Fr. Lannon returns as Superior of the Omaha Jesuit Community

The Rev. Timothy Lannon, SJ, EdD, BS’73, an alumnus and former president of Creighton University, has returned to his alma mater as superior of the Omaha Jesuit Community, while the Rev. Nicholas Santos, SJ, PhD, who served as rector of the community for the past five years, has stepped down from that position.

“I am excited to welcome Tim back to Omaha and to Creighton University,” said Creighton’s current president, the Rev. Daniel S. Hendrickson, SJ, PhD. “He had such an impact on this city and our University community during his presidency. His experience, leadership, and pastoral care will serve our Jesuit community well.”

Fr. Santos, who joined Creighton in 2019 as an associate professor of marketing in the Heider College of Business and rector of the Omaha Jesuit Community, will be living at the Santa Clara Jesuit Community at Santa Clara University in California. 

While in California, Fr. Santos will continue his ties to the Omaha Jesuit Community and maintain his commitments in the Heider College of Business, while returning to Omaha periodically throughout the 2024-2025 academic year for meetings and work. He also will continue to serve on Creighton’s Board of Trustees. 

“I will certainly miss my frequent interactions with Nicky, his daily leadership of the Jesuit community here and his good-natured humor,” said Fr. Hendrickson. “Our Tuesday night Masses together with Creighton students became a highlight of my week. I am, indeed, grateful for his service and look forward to opportunities to reconnect during his trips back to Omaha.”

Following a governance trend of the Society of Jesus in the United States, which creates more efficiency for the selection and naming of Jesuits as leaders of local Jesuit communities, the “rector” title has changed to “superior” in most cases. The procedure change has no impact on the functions of these important positions and spares the superior from Province obligations unrelated to the Jesuit Community.

Fr. Lannon returns to Creighton from the USA Midwest Province of the Society of Jesus, where he served as treasurer since September 2020. 

A one-time student at Creighton, Fr. Lannon received the Spirit of Creighton Award, the University’s highest student honor, at his 1973 graduation ceremony, along with a degree in mathematics. He became Creighton’s 24th president in 2011 and served until retiring from the position in 2015. He then was assistant for formation to the provincial of the Midwest Province of the Society of Jesus, where he assisted Jesuits in formation and training.

Prior to serving as president of Creighton University, Fr. Lannon served for eight years as president of Saint Joseph’s University, a Jesuit university in Philadelphia, from 2003 to 2011; filled leadership positions at Marquette University; and was president of Creighton Preparatory School from 1988 to 1995.