Creighton University was founded in 1878 in Omaha, Nebraska. Edward Creighton, a business man focused on the economic development on Omaha, died in 1874. His widow, Mary Creighton, used a portion of her inheritance to establish a school in memory of her late husband. With Edward’s brother and her brother-in-law, John Creighton, Mary purchased 6.2 acres of land and handed over the land to Right Rev. James O’Connor, D.D., Bishop of Omaha.
Under the Jesuits, the Creighton College of Arts and Sciences opened in 1878. It is currently the largest division of the school today. In 1913 Creighton began admitting women, as part-time students in summer sessions. It was not until 1951 when University College merged with the College of Arts and Sciences, making it a coed division of the school. In 1924, although Mary Creighton imagined the college to be a free education for men, it became necessary to charge tuition.
In 1926 the school began looking towards building a graduate school. It also worked on expanding its undergraduate programs. The School of Nursing, School of Journalism and School of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions were all founded in the subsequent years.
Today Creighton views itself as a leader in providing its students a faith-based Jesuit education.
Creighton sits on 108 acres, bordered by North Freeway and Interstate 480 in Omaha, adjacent to downtown. Most buildings are clustered together, making walking from class to class easy. West Campus consists of the Creighton University Medical Center and the Cardiac Center. It is across the freeway from the main campus.
One of Creighton’s main walkways is Skinner Mall. It is a brick path surrounded by trees and grass.
Creighton’s campus is located in Omaha, about five miles from the downtown business center, Old Market. Students come to Old Market to dine and, for the over 21, bar-hop. Nearby Qwest Center and the Sokol are concert venues that feature headline acts as well as local musicians.
When the weather is pleasant students hang out at one of the local coffee shops in the area. They also head to the outdoor Village Pointe shopping center. Omaha destinations are spread-out so students can’t walk to their destinations. They need to either drive or take public transportation. Students say the surrounding area is not a college town by any means but they make do by staying on-campus most of the time, going off-campus only occasionally.
A Creighton fall tradition is Getting Blue BBQs. Students and staff work together to put on a series for on-campus barbeques for students to eat, socialize and support their sports teams. The Creighton Blue Crew is the school’s yell leaders. They are responsible for getting fans pumped for athletic games by leading cheers. It is a time-honored tradition at Creighton to be a Blue Crew member.
A Jesuit university, Creighton upholds many religious traditions and values and integrates them with the curriculum. Characteristic of a Jesuit Education include the challenge to strive for excellence, sharing gifts, respecting each person as a child of God and all of God’s creations, developing the whole person, “For the Greater Glory of God” and teaching behaviors that reflect critical thought and responsible action on moral and ethical issues.
Mike Fahey (1973) is the mayor of Omaha.
Mike Friend (1985) is a state senator for Nebraska, writer/editor for the First National Bank of Omaha.
Nancey Murphy (1973) is a Christian theologian and philosopher.
The Creighton Blue Jays participate in NCAA Division I, in the Missouri Valley Conference. Men’s basketball is very popular at Creighton. Their games average the highest attendance in their conference. They are one of only a few collegiate teams to have 20 or more wins in each of the last 10 seasons. Students flock to Qwest Center Omaha to watch their games.
Men’s soccer is another strong athletic program at Creighton. The team has reached the NCAA tournament every year since 1992 and has made three College Cup appearances.
Intramurals sports are popular among students who want to compete but not at a Varsity level. Some IM sports are volleyball, wiffle ball, soccer, basketball, and softball, among others. Students say IMs are a great way to keep in shape and be outside.
Creighton has been host to a variety of famous speakers, such as billionaire Warren Buffett, deceased NBC journalist Tim Russert, and actor Jon Heder.
From 1998 to 2001 Creighton was the one of only three schools to send all basketball, soccer, and baseball teams to the NCAA tournament.
Creighton received a Citation in Landscape Architecture as well as Outstanding Project in the Master Planning category for their California Mall.
On-campus housing is divided into Freshman Living Halls, Sophomore Living Halls and Apartment Living. The Freshman Living Halls include Deglman Hall, a female hall that houses 160 women; Gallagher Hall, a coed hall that houses 190 students; and Kiewit Hall, a coed hall with 460 students.
The Sophomore Living Halls are all co-ed. They include Kenefick Hall, McGloin Hall, and Swanson Hall, the largest of the three. Davis Square, Opus Hall, and Heider Hall are Creighton’s apartment housing options.