Eileen Wirth
Chair and Public Relations Track
(402) 280-3014 - emw@creighton.edu
If you’re a journalism major who wants to hang out with your chair, lace up a pair of gym shoes and head for the campus fitness center or the library if she doesn’t happen to be in the office.
Dr. Eileen Wirth, who joined Creighton in 1991 after a long career in news and corporate PR, revels in informal contacts with her students at places like the Kiewit Fitness Center, Reinert Alumni Library and St. John’s Church. Her office door is always open to students seeking advice about classes, careers, co-curriculars – you name it. She writes numerous letters of recommendations and constantly connects students with JMC alums and media professionals seeking interns and employees.
“You welcomed me to your office with a big hug and smile, reassuring me that all would be fine and I always had your number to dial,” wrote one senior as she graduated.
That typifies the spirit of JMC department.
“Sure I’ve written five books and received an award or two but the daily opportunity to work one-on-one with students is what keeps me going at 75 miles an hour,” said Dr. Wirth.” I love this place and our students. I kid that I’ll leave when they carry me out of St. John’s feet first.”
“Obviously I’m proud of our amazing faculty, our excellent technology and the awards our students and faculty have received. However I am even more proud of the number of emails and calls I get from students and alums thanking us for the impact we had on their lives and careers.”
Credentials:
Dr. Wirth grew up on a farm and holds her BA, MA and Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as well as an MA from the University of Minnesota. She was a reporter at the Omaha World-Herald for 11 years then worked in corporate PR at Union Pacific Railroad for eight years. Her books include They Made All the Difference, the story of the nation’s Jesuit high schools published by Loyola Press.
Besides working out six days a week, she loves to read, do volunteer work and writes reflections for Creighton’s online ministry site. She’s the proud parent of a Creighton graduate.
Download Syllabi:
JMC 335 History of American Mass Media
JMC 323 Principles of Public Relations