History of the Creighton University Presidency

Roman A. Shaffel, 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. In anticipation of the college’s opening in January 1878, Fr. Shaffel arrived early from Chicago, but... Read More
Thomas H. Miles, S.J. 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. Roman Shaffel. There were difficulties with staffing, enrollment and curriculum. Upon his installation as president in 1880, Fr. Miles was Creighton’s only priest... Read More
Joseph Zealand, S.J. Joseph Zealand, S.J. 1883-1884 In October 1883, Joseph Zealand, S.J., (1831-1904) replaced Fr. Thomas 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... Read More
Hugh M. Finnegan, S.J. 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. In 1884, the College accepted its first out-... Read More
Michael P. Dowling, S.J. Michael P. Dowling, S.J. 1885-1889 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... Read More
Thomas S. Fitzgerald, S.J. 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. After his service at Creighton, he returned to Chicago to oversee St. Ignatius College (now... Read More
James F. X. Hoeffer, S.J. 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. The "Panic of 1893" took a heavy economic toll on Omaha and Nebraska. It caused... Read More
John N. X. Pahls, S.J. 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. Fr. Pahls personally appealed to... Read More
Michael P. Dowling, S.J. Michael P. Dowling, S.J. 1898-1908 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. By 1899, the school had survived infancy; however, it was continually defending the Ratio Studiorum... Read More
Eugene A. Magevney, S.J. 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. The... Read More
Francis X. McMenamy, S.J. 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. Fr. McMenamy installed the school’s first publicity director. At the onset of World War I, he gave control... Read More
John F. McCormick, S.J. 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. By 1920, the University’s enrollment... Read More
William J. Grace, S.J. 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. He assumed the presidency upon Fr. John McCormick’s departure in September 1925, but was not... Read More
William H. Agnew, S.J. 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). Although he often spent time at the Mayo Clinic and St. Mary’s hospitals in Rochester, Minn., for a serious illness, he remained highly involved... Read More
Patrick J. Mahan, S.J. 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. Despite this fact, St. John’s Hall was remodeled and renamed “Wareham Hall... Read More
Joseph P. Zuercher, S.J. Joseph P. Zuercher, S.J. 1937-1943 Joseph P. Zuercher, S.J., (1897-1957) became Creighton president at the age of 39, making him one of the youngest presidents in school history. Fr. Zuercher took office in May 1937 and served until December 1943. He oversaw the transition from the Great Depression to World War II.  By early 1942,... Read More
Thomas S. Bowdern, S.J. 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. Joseph Zuercher was promoted to provincial in St. Louis. The installation ceremony for Fr. Zuercher as father provincial and Fr. Bowdern as... Read More
William H. McCabe, S.J. 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. As difficult as the war years were, it was equally as difficult to place the University back on peacetime footing. Fr. McCabe sent a letter to students and alumni seeking housing... Read More
Carl M. Reinert, S.J. Carl M. Reinert, S.J. 1962-1969 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.” Fr. Reinert made Creighton truly coeducational,... Read More
Henry W. Linn, S.J. 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. During his term, six buildings were completed, enrollment increased by 11 percent, faculty grew to 667 and a dozen new degrees... Read More
Clement J. Schneider, S.J. Clement J. Schneider, S.J. 1969-1970 Clement J. Schneider, S.J., (1927-1972) was named acting president by the Executive Committee upon Fr. Henry Linn’s death in November 1969. Even though Fr. Schneider’s tenure was brief, several changes came to campus.  During the 1969-70 school year, curfew hours were abolished for dormitory women... Read More
Joseph J. Labaj, S.J. 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 Jesuit provincial. Fr. Labaj oversaw one of the most tumultuous periods on campus, as racial tensions and student... Read More
Matthew E. Creighton, S.J. 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. His inauguration was held in November at the Civic Auditorium Music Hall, followed by a banquet. The ceremony took place before 165 delegates from other universities... Read More
Michael G. Morrison, S.J. 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. Nearly 40 percent of all diplomas awarded by the University were signed by Fr. Morrison. He was... Read More
John P. Schlegel, S.J. 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. The “Willing To Lead” campaign raised $450 million for University expansion, scholarships, faculty endowments, service projects and academic programs.   New facilities... Read More
Timothy R. Lannon, S.J. Timothy R. Lannon, S.J. 2011 - Today Timothy R. Lannon, S.J., is Creighton University's 24th president. He is the first Creighton University alumnus to head the University. Fr. Lannon became president on July 1, 2011, after having served eight years as the 26th president of Saint Joseph's University in Philadelphia. At Saint Joseph’s... Read More