The Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J. became Creighton University's 23rd President in August 2000.

Since coming to Creighton University in 2000, as its 23rd president, John Schlegel has brought a renewed energy to campus, leading the University through a period of historic growth built on the pillars of academic excellence, life-enhancing research, community, spiritual formation and the promotion of justice. 

Prior to his arrival at Creighton, Fr. Schlegel served nine years as president of the University of San Francisco, another Jesuit institution.  Before that, he was Creighton University's assistant academic vice president (1978-82), academic dean of Rockhurst College (1982-84), dean of arts and sciences at Marquette University (1984-88), and executive and academic vice president at John Carroll University (1988-1991). 

As president of Creighton, Fr. Schlegel has initiated changes that have enhanced the already nationally recognized academic quality of the University and the beauty of the campus.  Creighton's investment in redevelopment and east campus expansion has been part of the renaissance of downtown Omaha.  The changes are evident:  new junior/senior town homes in Davis Square and Opus Hall, one of the nation's top collegiate soccer venues in Morrison Stadium, science facilities that encourage interdisciplinary collaboration and discovery in the Hixson-Lied Science Building, a redesigned campus mall radiant with colors and convenient new parking garages.  Add to that a remodeling of the venerable St. John's Church, the heart and soul of the Creighton campus; the construction of the Mike and Josie Harper Center for Student Life and Learning, consolidating academic and student support services in one convenient location; and the redevelopment of a historic five-story building on the eastern edge of campus for University Relations and Creighton Medical Associates.  All of these changes have enhanced the living and learning experience of Creighton's 6,800 students.   

In 2002, Fr. Schlegel inaugurated the Creighton University Medical Center as an umbrella for all of Creighton’s century-old health care institutions.  As a champion of diversity in the workplace Fr. Schlegel established, in 2001, what has become an annual citywide diversity summit and CEO breakfast for corporate Omaha.  

For his promotion of understanding and respect among all races, religions and cultures, Fr. Schlegel received the Otto Swanson Spirit of Service Award from the National Conference for Community Justice (NCCJ) in 2003, the Champion of Greatness Award from Special Olympics Nebraska (2003), the Honored Citizen Award from the Woodmen of the World Life Insurance Society (2004), the Award for Vision from Downtown Omaha Inc. (2005), the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award and the Silver Beaver Award from the Boy Scouts of America (2007), and named ICAN's (Institute for Career Advancement Needs) Tim Rouse Advocate for Women in Leadership Award winner (2008).

A graduate of St. Louis University with a B.A. in philosophy and classics (1969) and a M.A. in political science (1970), he also earned a theology degree from the University of London (1973) and a doctorate from Oxford University in international relations (1977).

Fr. Schlegel serves on numerous local boards in the arts, education and not-for-profit areas. 

Read more about Creighton's president in this article by One Magazine.

http://www2.creighton.edu/fileadmin/user/president/docs/OneMag.pdf