Creighton University facts for kids
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| Latin: Universitas Creightoniana | |
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Former names
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Creighton College (1878–1958) |
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| Type | Private research university |
| Established | September 2, 1878 |
| Accreditation | HLC |
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Religious affiliation
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Roman Catholic (Jesuit) |
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Academic affiliations
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| Endowment | $745 million (2023) |
| President | Daniel S. Hendrickson, S.J. |
| Provost | Mardell A. Wilson |
| Rector | Nicholas Santos |
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Academic staff
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686 Full-time and 333 Part-time |
| Students | 8,821 |
| Undergraduates | 4,472 |
| Postgraduates | 4,349 |
| Location |
,
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United States
41°15′53″N 95°56′46″W / 41.26472°N 95.94611°W |
| Campus | Large City, 132 acres (53.4 ha) |
| Newspaper | Creightonian |
| Other campuses | |
| Colors | Blue White |
| Nickname | Bluejays |
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Sporting affiliations
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NCAA Division I – Big East |
| Mascot | Billy Bluejay |
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Creighton University is a private university located in Omaha, Nebraska. It was started by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in 1878. The university is known for its research and offers many different programs.
In 2015, about 8,393 students were studying there. The main campus is about 140 acres, just outside downtown Omaha. Creighton has nine different schools and colleges. These include schools for law, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, and business. The university also runs the Creighton University Medical Center. There's even a second campus in Phoenix, Arizona, that focuses on health sciences.
Contents
About Creighton University
A Look Back: Creighton's History
Creighton University first opened its doors on September 2, 1878. It was originally called Creighton College. The school was founded thanks to a generous gift from Mary Lucretia Creighton. She wanted a school built to honor her husband, Edward Creighton, who was a well-known businessman in Omaha.
When it first started, Creighton College had 120 students. They were taught by five Jesuits and two other teachers. Edward's brother, John A. Creighton, helped the university grow a lot in its early years. The College of Arts and Sciences was created in 1878. It is still the biggest college at Creighton today.
In 1885, the Creighton University Observatory was built on campus. This was a place for studying stars and space. Women were first allowed to attend the college in 1913. In 1958, the college split into two separate parts: Creighton Preparatory School and Creighton University.
What You Can Study: Academics
Creighton University has many different schools and colleges where students can learn. These include:
- College of Arts & Sciences
- Heider College of Business (for business studies)
- College of Nursing
- School of Dentistry (for future dentists)
- School of Medicine (for future doctors)
- School of Pharmacy & Health Professions (for pharmacists and other health careers)
- School of Law (for future lawyers)
- Graduate School (for advanced degrees after college)
- College of Professional Studies
The College of Arts & Sciences is the largest school. About 28% of all students at Creighton study there. In 2018, Creighton announced a new campus in Phoenix, Arizona. This campus, which opened in 2021, focuses on health sciences.
Go Bluejays! Sports at Creighton
Creighton is part of NCAA Division I sports. This means their sports teams compete at a very high level. They are members of the Big East. Creighton's teams are called the Bluejays. They have 14 teams in eight different sports.
Some famous basketball players from Creighton include Paul Silas, Benoit Benjamin, Kyle Korver, and Doug McDermott. Well-known coaches have included Eddie Sutton and Willis Reed.
The women's basketball team won the WNIT championship in 2004. They play their home games at D. J. Sokol Arena on campus.
The men's soccer team had an amazing streak. They made it to the NCAA tournament 17 times in a row from 1992 to 2008. During this time, they reached the College Cup three times. They even played in the championship game in 2000. Their home games are played at Morrison Stadium on campus.
Creighton's baseball team made it to the College World Series once, in 1991. Jim Hendry, who later became a general manager for the Chicago Cubs, coached that team. A very famous baseball player, Bob Gibson, who is in the Hall of Fame, also went to Creighton.
The women's softball team has been to the Women's College World Series twice (1982 and 1986). They also played in six of eight NCAA Tournaments. Tara Oltman, a pitcher from 2007-2010, set many records in her conference. She was named Pitcher of the Year three times.
Who Goes to Creighton? Students and Campus Life
As of 2015, Creighton had 8,435 students. About half of them were undergraduate students. Many students are the first in their families to go to college. Also, 26% of the students are people of color, and 56% are female. A large number, 82%, have volunteered to help others.
Living on Campus: Residence Halls
Creighton has eight different places where students can live on campus. These are called residence halls. All of them are for both male and female students. Graves Hall, which was finished in 2023, can house up to 400 first-year students.
Student Voice: Government and Clubs
The university has over 200 student groups and clubs!
- The Creighton Students Union (CSU) is the main student government. It was started in 1922. Students from all the different schools and colleges are part of it.
- The Inter Residence Hall Government (IRHG) was created in 1984. It represents the students living in the residence halls.
Helping Others: Service and Justice
The John P. Schlegel, S.J. Center for Service and Justice (SCSJ) helps students get involved in community service. It also teaches them about fairness and justice. This center helped create the Cortina Community. This is a special living group for second-year students who want to live together and focus on service.
Express Yourself: Arts and Media
- Creighton has several singing groups. These include a Chamber Choir, Gospel Choir, Jazz Ensemble, and University Chorus. There's also a men's a cappella group called the Creightones.
- The Creighton Dance Company performs different styles of dance. These include ballet, modern dance, and jazz.
- Students can get degrees in Art History, Studio Art, Dance, Music, Theatre, and Musical Theatre.
- Many plays and musical shows are put on each year at the Lied Education Center for the Arts.
- The student newspaper is called The Creightonian. It has won awards for college journalism.
- Shadows is a magazine that features student writing and art.
Famous Faces: Notable Alumni and Faculty
Many people who went to Creighton University have gone on to do amazing things. Over 68,000 alumni live in 93 different countries!
Some notable alumni include:
- Marcia Anderson: The first African-American woman to become a major general in the United States Army Reserve.
- Michael P. Anderson: An astronaut who was part of the Space Shuttle Columbia mission.
- Bob Gibson: A legendary pitcher in Major League Baseball and a member of the Hall of Fame.
- Ron Hansen: A well-known novelist.
- Cathy Hughes: A very successful businesswoman.
- Mike Johanns: A former Governor of Nebraska, a former U.S. Senator, and a former United States Secretary of Agriculture.
- Donald Keough: A former chief operating officer of Coca-Cola.
- Kyle Korver and Doug McDermott: Famous basketball players.
- Joe Ricketts: The founder of TD Ameritrade and part-owner of the Chicago Cubs baseball team.
- Symone Sanders: A political commentator and former spokesperson for a presidential campaign.
- Mark Walter: A founder of Guggenheim Partners and part-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team.
Many talented people have also taught at Creighton University. Some of them include:
- Raymond J. Bishop
- Barbara Braden
- Virgil Blum
- Patrick Borchers
- Raymond A. Bucko
- Judith M. Burnfield
- John Calvert
- Edward P. J. Corbett
- Frank Crawford
- Blase J. Cupich
- Ross Horning
- Henry T. Lynch
- D. S. Malik
- Francis I. McKenna
- R. R. Reno
- Joseph F. Rigge
- William J. Riley
- Robert F. Rossiter Jr.
- Roger Lawrence Schwietz
- Hugh Sidey
- Constantine Joseph Smyth
- William O. Stephens
- Lyle Elmer Strom
- LaNada War Jack
Images for kids
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The University Mall at Creighton
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St. John's Church on Creighton's campus
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Mike Johanns, a notable alumnus
See also
In Spanish: Universidad Creighton para niños
- Education in North Omaha, Nebraska
- List of Jesuit sites
- Saint Joseph Hospital at Creighton University Medical Center
