Creighton University Opens Harper Center for Student Life and Learning
OMAHA, Neb. – The Mike and Josie Harper Center for Student Life and Learning is buzzing with the activity of new freshmen, returning students and University offices putting final touches on their spaces as they begin the new school year. The Harper Center, which opened its doors in late July, serves as the new front door to Creighton’s east campus, making it the first stop for new and current students, alumni and visitors.
Its combination of academic areas and student services makes the Harper Center unique among universities in the Midwest. Some of its most notable features are: a nearly 500-seat auditorium, designed to allow faculty to bring classes together for special presentations, lectures and conferences as well as a venue for films; the campus bookstore; high-tech multi-tiered classrooms; an alumni grill; a fitness center; and ballroom. More than 16 University academic and student services offices are located in the Harper Center including the Mutual of Omaha Center for Health and Counseling, the Office of Admissions, Student Support Services, the Creighton Career Center and more.
The multi-use structure solidifies Creighton’s commitment to downtown Omaha revitalization and north Omaha development by offering community groups its classrooms, meeting rooms and ballroom for meetings and conferences.
In its construction, architecture and operations, the Harper Center’s “green” policies maximize resource efficiency and waste reduction and meet Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) criteria, making the building a leader in sustainable design. In addition, some of its retail and food venues offer sustainable and recyclable products.
The center, made possible through an initial gift from an anonymous donor and augmented by the generosity of the Harper Family Foundation and other Creighton benefactors, is named for Charles M. “Mike” Harper and his late wife, Josie Harper. Trustee members include Charles M. “Mike” Harper, Carolyn Harper, Dr. Charles M. Harper Jr., Chris Murphy and Elizabeth Harper Murphy, Dr. Halbert Wenngatz and Kathleen Harper Wenngatz. Mary Bastron Harper is a former trustee and graduate of Creighton School of Law. Additional benefactors include the Mutual of Omaha Foundation, Mutual of Omaha Center for Health and Counseling; Lied Foundation Trust, Trustee Christina M. Hixson, Hixson-Lied Auditorium; William A. and Barbara M. Fitzgerald, Fitzgerald Boardroom; and Peter Kiewit Foundation, land purchase.