As we reconvene for the new academic year, I am pleased to note that the freshman class numbers are holding up very well. We anticipate a first-time new freshman class of 975 and a transfer class of 95. Retention is strong and all professional programs are well subscribed. The new freshmen are coming to us with excellent academic preparation. I have great hopes for them, knowing you, Creighton’s faculty and staff, will pull the best from them.

On the construction front, "Davis Square," our town house project, is already occupied by 50 eager students. From all reports, they are enjoying the experience. Davis Square will be dedicated at a brief ceremony on Sept. 2. You are all invited to tour our most recent addition to student housing before and after the 4:30 p.m. ceremony.

The soccer field and stadium are nearing completion. Phase II, the stadium, will be ready by mid-September. Its dedication is scheduled for Oct. 15.

Rigge and Criss continue toward completion. I want to thank the occupants of Criss for their patience throughout this renovation. It is a real challenge to continue to meet your professional responsibilities amidst the noise and dust of construction and renovation. I know you wait eagerly for October’s completion date! Thanks!

The most dramatic change over the summer is the renovation of the central section of the California Street Mall, west of St. John’s Church. The completion date is Aug. 15. Although there will be some landscaping and fine-tuning to be done after that, the mall will be open for pedestrian use and, I am sure, pedestrians’ comments!

A central feature of the mall renovation is the placement of a statue of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Jesuit Order, in front of the Reinert Alumni Memorial Library. Executed by our own Littleton Alston, the Ignatius statue will be unveiled informally on Monday, Aug. 16, at 12:40 p.m. At that time, Littleton will share his thoughts about this commission. The statue will have its formal blessing on Oct. 7 when the Superior General of the worldwide Jesuit Order will be with us. That event is scheduled for 4:15 p.m., preceded and followed by music, refreshments and an all-university reception for the General. I commissioned the Ignatius statue to celebrate Creighton’s 125th anniversary of Jesuit education in Omaha. The John Micek family underwrote the costs associated with this splendid addition to our campus.

Speaking of statues, several (17 at this count) have appeared around campus since early June. All of these placements, and the others still to come, have been gifted to the University or came our way through special benefactions. I hope you agree that they are a nice addition as we move toward transforming this urban campus into a park-like setting. Later in the semester, I will publish a list of the statues, their artists and donors.

Finally, as mentioned in my last Update, we have had a record year in fund raising. The future looks equally promising. I suggest that is the case because the Creighton story is being told by the entire University community in a positive, consistent and up-beat manner. Thank you for that. It is a good story because Creighton is a fine place to study, teach, research and work.

As I pen these lines, I am viewing a spectacular vista amidst the mountains of Colorado, complete with wild flowers, aspen groves and the occasional elk wandering past your scribe. Visiting with Creighton alums is always a special treat for me because they represent in their personal and professional lives what we are about as a Jesuit university.

I look forward to seeing faculty and staff alike as we begin the 2004-05 academic year.

John P. Schlegel, S.J.
President