Creighton University

I was born and raised in Omaha, Nebraska with three brothers (Shane, Ryan and Corey) and NO SISTERS!  Raised in a house full of guys, I quickly learned to love the Chicago Cubs, deal with constant sports on television and develop a fondness for the little green army guys my brothers and I used to bury in our backyard.  We have tried to pass that particular family pastime on to my nephew, Brady, but he’s too engrossed in video games! 

I come from a long line of family members educated in the Jesuit tradition.  My grandfather, Gerald Dugan, attended Creighton when they still had a football team— he was one of the players.  He was later active in the Alumni Association and was a lifelong fan of the Jays.  My parents (Dennis and Wilma) met at Creighton during their senior year when it seems the entire campus conspired to get them to attend Homecoming together.  They did go together and the rest, as they say, is history!  Many aunts and uncles are also alums of TCU (THE Creighton University!), so I’ve felt like a Jay by association for most of my life.  My brothers all attended Creighton Prep and I spent a lot of time watching their football games and other events.  I am proud to say I know all the words to “The White and the Blue.” 

As for me, I attended Marian High School and after graduation moved to Chicago to attend DePaul University.  After graduating from DePaul, I returned to Omaha and worked as an Assistant Family Teacher at Girls and Boys Town.  I then felt the call to parish ministry and became the Assistant Youth Minister at St. Robert’s Parish.  After four years at St. Robert’s, I assumed the position of Youth Ministry Director at Mary Our Queen Parish, where I worked for five years.  I then moved back to the Chicago area to work as the Residence Life Director at Woodlands Academy of the Sacred Heart in Lake Forest, Illinois. 

…But the Cornhusker State called me back and I am now happy to be a part of the Campus Ministry team for my fourth year at Creighton University. I’m located in Swanson Hall and I’ve always got a full candy dish.  I love visitors!