Creighton’s recognition in a recent survey would make Mr. Rogers proud.
Creighton ranked sixth in a national survey of “best neighbor” colleges and universities, “Saviors of Our Cities: Survey of Best Colleges and University Civic Partnerships,” released Oct. 12 at the annual conference of the Coalition of Urban and Metropolitan Universities. The survey measures the involvement of urban colleges and universities in their respective communities. It was compiled by Dr. Evan Dobelle, president of Westfield State College in Massachusetts and former president of the New England Board of Higher Education, as a follow-up to his 2006 survey.
Dobelle decided to re-examine the rankings because of the change in the economy and the desire to see how universities responded to the resulting struggles in the community.
“We utilized the same survey criteria in 2009 as he did in 2006 with some important additions,” said Michael Konig, a colleague of Dobelle at Westfield State College. “These included substantially more research conducted by both Dr. Dobelle and myself and strategically planned interviews with the presidents, civic engagement directors or their designees at many of the institutions best noted for successful community programs.”
The survey was based on several criteria, including length of involvement in the community, faculty and student involvement in community service, real dollars invested, continued sustainability of neighborhood initiatives and recognition of the impact of the institutions within their community.
“You see all of those [criteria] and say ‘yes, we do have all of those,'” Cindy Workman, associate director of public relations for Creighton, said. “We received an e-mail that said ‘congratulations on being named.’ We didn’t know the survey was being done, it was very much a surprise.”
Workman cited Creighton’s many community partnerships as well as its accessibility to the community as ways that Creighton is a good neighbor.
“There are many, many programs Creighton and the students provide in service to the community.”
The Rev. John Schlegel, S.J., said Creighton has invested more than $285 million in needed academic, student and community facilities that have improved the economic vitality, cultural renewal and civic engagement of both the university and the city.
In his report, Dobelle also mentions specific ways that Creighton helps the Omaha community, including the development of the riverfront and other long-term urban renewal projects and the work the CCSJ does to create a community grounded in values of faith, service and justice.
“I think Creighton offers a lot of opportunities for students to be involved in the community,” Christine Koehler, Nursing sophomore said. “I am proud to go to a school that cares so much about the community.”
“It’s a point of pride that out strong partnership with Omaha and the people of the region has been recognized,” Workman said, “but we are still going to do that whether or not we’re recognized.”
There was a tie for the No. 1 ranking between the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Southern California. The rest of the top five are the University of Dayton, the University of Pittsburgh and Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. The University of Nebraska-Omaha (UNO) was also recognized at No. 25 on the list.