Eileen Brooks Lieben was born in 1916 in New York City. She was the daughter of Thomas Brooks and Margaret Culkin Brooks. She later married Theodore J. Lieben on December 13, 1941, and they had three children: Peter, John, and Thomas Geoffrey.
Lieben earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Manhattanville College in 1937 and a Master of Arts degree from Creighton University in 1962. Her graduate education preceded and accompanied a long administrative career at Creighton, where she became one of the university’s most prominent leaders in student affairs and women’s advocacy.
Lieben began her long association with Creighton University as assistant dean of women in 1962 and also served as an English instructor in 1963–1964. She became dean of women and associate dean of students, working closely with student personnel and advising women students. In 1978 she was associated with the fall honors program, and in the early 1980s she moved into senior university administration. She served as acting vice president of student personnel from 1982 to 1984, becoming Creighton’s first female vice president, and then as associate vice president of student services from 1984 to 1987. Her later responsibilities included special events coordination and special projects in university relations. She also served on the board of directors of Performing Artists Omaha from 1981 to 1985. Lieben advocated for women students and requested the formation of Creighton’s Committee on the Status of Women in 1971; the committee became a standing university committee in 1973. Her influence at Creighton was later commemorated through the Eileen B. Lieben Center for Women, established in 1998.
Became Creighton University’s first female vice president when she was named acting vice president of student personnel in 1982.
Advocated for women students at Creighton University and requested the formation of the Committee on the Status of Women in 1971.
Served as a mentor and model for women on the Creighton campus; the Eileen B. Lieben Center for Women was established at the university in 1998 in recognition of her influence.
Roman Catholic.
Lieben was a member of the American Association of University Women, the Association of American Colleges, Administrators and Counselors, the National Association of Women Deans, the American Association for Higher Education, and the Joslyn Museum Women’s Association. Her professional affiliations reflected her work in university administration, student services, women’s education, and cultural life in Omaha.
Former students and colleagues remembered Lieben as a gracious professional woman, a mentor, and a strong advocate for women on campus.
Quotes from others about the person
A former Creighton student remembered Lieben as “the model of a professional woman” who “exuded graciousness.”
Lieben married Theodore J. Lieben on December 13, 1941. They had three children: Peter, John, and Thomas Geoffrey. At Creighton University, she was closely associated with initiatives supporting women students and with the establishment of the Committee on the Status of Women. The Eileen B. Lieben Center for Women, established at Creighton in 1998, was named in her honor.
