The Rev. Larry Gillick, S.J., loves to be available to answer student questions and offer spiritual guidance. As a long-time Jesuit of the university, he will tell you there’s a reason why he continues to stay at Creighton.

“The kids are so good here,” Gillick said. “It’s like a little Italian village; everybody says hello and they are so polite.”

Gillick came to Creighton in 1991 when he was elected as director of the Deglman Center for Ignatian Spirituality. The center was established by an alum who wanted to carry on the spiritual tradition brought to campus by the Rev. Francis Deglman, S.J. Gillick would go on to continue that Ignatius spirit through working with the students, faculty and alumni.

Gillick’s main daily activity is acting as a spiritual counselor for anyone who wants guidance. He explained that he sees about six students a day but also conducts spiritual exercises with larger groups, which he said he enjoys.

As well as being the chaplain for the resident advisors on campus, Gillick writes a weekly column every Sunday night for Creighton’s Daily Reflection, which is published for and acceptable for anyone to access.

“It’s all about availability,” Gillick said. “All interruptions are invitations to do something good.”

As well as his involvement on Creighton’s campus, Gillick likes to travel to give retreats and direct days of reflection around the country. One thing he’s noticed while traveling is how well Creighton’s name is recognized.

“It’s amazing. We may be a small place, but we are well-known,” Gillick said. “Our alumni go all over.”

In that respect, Gillick said he feels lucky to be in the vicinity of Creighton’s students.

“They are absolutely open and available to what is going on, and I enjoy meeting with them when they want to go deep in their spirituality and know the deeper meanings of life,” Gillick said.

In his discussions with students, Gillick explains that the meaning of life and finding happiness has to do with the interactions and relationships with others, which goes along with the Jesuit core values.

In addition to being involved in spiritual life at Creighton, Gillick works out in the gym four days a week, enjoys a good read and is an avid Bluejay sports fan. Every semester, he also sits in on a theology class.

“It’s fun to sit in and interact with students; I wish I could spend all day sitting in class,” Gillick said.

In his spiritual exercises with students, Gillick said he hopes to bring a message of awareness of who a person is in the world and acceptance of that importance.

“I would like our students to be so grateful for who they are but also to be courageous and adventurous,” Gillick said.

As a Jesuit of Creighton University, the thing Gillick said he enjoys the most is being available for the students, and he will never turn down a deep discussion on the meaningfulness of life.

“I really enjoy when the students come alive,” Gillick said.