What is a Jesuit Education?
Seek something greater.
A Jesuit education goes beyond the classroom walls. It takes students into the communities to serve with and for others—to use their talents to address the world’s greatest needs. At the same time, students earn a high-quality and rigorous education leading to personal and professional success.
An education at Creighton University shapes the whole person—emotional, spiritual, intellectual physical, social. Whatever our students do, they do it with justice.
Our Jesuit Values
Creighton captures the distinctive qualities of a Jesuit education through seven unique values. They are at the heart of everything we do, individually and as a university.
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Cura personalis, translated as “care for the individual person.” Every individual—every one of God’s creations—is unique and worthy of our respect and understanding. To care for each other, we must first truly know each other.
A kind heart, an open mind, and a strong purpose work together as a personal and communal triumvirate: all three are essential to becoming one’s strongest self and to creating community.
Magis, translated as “more.” By rising above expectations and striving for “more,” for others and for God, we can serve as a lasting part of something greater than ourselves.
When we learn to see every part of life—from success to adversity—as a lesson from God, we are never far from the opportunity to realize the gifts we are given.
Translated as “For the Greater Glory of God.” The inspiration behind everything we pursue transcends our own humanity, and those we serve in our community. It’s all for a higher purpose: the greater glory of God.
Identifying passions and honing skills are the first steps toward making a meaningful, lasting difference. We believe learning and leading are two sides of the same transformative coin.
Through selfless action, we can all achieve more. When we all step forward with the best versions of ourselves, we invite and enable others to do the same.
Who was St. Ignatius?
St. Ignatius of Loyola was born in 1491 in the Basque country of northern Spain. He was devoted to chivalry and suffered a severe leg wound in battle. During an extended recovery period, he experienced a profound conversion, and devoted the rest of his life to serving God. Ignatius died in 1556 and was canonized a saint in 1622.
Ignatius left two great legacies. He founded the Society of Jesus in 1540, together with nine companions, and became their first Superior General with headquarters in Rome. He also wrote the Spiritual Exercises, a treatise on prayer. Its genius lies in the method of prayer it teaches, helping those who engage sincerely to follow Jesus and to seek God’s will in all circumstances. Today it is the basis for a growing apostolate of retreats and spiritual direction.
Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities
Creighton University is one of 28 Jesuit colleges and universities that comprise the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities (AJCU). The American network includes 27 institutions within the United States and one in Belize.
The institutions range from major research universities to comprehensive universities; from smaller colleges and universities that combine the liberal arts and professional studies to one strictly liberal arts college.
AJCU institutions are part of the International Association of Jesuit Universities (IAJU), a network of regional associations representing Jesuit institutions of higher learning throughout the world.
Ignatian Insights
My faculty-led program abroad experience reminded me of Creighton’s mission. We are called to be men and women for and with others. We are asked to work alongside those people in the world who need it most.
— Jordan Lisowy, Traditional BSN student
