The Rev. Daniel Hendrickson, S.J., summarized his short time in office thus far in the annual convocation; highlighting new programs and committees that he established, enrollment growth and a need for diversity in the students, faculty and staff.

The Convocation began with the annual Necrology — a list of the passings from the previous year — that resonated the pain felt in the past months with the deaths of faculty, staff and students. Along with the Necrology, Mary Ann Danielson and Chris Bradberry presented awards to distinguished faculty and staff for their service and passion for teaching.

The convocation rounded out Founders Week 2016 and was attended by faculty, staff and students in the Hixson-Lied auditorium.

Hendrickson not only summarized the past year but also presented goals and ideas for the years to come.

“Something pretty remarkable is happening on this campus, and we have some interesting initiatives to think about – we have some very serious challenges,” said Hendrickson. “I hope the takeaway is something of the remarks recognizing that teaching, in particular, is changing people’s lives… It’s almost as if we’re a place of magic or miracles.”

On Hendrickson’s convocation Tom Kelly,  said, “I really get the sense that he is someone who came here and has been listening, and he’s actually heard what people have to say… I think he was careful to say what we do well and also very clear on what we need to do better.”

“I think you can really tell how involved he [Hendrickson] is with the student body,” said Nicholas Nalbach, a senior in the Heider College of Business. “In order to make the best university, the students need to be heard, understood and responded to in a positive way. I think Fr. Hendrickson’s address did exactly that.”

One of the largest programs that Hendrickson announced so far in his presidency is the Creighton Global Initiative; a seed-funding program for enhancing global perspectives on our campus.

“Creighton takes a new step on the global stage and there are lots of ways we can do that,” Hendrickson said of the Creighton Global Initiative. “…How can more Creighton students go somewhere and gain the value and richness of study abroad and culture in another context — especially students who can’t afford to do so.”

With almost $4 million in the fund for this program, Hendrickson announced he is releasing almost half of it through a committee program chaired by René Padilla.

 “I would love to see a scholarship proposal for students who want to do that [study abroad] but can’t,” said Hendrickson.

Along with encouraging students to study abroad, Hendrickson is also looking to strengthen Creighton’s global presence starting on the campus level. 

Hendrickson explained one way to enhance Creighton’s global presence is by attracting prestigious keynote speakers to campus.

 “Bringing some of the best speakers around the United States and the world for topics on: migration, climate change, it could be broader issues on sustainability ecology or it could be on racism,” said Hendrickson. 

Hendrickson also announced a presidential committee to address ecological resourcefulness – a necessary step that has already begun — as Fr. Hendrickson announced about $200,000 saved in the Criss complex alone.

Along with addressing Creighton’s demand for a global presence, Hendrickson reminds us of the lack of diversity on campus saying, “Our strides have not been strong enough.”

Looking at the class of 2019, 26 percent of freshmen are students of color, making them the most diverse class in school history; however, that is only compared to classes of previous years, and it is apparent there is more to be done.

“I think it is very clear from the listening sessions that students, faculty and staff said we need to be more diverse,” said Hendrickson. “Students want a more diverse faculty — and faculty, staff and students want a more diverse campus.”

While it is not clear what the next steps will be for the university in diversifying the campus, it is clear that Hendrickson is not alone in his belief.

 “I fully agree with Fr. Hendrickson and the importance of diversifying Creighton,” said Mary Chase, vice provost for Enrollment Management in an email interview. “At this point we have several initiatives in place to engage and reach out to a more diverse student population. Our plan is to step up these efforts as well as implement new initiatives that will be developed with the support of Father’s Vision.”

Along with establishing new committees to propel Creighton forward, Hendrickson announced improvements to campus coming later this year including a $2.5 million Federal Transportation Authority Grant to reconstruct the pedestrian mall between 24th street and the Harper Center.

Creighton is currently using the 2003 Master Plan, but Hendrickson is ambitious for the future look of campus.

These renovations are, in part, due to the increasing student population of Creighton; including the largest freshman class ever along with the Heider college of Business nearly doubling enrollment in three years.

After the economic collapse of 2008  the nation looked seriously at the venture of higher education and the costs associated with it; however, Hendrickson remains optimistic about Creighton’s role in the future of education.