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Creighton University

From Catholicism Wiki
Former name Creighton College (1878–1958)
Type Private research university
Established September 2, 1878
Accreditation HLC
Religious affiliation Roman Catholic (Jesuit)
Academic affiliations AJCU
ACCU
NAICU
Space-grant
Endowment $866.6 million (2025)[1]
President Daniel S. Hendrickson[2]
Provost Mardell A. Wilson[3]
Rector Nicholas Santos[4]
Faculty 692 full-time and 282 part-time (fall 2022)[5]
Students 8,838 (fall 2024)[6]
Undergraduates 4,647 (fall 2024)
Postgraduates 4,191 (fall 2024)
Location Omaha
,
Nebraska
,
United States
41°15′53″N 95°56′46″W / 41.26472°N 95.94611°W
Campus Large city, 132 acres (53.4 ha)
Newspaper Creightonian
Other campuses Grand Island
Phoenix
Colors Blue
White
Nickname Bluejays
Sporting affiliations NCAA Division I – Big East
Mascot Billy Bluejay
Website creighton.edu

Creighton University (/ˈkreɪtən/) is a private research university in Omaha, Nebraska, United States. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1878, the university enrolled 8,838 undergraduate and graduate students as of fall 2024.[6] In addition to the main 140-acre (57 ha) campus just outside of downtown Omaha, the university operates the Creighton University Medical Center and has a second campus focused on health sciences in Phoenix, Arizona. It is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity". Its athletic teams compete in NCAA Division I as the Creighton Bluejays.

History

The university was founded as Creighton College on September 2, 1878, through a gift from Mary Lucretia Creighton, who stipulated in her will that a school be established in memory of her husband, Omaha businessman Edward Creighton. The college began with 120 students, taught by five Jesuits and two lay teachers.[7] Edward's brother, John A. Creighton, is credited with fostering and sustaining the university's early growth and endowment. In 1878, the College of Arts and Sciences was established, and remains the largest college today.[8] Shortly after, in 1885, the Creighton University Observatory was built on campus.[9] Women were first admitted in 1913.[10]

In 1958, the college split into Creighton Preparatory School and Creighton University.[11] The university ran a four-year series of celebrations from 2012 to 2015 commemorating the fiftieth anniversaries of the four sessions of the Second Vatican Council.[12] In 2021, the university opened its Phoenix Health Sciences Campus.[13]

Academics

The schools and colleges at Creighton are:

Demographics

Student body composition as of May 2, 2022
Race and ethnicity[15] Total
White 72%
Hispanic 9%
Asian 8%
Other[16] 6%
Foreign national 2%
Black 2%
Economic diversity
Low-income[17] 12%
Affluent[18] 88%

As of Spring 2025, Creighton has a total enrollment of 8,403 students. Of those, 4,276 are undergraduate students and 4,127 are graduate students.[19]

From Creighton's Class of 2020, 14% count themselves as first-generation college attendees in their families. 26% are students of color, and 56% of the class is female.[20]

Admissions

Creighton University reported an acceptance rate of 72% in 2022.[21] In Fall 2023, 7,248 first-year students applied while 5,241 were admitted. 1,044 enrolled.[22]

Student clubs and organizations

The university has more than 200 student organizations.[23]

John P. Schlegel, S.J. Center for Service and Justice

The John P. Schlegel, S.J. Center for Service and Justice[24][25] (SCSJ) promotes service projects and education about justice.[26]

Performing arts

  • The Department of Fine and Performing Arts houses a Chamber Choir, Gospel Choir, Jazz Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, Orchestra, and University Chorus. The men's a cappella ensemble is known as the Creightones.
  • The Creighton Dance Company's repertoire draws on classical ballet, contemporary and modern dance, jazz and musical theatre dance.
  • Theatrical productions are held in the university's Lied Education Center for the Arts.[27]

Student media

  • The student newspaper is The Creightonian. It was a finalist for the 2007 and 2010 Pacemaker Award for college journalism.[28]
  • Shadows is Creighton's literature and arts publication.

Notable alumni

There are more than 68,470 alumni of Creighton University living in 93 countries. Nearly 30 percent live in Nebraska. The largest number of alumni outside the United States reside in Canada, Japan, and Malaysia.[29]

Notable faculty

  • Raymond J. Bishop
  • Virgil Blum
  • Patrick Borchers
  • Barbara Braden
  • Raymond A. Bucko
  • Judith M. Burnfield
  • John Calvert
  • Edward P. J. Corbett
  • Frank Crawford
  • Blase J. Cupich
  • Ross Horning
  • Henry T. Lynch
  • D. S. Malik
  • Francis I. McKenna
  • R. R. Reno
  • Joseph F. Rigge
  • William J. Riley
  • Robert F. Rossiter Jr.
  • Roger Lawrence Schwietz
  • Hugh Sidey
  • Constantine Joseph Smyth
  • William O. Stephens
  • Lyle Elmer Strom
  • LaNada War Jack

See also

  • Education in North Omaha, Nebraska
  • Saint Joseph Hospital at Creighton University Medical Center

From the 1913 Catholic Encyclopedia

Creighton University — An institution located at Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.A., and conducted by the Jesuit Fathers. It comprises high school and college departments, a free classical day college, and schools of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and law. The faculty numbered 104 members in 1907-8. There is no charge for tuition in the high school and college departments. The attendance at the university is about 800, divided among the different departments as follows: Liberal Arts, 360; Medicine, 178; Law, 51; Pharmacy, 105; Dentistry, 107. The Medical College free dispensary treats between 3000 and 4000 annually; the Dental College Infirmary, 400 or 500.

Creighton University was the first free Catholic college founded in the United States. Edward Creighton, after whom it was named, had proposed during his life to establish a free school for higher education, but he died intestate, before making provision for carrying out his project. His wife, Mary Lucretia Creighton, inheriting his fortune, determined to carry out his intention. She died 23 Jan., 1876, but her will made a bequest, which in the settlement of the estate amounted to about $200,000, one-fourth of which was devoted to the grounds and building, the balance being reserved for foundation. In accordance with the terms of this will, the executors, 1 July, 1878, conveyed the entire property and securities in trust to the Rt. Rev. James O'Connor, Bishop of Omaha. On 27 February, 1879, the Legislature of Nebraska passed an act to provide for the incorporation of universities under certain circumstances. The district Court then permitted Bishop O'Connor to turn over his trust to a corporation called the Creighton University, and he appointed five members of the Society of Jesus as the Board of Trustees, 14 August, 1879. Creighton College as such was not incorporated and the name merely represented what was left in trust by Mrs. Creighton. When the Creighton University accepted the trust, the endowment fund amounted to about $147,500. Mrs. Sarah Emily Creighton, who died 3 Sept., 1888, wife of John A. Creighton, bequeathed to Creighton University a business block, according to the same terms and conditions as were designated in the bequest of her sister, Mrs. Mary Lucretia Creighton. During 1900 John A. Creighton, desirous of making the university an institution fully equipped for its educational work, generously offered means for the completion of the college buildings. The School of Medicine was founded 30 May, 1892, and the School of Law in October, 1904. The Edward Creighton Institute, erected in 1905, is now the home of the Law Department. The Dental School, opened in 1905, is located with the Law School. The School of Pharmacy, a distinct department of the university since 1 February, 1905, took possession of its splendidly equipped new addition to the Medical Building in September, 1908.

Edward Creighton was born 31 Aug., 1820, in Belmont County, Ohio, near the present town of Barnesville; and died 5 Nov., 1874. John A. Creighton was born 15 Oct., 1831, in Licking County, Ohio, and died 7 Feb., 1907. He was educated at St. Joseph's College, Somerset, Ohio, under the Dominican Fathers, and for these teachers he always retained a feeling of gratitude. Though desirous of becoming a civil engineer, he was obliged to shorten his course of study by the necessity of earning a livelihood. He married Sarah Emily Wareham of Dayton; and her sister, Mary Lucretia, became the wife of Edward Creighton. Both these men were remarkable for courage, enterprise, and a strong sense of justice. John was one of the first members of the "Vigilance Committee" which effectually freed Montana of the desperadoes who made life and property insecure in that territory. Both also made their start in life by constructing roads and telegraph lines in the West and South; John was moreover actively engaged in mining, stock-raising, and investments in land. He left by will large bequests to Creighton University, the Creighton Memorial Hospital and other Catholic institutions in which he was interested during life. Though these sums were somewhat lessened by litigation and compromise with contestants, the university received nearly a million and a quarter dollars, the Hospital nearly a quarter of a million, and the other institutions smaller amounts. The entire revenue-producing property of the university approximates two millions and a quarter, exclusive of its buildings, grounds and equipment. The hospital takes care of about 2400 patients a year, of whom more than half are non-Catholics, and one-third absolutely free. John Creighton was honoured by Leo XIII with the order of St. Gregory and later with the title of Count of the Papal States. In 1900 he received the Laetare Medal from the University of Notre Dame.

References

  1. Back to citation "U.S. and Canadian 2025 NCSE Participating Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2025 Endowment Market Value" (XLSX). National Association of College and University Business Officers (NACUBO). Retrieved February 14, 2026.
  2. Back to citation "TC Alumnus Daniel S. Hendrickson Named President of Creighton University". Teachers College, Columbia University. February 9, 2015.
  3. Back to citation "Office of the Provost". Creighton University. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  4. Back to citation "Rev. Daniel S. Hendrickson, SJ". Archived from the original on September 26, 2019. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  5. Back to citation "College Navigator - Creighton University". nces.ed.gov.
  6. Back to citation occurrence 6.0 Back to citation occurrence 6.1 "Common Data Set 2024-25" (PDF). Creighton University.
  7. Back to citation "Creighton University". Times Higher Education (THE). June 16, 2022. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  8. Back to citation "History of Creighton University". www.creighton.edu. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  9. Back to citation Fletcher, Adam F. C. (December 3, 2019). "A History of the Creighton Observatory in North Omaha". North Omaha History. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  10. Back to citation "Creighton University | Private, Jesuit, Catholic | Britannica". www.britannica.com. November 23, 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2023.
  11. Back to citation "Creighton Prep: History". creightonprep.creighton.edu. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  12. Back to citation Hamm, Dennis SJ (2014), DEI VERBUM: Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation (Vatican II, 1965): An orientation and quick review by way of questions and answers, Creighton University, page 12, accessed on 12 October 2025
  13. Back to citation writer, Rick Ruggles World-Herald staff (September 19, 2018). "Creighton University plans nearly $100 million project in Phoenix". Omaha.com.
  14. Back to citation 2015-2016 Creighton University Fact Book. Creighton.edu. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  15. Back to citation "College Scorecard: Creighton University". United States Department of Education. Retrieved May 8, 2022.
  16. Back to citation Other consists of multiracial Americans and those who prefer to not say.
  17. Back to citation The percentage of students who received an income-based federal Pell grant intended for low-income students.
  18. Back to citation The percentage of students who are a part of the American middle class at the bare minimum.
  19. Back to citation "Student Headcount and Full-time Equivalency (FTE) Dashboard". www.creighton.edu. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
  20. Back to citation "Creighton Class of 2020 a talented, diverse, service-oriented group". Creighton University News Center. Creighton University. Archived from the original on August 28, 2016. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  21. Back to citation "Creighton University Admissions - BigFuture College Search". bigfuture.collegeboard.org. Retrieved April 14, 2025.
  22. Back to citation "Common Data Sets". www.creighton.edu. Retrieved April 30, 2025.
  23. Back to citation "Creighton University - Student Organizations". Creighton.edu. Creighton. Archived from the original on August 29, 2016. Retrieved August 22, 2016.
  24. Back to citation "Schlegel Center for Service and Justice". www.creighton.edu. Archived from the original on July 28, 2011. Retrieved July 11, 2017.
  25. Back to citation Cole, Kevin (April 19, 2015). "Creighton center named for the Rev. John Schlegel to honor his work on social justice". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved July 17, 2015.
  26. Back to citation "Residential Life and Housing". Creighton.edu. Archived from the original on April 23, 2015. Retrieved April 14, 2015.
  27. Back to citation Fine Arts: Fine and Performing Arts. Creighton.edu. Updated on August 6, 2011.
  28. Back to citation "2010 Newspaper Pacemaker Winners". Associated Collegiate Press. 2010. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  29. Back to citation "Graduation outcomes". Creighton.edu. Archived from the original on January 30, 2011.
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