John P. Schlegel, S.J. (July 30, 1943 – November 15, 2015) was the 23rd President of Creighton University from 2000 to 2011. He formerly served as 26th President of the University of San Francisco from 1991 until 2000.
Biography
Schlegel received his Bachelor of Arts in philosophy and classics from Saint Louis University in 1969. He then completed a master's degree in political science in 1970, also from Saint Louis University. Schlegel also holds a degree in theology, which he obtained from the University of London in 1973, and a doctorate in international relations from Oxford University, which he obtained in 1977.
Schlegel previously served as the executive and academic vice president of John Carroll University in Cleveland, Ohio, before becoming a university president. On October 17, 1991. Schlegel was named the president of the University of San Francisco, succeeding Father John Lo Schiavo, who had served as USF's president for the prior fourteen years. He officially became the 26th President of the University of San Francisco on June 15, 1991.
In 2000, Schlegel was named the President of Creighton University in Omaha. Schlegel is credited with increasing student enrollment during his tenure at Creighton University. He also shepherded a $400 million capital campaign and oversaw the acquisition of of land located east of the existing campus.
In July 2010, Schlegel announced his intent to retire as President of Creighton University at the end of the 2010–2011 academic year. On July 1, 2011, he was succeeded by Father Timothy R. Lannon, who was the previous president of Saint Joseph's University.
On November 15, 2015, Schlegel died as a result of pancreatic cancer.