Featured Testimonial About Creighton University
By Jon Nyatawa
2023 was a year to remember at Creighton. In so many ways, the university expanded its capabilities to serve students and produce community leaders.
For the purposes of this exercise, we capped the 2023 highlights at 15. Just to keep things tidy. We could go on and on and on about all the outstanding stories that showcased impact at Creighton … because, well, the Creighton community was busy making a difference this year.
So before the page flips to 2024, let’s look back at 2023.
WINTER
Elite Eight!
It was an NCAA tournament run that’ll forever be etched into Bluejay lore. The men’s basketball team won three thrilling games during March Madness, going further than any other Creighton hoops squad in modern history. Read more about the Jays’ milestone season.
Spring
Campus makeover(s)
Where do we start? A lot has happened on campus this year. There were upgrades to Reinert Alumni Memorial Library, a remodeling inside the V.J. and Angela Skutt Student Center, enhancements to the exterior of McGloin Hall and the demolition of Becker Hall. And, of course, the fountain in front of St. John’s. It was temporarily removed, and work continues to refresh the plaza. Learn more about the history of the St. John’s fountain.
Students win prestigious awards
Gabby Baker, Christina Davis, Emma Moran and Megan Friel earned the Fulbright scholarship — the highest number of Creighton students to be recognized for this award in a single year. Creighton remained the top Catholic university producer of Goldwater Scholars as Jack Diers and Olivia Nicholson earned the honor in 2023. Read more about the Fulbright Scholars and the Goldwater Scholars.
Summer
Forward Blue exceeds 400 scholarships
The most comprehensive fundraising campaign in Creighton’s history is delivering on its mission to support students. Forward Blue, fueled by dedicated alumni and friends, has created more than 400 scholarships over the course of the campaign. You can positively impact a student’s life by making a gift today!
Harper Nursing Scholars Program
The Harper Family Foundation made one of the largest gifts in the history of Creighton’s College of Nursing and established a nearly full-tuition scholarship for 30 nursing students. Read more about the impact of this $5.2 million gift.
10 straight years of 1,000+ freshmen
The Class of 2027 continued an impressive achievement for Creighton. Nearly 1,050 freshmen began their first year on Aug. 15 — marking a historic decade of enrolling over 1,000 students for each freshman class. Read more about Creighton’s Class of 2027.
A decade in the BIG EAST
Creighton capped off a decade in the BIG EAST with the conference men’s and women’s basketball tournaments in March. Not only have Creighton’s athletic teams reached new landmarks and raised their national profiles, but the University has benefited from increased exposure and fostered stronger partnerships with other renowned Jesuit institutions. Read more about what a decade in the BIG EAST has meant to Creighton.
The CL and Rachel Werner Center
A new home for the School of Medicine opened its doors in August. The CL and Rachel Werner Center for Health Sciences Education is a 145,000-square-foot, five-story facility driven by donors and focused on students. It’ll serve an estimated 5,900 students, faculty, staff and visitors each year.
Learn more about the CL and Rachel Werner Center
View images and read the important quotes from the dedication event
Photo gallery: Tour the new facility
Graves Hall and the Simpson Family Courtyard
For the first time since the 1960s, Creighton opened a residence hall exclusively for first-year students. With four-person suites and spaces dedicated to wellness, interfaith programming and student development, it’s a new approach to student living and gathering – made possible by lead donors Lee C. Graves, BSBA’80, and his wife, Judy Graves, and their close friends Kathy and Jim Simpson, BA’80.
View photos from the dedication ceremony
Photo gallery: Tour the new residence hall
Fall
Institute of Population Health
To improve health equity, access and outcomes within the communities Creighton serves, the University launched the Institute of Population Health. Scott Shipman, MD, MPH, leads this innovative initiative as the institute’s executive director. Read more about Creighton’s efforts to positively impact community health.
Heider College of Business milestone
October marked the 10-year anniversary of the naming of Heider College of Business — which began in 1920 with the opening of the College of Commerce, Accounts and Finance. In the past 10 years, Creighton's enrollment of business undergraduates has doubled. The Class of 2027, which enrolled in the fall, was the largest ever. Read more about the success of the Heider College of Business.
A new physician assistant program in Phoenix
For the first time in 2023, Creighton’s Phoenix campus began welcoming students into its new Physician Assistant (PA) program. Creighton opened its 196,000-square-foot academic health sciences facility in 2021 and remains on track to serve 1,000 health sciences students by 2025. Read more about the Physician Assistant program.
Jessica Clark named dean of College of Nursing
Creighton announced in October that Jessica Clark, DNP, RN, would bring her academic, clinical and leadership skills to Omaha as the University’s new College of Nursing dean. Clark officially steps into the new role in January 2024 to replace Catherine Todero, PhD, BSN’72, RN, FAAN, who retired in September.
Sweet NCAA run for volleyball
Creighton’s volleyball team capped an impressive 2023 season with a memorable NCAA tournament performance. The Jays reached their third Sweet 16 after two impressive home wins. Read more about their achievements in 2023.
Creighton retires Doug McDermott’s jersey
Creighton announced in November that it will officially retire Doug McDermott’s No. 3 jersey before the Bluejay men’s basketball team hosts Villanova on Wednesday, Dec. 20.
McDermott was a three-time All-American (2012, 2013, 2014) and consensus National Player of the Year (2014). He ranks seventh in NCAA history in career points (3,150 points). McDermott helped lead Creighton to three NCAA tournaments and establish the program as a leader in the BIG EAST.
Read more about the plans to honor McDermott on Wednesday, Dec. 20.
