tax and real estate law. His accolades include being named to Best Lawyers in America, honored as a Super Lawyer by Minnesota Law & Politics, and receiving the MSBA North Star Lawyer designation for his pro bono service. 

Markwardt has supported more than 30 organizations, including the Alzheimer’s Association and the Mississippi River Fund, and has served on the boards of Frank Theatre and the Minnesota State Horticultural Society (MSHS).  

His passion for gardening, rooted in childhood, continues to thrive. At MSHS, he champions a mission that reflects his values: gardening for health, cultivating community, and promoting sustainability. His own backyard—featuring vegetables, perennials, and a small orchard—stands as a living tribute to his lifelong connection to the earth.  

Markwardt is a longtime member of the Edward and Mary Lucretia Creighton Society and a former member of the College of Business Leadership Cabinet, supporting Creighton University’s mission to educate future leaders of conscience. 

“I’ve always admired past Creighton alumni honorees for how they carried the University’s knowledge and values into their lives, creating success in their careers while giving back generously to their communities,” he says “To be seen in that light is humbling, and I hope it means my own contributions have made a meaningful difference in the lives of others.” 

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School of Dentistry
Stephen G. Nikodem, DDS’91, MS

Dr. Steve Nikodem, inventor of the widely used Nikodem Spring, has reshaped orthodontic care through innovation and mentorship. A successful orthodontist, he leads a thriving practice while guiding the next generation of Creighton dentists. 

A 1991 graduate of the Creighton School of Dentistry, Nikodem lives in St. Louis with his wife, Hilary. They are proud parents to four children, all Creighton graduates — Stephen, DDS’23; Margot, BSN’24; Luke, DDS’25; and Catherine “CC,” BS’25. 

Before entering dentistry, Nikodem was a standout athlete. A three-time All-American soccer player, he had the opportunity to play professionally in Germany. Instead, he followed in the footsteps of his father, the late Dr. Raymond Nikodem, and chose a career in dentistry. All five of his siblings also attended Creighton, continuing the family’s strong Jesuit tradition. 

“Creighton gave me direction, a purpose, and an amazing career — not to mention lifelong friends,” he says. “It’s such an honor to serve on the board and give back to the place that gave me so much. Creighton is home. It shaped who I am and continues to be a place where my family grows, learns, and gives back.” 

After transferring from Saint Louis University, Nikodem completed his undergraduate studies at Creighton before entering dental school. During his third year, he suffered a devastating sports injury that nearly cost him his leg. Facing a long hospital stay and the risk of amputation, he was determined to continue his education. With the support of his classmates, he recovered and graduated on time. 

As a student, he was active in the Institute for Latin American Concern (ILAC) and volunteered as a community soccer coach. 

After earning his degree, Nikodem practiced general dentistry and taught in Creighton’s dental program. He then returned to Saint Louis University, where he completed his orthodontic residency and master’s degree in 1994.  

During his residency, he served young patients through the Herbert Hoover Boys Program for Dental Concerns. It was during this time that Nikodem also saw a better way to move teeth — and invented and patented the Nikodem Spring.  

Nikodem’s dedication to Jesuit values and dental education continues to shine. He serves on the School of Dentistry Alumni Advisory Board and was chair from 2022 to 2024. He is also a member of Creighton’s Parent and Family Leadership Council and a loyal donor. 

In 2017, he and classmate Dr. Michael Zacher named an operatory in the School of Dentistry in honor of their mentor, Dr. W. Thomas Cavel, DDS’70, who spent nearly 50 years training Creighton dentists. 

Beyond Creighton, Nikodem gives back through support of local organizations including youth soccer programs and Catholic school programs in St. Louis.  But undoubtedly, he often says, “My kids are my greatest accomplishment…all I really ever wanted was to be a dad.”    

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School of Law
Ronald R. Volkmer, BA’66, JD’68

Ron Volkmer is a distinguished professor and respected legal scholar whose nearly five decades at Creighton’s School of Law shaped the minds of future attorneys and advanced the practice of law. 

A Nebraska native and double alumnus of Creighton, Volkmer graduated magna cum laude with a degree in history in 1966 and earned his juris doctor in 1968. He was the first editor-in-chief of the Creighton Law Review. 

“Creighton invested in me early on, offering me a scholarship to attend law school — something I’m still grateful for,” he says. “I know it was Creighton alumni who made that possible, and I am deeply indebted to them.  

“For 47 years, I did my best to bring the Jesuit value of magis into my teaching. Fr. (Peter-Hans) Kolvenbach’s call to educate ‘whole persons of solidarity for the real world’ challenged me to think more deeply about how Creighton Law could live that mission.” 

After graduating from Creighton, Volkmer became a teaching assistant at the University of Illinois College of Law. He obtained his Master of Law degree from the University of Illinois at Champaign and completed his graduate studies at the University of Michigan. 

In 1969, Volkmer joined Creighton School of Law as an assistant professor. He quickly became one of the University’s most respected and beloved professors, known especially for his courses in Property and Trusts and Estates. For many Creighton Law alumni, a class with Professor Volkmer was a defining part of their legal education. 

In addition to teaching, Volkmer contributed extensively to the legal profession. He published widely on topics relevant to practicing attorneys and wrote a long-running column, “Recent Fiduciary Decisions,” for Estate Planning magazine.  

Since 1989, Volkmer has been involved in supporting community mediation and continues his involvement in that endeavor as the board treasurer for Concord Mediation Center. He also serves as the board chairman for Families in Action, a south Omaha nonprofit helping families come together to promote health, well-being, and knowledge to be role models for the community.   

Volkmer is also a board member of the Nebraska Lawyers Trust Account Foundation. He has worked to bridge the gap between legal education and practice through active involvement with the Nebraska State Bar Association and Nebraska Continuing Legal Education seminars. 

A devoted supporter of Jesuit education and global service, Volkmer played a key role in connecting the School of Law with the ILAC program. In recognition of his leadership and commitment to student formation, the law program was named the Ronald Volkmer Dominican Republic Immersion Trip. 

Volkmer’s contributions earned him numerous honors, including the Creighton University Alumni Achievement Citation, the Robert F. Kennedy Teaching Award, the Alpha Sigma Nu Award, and the Nebraska State Bar Foundation’s Outstanding Legal Educator Award. 

Volkmer is married to fellow Creighton alumna Roselyn Minnehan Volkmer, BA’67, MA’71, MMIN’87. Together, they raised four children — Maura; Matt, BSATS’92, BS’92; Kaela, BSW’94; and Bart, BA’97.  

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School of Medicine
Lori A. Schweickert, BA’85, BS’85, MD’91

Dr. Lori Schweickert’s career stands at the crossroads of medicine, mission, and moral conviction. A nationally recognized child and adolescent psychiatrist and dedicated humanitarian, she combines clinical expertise with deep compassion and outreach. 

Schweickert earned a BA in psychology, a BS in biology, and an MD from Creighton University. She went on to complete her psychiatry residency at Duke University Medical Center and a fellowship in child psychiatry at the University of California, Los Angeles. 

Today, Schweickert is in private practice and serves as medical director of 3-C Family Services in North Carolina. She also holds an adjunct faculty appointment at Duke University School of Medicine and supervises child psychiatry fellows and psychology undergraduate students. Her clinical focus includes ADHD, anxiety and mood disorders, autism spectrum disorders, and psychopharmacology. She works closely with pediatricians and mental health professionals to provide coordinated, comprehensive care. 

Beyond her clinical work, Schweickert has devoted years to humanitarian service around the world. She has provided medical care on mission trips to Honduras, Jamaica, Haiti, and Thailand. In 2016, she organized an ILAC mission trip to the Dominican Republic for her Creighton School of Medicine classmates, marking the 25th anniversary of their graduation. 

Often working with Catholic relief organizations, she has led delegations and developed mental health protocols for underserved and post-disaster communities. Her efforts have been recognized by the Catholic Diocese of Raleigh, and she has served on the Orange County Human Relations Commission. 

On every mission trip, she carries a backpack marked with three personal rules of discernment: Do something no one else is doing. Do something you can teach others to do. And above all, turn desolation into consolation. 

“I still take to heart what a professor once told us,” she says. “‘This knowledge, this education, is not yours. It’s a gift — because not everybody gets this chance. So be a person for others. Be a doctor for others.’” 

Schweickert sees the 2025 Alumni Merit Award as both a celebration and a call to service: “It represents the culmination of effort, integrity, and impact. It’s a moment to reflect on those who helped me, and one I accept with both pride and humility. As the years go by, I’m more and more proud to be a Creighton alumna.” 

In 2020, she established the Lori A. Schweickert, MD, Medical Humanities Lecture Series at Creighton, an annual event that encourages students to explore real-life ethical questions and reflect on human dignity in healthcare. She has also named Creighton as a beneficiary of her estate. 

Schweickert currently serves as president of the local guild of the Catholic Medical Association and is an invited speaker at institutions including the UNC School of Medicine, Holly Hill Hospital, Wake Medical Center, and CHADD. She is the principal site investigator for the NeuroSync National Registry for ADHD biomarkers and has published in journals such as the American Journal of Psychiatry and the International Journal of Eating Disorders. She also holds certifications in suicide risk assessment and research ethics. 

As a Creighton student, she helped raise funds for the Bluejay mascot costumes—and even suited up as Betty Bluejay. She fondly recalls the experience as a creative way to connect with children, one that became an unexpected conversation starter during her residency interviews. She was also a three-time honoree of the School of Medicine's Aesculapian Award.  

Among her many honors, Schweickert has received multiple Physician Recognition Awards from the American Medical Association and was named a Kentucky Colonel by the governor of Kentucky.  

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School of Pharmacy and Health Professions
Eric J. Hamik, BSPHA’91 & Kimberly Semin Hamik, BSPHA’91

From mentoring future pharmacists to running a beloved, family-founded pharmacy, Eric and Kim Hamik have made their life’s work a mission of care, service, and faith.  

“We love supporting future healthcare professionals — whether through financial gifts or hands-on guidance,” Kim said. “It’s something that’s deeply rooted in our faith and the way we were raised.  

“Being honored in this way is truly humbling. It inspires me to keep living out these values and to encourage others to do the same. I’m so thankful for the support of our family and friends — and for the students who have brought so much joy and purpose to our lives. Kearney is home to an incredibly vibrant healthcare community, and we’re proud to champion it — along with Creighton University.”  

Eric and Kim are co-owners of U-Save Pharmacy in Kearney, Nebraska. The pharmacy was originally founded in 1970 by Eric’s father, the late James Hamik, and is known for its personalized, community-focused care.  

After graduating from Creighton in 1991, Eric entered the family profession by purchasing Medicine Mart Pharmacy and later merging it with U-Save. Together, Eric and Kim have built a trusted local healthcare destination, grounded in strong relationships and exceptional service.  

They are also proud parents of two Creighton graduates: Madison Hamik, BSBA’17, and Creighton Hamik, PharmD’23.  

Eric credits his father as his first mentor and role model. He also draws inspiration from several influential Creighton figures, including current trustee Robert J. Greenwood, BSPHA’77; longtime faculty member Ron Hospodka, MS, MBA, RPh; former assistant dean Curt Barr, PharmD; and professor Edward M. DeSimone, RPh, PhD, FAPhA.  

“I want to thank my late father for laying the foundation that led me into pharmacy,” Eric shared. “I’m also grateful for the many wonderful students I’ve worked with and for the instructors who’ve had a lasting impact on me. Most of all, I’m thankful for the education and lifelong tools Creighton gave me.”  

Both Eric and Kim are active members of Prince of Peace Catholic Church and committed supporters of their community. Their generosity extends to Creighton University, Aquinas High School, and the Kearney Catholic Foundation.  

Eric has served on Creighton’s School of Pharmacy and Health Professions Alumni Advisory Board for more than a decade and hosts student pharmacists for housing. He has also served as president of the Nebraska Pharmacists Association (2007–2008) and on its Board of Directors. His leadership has also involved service on Congressman Adrian Smith’s Military Academy Selection Committee, the Kearney YMCA Board, and several committees within the National Community Pharmacists Association.  

Kim brings more than 30 years of experience in retail pharmacy and is a passionate advocate for the evolving role of pharmacists in today’s healthcare system. She has served on the Nebraska Drug Utilization Review Board, the Kearney Catholic High School Foundation, and the Kearney Little League Board. Her faith and service extend into many roles at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, where she has served as a CCD teacher and lector.