More Than a Diploma: Why Celann LaGreca '75 Still Shows Up for Marian

Most people look at retirement as a chance to finally slow down, but Celann LaGreca '75 is doing the exact opposite. After 31 years leading PR and strategy at Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Nebraska, followed by a decade of consulting, she has not stopped working. Instead, she has shifted her focus to showing up for her community.

Today, you will find Celann serving on boards like the Heart Ministry Center. But if you ask her where she first learned to lead, she does not just talk about her time in corporate America. She talks about being a student at Marian in the 70s.

Finding Her Voice

Looking back, Celann is the first to tell you that Marian changed the entire trajectory of her life. In a world where leadership can still feel like a "boys' club," Marian offered something different.

"Every leadership role in the school was held by women," she says. Seeing women in charge was not just an idea; it was her daily reality. That environment gave her the confidence to thrive in high level corporate roles later on. The school's mission to build confident, independent thinkers was not just a phrase to her. It was the foundation for her career and the source of friendships she still has today.

Learning How to Think

One of the biggest ways Marian shaped Celann was through faith and critical thinking. Growing up in the 70s, she loved the progressive mindset of the Servants of Mary. She says the best thing about her education was that Marian taught her how to think, not what to think.

"I didn’t fully realize the impact until I went to college," she explains. Meeting people with all kinds of different backgrounds made her realize just how solid her own foundation was. That ability to stay grounded while thinking for herself helped her navigate the professional world without losing sight of her values.

Paying It Forward

Celann still remembers mentors like Sister Mary Adolorata Watson, her principal and English teacher, who stayed in her life long after graduation. That kind of mentorship stuck with her. During her career, she made it a point to mentor student interns, calling it one of the most rewarding parts of her professional life.

Now, she stays involved in Marian because she has seen how much the school has grown. She has served two terms on the Marian Board of Directors and chaired the Marketing Committee. She remains a dedicated donor. Because she received a scholarship back in the day, she is passionate about making sure other students have that same opportunity. She even jokes that the classes today are so rigorous she is not sure she could even graduate now!

A Legacy of Excellence

Back in 2018, Celann was honored as the Alumna of the Year, but she remains incredibly humble about the recognition. She says the award was not about her personally, but about representing all the remarkable women who have come out of Marian.

She also keeps it real when it comes to her own journey. She admits she was not the most focused student until her senior year. After losing her cousin, who was a brilliant student, she felt a push to finally apply herself in his honor.

Her advice to us? "Challenge yourself. Recognize your potential sooner rather than later." She encourages everyone to be well-rounded and involved, but to really give it your all while you are there.

From her start in the 70s to her life today, Celann LaGreca’s story proves that a Marian education is not just for four years. It is a mindset of leadership and service that lasts a lifetime.

This story was written by a Creighton journalism student in partnership with Marian.