January 17th, 2013

Dear Students,

Happy New Year and welcome back to campus! I trust your holidays were exactly what you hoped they would be. I hope you all are well-rested for the new semester!

Campus Development Projects
Work has begun on the campus development projects that involve renovations to seven campus buildings and culminate in the move of the College of Business to the Harper Center and the College of Arts and Sciences to the Eppley Building. Furthermore, construction of an athletic training and practice facility is expected to begin late next month on the north lawn of Morrison Stadium.

The impact you will see right now is minimal, but you should know:
·        College of Business: The dean’s office and several faculty members are making an interim move to the Labaj Building (just east of the Harper Center and south of Opus Hall) while work is under way at Eppley. A new office list is available here. The second floor of the Eppley Building will remain closed during construction.
·        Reinert Library:  The lower level of the library is unavailable until late February. Please contact library staff for assistance with books located in that area. The second floor remains open, but will have noticeable construction activity.
·        Website:  You will be provided updates on these projects including access to a special website with more information in the coming weeks.

Martin Luther King Jr. Events
I am pleased that Creighton’s weeklong celebration of the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. involves so many members of the Omaha community next week. This year’s theme: “Nonviolence is the way of life for courageous people,” one of the six principles of nonviolence espoused by Dr. King, illustrates his vision for a better world for all. I hope you will be able to participate in as many activities as possible.

Founders Week
A variety of events are scheduled for this year’s Founders Week. There is perhaps no other time in the year when the full breadth of the University is on display for all to enjoy and explore.

Greek Recruitment
Greek Life at Creighton typically represents 35 percent of our undergraduate population and this week a long Creighton tradition has begun. Women's formal recruitment began on Tuesday; approximately 320 women are participating. Men’s week-long recruitment begins on Sunday with an information session at 7 p.m. in the Skutt Ballroom. Interested men can sign up online. For more information, contact Jacob Springer, jacobspringer@creighton.edu , vice president of recruitment for the Interfraternity Council, or Margaret Zimmer, assistant director for Greek Life, margaretzimmer@creighton.edu , or visit the Student Activities website.

Bluejays Advance
Creighton men’s basketball moved up in both national polls released Monday, including a season-best No. 10 overall ranking in the USA Today Coaches Top 25 poll. It is our program’s highest ranking in the coaches poll since a No. 9 ranking in 2003. In the Associated Press poll, the Bluejays are No. 12, up one spot. Creighton’s best AP ranking this season was No. 11 on November 26. The program's highest AP ranking ever was No. 10 in January 2003.

According to the NCAA, Creighton is tied for first place in won-lost percentage with Gonzaga, Michigan and Syracuse, and Doug McDermott is third in the country for points scored per game at 23.6. In women’s basketball, the Jays are in first place in the Missouri Valley Conference; the team and freshman Marissa Janning are featured on ESPN’s website.

You can help make Creighton a winner . . . the University is one of 10 finalists for the "Best Road Trip Destination in College Basketball.”
Click here for instructions on how to vote for Creighton before the January 25 deadline.

Online Ministries
As we begin this new year, it is good to reflect upon the miracles God has worked in our midst. One of those is the tremendous reach of our Online Ministries, a program of the Collaborative Ministry Office. In 2012, the Online Ministries website received more than 24.4 million total hits from people all over the world. A special thank you to our Student Reflection writers!

Have a wonderful second semester!

God’s blessings in the new year,

Timothy R. Lannon, S.J.