Featured Testimonial About Creighton University
Everybody deserves a quality education, and we want other kids to experience everything that Kate and Jenny have gotten to experience. Our family motto is ‘reward the good.’ And Creighton is good.
The Goza family's motto, “Reward the good,” aligns well with Creighton's commitment to providing a quality education. When their daughter, Kate, came to Creighton in 2020, John, MD, and MarySue Goza, MD, joined the Parent and Family Leadership Council (PFLC). Jenny, their younger daughter, enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences in 2022. This year, as PFLC co-chairs, the Gozas serve as another resource for parents who wish to make an impact through their gifts and have a closer connection to the University.
Meet John and MarySue:
What excites you most about your role as parent leaders?
When Judy and Diane asked us if we wanted to be co-chairs of the Council, we jumped at the opportunity to be a part of something great and to share our positive experiences. It is a blessing for us as co-chairs. This is just a great opportunity for any parent who wants to contribute and be a part of their child’s education, and many schools don’t offer that. By being involved, you’re setting your child up for success.
Tell us about your family’s college experience.
We have eight children. We do pay for their college educations, and we understand that every penny helps. The scholarships that Jenny and Kate both received made a difference. Kate is a biology major; Jenny is an education major. It doesn’t matter what they choose to study, it just matters that they put their all into it and that they do what they love. They both feel like they are good for Creighton. It’s not just that Creighton is good for them. Scholarships made them feel wanted and set them up for success.
Why is philanthropy important to you?
Creighton comes through. They’ve done everything they promised and then some. They’ve exceeded our expectations, and we wanted to reward that. Everybody deserves a quality education, and we want other kids to experience everything that Kate and Jenny have gotten to experience. Our family motto is ‘reward the good.’ And Creighton is good.
How has the PFLC helped you connect at Creighton?
We’ve met so many great parents. We’ve gotten to meet faculty and Creighton President, Father Daniel Hendrickson. We’ve met people in the advancement office. We’ve met so many wonderful people who have even more ideas for the University. And we have so many friends here now. We tailgate before every (soccer) game with several other parents. It goes back to the family part of the Council. It’s a ton of fun.
What motivates you to stay engaged with the PFLC?
We feel valued. We have opinions, and people do listen. If you want to continue to improve life for your kids, this is just a great way to do it because you’re integrated with everything. You’re making monetary donations, and that helps all students. It all comes around to being a part of the big Creighton family.
Are there any other thoughts you would like to share?
Our girls feel like they’re heard and appreciated and valued. When Kate was applying to medical school, she reached out to her professor to ask if he would write a recommendation letter for her. He responded and said, ‘Kate, I’ve literally been waiting for you to ask me to write this.’ He knew who she was, and this was nearly two years since she had been in his class. She was just so happy that he knew her and remembered her. Creighton has always acted like they were lucky to have our children. And there is something about being appreciated and being loved that helps your children thrive.
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.
