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83rd OREGON LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY--2025 Regular Session
Enrolled
Senate Concurrent Resolution 7
Sponsored by Senator SOLLMAN (Presession filed.)
Whereas Dr. Phillip David Creighton was born on June 18, 1945, to Daniel K. Creighton and
Dorothy Patterson Creighton in Irwin, Pennsylvania; and
Whereas Phil Creighton attended the United States Air Force Academy before transferring to
Tarkio College in Missouri, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in 1966; and
Whereas Phil Creighton received his master’s and doctorate degrees from Colorado State Uni-
versity in 1970 and 1974, respectively; and
Whereas after a teaching career at Towson State University in Maryland, Phil Creighton as-
sumed the role of provost and vice president of academic affairs at Salisbury State University in
Maryland; and
Whereas in 1999, Phil Creighton became president at Eastern Oregon University in La Grande,
Oregon, serving in that role until 2003; and
Whereas Phil Creighton served as president of Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon, from
2003 to 2009; and
Whereas during his remarkable tenure at Pacific, Phil Creighton oversaw a period of growth
that transformed this institution from a small liberal arts college into one of the region’s top com-
prehensive universities; and
Whereas under Phil Creighton’s leadership, six new buildings transformed Pacific’s existing
campus, and a new athletic complex opened in 2008, energizing team sports for the Pacific Boxers
and the community; and
Whereas financially, Phil Creighton oversaw one of the most prosperous periods in Pacific’s
175-year history, turning the $3 million deficit he inherited in 2003 into a surplus of millions of
dollars by 2009; and
Whereas Phil Creighton was instrumental in the establishment in 2006 of the Pacific University
Hillsboro Campus, which offers a wide variety of graduate and professional programs in the health
professions and business; and
Whereas in honor of Phil Creighton’s tenure at Pacific and to secure his legacy, the original
building of the Hillsboro Campus was dedicated as Creighton Hall in 2009; and
Whereas on campus, Phil Creighton was known for his personable demeanor, and he had a
knack for remembering the names and faces of just about anyone he encountered; and
Whereas Phil Creighton was fondly nicknamed “Dr. Phil,” and he was an immensely popular
figure with students, colleagues, alumni and the wider Pacific community; and
Whereas in retirement, Phil Creighton continued to give back to Pacific by serving as president
emeritus, lending his vast experience and wisdom to the university’s continuing growth and quest
for excellence; and
Whereas Phil Creighton and his wife, Leigh, split time in retirement between their homes in
Arizona and Colorado and, as avid birders, they spent many happy hours together traveling around
the western United States searching for species to check off on their “life list”; and
Whereas on September 16, 2024, Phil Creighton passed away at his home in Colorado, with his
family by his side; and
Whereas Phil Creighton was survived by his beloved wife, Leigh; daughter, Natalie; son, David;
brother, Douglas; sister, Sally; four grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren; and
Enrolled Senate Concurrent Resolution 7 (SCR 7-A)Page 1
Whereas Phil Creighton loved being an educator, and he taught and mentored generations of
students, making an immeasurable impact on countless lives; and
Whereas Phil Creighton was renowned for his integrity, work ethic, dedication and vision, which
combined to make him a special person and an extraordinary educator; and
Whereas Phil Creighton will forever be remembered for his decades of dedicated service in
higher education and the profound and lasting impact he had on his students, his community and the
people of the State of Oregon; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Legislative Assembly of the State of Oregon:
That we, the members of the Eighty-third Legislative Assembly, honor and celebrate the re-
markable life and achievements of Dr. Phillip David Creighton, and we express our sincere and
abiding gratitude for his service to the people of this state; and be it further
Resolved, That a copy of this resolution shall be presented to the family of Dr. Creighton as an
expression of our sympathy and condolences.
Adopted by Senate February 27, 2025
Obadiah Rutledge, Secretary of Senate
Rob Wagner, President of Senate
Adopted by House June 10, 2025
Julie Fahey, Speaker of House
Enrolled Senate Concurrent Resolution 7 (SCR 7-A) Page 2