A New Bridge Between Togo and the United States: Creighton University Partners with GPiH and the University of Lomé

Creighton’s President, Fr. Daniel Hendrickson, signing with the University of Lomé

On Friday, June 5, 2026, the University of Lomé signed a landmark framework cooperation agreement with Creighton University, a leading Jesuit institution in the United States, a moment made possible through the ongoing work of Global Partners in Hope and Compassion in Togo.

The visit brought Creighton's President, Fr. Daniel Hendrickson, to Togo for the first time, alongside university leadership, to witness firsthand the partnership between GPiH and the communities it serves.

"The hospitality has been so remarkable. I was warmly greeted at the airport, here to meet the people that my colleague, Dr. Vickers, has been building a relationship and connection with. We're gaining a real sense of the intense, powerful presence here serving children and families in an underserved part of the world." ~ Fr. Hendrickson reflecting on the trip

Anthony Hendrickson, Dean of Creighton University's Heider College of Business

For Creighton, the agreement is more than a signature on paper; it is the formal foundation for a relationship already taking root through GPiH. Anthony Hendrickson, Dean of Creighton University's Heider College of Business, captured the significance of the moment:

"This is a tremendous opportunity for Creighton University. This partnership opens the door for our students, faculty, and staff to come serve, to understand other people, and to be authentically men and women for and with others. It gives us the chance to bless the lives of others, and in doing so, to help so many people live much better lives. It's a wonderful opportunity to live out our Jesuit mission of setting the world on fire." ~ Anthony Hendrickson

The new framework agreement formalizes what GPiH has helped cultivate on the ground: a pathway for international mobility, joint research, and academic exchange between Togo and the United States. Under the agreement, students from both institutions will have the opportunity to pursue part of their academic journey abroad, while teachers and researchers will be able to develop joint scientific projects, share expertise, and deepen collaboration across multiple fields.

As the University of Lomé put it in announcing the signing:

"More than just a partnership, it is a bridge between Togo and the United States, uniting knowledge, cultures, and ambitions to build the future. University of Lomé, Creighton University: learning together, innovating together, and moving forward together toward new horizons."

For GPiH, this agreement is the kind of long-term impact our mission is built on: connecting institutions, students, and communities so that compassion translates into lasting infrastructure for Togolese families. We're grateful to Fr. Daniel Hendrickson, Dean Anthony Hendrickson, Creighton University, and the University of Lomé for their partnership and vision, and we look forward to watching it flourish in the years ahead.