GREETINGS
Having reached the mid-point of summer, things are "heating up" across campus; and that has more to do with frenetic activity than the temperature. Some updates follow:

PERSONNEL
At the June 2 Board of Directors’ meeting, the Board elected three new members: Ms. Gail Werner-Robertson, double Creighton graduate and President of GWR Companies; Ms. Connie Ryan, President of Streck Laboratories, Inc.; and Mr. Ivor J. Evans, President and Chief Operating Officer of the Union Pacific Railroad.

The search committee for the Dean of the School of Medicine and Vice President for Health Sciences has provided me with their slate of recommended candidates. Because of summer schedules, there has been some delay in interviewing selected candidates for a second time. I hope to have a nominee by the early part of August.

ADMISSIONS AND ADMINISTRATION
As the summer progresses, the University community is busily preparing in anticipation of an historic entering freshmen class. Their academic credentials, test scores, and activities constitute the finest student profile Creighton has yet to matriculate. As of today we have 943 deposited freshmen students and 83 transfer deposits. This represents an 18.6% increase over last year! Retention also looks promising, as does enrollment in all of the professional programs. Our Admissions and Financial Aid divisions did an excellent job this year. We are all most grateful. Congratulations!

I also am happy to announce that the University experienced its second best fundraising year ever. Given the economy and the strain on philanthropy nationwide, this is a great accomplishment. Congratulations and thank you to our colleagues in University Relations.

On June 21 the University dedicated the plaza east of the Hixson-Lied Science Building in honor of Lt. Col. Michael Anderson, MS’90. That event, memorializing a fallen astronaut, received national media coverage.

CONSTRUCTION
Progress is being made on multiple construction sites:

• The renovation of the Rigge and Criss Buildings is well underway, close to schedule and close to budget. These renovated facilities will be ready for August classes.
• The landscaping east of the Hixson-Lied Science Building is progressing. The addition of lawn, trees, benches and lights will transform that space and soften the entire southern view of the campus from Burt and Cuming Streets’ prospect.
• The soccer field on the corner of 17th and Cass is on schedule for fall play.
• The architectural renderings of the Junior-Senior town homes are complete and construction will begin mid-July.
• West of the hospital you may have noticed the University has cleared the two- block area of 30th - 32nd Streets between California and Webster for a future parking lot to meet the needs of the hospital and related entities.

CELEBRATION
July 31 is the Feast of St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Jesuit Order. As is our custom, there will be a noon Mass in St. John’s followed by a luncheon hosted by the Jesuit Community, to which all are invited.

More later - enjoy the summer.

John P. Schlegel, S.J.
President