Lasting change comes from being the first

On their journeys from first-generation college students to the first Creighton donors to endow an Ignatian Merit Scholarship, Julie, BA’70,  and Dave Hefflinger, BA’69, JD’72, have enriched the lives of countless students across the University.

Their most recent gift, the Hefflinger Ignatian Merit Endowed Scholarship, will open the door to Creighton for a remarkable  undergraduate student. Through the Ignatian Merit Scholars program, the University matches each contribution, doubling the impact to the benefit of passionate scholars.

“Graduates carry the Ignatian values out into the world,” Dave said. “Bricks and mortar are important, and we support those kinds of projects as well, but scholarships—they change lives. It is really meaningful to Julie and me to give to Creighton in this way.”

Both Julie and Dave enrolled at Creighton with the help of financial aid.

“It was a big deal to me to even look at schools,” Julie said. “In my community, it was more unusual for people to go to college than to not go.”

With financial aid, as well as the support from her family, pastor and guidance counselor, the small-town girl from Minnesota moved to Omaha in 1966 to start her freshman year at Creighton. 

“It would have been impossible  without scholarships,” Julie said. “I  realized that, and as the first in my family to go to college, I did feel a bit  of pressure. But I was so excited to be at Creighton, and I had a wonderful support system. My father’s confidence in my ability to succeed was really crucial.”

For Dave, an Omaha native who  graduated from Creighton Prep,  Creighton University was a natural step. A history major in the College of Arts and Sciences, he worked his way through school as a bank teller.

“My Jesuit education, the Jesuits themselves, and their way of teaching, it all had a big  impact on my life and career.” 

Dave earned his Bachelor of Arts in 1969. He graduated from the School of Law three years later and joined McGrath North Mullin & Kratz, where he continues to practice. From 1996 to 2010, Dave served as president of the law firm.

Under his leadership, McGrath North endowed a chair in the School of Law and was a lead donor in the expansion of the Creighton legal research center. 

“Supporting students is very important  to me, to the firm, and to our family,” Dave said. “We hope our gifts help students who might otherwise not be able to attend college to receive an education in the Jesuit tradition and empower them to contribute to the greater good in their communities.”

Julie double-majored in English and French and pursued a career in teaching. Between classes and student-teaching,  she volunteered at an underprivileged  children’s reading center in Omaha.

“This opportunity started me down a path where I realized how I can help others, and how life can be bigger than he job you go into. Creighton really changed my life. I think back at things I’ve done, in addition to teaching, and  it all came together because of my  experiences at Creighton.”

Julie graduated in 1970 and for seven years served as a teacher and guidance counselor at Bellevue East High School before moving into leadership roles for Omaha nonprofits. At Creighton, Julie has shared her knowledge and talents as the president of the National Alumni Advisory Board and as a Creighton trustee. She retired from her career in 2011 and then joined the Docent Corps at Joslyn Art Museum, where she enjoys giving tours for student groups.

Through the gift of scholarship, the Hefflingers’ legacy will allow students to experience all that their Ignatian-inspired educations did for them.

Chisom Ogbozor, BS’21, who has been the recipient of Dave and Julie’s generosity—both financial and mentoring—calls them true servant leaders.

“The Hefflingers embody the Jesuit mission. Their gifts allowed me to come to Creighton, and I will forever be indebted to them for that,” Ogbozor said. “Through their kindness I have grown as a woman and as a leader. I feel like that has been their greatest gift to me.”