“Why did you choose Creighton University?”
The common question that somehow is constantly swirling around in my head.
I’m not sure. To be completely honest, I have no idea.
I remember clear as day walking onto campus for the first time my junior year of high school over MEA. I immediately fell in love with this place. As we walked down the mall in front of St. John’s, I told my parents that this is where I want to go and this is where I was meant to be.
Now after being here a little over two months, I am still not entirely sure why I left the heart of St. Paul, Minnesota to come to Omaha, Nebraska. Something just does not add up there. As to my surprise, I think about why I am here far more often than I ever thought I would.
Why Creighton? If you would have asked me this questions Tuesday morning, I would have shrugged my shoulders and said “I have no idea”. If you were to ask me this now I would say that my answer has completely changed.
Last night, I listened to a speaker, Fr. Greg Boyle. For our freshman seminar we read one of his books, Tattoos on the Heart. He said something that made me realize why I chose Creighton. He said, “This is not the place you came to, this is the place you will come from”.
Of course, I came Creighton but in four years from now I will have come from Creighton.
I will have come from an institution who values serving for and with others. I have the opportunities to go serve our neighbors, helping them put healthy nutritious foods in their homes, clothe their children and search for a job.
I will have come from a place where the people genuinely care about one another. Where people put others before themselves. Where giving more than receiving is a norm that we see every day on campus.
I will have come from a nursing program that is world renown. I will be able to work alongside doctors of Mayo Clinic, work for pediatric oncology research at Boston Children’s with Harvard grads, and spread awareness of pediatric mental health. Not only will I graduate with a Jesuit education, I will graduate with much more than an education but a love for what I am able to do with my education.
As the last two months have confused me much more than I ever thought they would. One sentence from a complete stranger, gave me more clarity than my mom, academic advisor or friends ever could. After hearing Fr. Greg speak, I know why I chose Creighton. This is the place I come from.
