In an email sent to Creighton students, faculty and staff on Monday morning, Fr. Timothy Lannon announced that he will retire as the university’s president at the end of the 2014-15 academic year.
Lannon cited a health issue he experienced in November as the main reason for his retiring.
Lannon reached the decision after “much prayer, reflection, and conversations with religious superiors and our Board of Trustees’ leadership.”
Lannon’s decision comes a little more than a year early, but at a time that is crucial for Creighton.
“I am giving this advance notice in order for the University to facilitate the best presidential search process. However, during these next 15 months, I am committed to leading our University to the fullest of my abilities.The timing is important–because the momentum that Creighton is experiencing is transformational,” Lannon said.
Although not entirely sure what he will do after leaving Creighton, Lannon stated a desire to be able to “engage in more pastoral work.”
Lannon finished his announcement with nothing but gratitude and pride for a University that that has been home to him since his undergraduate years.
“The past three years as president have been such a rewarding, fulfilling, energizing and challenging experience. The privilege of leading this institution forward with you has been an honor I will always cherish.”
Creighton students and faculty were equally surprised and saddened by the announcement Monday.
“I was totally taken aback, especially since the last I heard, Fr. Lannon was doing alright and he had returned back to work at school. A lot of big changes happened with him, so it would have been interesting to see him stay longer at Creighton,” Arts & Sciences junior Conan Rainwater said.
“I think it is a very humbling move on Fr. Lannon’s part, kind of like when Benedict XVI resigned from the papacy last year. While I am saddened by the news, I wish him well and pray that he has a joyful and healthy retirement,” Arts & Sciences junior Beatriz Jose said.
Many students and professors were hesitant and nervous about what Lannon’s departure means for the changes to the university and the ones still in motion.
“I am saddened that Fr. Lannon is having to step down for reasons of health,” Director of Peace and Justice Studies Dr. Roger Bergman said. “I hope that an equally energetic and personable successor can be found. I am also concerned about yet another major leadership change at Creighton. I’m sure Fr. Lannon would not have made this decision without careful discernment, but it’ s unfortunate for him and for the campus.”
“My reaction to Fr. Lannon’s announcement was one of mixed feelings. On the one hand, I am relieved to hear that he will be taking the necessary steps to live a life of peace without the stress of the demanding position wearing away at his health,” Arts & Sciences Sophomore Mike Boes said.
“However, I am cautious to say that I am pleased with this decision. Fr. Lannon has been the undeniable leader over the past three years: renovating and building the campus, transforming our business school, moving athletics to the Big East. I do not understand why one would leave in the middle of a growing period for the University,” Boes continued.
Some are more optimistic about the leadership to come.
“Creighton is a great institution – Fr. Lannon’s commitment to the growth and development of Creighton at this time in history was well given – and I believe that we are about serving the Reign of God, so we will find a leader who will keep us on that track,” Theology professor Dr. Burke-Sullivan said.
“It is wonderful having a Jesuit at the helm, and I hope that we can find a worthy successor,” Modern Languages & Literatures professor Dr. Vanderboegh said.
Since beginning as president in 2011, Fr. Lannon has overseen a number of major and important changes to Creighton.
According to a Creighton University press release, Lannon oversaw renovations that impacted seven campus buildings for better capacity utilization and the largest project of its kind in Creighton’s history, affecting more than 100,000 square feet of academic space. The project included relocation of the College of Business and improvements to six other buildings for the College of Arts and Sciences and Student Life. This project was complete in October 2013.
The second project is the building of the Championship Center, a new athletics practice and training facility near Morrison Stadium that scheduled to be completed in June 2014.
Along with these renovations, Lannon was behind the University’s first named school, the Heider College of Business after a record-breaking fundraising effort of over $93 million in gifts and pledges to the Ignite the Greatness campaign, the press release states.
In September 2012, Alegent Health and Creighton University expanded their strategic academic affiliation to form Alegent Creighton Health and Alegent Creighton Clinic.
Other significant university accomplishments include Dr. Edward O’Connor becoming Creighton’s first provost in July 2013 and the creation and enactment of the Strategic Plan in November 2013.
“Fr. Lannon has done a lot for this institution. He will be remembered especially for the deal with Alegant, for critical renovations and for the Big East. He is leaving this school stronger than he found it. He will be missed,” Theology professor Dr. O’Keefe said.
“Father Lannon has presided over a period of rapid and dramatic change at Creighton, so I am concerned about the “follow through,” but I’m sure that he will provide wise counsel to whomever his successor may be,” Vanderboegh said.
“This is indeed a big moment in the history of CU, and despite his relatively brief tenure, Father Lannon will have left his mark,” Vanderboegh said.
Fr. Lannon was Creighton’s 24th president and its first alumnus president. He graduated from Creighton in 1973 with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, and was president of the Student Board of Governors. Fr. Lannon holds two master’s degrees from Weston Jesuit School of Theology (now Boston College School of Theology and Ministry) and a doctorate in administration, planning and social policy from the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University, according to the press release.
Lannon’s legacy as a Bluejay and deep connection to Creighton that began when he was a student is something greatly felt and evidenced by his leadership.
“I was disappointed to hear that Fr. Lannon is retiring. There is a positive energy here. There is a momentum and a confidence in his leadership that I will miss,” Psychology professor Dr. Brown said.
“I liked how involved Fr. Lannon was in the entire Creighton community. Creighton will miss him more than on an academic level,” Arts & Sciences junior Chris Smith said.
Many were impressed by Fr. Lannon’s future plans, although rather unknown at the moment, to engage in more pastoral ministry.
“I really appreciated his line about not being sure what he’ll do next but wanting to do more pastoral ministry. It says a lot about him that he doesn’t see that as a demotion,” Theology professor Dr. Carney said.
As students and faculty reflect on Lannon’s announcement to retire in a little more than a year, one thing is certain, Creighton will be losing a leader who left very big mark on it.
“When I came to Creighton in 2011 as president, I was coming home. This is the University that I graduated from in 1973 and an institution that I wanted to give back to what the institution gave to me. I left this University at graduation to make a difference and spent the long span of my life in secondary and higher education administrative roles. Now I believe there is another role for me – one that will be even more pastoral and less administrative. But do not doubt, I have much on my list to accomplish in the next 15 months,” said Lannon.
The Rev. Timothy R. Lannon announced Monday that he will retire as Creighton’s president at the end of the 2014-5 academic year.