Creighton University

Creighton University was one of only 30 institutions of higher learning — out of more than 1,000 — to receive the 2007 Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Award for Educational Fundraising for superior university relations programming. Creighton attained an Overall Performance Award based on judges’ analysis of data over a three-year period.

Universities and colleges do not apply for the data-driven award. They become eligible through data submitted to the Council for Aid to Education’s (CAE) annual Voluntary Support of Education survey. This year, 1,010 colleges and universities were eligible for the top award. The field was narrowed to 482 before the final 30 were selected by a panel of judges for the Overall Performance Award. Winners are recognized for demonstrating best practices in advancement and support of education.

“Receiving this award is a testament to the many people — alumni and other benefactors — who have adopted Creighton’s vision and pledged their support,” said Lisa Calvert, Creighton’s vice president for University Relations.

“We couldn’t have achieved this level of recognition without so many alumni and friends supporting our aspiration to secure Creighton’s place at the forefront as one of the finest Jesuit, Catholic universities in the United States.”

“We have a visionary president in Fr. Schlegel, an engaged and committed board of directors, and a professional, dedicated advancement staff, all of whom have the confidence of our alumni and friends, as demonstrated by their generosity. Creighton thus is able to boldly embrace its future.”

According to CASE, the largest international association of educational institutions, Overall Performance Award winners show “solid program growth, breadth in the base of support, and other indications of a mature, wellmaintained program.” The award is based on normalized data to de-emphasize philanthropic growth related to campaigns.

The broad-based support for Creighton and its vision is demonstrated by the expansiveness of the investment by alumni and friends. For example, more than 128,000 gifts have been made so far to the $350 million Willing to Lead Campaign, and giving has grown at all levels.

At one end of the spectrum, an anonymous alumnus jump-started the campaign in December 2004, even before the official launch a year later, by pledging a gift of $50 million. The gift was made in recognition of Creighton’s emerging national leadership among faith-based universities and in urban higher education. It was the largest gift in the University’s history and one of the largest by an individual to an Omaha institution.

Likewise, donors making gifts of all sizes are responding to Creighton’s vision, as witnessed by the success of the 2006-2007 Phonathon, which is conducted annually by Creighton students. This year, 90 students shared the Creighton message with more than 25,000 alumni, raising more than $1 million.

Calvert added that the University especially wants to acknowledge the Willing to Lead Campaign leadership, headed by Bruce Rohde, BSBA’71, JD’73, for its outstanding support for Creighton University’s faithbased mission. Other members of the Campaign Steering Committee are: the Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J.; Lisa Calvert; Mimi Feller, BA’70; William Fitzgerald, BSBA’59; Charles Heider, BSC’49; and Kenneth Stinson.

“This dedicated group of Creighton supporters is very engaged in the transformation of Creighton University, and we are grateful for their assistance and commitment,” she said.