Creighton University is a private Jesuit research university in Omaha, Nebraska. Founded by the Society of Jesus in 1878, the university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. In 2015 the university enrolled 8,393 graduate and undergraduate students on a campus just outside Omaha's downtown business district. It is classified among "R2: Doctoral Universities – High research activity". History The university was founded as Creighton College on September 2, 1878, through a gift from Mary Lucretia Creighton, who stipulated in her will that a school be established in memory of her husband, prominent Omaha businessman Edward Creighton. Edward's brother, John A. Creighton, is credited with fostering and sustaining the university's early growth and endowment. In 1958, the college split into Creighton Preparatory Schools and the present-day Creighton University. Academics The schools and colleges at Creighton are: College of Arts & Sciences Heider College of Business (formerly known as the College of Business Administration) College of Nursing School of Dentistry School of Medicine School of Pharmacy & Health Professions School of Law Graduate School College of Professional Studies The College of Arts & Sciences is the largest school, containing about 28% of the university's enrolled students. Creighton's acceptance rate is 72.7%. In 2018, the university announced a Phoenix Health Sciences Campus, which opened in 2021. Athletics Creighton competes in NCAA Division I athletics as a member of the Big East. Nicknamed the Bluejays, Creighton fields 14 teams in eight sports. Notable basketball players at the university include Paul Silas, Benoit Benjamin, Kyle Korver, and current coach Greg McDermott's son Doug McDermott, while famous former Bluejays coaches include Eddie Sutton, Willis Reed, and Dana Altman. The women's basketball team won the WNIT championship in 2004. It plays all home games on campus at D. J. Sokol Arena. The men's soccer team maintained 17 straight NCAA tournament appearances between 1992 and 2008. During that time, the Bluejays made three College Cup appearances, including one championship game appearance (2000). It plays all home games on campus at Morrison Stadium. Creighton's baseball team has one appearance in the College World Series (1991). Jim Hendry, the former general manager of the Chicago Cubs, was Creighton's head coach for its 1991 CWS appearance. The program's graduates include Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Gibson. The women's softball team has had two appearances in the Women's College World Series (1982 and 1986) and has appeared in six of the