Pages 1-92 - Creighton University Bluejays

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 and prosperity.
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 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
Le a d: Th e Ca m p a i g n Fo r Cr e i g h t o n 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
40 acres to its campus and invested more than
$285 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-theart
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 studentfriendly
location. Add to that the 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 serves 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 and serves on the
2010 Bl u e j a y Ba s e b a l l
President Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J.
Executive Committees 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.
Previously, 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, racket sports and the outdoors.
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