2 - Creighton University Bluejays

President Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J.
Under the leadership of Creighton
President the Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J.,
Creighton University is nationally recognized
as a premier university in the Midwest and is
experiencing a new era of growth.
Fr. Schlegel became Creighton
University’s 23rd president in August 2000,
following nine years as president of the
University of San Francisco.
Through his vision, the University is
engaged in its most ambitious campus
expansion effort in its more than 130-year history.
Creighton is becoming a national model
showcasing a dynamic faith-based living and
learning community in a 21st century urban
environment.
In 2005, Fr. Schlegel announced WILLING
TO LEAD: THE CAMPAIGN FOR CREIGHTON
UNIVERSITY – an ambitious $350 million campaign
designed to secure Creighton’s place
as one of the finest Jesuit, Catholic universities
in the United States.
Since he arrived, the University has added
more than 40 acres to its campus and invested
more than $250 million in new construction,
renovation and campus improvement.
Already recognized as a leader in science
education, the University has renovated
many of its science-related facilities and is
home to the new state-of-the-art Hixson-Lied
Science Building. This integrated science
center and the Creighton University Medical
Center provide a national model for interdisciplinary
health sciences education and
research.
Creighton’s expanding campus offers a
welcoming environment for all students. In
the fall of 2006, Creighton opened Opus Hall,
one of two new resident town homes offering
apartment living for junior and seniors.
Creighton opened the Mike and Josie Harper
Center for Student Life and Learning in the
fall of 2008. This unique facility serves as a
dramatic “front door” to the University, consolidating
traditional student support services
into one student-friendly location. Add to that
Michael G. Morrison, S.J., Stadium, which is
among the premier college campus soccer
facilities in the nation, and the Wayne and
Eileen Ryan Athletic Center and D.J. Sokol
Arena, one of the finest women’s athletics
facilities in the nation.
Prior to his service at the University of San
Francisco, Fr. Schlegel was Creighton
University’s assistant academic vice president
(1978-82), academic dean of Rockhurst
College (1982-84), dean of arts and sciences
at Marquette University (1984-88), and executive
and academic vice president at John
Carroll University (1988-91).
Fr. Schlegel, a native of Dubuque, Iowa,
entered the Society of Jesus in 1963 and was
ordained in 1973. He holds B.A. and M.A.
degrees from Saint Louis University; a B.D.
honors degree in theology from the University
of London; and a doctorate in international
relations from Oxford University.
He is a member of numerous international,
national and local boards of directors, executive
committees and associations. Fr.
Schlegel is a past member of the board of
trustees of Chicago’s Loyola University,
Xavier University, Loyola University New
Orleans, Saint Louis University and Loyola
College in Maryland. Fr. Schlegel also is a
director of the American International School
of Hong Kong.
In Omaha, he has served on several
boards including Creighton University
Medical Center, Creighton Preparatory
School, Duchesne Academy and Opera
Omaha. He is a member of the board of directors
of the Greater Omaha Chamber of
Commerce, Joslyn Art Museum and Mid-
America Council, Boy Scouts of America. In
2007, he became a Distinguished Eagle
Scout. He is also a member of the US
STRATCOM Consultation Committee.
He has held numerous board positions
with an array of organizations including St.
Mary’s Medical Center Foundation, Il
Cenacolo, Coro, World Affairs Council of
Northern California, the Association of
Catholic Colleges and Universities, the
National Association of Independent Colleges
and Universities, where he serves on the
executive committee and chairs the public
policy committee, and Heythrop College at
the University of London.
Fr. Schlegel also has served on accreditation
site visits for the North Central
Association, and was a consultant to the
Organization for Economic Development and
Cooperation based in Paris.
In 2004 the Woodmen of the World Life
Insurance Society Lodge 1 in Omaha presented
him with the Honored Citizen Award
for his outstanding leadership of Creighton
University. For his promotion of understanding
and respect among all races, religions
and cultures, Fr. Schlegel received the Otto
Swanson Spirit of Service Award from the
National Conference for Community and
Justice in May 2003. He was inducted as the
Omaha Press Club’s 114th “Face on the
Barroom Floor” in 2007. In 2008, he received
the Tim Rouse Advocate for Women in
Leadership Award and was honored by the
Nebraska Unicameral for his commitment to
diversity.
He enjoys opera, classical music, gourmet
cooking, racquet sports and the outdoors.
Fr. John P. Schlegel, S.J., is Creighton’s 23rd president.
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