Through the very first visionary act of philanthropy that started our story more than a century ago, today Creighton’s mission endures thanks to our community of dedicated alumni and friends.
From supporting scholarships and student programs to transforming entire colleges — like the Heider College of Business, named for Charles “Charlie”, BSC’49, HON’10, and Mary Heider — every gift makes a difference.
Donor stories
Share your story. Have you or someone you know made a difference through a gift to Creighton? Are you a student or alumnus who’s benefited from another’s generosity? We'd love to hear your story. Contact Nicholejelinek@creighton.edu.
Forward Blue Campaign Report
See our annual Forward Blue report, which shows many of the most impactful ways donors, alumni and friends are making a difference at Creighton University.
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Behind Creighton University’s scholarships, programs, and opportunities are Creighton alumni and friends who make it all possible. Meet a few of them:
Amid the windswept Nebraska Sandhills, the members of the O'Kief family have been devoted stewards of the land for over a century. Their legacy of hard work and commitment to conservation at the O'Kief Brothers Ranch now extends beyond ranching. As part of their family estate plans, Sharon and William Gerald “Jerry” O’Kief, JD’60, BA’61, named Creighton as a beneficiary, including generously donating cattle and funds to establish and support a scholarship. Read more about the O’Kief family
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For decades, Creighton dental students and faculty serving in the Dominican Republic have relied on little more than their educated intuitions and experience to diagnose patients—until now. Thanks to a generous gift from Jim Bongers, DDS’80, portable X-ray machines and other diagnostic equipment will transform how these future dentists provide care in the DR. Read more about Dr. Bongers
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On June 6, 1944—D-Day—a young pilot named Loy Julius guided his aircraft across perilous skies, unaware that his courage that day would echo through history. Decades later, he became a beloved professor in the Creighton University School of Dentistry. Now, his name will inspire future generations through the Dr. Loy L. Julius Endowed Scholarship.
“My dad was my hero. I wanted his name to be perpetuated in a meaningful way,” said John Julius, DDS’79. “This scholarship is the least I could do to honor him for everything he did for me. He’s the reason I received the education that shaped my life and allowed me to have a wonderful career. It’s also my way of thanking Creighton.” Read more about Dr. Julius
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The Lori A. Schweickert, MD, Medical Humanities Lecture Series supports Creighton’s commitment to fostering well-rounded, empathetic physicians in the School of Medicine.
"I'm grateful for the medical education and spiritual education I received from Creighton,” said Lori A. Schweickert, BA’85, BS’85, MD’91. “I still take to heart what a professor once said: '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.'" Read more about Dr. Schweickert
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What began with a hayrack ride in the late 1970s and a secret engagement blossomed into a lifelong love story rooted in care, connection, and Creighton. After 45 years together, Thad Fenton, BSPHA’80, JD’83, and the late Pat Fenton, BSN’80, made one final gift together to Creighton.
“Pat and I always gave modestly,” said Thad. “But when we had the resources to do something impactful, we wanted to make it count. I tell my sons and others: You don’t have to give a lot. Just give something. Even $100 a year builds a habit of generosity.” Read more about the Fentons
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Connie Kearney, JD’87, took the LSAT without preparation—and passed. That bold step launched a legal career dedicated to transforming lives and advancing justice. Today, her impact continues through the Connie Kearney Endowed Chair in Clinical Legal Education, supporting the vital work of the Milton R. Abrahams Legal Clinic. Read more about Connie Kearney
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Heider College of Business graduate Joe Dondanville, BSBA’78, and his wife, Joany, established a scholarship in Creighton’s College of Nursing. Driven by a deep admiration for the critical role nurses play, their scholarship aims to ease financial stress and empower dedicated students to fully immerse themselves in their calling. Read more about Joe and Joany Dondanville
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Gift by gift, Mitzi Norton, BA'01, and other Creighton Society members make a collective difference and drive the Creighton experience for thousands of students.
“Being a part of the Creighton Society is a great feeling because it’s wonderful to know that the University is aware of my trust, and to know that my donation is going to where it will have the greatest impact.” Read more about Mitzi Norton
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Marty and Barbara Perry regularly make gifts to Creighton’s Computer Science, Design and Journalism department in honor of their son, Zach Perry, BA’10, who passed away in 2020 at the age of 31. In 2023, the Perrys worked with Carol Zuegner, PhD — the then Joella Cohen Endowed Chair, associate professor of journalism and the Creightonian advisor — to designate their gift specifically to the paper’s travel budget. Because of their gift, the Creightonian could send student reporters and photographers to cover the men's basketball team's historic NCAA Tournament run. Read more about the Perrys
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During his 31-year career at Creighton, Andreas Gommermann, PhD, enriched the University and impacted the lives of countless students with his keen intellect, intense love of learning, and willingness to reach out to his students, fellow scholars, and the community. The Andreas Gommermann, PhD, Endowed Scholarship is awarded to German majors and honors his legacy as a distinguished teacher.
“I can’t really imagine my existence without Dr. Gommermann, or Mrs. Gommermann, in my life,” said Charles Begay, BA’73. “I don’t know if I ever really told him, ‘thank you,’ for all he did for me." Read more about Dr. Gommermann
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A family’s gift to Creighton University is one of the largest ever made to support unrestricted scholarships, which assist students from all schools and colleges.
“With the wide-ranging support of the Zikmund Scholarship, students from many different fields are taking Creighton’s values into their communities, as Dr. Zikmund did,” said The Rev. Daniel S. Hendrickson, SJ, PhD, president of Creighton University. “I am truly grateful for the Zikmund family’s gift and for everything it will mean for our students and the places they serve.” Read more about Dr. Elno Zikmund, BS’41, and his wife, Tillie
Dr. Richard J. Bellucci Translational Hearing Center
The Dr. Richard J. Bellucci Translational Hearing Center continues the legacy of its legendary namesake by building on his work and training a new generation of researchers. Projects in the Bellucci Translational Hearing Center have focused on drug development and research, along with the potential to regrow the sensory cochlear hair cells that, if depleted, lead to hearing loss.
Giving Societies
We’re so grateful to those who support our mission. To show our appreciation, we honor our donors through various giving societies.
Creighton University giving societies
Heritage Society members
Creighton Society members
Ignatian Merit Scholars
The Ignatian Merit Scholars program is one powerful way we open the door to high-achieving undergraduate students, especially those from diverse backgrounds and low- and middle-income families. These students typically have achieved a GPA of 3.8 or above, an ACT score of 30 or above and an SAT score of 1360 or above.
Learn more about the program
