Lieben 'showed leadership gracefully'

By MEGAN GEYER
Scene Reporter

“The champion of women,” Eileen B. Lieben, died April 12, at age 91, leaving behind a legacy that paved the way for women.
Lieben worked as a Creighton dean of women and associate dean of students and was known for her support of women’s rights, leadership and work ethics style.

Born in New York City, Lieben went to Manhattanville College of the Sacred Heart where she earned her B.A.

In 1962, she obtained her master’s in English at Creighton.
Lieben worked for Student Services, eventually serving as the associate and interim vice president.

She also became the dean of women.

During that time, women were in the minority.

Any women wanting administrative jobs usually had to do them indirectly, but Lieben didn’t let this stop her.

“She was dean of women during a tumultuous time for women during the ’60s and ’70s,” said Mary Higgins, the director of Student Retention.

“An absolute revolution was going on for women in the country. Somehow, through all this, she showed leadership so gracefully, perhaps better than anyone I’ve ever known, and was so in tune to issues, especially gender issues.”

While Higgins was a senior in college, Lieben helped her and a group of women start up a softball team for the spring season.

“She was on the committee for the status of women,” Higgins said. “It was through the partial support of her administration and leadership that the university was able to get the sport organized.”

Lieben’s presentation, presence and personality affected the people around her.

“She was such a classy woman,” said Stephanie Wernig, director of Institutional Research for Academic Excellence and Assessment.

“Her makeup was always perfect, and she was very well dressed. She requested all the female pallbearers at her funeral to wear skirts and wanted everyone to have a hankie because she always carried around her Irish linen hankie.

“She was also well read. I remember she would be reading a different book every day.”

Creighton established the Eileen B. Lieben Center for Women in fall 1998, in honor of Lieben’s contributions to the university.

Dr. John Cernech, vice president for Student Services, said Lieben’s knowledge, caring personality and respect for students was appreciated and warmly received by everyone.

“She helped me realize how special Creighton University is,” Cernech said. “She taught me the importance of the Jesuit values and to realize the importance of collaborative partnership with women.

She wanted me to do well and succeed. You could see the love she had for this place and how she wanted to better the Creighton community.”

Lieben retired in 1996.

Lieben survived by her three sons, Peter, Jeff, and John.
A funeral Mass was held for Lieben on Monday at St. John’s Church.