As the semester sprints to a close, I realize I have not sent an update since mid-March. That, I suggest, is an indication of how busy we all are this time of year, when time seems to "fly" for all of us. Some useful information follows.

The University community joined the whole world in mourning the death of Pope John Paul II. We were captivated by the death vigil in the end days, gratified by the dignity of the funeral and the outpouring of emotion across the globe. At the same time, we witnessed the election and inauguration of Pope Benedict XVI. We pray the Spirit of God, the Wisdom of God, be with him. As a distinguished theologian, ecumenist and university professor, he is gifted to meet the challenges before him and before the Church. Please keep him in your prayers.

Of course, as a campus community, we have been deeply saddened by the deaths of our friends and colleagues Dr. Anne Dittrick, Dr. Ross Horning, and Fr. Richard McGloin, S.J. They all enriched our lives when they were with us; they each leave a rich legacy; they will be missed. Please keep them and their loved ones in your prayers.

ADMISSIONS

On the Admission front, we are on target to achieve our budget number of 950 freshmen and 100 transfer students. The Admissions Office has been especially busy this semester. The quality of our students’ profile is impressive, they are geographically diverse and there is a nice spike up in the number of minority students accepting our invitation to attend Creighton. All of the professional programs are on target to meet their budget expectations. Again, a word of thanks to all who work on the Admissions teams across the campus.

FINANCES

Speaking of budgets, we are anticipating ending the 2004-05 year in the black, with a modest surplus. At the June meeting of the Board of Directors, the University will present a projected balanced budget for the 2005-06 year. I want to thank all of you who continue to cooperate with the University to create a fiscally solid and accountable institution.

PERSONNEL

As you know, we have successfully completed searches for the Dean of the School of Dentistry and the Dean of the College of Business. Dr. Steven Friedrichsen and Dr. Anthony Hendrickson, will assume their respective offices in mid summer. I take this opportunity to thank Dr. Wayne Barkmeier for his eleven years of serving as Dental School Dean and to Dr. Deborah Wells for serving as the Acting Dean of CoBA.

CONSTRUCTION

The construction crane will once again replace the Bluejay as our mascot this summer. Several new projects will be initiated.

• Phase II of the student town homes will occupy the site of the Murphy Building. With a capacity of 299 students, the building will be designed in a style and with materials reflective of Davis Square.
• The lower level of the Skutt Student Center will undergo an extensive renovation.
• The California Street Mall will be completed this summer. Phase II resumes from the Kiewit Center to Gallagher Hall, including the walkway between Hitchcock and Humanities buildings. It will end with a water feature (I hope!).
• Construction of the parking structures on 24th and Burt and 20th and Cass will begin in mid-May with a January 2006 completion date. A detailed schedule of traffic flow, parking alternatives, and expanded shuttle service will be circulated in a special update shortly.
• The Cuming Street project is on schedule for an August completion date. Traffic flow on both Burt and Cuming Streets will be greatly improved come August.
• The stained glass in St. Johns Church is being re-faced.
• The exterior panels of Heider Hall will be reinforced and painted.
• And, if that isn’t enough activity, the Epsen Hillmer Graphic building will be razed in late summer for site preparation for the Living and Learning Center. That construction will begin in spring 2006.

ACADEMIC AFFAIRS

Congratulations to all of you who participated in the Joint Academic Forum on April 26th. A special word of thanks to Prof. Christine Wiseman and Dr. Cam Enarson for organizing such an engaging event. The panelists did a fine job in presenting varied aspects of research and scholarship in a Catholic and Jesuit university. I heard the discussion that followed was very energizing. This is a good start for a university-wide discussion of a very important aspect of our identity as university and our mission as a community of scholars.

STRATEGIC PLANNING

This past year, we have made considerable progress in our efforts to make strategic planning a guiding force in our day-to-day efforts. With input and advice from the Vice Presidents, Deans, and their staffs, we clearly understand the key strategic issues facing the University and are in the final stages of identifying goals through which we can address those issues. I am looking forward to early this fall when all faculty and staff will have the opportunity to help suggest specific plans of action that we can consider for funding to help us address those strategic issues. Through this entire process, we continue to focus on the five strategic priorities that shaped Plan 125 as we work toward being one of the top five faith-based master’s comprehensive 1 universities in the United States and the Jesuit school of choice in our region.

BACCALAUREATE MASS

The graduate Mass is scheduled for Friday, May 13, at 3 p.m. in the Kiewit Convocation and Fitness Center. Fr. William Byron, S.J., former President of Scranton University and the Catholic University of America will give the homily. I encourage you to attend. I very much want this event to be the "beginning" of commencement weekend and an event truly reflective of the whole community.

GRADUATION

The spring commencement ceremonies are set for Saturday, May 14, in the Omaha Civic Auditorium. The 9:30 a.m. ceremony is for Arts and Sciences, Business Administration, BSEMS graduates, Law, and Graduate School. The 2 p.m.ceremony is for the School of Nursing, School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, BSDH graduates, School of Dentistry, and School of Medicine. Ms. Tessie Edwards, BS'49, and Fr. William Byron, S.J., will receive honorary degrees in the morning ceremony. The Mexican Consulate Office will be given the Presidential Medallion. The Vacanti brothers/doctors (Charles, BS’72; Francis, BS’74; Joseph, BS’70; and Martin, BS’74, MD’82) will receive the University Alumni Achievement award during the afternoon ceremony.

THANK YOU

Finally, thank you all, in whatever the capacity, for making the 2004-05 academic year a memorable one. As a university we were blessed with talented and bounteous students, productive faculty in classrooms and laboratories, and a staff generous in service. The administrative team worked well together. Our fundraising efforts and public relations initiatives are bearing fruit. The progress in information technology and related technical areas is evident. Our campus expansion and beautification have been applauded by folks on and off campus, but especially by our alumni. Again, thank you for helping Creighton realize its "willed future."

John P. Schlegel, S.J.
President