Updated 12:55 p.m., 12:12 p.m, 11:55 a.m. Posted 9/10/2010 9:57 a.m.
The Rev. Timothy R. Lannon, S.J., will become the 24th president of Creighton University, succeeding the Rev. John. P. Schlegel, S.J., who announced his resignation on July 14 after an 11-year presidency.
Lannon is set to become president on July 1, 2011.
William Fitzgerald and Bruce Rohde, Chair and Vice Chair of the Creighton University Board of Directors, announced the decision at 11:44 a.m. Friday.
“We are delighted that Father Lannon, a 1973 Creighton graduate, has decided to bring his considerable talents home to his alma mater. He is a leader with a passion for education who will advance the University, its mission and values,” Fitzgerald and Rohde said in the official announcement. “Father Lannon’s commitment to scholarship, research, teaching and service to others in the Jesuit tradition is not only the essence of his personal and professional character, but also critical to Creighton’s ongoing pursuit of academic preeminence.”
The Creighton University Board of Directors introduced Lannon at noon Friday in the D. J. Sokol Arena at the Wayne and Eileen Ryan Athletic Center, located at 701 Florence Blvd.
“This day could not be more special for me,” Lannon said. “I thank all of you for coming today to share in this important announcement for Creighton University. To look out and see so many familiar faces is both affirming and humbling – and a bit overwhelming.”
Since Schlegel announced his retirement, the Presidential Search Committee – composed of Creighton Jesuits, faculty, staff, alumni and students – searched for a replacement.
The committee’s criteria for a new president was separated into four categories: academics, leadership, professional characteristics and personal attributes. The board was looking to fill the position with a sitting university president and member of the Society of Jesus.
“We did more than just find someone who met those criteria,” Rohde said during the event. “We got a tremendous bonus along the way.”
Lannon, a native of Mason City, Iowa, has been president of Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia since 2003, but his connections to Creighton run deep. He graduated from Creighton in 1973, and he served as president of Creighton Preparatory School in Omaha. In 1993, Lannon received Creighton’s Alumni Merit Award.
“Creighton University changed my life,” Lannon said during the event. “I look forward with all of you to continue to change the lives of our undergraduate students.”
Dr. Neil Norton, assistant dean for Student Affairs and director of Admissions for the School of Dentistry, was on the Presidential Search committee. He said Lannon is the perfect successor to follow in Schlegel’s footsteps.
“I think we made the best choice possible,” Norton said. “I know that the Search Committee was very excited that Father Lannon expressed interest in coming to Creighton. When you have an opportunity to go through his résumé – what he’s done at Creighton Prep, what he’s done at Marquette, St. Joe’s as president for the last eight years – his resume speaks for itself. We are very fortunate to get him to be our 24th president.”
Schlegel, who taught at Creighton while Lannon was an undergraduate, was optimistic that Lannon would be a good fit for the job.
“I think he’ll fit in very nicely,” Schlegel said. “[Lannon is] very obviously very deeply committed to coming to Creighton. He’s got a long history with Creighton, and he’s very connected – so that’ll bode well with bonding with alumni and everyone.
“I could not be more pleased with the choice of Father Lannon as successor,” Schlegel said during the event. “There truly is a bright future at 24th and California streets.”
Nathan Ancheta, Scene Editor, contributed to this report.
* Read the letter from Fr. Lannon to Creighton students, faculty, staff and alumni