Featured Testimonial About Creighton University
Creighton’s history testifies to distinct periods of momentum and aspiration, and this is one of them. A great deal has happened at Creighton in a very short timeframe. With strategic investments in areas that support our core strengths, Creighton continues to evolve more boldly.
Learn more about the Forward Blue campaign
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Strong donor support for the Forward Blue campaign, including record-breaking philanthropy for scholarships, has led to the second-highest annual fundraising total in Creighton University history.
The University secured $99,775,175 in total commitments in fiscal year 2022 (FY22), including $46.3 million designated for scholarships. More than 15,800 alumni, foundations, corporations, religious organizations, parents, faculty and staff making gifts or pledges to 684 University funds between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022.
With a goal of $650 million, Forward Blue is the largest and most comprehensive fundraising campaign in Creighton’s history. The quiet phase of the campaign began in October 2016, and University President the Rev. Daniel S. Hendrickson, SJ, PhD, announced the campaign publicly in October 2021.
During his campaign announcement, Hendrickson identified student scholarships and support as a top priority. Nearly 360 scholarships have been created over the course of the campaign.
“Scholarships help attract highly-qualified and intensely motivated individuals who seek a Jesuit education — students who strive for greater levels of empathy, deeper insight, expertise, a more profound sense of themselves, and a stronger desire to contribute to their communities and the world around them,” Hendrickson said. “Making a gift of any size to scholarships is the best way to continue Creighton’s momentum."
In addition to scholarships, donors have invested heavily in the student experience through gifts to campus improvements in Omaha and Phoenix.
Building projects initiated or completed in FY22 included the renovation of the Harper Center, home to the Heider College of Business; a residence hall for first-year students; a renovation of the 24th Street Corridor in the heart of campus; and a new Jesuit Residence.
Also under construction is the CL and Rachel Werner Center for Health Sciences Education (opening in 2023), a cutting-edge facility east of Highway 75 and south of Cuming Street that will serve the University’s nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and physician assistant programs as well as becoming the new home of the School of Medicine.
“Creighton’s history testifies to distinct periods of momentum and aspiration, and this is one of them,” Hendrickson said. “A great deal has happened at Creighton in a very short timeframe. With strategic investments in areas that support our core strengths, Creighton continues to evolve more boldly.”
Other Forward Blue areas supported by donors in FY22 included mission-based programs, academics, faculty support and development, research, student services, Athletics and more.
“Alumni and donors who share our commitment not only to higher education, but to a Creighton education, are driving the Forward Blue campaign,” said Nizar N. Ghoussaini, chair of the Creighton University Board of Trustees. “By supporting scholarships, essential programs and facilities, they have declared their pride and confidence in Creighton’s students, goals and mission. The Board of Trustees is so grateful to donors for investing in the University’s future.”
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