The ideals and values of caring for others, helping those who are in need, striving to do more and making moral and ethical decisions in everyday life are the foundation of the Jesuit values.
These values are shared by the three recipients of this year’s St. Ignatius Award.
This year’s winners are Dr. Ken Keefner, associate professor of Pharmacy and vice chair of the Department of Pharmacy Sciences; Rick Davis, associate director of Publications; and Kate Mahern, professor for the School of Law and Kearny Chair in Clinical Education.
Each year, the Degelman Center for Ignatian Spirituality presents the St. Ignatius Award to individuals in the Creighton community who have followed the Jesuit values in the workplace and in their personal lives.
Father Larry Gillick, S.J., of the Degelman Center for Ignatian Spirituality oversees the nominations.
Gillick said the award is a way of recognizing individuals who not only take action but take action and do things the way St. Ignatius would have done.
“Is it the amount of work you do? No, it’s the spirit you’re revealing how you do what you do,” Fr. Gillick said. “It’s not what you do, it’s how you do it.”
Dr. Ken Keefner has been with the School of Pharmacy since 1990 and has worked to impact the lives of his students. Dr. Keefner said his time at Creighton has helped him live the Ignatian values in his life.
“I think that at the time I came to Creighton, I was seeking something more than my own spirituality or my own faith in finding God,” Keefner said. “I think the Jesuits, very slowly, made an impact on me.”
Dr. Keefner helped mold the formation of a Challenged Prayer Group for Pharmacy, Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy students. His personal involvement with a prayer group inspired him to start a student session. The program was made available online two years ago.
“[Dr. Keefner] is a prayerful man, he is very interested in the spiritual success of the students,” Fr. Gillick said. “It’s a spirit of intense love that he has for the total development of the students.”
Rick Davis has worked in the Department of University Relations since 1994 and is the editor of the Creighton Alumni magazine, as well as various publications for campus groups.
Davis said he believes in balancing his values in both his personal and professional life.
“I believe in Creighton’s mission and I believe in the Jesuit mission,” Davis said. “I try to carry that forth in my job and in my personal life.”
Fr. Gillick said Davis’s peaceful attitude resonates in all he does.
“It’s the joyfulness and peacefulness shown in what he does and how he comes to everything peacefully,” Fr. Gillick said.
Kate Mahern feels that her work as the Kearny Chair in Clinical Education has made it easy for her to do work that is reflective of the Jesuit values.
Mahern works with both law students and with clients from the community.
She helps provide law students with hands-on skills and teaches them to apply compassion and values to help those who cannot help themselves.
“My job uniquely facilitates the opportunity to live out Jesuit values,” Mahern said. “I do think people believe that I have a lot of compassion for my clients.”
Mahern says she is humbled by the award but also draws attention to all the people who do not receive recognition for their work.
“I’d like to say that I can accept it on behalf of all of those people, the people who don’t get credit for all they do,” Mahern said.
“It’s very humbling.”
Fr. Gillick said Mahern’s willingness and devotion to her students and those who have been wronged is one reason she received this recognition.
“Kate has the intense drive for justice,” Fr. Gillick said. “It’s her commitment to her students and becoming aware of the needs of the oppressed.”
Ken Keefner, Rick Davis and Kate Mahern will receive their awards Sunday at 10:30 a.m. in St. John’s Church during Founder’s Week Mass.