Roman A. Shaffel, S.J.

Michael P. Dowling, S.J.

John F. McCormick, S.J.

Joseph P. Zuercher, S.J.

Carl M. Reinert, S.J.

Matthew E. Creighton, S.J.

John P. Schlegel, S.J.

Thomas H. Miles, S.J.

Eugene A. Magevney, S.J.

William J. Grace, S.J.

Thomas S. Bowdern, S.J.

Henry W. Linn, S.J.

Michael G. Morrison, S.J.

Current:
Timothy R. Lannon, S.J.
(beginning 2011)

Joseph Zealand, S.J.

Francis X. McMenamy, S.J.

William H. Agnew, S.J.

William H. McCabe, S.J.

Clement J. Schneider, S.J.

John P. Schlegel, S.J.

Hugh M. Finnegan, S.J.

John F. McCormick, S.J.

Patrick J. Mahan, S.J.

Carl M. Reinert, S.J.

Joseph J. Labaj, S.J.

Michael P. Dowling, S.J.

Joseph P. Zuercher, S.J.

Matthew E. Creighton, S.J.

Thomas S. Fitzgerald, S.J.

James F. X. Hoeffer, S.J.

John N. X. Pahls, S.J.

Michael P. Dowling, S.J.

Roman A. Shaffel, S.J.

1878-1880
Roman A. Shaffel, S.J., (1838-1908) had the unenviable task of being the first Jesuit in charge of the fledgling institution. Workers laid the cornerstone of the college in August 1877 ... more

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Thomas H. Miles, S.J.

1880-1883
In some ways, Thomas H. Miles, S.J., (1831-1909) presided over the University in times more difficult than that of his predecessor, Fr. Shaffel. There were difficulties with staffing, enrollment and curriculum. Upon his installation as president in 1880, Fr. Miles was Creighton’s only priest, aided by three scholastics ... more

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Joseph Zealand, S.J.

1883-1884
In October 1883, Joseph Zealand, S.J., (1831-1904) replaced Fr. Miles as president and rector, offices he held until July 1884. Curriculum changes during his short time as president placed less emphasis on classical education, especially Greek. A “Scientific Department” was opened with a gift from John A. Creighton, who outfitted the school with laboratories ... more

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Hugh M. Finnegan, S.J.

1884-1885
The 1884-1885 academic year opened with Hugh M. Finnegan, S.J., (1843-1929) as president. He served only for one year. Fr. Finnegan taught science to the older students and arithmetic to the younger students. He organized the first choir at the College ... more

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Michael P. Dowling, S.J.

1885-1889 (first term)
Michael P. Dowling, S.J., (1851-1915) would twice serve as the University’s president. During his first term, Creighton began offering college coursework, whereas earlier the school was primarily a vehicle for secondary education. At this time, the College continued to place even greater emphasis on scientific knowledge ... more

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Thomas S. Fitzgerald, S.J.

1889-1891
Thomas S. Fitzgerald, S.J., (1848-1910) became Creighton College’s president in March 1889. During his administration, the College prospered, but already there were indications of future financial woes … more

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James F. X. Hoeffer, S.J.

1891-1895
James F. X. Hoeffer, S.J., (1852-1913) was inaugurated as Creighton’s president on July 15, 1891. Little did he know he would oversee a difficult time not only for the College, but also Omaha’s Catholic community … more

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John N. X. Pahls, S.J.

1895-1898
When John N. X. Pahls, S.J., (1847-1910) took office in 1895, the institution’s financial situation was dire. It was one of the darkest periods in the University’s short history, and he was forced to withdraw $11,000 from the endowment to meet operating expenses … more

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Michael P. Dowling, S.J.

1898-1908 (second term)
It was during the second term of Michael P. Dowling, S.J., (1851-1915) that Creighton University reached maturity, was placed on solid financial ground, and expanded the professional schools … more

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Eugene A. Magevney, S.J.

1908-1914
Eugene A. Magevney, S.J., (1855-1919) became president in February 1908 and served until the summer of 1914. Under his leadership, the University was placed on solid financial ground, many new developments took place, and total University enrollment nearly doubled to almost 1,300 students … more

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Francis X. McMenamy, S.J.

1914-1919
Francis X. McMenamy, S.J., (1872-1949) first came to Omaha as Creighton University’s vice president and director (prefect) of studies. In 1914, he was named Creighton’s president and rector … more

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John F. McCormick, S.J.

1919-1925
Under John F. McCormick, S.J., (1874-1943) many changes were made at the University: several new buildings were erected; a new college was opened; intercollegiate athletics grew in prominence; and, for the first time in its history, tuition was charged … more

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William J. Grace, S.J.

1925-1928
William J. Grace, S.J., (1882-1959) came to Creighton University in 1920 to serve as professor of education and dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, two posts he held until becoming president … more

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William H. Agnew, S.J.

1928-1931
William H. Agnew, S.J., (1881-1931) became Creighton’s president in late summer 1928, the year the University celebrated its Golden Jubilee (50 years) … more

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Patrick J. Mahan, S.J.

1931-1937
Before becoming president in 1931, Patrick J. Mahan, S.J., (1880-1938) served as acting regent of the School of Medicine. Not surprisingly, during the Great Depression, Creighton University suffered a shrinking endowment … more

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Joseph P. Zuercher, S.J.

1937-1943
Joseph P. Zuercher, S.J., (1897-1957) became Creighton president at the age of 39, one of the youngest in school history … more

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Thomas S. Bowdern, S.J.

1943-1945
Thomas S. Bowdern, S.J., (1892-1983) served as dean of Creighton University’s Graduate School for a dozen years and became president in late 1943, when Fr. Zuercher was promoted to provincial in St. Louis … more

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William H. McCabe, S.J.

1945-1950
Inaugurated on Christmas Day 1945, William H. McCabe, S.J., (1893-1962) officially became president in January 1946 … more

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Carl M. Reinert, S.J.

1950-1962
Carl M. Reinert, S.J., (1913-1980) only 37 years old when he became president, came to Creighton University from his position as principal of Campion High School in Prairie du Chien, Wis. He is considered the University’s “second founder” … more

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Henry W. Linn, S.J.

1962-1969
Henry W. Linn, S.J., (1904-1969) came to Creighton University in 1938 to teach Greek and Latin, and served in several other capacities before becoming president in 1962 … more

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Clement J. Schneider, S.J.

1969-1970 (Acting)
Clement J. Schneider, S.J., (1927-1972) was named acting president by the Executive Committee upon Fr. Linn’s death in November 1969. Even though Fr. Schneider’s tenure was brief, several changes came to campus … more

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Joseph J. Labaj, S.J.

1970-1978
Joseph J. Labaj, S.J., (1921-1985) was the first president elected by the Creighton University Board of Directors, as his predecessors all had been appointed to the office by the provincial … more

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Matthew E. Creighton, S.J.

1978-1981
Matthew E. Creighton, S.J., (1927-    ) was the University’s “centennial president,” taking office at the beginning of July 1978 … more

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Michael G. Morrison, S.J.

1981-2000
Michael G. Morrison, S.J., (1937-   ) was 44 years old when he became president of Creighton. With a tenure spanning 19 years, Fr. Morrison is the longest-serving president in the University’s history … more

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John P. Schlegel, S.J.

2000-2011
During the presidency of John P. Schlegel, S.J., (1943-   ), Creighton University experienced a period of unprecedented growth … more

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