Featured Testimonial About Creighton University
Our gift is going towards educating students and serving the greater community. We feel that we need to do our part.
The moment Colorado parents Robert, MD, and Denise Benz stepped onto campus with their daughter, Ellen, they embraced both the academic pursuits and the mission of Creighton University. In 2022, when Ellen enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences, Denise and Robert joined the Parent and Family Leadership Council. The Benz's engagement and their gifts to the Parent Fund strengthen the connection between the University and families, fostering a sense of belonging and shared purpose.
Meet Robert and Denise:
What motivated you to join the Parent and Family Leadership Council?
During our first parent weekend, we went to a meeting, and we were impressed. Creighton President Father Daniel Hendrickson addressed the group. It felt special hearing his plans. We felt engaged. It became more than sending our daughter off to school. This is part of a bigger mission for us.
Creighton parents are asking a lot of our kids. We are asking a lot of Ellen to put forth a big effort to buckle down to study. Part of me feels like we also need to contribute. We should know what is happening on campus. We hear from our student, but it’s nice to hear from leadership.
Tell us about your daughter.
Ellen has always been very spiritual. At Creighton, she can succeed professionally while serving God and others. She's a pre-med major, studying neuroscience, and her plate is pretty full. She wants a good balance between all the volunteer opportunities, service projects, and maintaining her faith. She's achieved that balance, and we’re really proud of her.
Why do you support the Parent Fund?
We know our gift is being used well. We're all making an investment. Our kids are making an investment with their time and efforts, and by studying. I was really impressed with Father Hendrickson talking about the global reach of Creighton and serving our fellow man. Creighton says to students: we're going to make you a doctor, and we're going to develop your care and concern for others.
Our gift is going towards educating students and serving the greater community. We feel that we need to do our part.
How else are you engaged at Creighton?
Being a part of a focus group back home has given us the opportunity to meet with and talk to prospective students who are interested in Creighton. I can talk to them about the University and tell them how much there is to do and how much you feel like a family here. It’s a great way to have your finger on the heartbeat of what is going on, so you know what opportunities there are for your own child and to get other students involved in the community.
Is there anything else you would like to share about your Creighton experience?
Denise and Ellen looked at a lot of colleges. I came to Creighton with Ellen on her admitted students’ weekend, and we were amazed with the community. We went to Morrison Stadium for an interfaith service. When we were marching up the hill to St. John’s, the bells started tolling. We had this feeling that this was the place our daughter, and our family, needed to be.
It's a bittersweet thing when your kid is home for the summer between their freshman and sophomore year. You can tell they’re getting antsy to get back to campus. We’re happy that she’s in a nurturing and studious environment and that she’s always looking forward to getting back.
Gifts to the Parent Fund support scholarships and the many opportunities that make up the Creighton experience, such as activities, clubs, organizations, and service initiatives. To join or learn more, please contact Judy Pritza, Director of Parent and Family Programs, at 402-699-5191 or judypritza@creighton.edu.
