In the past couple of weeks, freshmen were asked who their “IGGY“ was.
“Affectionately named after the Jesuit founder St. Ignatius, the IGGY Award is sponsored by Academic Success within the EDGE and is awarded to outstanding freshmen mentors, counselors, advocates and role models as part of our Founder’s Week celebration,” according to an email sent out by Mary Higgins, the director of Academic Success within the EDGE, to those who received an “IGGY” award.
Upon their return to campus after Christmas break, freshmen received an email inviting them to fill out a survey that asked them who their “IGGY” was. The surveys were due on Feb. 1, and all the “IGGY” award winners were notified on Monday. Higgins received 135 nominations in total.
“I think to get 135 names of “IGGY”s is a pretty significant chunk,” Higgins said. “I very much appreciated the response from students.”
An “IGGY” can be a professor, a RA, a RSP advisor or another student that has shaped a freshman’s first semester.
“I just like the variety, that’s it not just one segment of people,” Higgins said. “It’s sort of an indication as to how many people on this campus are involved with helping our students succeed. From the student leader, the soccer captain, the RA, to the RSP Faculty Preceptor and professors who really make an impact, I just find it inspiring.”
Peter Stone, a chemistry professor and RSP faculty preceptor, was an “IGGY” award winner.
“Chemistry was never my strong suit in high school and thus, I did not have high hopes about taking General Chemistry upon arriving to Creighton. However, this perception of the subject soon changed after a few weeks with Professor Stone. I realized that it was not the subject, but the teaching that made all the difference … He was an imperative factor to my success first semester and will be this semester as well. He’s an excellent asset to the Chemistry Department!” wrote one student about him.
“I am flattered to be recognized as important to our students here at Creighton,” Stone said. “Chemistry can be a very challenging subject and I suspect that there are students who felt I was not always their on their side (especially around exams). My teaching goals can be summed up in a single statement: I just want success for every student. Whether that means success in mastering concepts in chemistry, discerning their place in this world or discovering their passion for learning, I try to push students to learn and find their own path. I am grateful to my students for giving me their time, laughing at my jokes and considering me their friend. I really do enjoy teaching at Creighton.”
Along with Stone, RAs like Arts& Sciences senior Rachel Wilhelm and students like Arts & Sciences sophomore Carly Doctor also won “IGGY” awards.
“I was very excited to receive the IGGY award,” Wilhelm said. “I received one last year as well and feel so honored to know that I am continuing to be a role model and confidant for freshmen students during their first semester at Creighton.”
“It is always wonderful to be recognized, but especially since [the “IGGY” award] was for something I didn’t realize had made a large impact,” Doctor said.
Higgins made it clear that all of us play a role in impacting a student’s experience.
“None of us should ever underestimate the impact that we have on students,” Higgins said. “Regardless of whether your job is officially to interact with the freshmen or not, you can impact students positively.”
Arts & Sciences senior Elizabeth Samson said she realized this when she received an “IGGY” award.
“As a senior who works primarily with sophomores in residence life, I have had few chances to get to know the freshmen,” Samson said. “But to know that one of those relationships has been so important to that freshman is definitely encouraging.”
The “IGGY” award was developed and implemented in 2011, after Higgins got the idea from a conference in which she heard about a similar program at a different school.
“It’s just a feel-good outreach so that the people who receive “IGGY” awards understand their positive impact, and it’s also for the freshmen to have a moment to reflect [on who guided them through first semester],” Higgins said.