I trust you all had a restful July 4th weekend. With that celebration spent, the midpoint of summer approaches. There are several things to share with you about events and updates across the University.

ENROLLMENT

On the Admissions front, the news is all good. We are anticipating a first-time freshmen class of 960-970 students. They are, perhaps, the best prepared class ever, in terms of class rank, test scores and service. The number of transfer students is running slightly behind last year, but it is early. One piece of very good news is the enhanced number of minority students across all classifications. We presently are running 44% ahead of 2002 in new minority students. On top of that, retention is expected to be very solid. So a special "Thank You" to our hardworking Admissions, Financial Aid, and Retention staff!

CONSTRUCTION

On the construction front, it appears the "Building Crane" has replaced the "Bluejay" as Creighton’s mascot this summer.

• The student town homes are on schedule and close to budget. The furniture is arriving and we plan an on-time move in during early August. The overall project will be named the "John F. Davis Square," in keeping with the wishes of the donor. The individual "houses" will get separate names.
• The soccer stadium is moving ahead. The canopy and permanent seating are presently being set and the brickwork on the façade is beginning to take shape. I think all agree that it is a beautiful site and will serve as a distinctive welcome to the University from both 17th Street and the freeway.
• The Rigge/Criss renovations and construction are progressing, albeit, slowly. Rigge is finished, but Criss is delayed due to some change orders and reassessment of space utilization. All should be ready by mid-August.
• The Mall and Skutt roof projects are under wraps! The roof has been sealed successfully. Work is progressing on the resetting and rebricking of the Mall. Once finished the new landscaping will be planted. Again, this is on schedule and should be ready at the end of July.
• Renovation of the Board Room in the Administration Building will start shortly. Once finished the new "smart" room will be more "restricted" in use than it is presently. The lobby of the Administration Building is also getting a face lift.
• Finally, on the construction side, it has been determined not to renovate the dining facilities in the Skutt Student Center. A combination of cost and design issues contributed to that decision. The place will get a bit of paint and some other cosmetic touchups.

UNIVERSITY RELATIONS
This has been a banner year for University fund raising! The Annual Fund is 34% better than '03; outright gifts exceeded last year by 8%; and the "quiet" phase of our yet-to-be announced campaign is looking extraordinarily promising. Two examples: the newly endowed "Charlie and Mary Heider Chair in Cancer Research" and the "Frank J. Kelleher Professorship in Trusts and Estates." Stay tuned for some other significant announcements later.

KUDOS

• to Dan Burkey and team for shepherding an end-of-year budget in the black!
• to John Krecek and the Registrar’s Office team for surviving the first "on-line" registration of the 04-05 freshmen class.
• to Ed Servais for being the "Missouri Valley Baseball Coach of the Year."
• to Bruce Rasmussen for being selected 2003-2004 "Athletic Director of the Year" for Division I-AA/I-AAA Central Region by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics.
• to Brian Besack for planting the Creighton "sculpture garden" which is creeping across the campus.
• to Phil Gustafson and his team at the Creighton University Medical Center Hospital (St. Joe’s) for the recent successful site visit and review by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations.

And to all of you for doing the job you do so well. Thank you.

Talk to you soon. Enjoy the rest of the summer.

John P. Schlegel, S.J.
President