Message from the President

Welcome, New Alumni!
More than 1,440 students will walk across the stage at commencement ceremonies on May 16, during this annual spring rite of passage. These soon-to-be graduates are being included on the distribution of this newsletter as a way to say, "Welcome!" You are now part of an exclusive network of Creighton University alumni locally, regionally, nationally and globally known for professional excellence and engaged citizenship. New graduates, please stay in touch with us; visit the alumni website for more information and a special welcome. We promise to stay in touch with you. Past graduates, please welcome these newest members into our alumni communities. For those interested, the commencement ceremonies will be broadcast live online here. May God bless you and yours, and have a wonderful summer.

-- The Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J.

Campaign Update

Meet Our Donor Partners
It was hard -- no, maybe impossible -- for a day to pass by in the Barnes household in Missouri Valley, Iowa, without mention of Creighton University. John W., MD'55, and Janet Barnes have established a family endowed scholarship fund at Creighton. Learn more about their story.

Alumni News

Waite to Receive Alumni Achievement Citation
Creighton University will present its highest alumni award, the Alumni Achievement Citation, to Donald L. Waite, BSC'54, retired executive vice president and chief administrative officer of Seagate Technology, during the University's spring commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 16. Read more.

Launch a Career, Gain a Leader
As May commencement quickly approaches, our newest graduates face a new phase of life -- one filled with great hope but also uncertainty. Now, more than ever, as they navigate this challenging economy, they will need to draw on their networks as they begin their careers. That's where you may be of help. Learn more.

Alumni Events Scheduled  for June
Denver area alumni and friends are invited to a reception with Creighton Vice President for University Relations Lisa Calvert on June 12, at the Denver Country Club. Bay area alumni and friends are invited to join Creighton President the Rev. John P. Schlegel, S.J., at a reception on June 18, at the St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco. Seattle area alumni and friends are invited to a reception on June 25 with Eric Chiappinelli, dean of the School of Law, at the Columbia Tower Club.

Join Creighton Jesuits for Alumni Retreat
Save the date for the 2009 Creighton University Alumni Retreat: Returning to Your Spiritual Roots, Revitalizing Your Spiritual Journey, scheduled for Oct. 10 at St. John's Church with Creighton Jesuits the Revs. Larry Gillick, S.J., and Greg Carlson, S.J. Learn more.

In the Spirit

Magis Teachers Build Cultural Bridges
Two students enrolled in Creighton's Magis Catholic Teacher Service Corps initiated a pen pal program between their students at Red Cloud Indian School in Pine Ridge, S.D., and students at St. Thomas More High School near Rapid City, S.D. A meeting of students at the two schools was featured in this news report. Learn more about Magis.

Learn to Pray with Imagination
St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of the Society of Jesus, used imaginative prayer as a key part of his life-transforming Spiritual Exercises. Now you can learn about this powerful form of prayer through Creighton's Online Ministries.

Campus News

Creighton Reaches Admissions Milestone
Creighton University expects to achieve a major milestone this coming fall, when it welcomes an anticipated 1,000 (or more) new undergraduate freshmen to campus. It will mark the first time in Creighton's history that undergraduate freshman enrollment has totaled 1,000 or more students. Read more in this Omaha World-Herald article.

Students Receive National Recognition
Creighton University is a national leader in preparing students to make a difference through professional distinction, responsible leadership and committed citizenship. Learn more about several undergraduate students who received national recognition and view a short video here. 

Law Student Honored for Legal Writing
Joseph Larson of St. Paul, Minn., a third-year Creighton law student, learned he was one of 15 students nationwide to receive the Burton Award for Excellence in legal writing. Read more.

Creighton Honors Former Dental Dean
The late Benjamin Lynch, BSD'45, DDS'47, MA'53, former professor and dean in Creighton's School of Dentistry, was honored during the school's Reunion Weekend and Spring Dental Assembly. Read more.

Creighton Joins Jesuit Effort to Reduce Climate Change
Creighton is among the more than 70 Jesuit schools, parishes, communities and organizations nationwide committing to an unprecedented campaign to help reduce climate change. Learn more.

Yee Named Biomedical Sciences Chair
John (Jack) Yee, Ph.D., has been named chair of the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Creighton University School of Medicine, effective May 1. Read more.

Bluejay Athletics

Softball Earns Regular-Season Title, Awards
The Creighton softball team won its third-straight Missouri Valley Conference regular-season championship and fell one win shy of claiming the tournament title to finish the season 35-16. The Jays also earned individual conference honors, led by juniors Tara Oltman, who was named Pitcher of the Year for the third time, and Renae Sinkler, who was tabbed Player of the Year. Read more.

Oltman Sets Conference Record for Wins
Junior Creighton softball pitcher Tara Oltman set the Missouri Valley Conference record for career wins (85), with a victory over Wichita State in the Jays' final game of the regular season. Brent Vigness calls Oltman one of the most complete student-athletes he has coached. Read her story as it appeared in the Omaha World-Herald.

Baseball's Knight, Ruf Earn Academic Honors
Senior Darin Ruf and junior Robbie Knight have been named to the ESPN The Magazine /CoSIDA Academic All-District VII First Team and are now in the running for Academic All-America honors. Read more.

Men's Basketball Goes to Disney
The Creighton men's basketball team will compete in the 2009 Old Spice Classic to be held Thanksgiving weekend at the Milk House at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex near Orlando, Fla. Other teams in the tournament are Florida State, Alabama, Baylor, Iona, Marquette, Michigan and Xavier. Additional information, including travel packages, can be found on the Old Spice Classic website at www.oldspiceclassic.com.

Creighton Athletics Honored by NCAA
Seven Creighton University athletic teams have earned recognition from the NCAA based on their most recent multi-year Academic Progress Rates. Read more.

Gross Named Athletics Leader for Life
Rosemary Gross, BSCHM'57, former professor and academic coordinator for Creighton's athletics department, received Creighton University's annual Leader for Life award May 1 during a fundraiser luncheon for women's athletics at Morrison Stadium. The award honors an individual whose actions have made a lasting impact on women's sports at the University. (Pictured: former Associate Athletic Director Sharon Hanson, left, with Gross.) Read more.