The first ‘Creighton’ to attend Creighton University

There are, in fact, many, many Creightons who have nothing to do with the Creighton we know. Learn about some of the other most notable Creightons — from an asteroid to America’s first baseball superstar to the fictional fast-food chain of a French-Canadian sitcom.

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The Other Ed Creighton

By Micah Mertes

Every Bluejay knows about Edward C. Creighton — the man whose dream and fortune founded Creighton University.

Few know about Edward A. Creighton (1885-1944) — the elder Edward’s great-great-nephew.

The younger Edward, BA’1905, was the first-known Creighton to attend and graduate from Creighton. He would go on to become the quintessential alum, staying extremely active and serving on the Athletics board and as the chairman of the reception committee for Creighton’s first alumni homecoming event in 1922.

Recently, while looking through the Archives, Thomas Haggstrom and Greg Hollins — with the Reinert Alumni and Health Science libraries — found historical materials that show Edward A Creighton during his time as a student and alum.

Here are some highlights of Creighton’s first Creighton family graduate.

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But first … a quick digression: According to our records, 10 people with the last name of Creighton have graduated from Creighton University. At least one is a descendant of the founding family — a 1994 Heider College of Business alumna who is the great-great-great-great-great-niece of Edward (the elder) and John Creighton.

(Amusingly enough, there have also been 10 Creighton graduates with the first name of Creighton, ranging from 1940 to 2017.)

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Edward A. Creighton was as active a student as he was an alum.

During his time in the College of Arts and Sciences, he would write poetry, act in plays and play on athletic teams.

Here’s Edward in class and with a group of his fellow students …

Here he is on the Creighton football team ...

And the baseball team ...

Later in life, in 1922, he would serve on the committee for Creighton’s first homecoming event.

He remained a part of homecoming the rest of his life. Here he is in a Creightonian clipping from 1938, the first to register for that year’s homecoming celebration …

Edward A. Creighton once said, “Creighton is for Omaha, and Omaha is for Creighton. Together, we can do great things.”

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Did you know Creighton is celebrating the 100-year anniversary of the first Homecoming with Creighton Days?

Coming this fall (Sept. 29–Oct. 2, 2022), Creighton Days is Reunion Weekend reimagined — four days of reunion parties, walking tours, campus festivities, food, fun, music and so much more. Creighton Days is for ALL alumni and friends, regardless of your class year!

Registration will open soon. Sign up for a text reminder today!

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There are, in fact, many, many Creightons who have nothing to do with the Creighton we know. Learn about some of the other most notable Creightons — from an asteroid to America’s first baseball superstar to the fictional fast-food chain of a French-Canadian sitcom.