Chaplain, School of Dentistry
since 2013

I spent my early years in South Dakota.  After our family moved to Omaha, I attended St. Cecilia and Holy Cross Schools and Creighton Prep.

I was a Jesuit for many years and was ordained in St. John’s Church in 1982.

I received a doctoral degree in American literature from the University of Texas at Austin, writing my dissertation on spiritual themes in the fiction of Nebraska’s exquisite writer, Willa Cather.

I have been involved in a number of different ministries:  college preparatory and higher education, parish associate pastorship, and fundraising for Church humanitarian projects in the developing world.  During the last I became a priest of the Diocese of Georgetown in Guyana, South America.

Wanting to live near family, I returned to Omaha to become chaplain of the School of Dentistry, where my identical twin, Dr. Kevin Ryan, was already on the faculty.  We cause some degree of confusion from time to time.

Writing these reflections:

I savor the Creighton Reflections for the window they provide into the faith life of my colleagues, and for the insight and inspiration they lend.  I am glad to be a part of this ministry.

e-mail: SteveRyan1@creighton.edu