November 25, 2016 — Twin brothers and Jesuits, Frs. Daniel and Scott Hendrickson, are going to great lengths to promote global learning. Last month, Fr. Daniel Hendrickson, president of Creighton University in Omaha, traveled to Spain for the installation of the first European chapter of the century-old Alpha Sigma Nu Jesuit honor society. During the ceremony, he assisted in the honorary induction of his brother Fr. Scott Hendrickson, assistant professor in the department of Modern Languages and Literatures at Loyola University Chicago.

Father Daniel Hendrickson was invited to the ceremony at the Universidad Loyola Andalucia in Seville as the “Padrino de la primera promoción de Alpha Sigma Nu of Europa.” The honor was bestowed to signify his role as a founding member of the first Alpha Sigma Nu chapter in Europe.

Founded in 1915, Alpha Sigma Nu is the only honor society permitted to bear the name “Jesuit” and recognizes students who distinguish themselves in scholarship, loyalty, and service.

Father Daniel Hendrickson, who was inducted as an honorary member of Alpha Sigma Nu at Marquette University in Milwaukee in 2013, played an important role in the Spanish ceremony: he placed the medal on his twin brother, welcoming him into the society.

After being inducted as an honorary faculty member, Fr. Scott Hendrickson said, “It's wonderful to receive the honorary induction and have it given to me by my twin brother. He has tremendous experience in Jesuit education, service, scholarship, and loyalty ... To be inducted by him and to follow in his footsteps, it's a great honor for me.”

Father Daniel Hendrickson delivered the keynote address at the ceremony, explaining the importance of Alpha Sigma Nu for Jesuit higher education. The Board of Governors of Loyola Andalucía honored him for his achievements in higher education, his work as president of Creighton University, and the Creighton Global Initiative, which offers opportunities for faculty, staff, and students to embrace global perspectives both at home and abroad.

The partnership between Creighton and Loyola Andalucía began with a visit from the Spanish university to Creighton last spring and has continued with a student exchange program. Father Daniel Hendrickson said he was pleased to continue the strong collaboration between two universities that share the same Jesuit mission. 

[Sources: Creighton University, Freemont Tribune]