November 20, 2009

President's Thanksgiving Message

Dear Friends and Colleagues:

At this midpoint of November, our thoughts turn to preparation for our annual Thanksgiving celebration with family and friends.

There is much to be grateful for this November. Each of you, in your own setting, is aware of the gifts and blessings you have in family and friends, neighbors and co-workers.

Over the past year, we are all acutely aware that the economic and political scenes have shifted like tectonic plates shaking our confidence, transforming our economic wellness and affecting each of us in our own circumstances.  Our nation is focused on health care reform and swelling unemployment, even as the economy shows signs of recovery.

While Creighton has not been spared the economic trauma and stress being experienced across all of higher education, we moved in a preemptive manner last year to protect our financial footings – and with some success.  In spite of the numerous unknowns in the economy and the impact on higher education, Creighton has much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving season.

The Creighton family is blessed with a healthy enrollment; a gifted student community; a creative, productive and generous faculty and staff; nationally recognized academic programs; a generosity of service to the Omaha community; our loyal and supportive alumni; a successful campaign; fiscal improvement; and a renewed effort at strategic and campus planning to guide us in the years to come.  We are thankful for this country, with its beauty and bounty, which allows us so many opportunities and protections.

In these fragile times, we pray for peace, stability and goodwill among all peoples.

As George Washington wrote in his first Presidential Proclamation of Thanksgiving:

“It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.”

Let that be our prayer this Thanksgiving season, as individuals and as community.

You, your family and friends are in my prayers and thoughts during this annual celebration of gratitude.

John P. Schlegel, S.J.
President