Creighton University - Bluejay Yearbook (Omaha, NE)

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A F lacobson Board of Directors chairman, inaugurated the Rev Joseph J. La,a, S.J.. as C.U.s 21st president. , ,, ,,,,, ,ower president. Father L f ' r f -ll ' ' to most student functions like the Theta Phi Alpha tea. 16

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The Rev. Labaj, S.J J ' Student Life Academics Events Sports Greeks Seniors Index 18 58 168 210 324 k.-;%

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Eager to exchange ideas with students, Father Labaj said he wanted to both understand and love the students. Both waiting tospeal , Father Labaj and Father Schneider listen as freshmen get instructions during Welcome Week. Fr. Labaj listens; opens office to all noted that Father Labaj listened intently and analyzed carefully before he spoke. And when he spoke he demon- strated wisdom as well as knowledge. The positive philos- ophy he articulated seemed to harmonize with the basic orientation and goals of Creighton University. Moreover, his obvious desire to unify and to move forward made his selection, to me, imperative! A. F. Jacobson President, Board of Directors Even as a man much experienced in administrative w ork, accepting the position as the 21st president w as not an easy decision for the Rev. Joseph Labaj, S.J. It was a very agonizing process of discernment, he recalled and explained discernment as looking into a decision and seeing all that is involved. But on Sept. 1, 1970 Father Labaj officially began the job that he believed involves a giving of yourself, personal contact and service. Father Labaj succeeded the Rev. H. W. Linn, S.J., who died Nov. 1, 1969. In the interim, the Rev. Clement J. Schneider, S.J., academic vice president, had acted as president. After only a month at Creighton, Father Labaj said he was unable to discuss the University in specific terms. He said he was still listening and studying. How- ever, he made it clear that he planned to continue to stress Creighton ' s qualities of individual attention and encouragement of good teaching. Usually working in shirt sleeves, occasionally propping a foot on the edge of his desk. Father Labaj greeted visitors with a willingness to listen. He declared that his office would be an open office; that anyone could feel free to come in and discuss problems. Yet, at the same time, he said he did not plan to get locked up in my office. I want to get to know the students here as people, to talk to them and have lunch with them and I hope to understand them and love them. He viewed student expression as a matter of per- sonal responsibility of which he said he was not afraid. As far as actual student protest goes, he said if a pro- test was accomplishing something and he thought the protestors were right, he would want to help them and might even ioin them, as long as their demands were within the context of their life on the campus. Regarding Creighton sports, Father Labaj said he was not much of a sports fan and wouldn ' t walk across the street to see the Yankees, but when the Bluejays are out on the court, I ' ll be there. 17