Happy New Year to you all! I trust the Christmas break was well spent. I want to thank those many Creighton colleagues who extended Christmas greetings or sent notes of appreciation for the down time between Christmas and New Year's day. It is important, I think, to have quality time with family and friends away from the workplace during this special time of the year.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY
While there is much to share with you, I begin with an invitation to join members of the Creighton community in our annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Monday, Jan. 16. The one-hour program in the Lied Education Center for the Arts begins at 4 p.m. Two MLK legacy awards will be bestowed: One on Mr. Al Goodwin, long-serving Executive Director of the Omaha Economic Development Corporation and member of the President’s Community Advisory Board since its inception in 1991; and one on Sister Joan Mueller, Associate Professor of Theology, for her service to the Sudanese community in Omaha.

CHRISTMAS GLOW
There has been a lot of activity since my last update. I would be remiss, however, if I did not begin by thanking Lennis Pederson and Facilities personnel for providing a splendid festival of lights across campus for the Christmas season. Many out-of-town visitors, as well as many locals, visited the campus these past weeks to enjoy the special “glow” that marked the Christmas season at Creighton. We turned the lights off on Tuesday evening. Now all we have are the stars to light up the January nights!

CONSTRUCTION
The two new parking structures are in use. While there is much detail work and landscaping yet to be done, the garages are functional. The new card access system should be in place by mid-February. I want to thank each of you for your patience over the last few months. I know the parking situation has been less than optimal. Your patience blended with progress has helped us create two of the finest parking structures around. Please observe the parking directives which can be viewed at:

http://www.creighton.edu/PubRel/24thGarage
http://www.creighton.edu/PubRel/SurfaceLots.pdf
http://www.creighton.edu/PubRel/20thStreetGarage.pdf

At the same time, progress is evident on the Opus Hall town homes. The brickwork is proceeding well, primarily due to the excellent construction weather. Completion remains summer 2006 for August occupancy.

TRANSITIONS
On Dec. 21, Prof. Wiseman announced that Dr. Barbara Braden was stepping down as Dean of the Graduate School at the end of the academic year. Dr. Braden will continue as Dean of University College and Summer Sessions. Barb has served Creighton well over the years: in the School of Nursing, Graduate Dean, Interim Academic Vice President, and “of counsel” to the President these past five years. Thank you, Dr. Braden, for your loyalty, dedication and service to Creighton University!

Prof. Wiseman has determined that a search for a combined Dean of the Graduate School and Associate Vice President for Faculty Development, who will report to the Academic Vice President, will soon be initiated.

On Jan. 10, Mr. Jeff Branstetter began his duties as the Director of Human Resources. Jeff brings to Creighton extensive HR experience from his years at Con Agra Foods, Inc. and Ameritrade. At the same time, I want to thank Mr. Bill Hill for his years of serves as Director of Human Resources. Bill has initiated many important changes that have greatly enhanced the quality of life in our workplace. Bill will now serve on a part-time basis as Special Assistant to the Administration and Finance Division.

NUMBERS
Spring enrollment looks promising. No specifics at this early date, but we'll update you later in the month. The same is true for fall undergraduate admissions.

ACCREDITATION
Continuing with our long line of successful accreditations, I am happy to announce that the School of Medicine’s Graduate Medical Education Program has also received accreditation from the Institutional Review Committee of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Special thanks to Dr. Cecile Zielinski for her leadership and oversight.

CAMPAIGN
Finally, as you know, on Dec. 3, we launched “Willing to Lead: THE CAMPAIGN FOR CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY” At that time, we committed the University to raising $350 million over the next three years. To date, owing to a good end-of–year, we are seeing some progress toward that goal. You may recall that these resources are initially committed to fund:

People and programs (scholarship endowment and program support);
Science education and technology infrastructure (Hixson-Lied Science Building and the renovation of Rigge and the Criss Buildings);
East campus expansion (soccer stadium and property purchase);
Sustaining the Annual Fund (annual contributions to cover existing needs).

At this point in the campaign, I am confident we will reach our goal by December 2008. At a time later in the year, I will invite the Creighton faculty and staff to participate in this effort to “Re-found the University.”

As the sun sets on a successful 2005, I want to say thank you to everyone for living out the Creighton mission and being visible to those who are invisible to many others. The support, outreach and service you provide make a big difference to many local, state, national and international organizations. Throughout the year, and over the Christmas season, my inbox was filled with numerous letters of praise and “thanks” for the support and outreach that Creighton provides. I appreciate all of the care and support each of you contributed. Creighton is truly a place where the heart and the mind come together in service to a larger human community. Let’s make this a great semester!

John P. Schlegel, S.J.
President