Major successes today. Big ambitions for tomorrow.
Those two ideas might best sum up the convocation address delivered at Creighton University this week by the Rev. Timothy Lannon, who is in his first year as the university's 24th president.
Among the school's successes is the all-time rec- ord enrollment of more than 7,700, high retention percentages and a freshman class with strong credentials. Lannon noted that "the freshman academic profile places Creighton among the top six private universities in the Midwest with more than 4,000 students."
On that same theme, Creighton was recognized for the seventh time in nine years with the Missouri Valley Conference All-Academic Award, and for the fall semester, the average team GPA at Creighton was a school-record 3.38.
Creighton also has seen an array of departmental achievements. Among them:
>> More than $41.6 million in outside research funding for the past year, plus the creation of the President's Faculty Research Fund, buoyed by a just-announced $3 million gift from Dr. George F. Haddix, a Creighton alumnus and member of the school's board of directors. Peer review panels have awarded money from the fund for 19 faculty research projects.
>> Creighton has made notable progress in what Lannon summed up as "innovative interdisciplinary degree programs in leadership, spirituality, energy technology, law and dispute resolution and business."
>> In the health sciences, developments have included the distance learning partnership the School of Pharmacy and Health Professions has launched with the University of Alaska-Anchorage, plus high accreditation marks for the School of Medicine and School of Nursing.
Lannon's convocation address noted how Creighton, like other institutions of higher learning, faces significant challenges. These include the need to manage costs (Lannon cited the specific challenge this year from rising medical expenses), increase revenues, keep teaching methods relevant, prepare students well for employment or graduate study and promote a university culture of adaptability.
To meet these and other challenges, Lannon set out well-thought-out proposals in four general areas: promoting academic excellence; revenue enhancement and cost containment; encouraging a forward-looking university culture; and budget management.
On another theme, Lannon pointed to Creighton's abiding mission to promote the Jesuit themes of academic rigor, service beyond self and religious faith. "There is no university in the country like us," he said.
Creighton contributes to the life of Omaha in numerous and important ways. It stands tall for its achievements. As it meets its challenges and continues moving forward, it deserves the community's support and cheers.
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