Accomplished business and community leader Walter Scott Jr. died on Sept. 25 at the age of 90. A true friend to Creighton and generous benefactor, Scott served on Creighton’s Board of Trustees from 1980 to 2001 and was named an emeritus trustee.
“An important reason Creighton stands as one of the finest faith-based universities in the nation today is due to what I consider the ‘Scott-Morrison era,’” said Creighton President the Rev. Daniel S. Hendrickson, SJ, PhD. “Walter Scott, as chair, and the Rev. Michael G. Morrison, SJ, as Creighton’s president, prepared us for phenomenal growth, particularly in the area of academic reputation. During this era, we achieved 16 consecutive years as the top university in the Midwest, according to U.S. News & World Report. Today, we rank in the top third in the prestigious National Universities category.”
Scott and his philanthropic partner and wife, Suzanne, who preceded him in death, invested in numerous areas at Creighton, including the construction of the Hixson-Lied Science Building, the Rev. Michael G. Morrison, SJ Stadium, the new School of Dentistry building and the Heider College of Business.
The Scotts received the Manresa Medal from Creighton in 1998. Creighton’s Manresa Medal is presented to those individuals who, like St. Ignatius of Loyola, demonstrate inspirational leadership while overcoming obstacles to enduring achievement.
“Of this there is no mistake — Walter and Suzanne Scott loved and believed in their community, enough that they gave everything back to it. And Creighton University will forever be blessed by that singular commitment. May God bless them both,” Fr. Hendrickson said.
