Distinctive Excellence: Catholic The Power Technology Creighton Creighton in the 21st Century of Vitamin D at Creighton Blooms Fall 2007 View the magazine online at: Fall 2007 www.creightonmagazine.org University Magazine The Power of D ................................................................10 A heralded study by Creighton researchers found that daily doses of vitamin D several times higher than federal recommendations resulted in a dramatic reduction in cancers — adding to the growing evidence of the benefits of vitamin D. Distinctive Excellence: Catholic Creighton in the 21st Century ...........................14 As many formerly religiously affiliated colleges and universities in the United States have become secular, theology professor John O’Keefe, Ph.D., writes that schools like 10 Creighton can provide a unique educational experience — one that is both academically excellent and religiously distinctive. Technology at Creighton ...............................................20 Did you know that Creighton University is ranked fifth in America among the nation’s most-wired colleges and universities? Learn how Creighton is using the latest technology to enhance its educational mission. Creighton Blooms ........................................................... 24 The campus welcomed new and returning students in all its resplendent glory, with beautiful foliage, extended walkways and blossoming flowers. Check out the colorful 14 views of campus in this photo spread. On the cover: Jesuits enter the newly renovated St. John’s Church during Creighton’s annual Mass of the Holy Spirit. Omaha Archbishop the Most Rev. Elden Francis Curtiss consecrated the new altar at a Eucharistic celebration on July 28. Read more about that celebration and the renovations on Page 5. (Photo by Mark Romesser) 20 University News .....................4 Campaign Update ...............26 Alumni News .......................28 Willing to Serve ....................35 24 CONTACT US: Editor — Rick Davis, (402) 280-1785, [email protected] • Associate Editor — Sheila Swanson, (402) 280-2069, [email protected] View the magazine online at: www.creightonmagazine.org. Message from the University President Our Catholic Tradition We begin another academic year full of gratitude and hope. Our campus, Our freshman class of 952 students pushes our overall to borrow a Jesuit undergraduate enrollment to more than 4,000 — a new record high phrase, “is charged for Creighton University. Our graduate and professional programs are with the grandeur also well subscribed, putting our total enrollment near 7,000. of God.” The recent We are grateful that we continue to attract a bright, talented, diverse renovations to St. John’s group of students. An impressive 42 percent of our new freshmen Church, for example, are ranked in the top 10 percent of their high school classes. inspiring. The changes We realize our students have many options in selecting a college only serve to enhance or university. What we offer is a distinctive education — rooted in the church’s standing as the Jesuit, Catholic tradition — that focuses not only on preparing the “heart of campus” — a individuals for a profession but on forming women and men who will warm, inviting place to gather in be agents of change in a complex world. community and prayer. Our goal is to educate competent, compassionate and committed Like St. John’s, Catholic universities students who are enlivened with a spirit to love and serve others, have undergone their own metamorphosis. Theology professor especially the poor and marginalized; to seek God’s truth in all its John O’Keefe, Ph.D., writes in this issue about the evolution of forms; and to act for justice. Catholic colleges and universities into the mainstream of American In this mission, we are guided and sustained by the living tradition higher education. Indeed, Creighton has been no exception. of the Catholic Church. We continue to nourish our relationship with The animating force behind Catholic universities across the the church locally and globally, with programs such as: centuries, however, has remained constant: a love of learning and a • Our new Master of Arts in Ministry, a cooperative venture between love of the truth. Creighton and the Archdiocese of Omaha, designed to prepare The late Pope John Paul II wrote in Ex corde Ecclesiae that a “Catholic participants for professional ministry in the Catholic Church. University is distinguished by its free search for the whole truth about • Christian Spirituality, which draws laity, religious and clergy nature, man and God … By means of a kind of universal humanism, a worldwide each summer for graduate-level study. The program’s Catholic university is completely dedicated to the research of all aspects more than 800 graduates serve in a wide range of ministries. of truth in their essential connection with the Supreme Truth, who is God. • Institute for Priestly Formation, which assists with the spiritual It does this without fear but rather with enthusiasm.” formation of diocesan seminarians and priests. The Institute, now It follows that a Catholic university must be a place where faith is in in its 13th year, has served 866 seminarians from 130 different dialogue with culture. As the Second Vatican Council noted, the “church dioceses in the U.S. and around the world. can provide no more eloquent proof of its solidarity with, as well as its • Magis Teaching Corps, in which highly motivated faith-filled respect for, the entire human family with which it is bound up than by students serve in under-resourced Catholic schools while engaging with it in conversation.” pursuing a master’s degree in education. While Creighton is firmly grounded in its Catholic roots, it is also a place that welcomes diverse faiths. In fact, while 63 percent of our current But these programs, and others, do not represent the extent of our freshman class is Catholic, more than 40 faiths are represented. outreach — for our Jesuit, Catholic mission touches all aspects of a Our goal is to prepare all of our students to fulfill their own purpose in Creighton education. The visiting team from the Higher Learning life, while instilling in them a profound desire to serve God and to serve Commission of the North Central Association noted as much in its others. Our Jesuit, Catholic tradition demands nothing less, and I will recent report during our accreditation: settle for nothing less. The institution is permeated by the basic tenets of Creighton’s mission as a Catholic and Jesuit comprehensive university dedicated to the pursuit of truth … [to] providing an integrated vision of the world arising from knowledge and love of Jesus Christ … [to] the intellectual, social, spiritual, physical and John P. Schlegel, S.J. recreational aspects of students’ lives … and [to] the promotion of justice for President the betterment of society and the discovery of knowledge. University News University Magazine U.S. News Ranking Continues to Recognize Publisher: Creighton University; Rev. John P. Schlegel, Creighton’s academic Excellence, Value S.J., President; Lisa Calvert, Vice President for University For the fifth consecutive year, Creighton University is No. 1 in U.S. News & World Report’s Relations. Creighton University Magazine staff: Kim Barnes rankings of Midwest master’s universities. It is the 10th time in 12 years Creighton has been Manning, Assistant Vice President for Marketing and No. 1, and the 21st straight year the University has been ranked at or near the top of the Public Relations; Rick Davis, Editor; Sheila Swanson, Associate Editor; Pamela A. Vaughn, Features Editor; magazine’s “America’s Best Colleges” edition. Cindy McMahon, Senior Writer. Editorial Advisers: Cam This year Creighton also was recognized as No. 1 in the Midwest region as a “best value,” Enarson, M.D., M.B.A.; Patrick Borchers, J.D.; Richard where students get the best return on their tuition investment. O’Brien, M.D.; Diane Dougherty Crowley; Rev. Donald A. “Creighton provides an exceptional living and learning environment for students, and Doll, S.J.; Tamara Buffalohead-McGill; and Jayne Schram. our peers recognize that value,” said Creighton President the Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J. “Access to a Creighton education for quality and diverse students is important to us; that Creighton University Magazine (USPS728-070) is published quarterly in the sping, summer, fall and winter by is why our current capital campaign highlights the need for sustaining scholarships. Our Creighton University, 2500 California Plaza, Omaha, NE successful recruitment efforts have brought in diverse students from varying socio-economic 68178-0001. Periodicals postage paid at Omaha, Neb. and backgrounds, different geographic locations, and multiple ethnic groups.” additional entry points. Address all mail to Marketing The U.S. News ranking category, Universities-Master’s, reflects on a school’s mission, and Public Relations, Omaha, NE 68178. Postmaster: Send change of address to Creighton University Magazine, P.O. providing a full range of undergraduate and master-level programs and, in Creighton’s Box 3266, Omaha, NE 68103-0078. case, doctoral programs. The criteria are academic reputation, graduation and retention rates, faculty resources, student selectivity, financial resources and alumni giving. For more enrollment information, contact the In addition, Princeton Review Inc. listed Creighton as one of the nation’s top 366 Undergraduate Admissions Office at 1-800-282-5835,