I chose to go to Creighton because it’s an excellent school. Since I was struggling with my faith and the church at the time, I didn’t see the benefit of a Catholic affiliation. I was afraid I’d have the Church’s perspective pushed on me, and the other students would be, well, boring. My first semester really challenged my assumptions of what a religious education could be. Instead of feeling like I was being indoctrinated in my Intro to Christianity (part of Creighton’s core requirements at the time), it was a refreshingly honest retrospective of the history of the Church, warts and all. Ultimately, I think the Creighton experience has given me a better perspective of not only the religion I was raised in, but other faiths. The high level of respect for all traditions made the campus a comfortable place for people of faiths, from devout Catholics to Hindu, Muslim and atheist.
You could see the Jesuit influence in every experience of being a Creighton student. Their love of learning, respect of other faiths and cultures, and a genuine concern for those around them infused every lesson. We were taught to approach every challenge with reason and compassion. I do my best to live up to the lessons they provided me, both in the classroom and out. My professors truly believed in educating the whole person, and their concern for me didn’t end at my grades.
The only advice I’d have to give is to enter with an open mind and be ready to challenge what you believe. That’s what college is all about.
Shana is an advertising manager at a large agency in Kansas.