Creighton University

Creighton University. A private Jesuit research university in Omaha, Nebraska, founded in 1878 through a gift from the estate of Mary Lucretia Creighton. It is one of 27 member institutions of the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities and operates nine schools and colleges on its urban campus. The university is known for its programs in health sciences, law, and business, and its athletic teams, the Creighton Bluejays, compete in the Big East Conference.

History

The institution was established following a bequest from Mary Lucretia Creighton, who, along with her husband John A. Creighton, sought to found a Catholic college in Omaha. The university opened its doors in 1878 under the leadership of the Society of Jesus, with its first building located at what is now the intersection of 9th Street and California Street. Early growth was guided by figures like John Creighton and the first president, Michael P. Dowling. A significant milestone was the founding of the Creighton University School of Medicine in 1892. Throughout the 20th century, the university expanded its academic offerings and physical footprint, including the establishment of the Creighton University School of Law and its move to the current campus near 24th Street and California Street. In 2013, the university's athletic programs joined the reconstituted Big East Conference, marking a new era in its history.

Academics

The university is organized into nine schools and colleges, including the College of Arts and Sciences, the Heider College of Business, and the School of Medicine. It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity" and is renowned for its health sciences education, offering degrees in pharmacy, dentistry, and nursing through its School of Pharmacy and Health Professions. The Creighton University School of Law is a prominent fixture in legal education within the Great Plains. Other notable units include the Graduate School and the College of Nursing. The university maintains a core curriculum rooted in the Jesuit tradition, emphasizing ethics and service. Special programs include partnerships with institutions like the University of Nebraska Medical Center and a long-standing affiliation with CHI Health.

Campus

The main urban campus spans approximately 140 acres in the Downtown Omaha area, centered near 24th Street and California Street. Key facilities include the Reinert-Alumni Memorial Library, the Mike and Josie Harper Center for the Heider College of Business, and the Lied Education Center for the Arts. The health sciences complex houses the Boyne School of Dental Science, the Criss Health Sciences Complex, and the Center for Health Sciences and Wellness. Student life is centered around facilities like the Rasmussen Center and the Skutt Student Center. The university also operates the Creighton University Medical Center – Bergan Mercy and has a presence at the TD Ameritrade Park Omaha. Residential life is supported by halls such as Swanson Hall and Kiewit Hall.

Athletics

The university's athletic teams, known as the Creighton Bluejays, compete in the Big East Conference at the NCAA Division I level. The men's basketball program, which plays its home games at the CHI Health Center Omaha, has achieved significant success, including multiple appearances in the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament. Other sponsored sports include soccer, baseball, softball, and volleyball. The women's basketball team also competes in the Big East Conference. Athletic facilities include the D.J. Sokol Arena and the Morrison Stadium, home to the nationally recognized soccer programs. The move to the Big East Conference in 2013 marked a major elevation in the program's national profile.

Notable alumni and faculty

Distinguished alumni include former United States Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, former NASA astronaut Clayton Anderson, and Major League Baseball executive Theo Epstein. In government and law, notable figures are U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey and U.S. Representative Brad Ashford. The faculty has included influential scholars such as theologian John Courtney Murray and chemist Henry Gilman. Other prominent graduates are Forbes media proprietor Steve Forbes, actress Catherine O'Hara, and National Football League player Kyle Korver. The university's alumni and faculty have made significant contributions across fields like medicine, business, politics, and the arts.

Category:Universities and colleges in Nebraska Category:Jesuit universities and colleges in the United States Category:Educational institutions established in 1878