By Katie Schubert
Omaha, NE – A 1973 graduate of Creighton University has returned as the school's new president.
Father Timothy Lannon was officially introduced Friday afternoon as Creighton's 24th president. He's the first Creighton alumnus to lead the University. Lannon says Creighton's strength lies with its students. "We have record-breaking enrollment, national recognition for excellence, talented faculty renowned for research, including life-saving discoveries, and thousands of alumni and alumnae across the United States and the globe who are open to God and are helping to create a more just world."
Lannon says one of his goals is to see Creighton become affordable and accessible to all young people. "One-quarter of the members of this year's freshman class are the first in their families to attend college. A similar percent are students of color. In the best of our Catholic education and Jesuit tradition, Creighton has always existed for students and patients from all faith traditions and walks of life, and will continue to do so in the future."
Father Lannon announced a new faculty research fund that encourages collaboration across disciplines and colleges. He graduated from Creighton in 1973 with a degree in mathematics.
Lannon served as president of St. Joseph's University in Philadelphia before coming to Creighton.