Giving Stories

Every gift to Marquette allows you to Be The Difference in real and meaningful ways. You are helping to enrich and expand student opportunities, support our teacher-scholars, foster innovation and transform our campus. Read about how recent gifts are already changing lives.

 

 

Planting a seed

Paul Stillmank and Maggie Cain traveled distinctly different paths to Marquette University. Paul, a self-described, blue-collar kid who cobbled together money, scholarships and a Pell grant to afford tuition. Maggie, a “sometimes-sheltered” middle-class suburban girl who learned to see the world in a whole new light. Decades later, the Marquette alumni couple’s journey and roots are converging full-circle as they have made a major Time to Rise gift to establish a life-changing scholarship.

"My parents planted the seed years ago. This was a germination process, says Stillmank, Eng ’85, a first-generation graduate. "They had lofty goals and challenged me and my siblings by constantly asking us, 'How many lives can you touch?’”

Opening eyes and instilling a new level of excellence

For Cain, Arts ’94, the five-mile drive from Wauwatosa to campus might as well have been five-thousand miles. “I can recall exact moments when I realized how insulated I was — how much I had to learn about people who are different than me,” she says. “I had to recognize the humanity in the urban population. Marquette opened my eyes and that absolutely still lives within me, every day.” 

For Stillmank, the current Founder & Executive Chairman of 7Rivers, Inc., his business lessons began in engineering classrooms. He recalls a project in which he and his classmates designed an adjustable standing frame for growing children with cerebral palsy.

“We had to solve problems from the day I arrived,” he said. “My professors demanded a level of excellence that was shocking. I lucked out that they graded me so hard.” 

Cain’s family has deep Marquette roots, with hard-earned diplomas spanning more than a century. She says she was destined to earn a liberal arts degree.

“An education in the arts helps you discern where you want to go in life, to find the right path,” she says. “You learn how to be curious and to pursue knowledge in a completely different way.”

For both Stillmank and Cain, Marquette’s mission was an important aspect of their education. “Marquette being Catholic, Jesuit was a big deal to my parents,” Stillmank says. “Mine, too,” Cain says, nodding.

Optimizing Artificial Intelligence

Under Stillmank’s leadership, he developed and grew his previous company, 7Summits, and ultimately led one of the largest “tech exits” in the region. Using  a prescribed approach, the company created and launched internal and external online communities for large companies like Motorola, Johnson Controls, and Brighthouse Financial, using  them  to create efficiency and drive growth. 

“We had an idea that we thought would change the world,” he says. “And we believed in that idea so deeply that we were willing to risk everything for it to come true.” 

The family’s gift will support two endowed scholarship funds as well as software engineering and Artificial Intelligence programming. It is all made possible due to the success of the new company Stillmank is leading — 7Rivers — a small business using AI to create an “augmented enterprise” to optimize business objectives and strategies.

“Most companies start with tech, but we begin with strategies and vision,” he says. “It’s all part of my Marquette training. It is just a new way to solve pressing problems.”

And, as for that seed his parents planted so many years ago, inspiring Stillmank to pay it forward?

“Our greatest hope is to one day inspire more Marquette students to go out there and dare to change the world.”

 

Empowering Rural Caregivers

Kathy Cain enjoyed helping people in her community through her nursing career, so when she and her husband, Mike, contemplated a planned gift to Marquette, Kathy knew she wanted to keep helping people — by supporting future local caregivers for years to come.

Through their estate gift, Kathy and Mike established a scholarship focused specifically for nursing students coming from rural areas. The hope is that those students return home to their local communities after graduating.

“There is such a need for rural caregivers,” Kathy says. “Marquette has a great program, and we wanted to help students access that, while empowering them to address the future nursing shortage.”

As an alumna, Kathy knows first-hand the values and impact of a Marquette Nurse. “The number of people and lives I influenced in a positive manner speaks highly to a career in nursing,” she says, reflecting on the path that led her through many nursing roles, including director of Coronary Care and Cardiac/Medical Services for a health system.

Mike also reflects fondly on Marquette from his time working in the university’s buildings and grounds. “Even though he wasn’t a student, he has a lot of great stories,” Kathy jokes. “We have been very fortunate, and we wanted to give back. Without Marquette, who knows where we might be today.”

Offering others that same opportunity is a legacy Kathy is excited to pass down. “My father insisted that his children pursue excellent education. I was so blessed to have his support and financial assistance,” she explains. “Mike and I want to pay it forward for others and let them know this dream is within reach.”

After all, she says, once someone becomes an RN, the possibilities are endless.

Family. Legacy.

The Pawlowski family rallies around scholarship.

As a Marquette medical student in the 1950s, Joseph M. Pawlowski enjoyed his campus days. Now, through scholarship, his family is ensuring that his legacy makes the Marquette experience possible for the students of today and tomorrow.

Joseph and his older brother were first generation citizens, born shortly before the Great Depression to eastern European parents who put an emphasis on work ethic, education, and gratefulness. Joseph had a brilliant mind, a joyful demeanor, and was all about staying in school. “He absolutely loved medical school, recalled his friends from those days often, and felt a strong connection to Milwaukee,” his daughter, Jen, explains.  

His parents’ example of volunteering within their communities inspired Joseph to pursue a purposeful life of education and philanthropy — an attitude he handed on to his children and grandchildren. 

“Our dad faced personal and financial adversity, including being widowed in his early 30s with small children,” says his daughter, Cindy. “But he always forged through and was a very giving soul.”

 As a good friend once told him in the simplest of terms, “Joe, you are a great guy.” 

Shortly before his passing in 2007, Joseph set up a current-use scholarship at Marquette with Cindy’s help. Thanks to additional gifts from Cindy, Jen, their brother, Steve, and the wider Pawlowski family of seven children and many grandchildren, the Joseph M. Pawlowski Endowed Scholarship ’53 has now surpassed Marquette’s endowed fund level and continues to grow. 

Paying it forward in honor

Joseph always said some of the nicest people he met were in the Midwest. His time at Marquette led to life-long friendships within his medical school fraternity and introduced him to his first wife, Milly, whom he married in 1953. The family scholarship, which supports students in the health sciences, reflects Joseph’s love for that area of study.

After graduating and spending time in the U.S. Navy out of state, he moved his young family back to Milwaukee in the early ‘60s. Following the death of his first wife, he later remarried and moved to California, eventually expanding his family to seven children and making a difference through his medical career and philanthropy. He remained a loyal annual supporter of Marquette even before establishing his scholarship.

“Dad always championed education for each of us and all of his grandchildren,” says Jen. “He was extremely generous to his alma mater, Marquette. I feel it is my life's mission to carry his legacy forward.”

That’s why Jen and her husband, Scott, requested scholarship donations in lieu of wedding gifts after her dad’s death. Jen has also donated in the form of securities or stocks from her father — her way of paying back his support.

It’s a goal her siblings share. 

“Our dad never touted his successes or generosity, but his impact was and still is felt,” says Cindy. “I honor him by being in a position to help others, as he helped so many over the years: family, friends, strangers.” 

This past year, Joseph’s son, Steve, organized his own fundraising campaign to match scholarship gifts from his six siblings. The reaction was overwhelming, spurring the family to raise more than $20,000 for their dad’s fund. In addition to the siblings, several grandchildren and family friends have also joined in.

“Our dad was so giving to all of us,” Steve shares. “We want to continue to support the scholarship and see it grow.”

Gifting bright futures

Joseph’s family believes scholarship can help chip away at the cost of today’s higher education, and they hope recipients may someday be in a position to support others in turn.  

“No matter how small, a selfless act can go toward helping others.” – Cindy Stangl

“It’s also rewarding because the scholarship recognizes the effort and academic success of students in the health sciences,” Jen says. Her sister Cindy agrees, emphasizing that their dad’s belief in education and specifically in the sciences was omnipresent in his day-to-day life.

Last spring, the siblings met the scholarship’s student recipient by video. 

“There is something special about being face-to-face, even virtually,” Cindy says. “It personalizes the gift and makes the sincerity and appreciation very real. Dad would be proud to know his endowed scholarship is financially sound and that so many of us are ensuring its viability for years to come.” 

MECA rallies Marquette spirit on the West Coast

As the golden eagle flies, the distance between MU and LA is growing smaller every day. The university’s strong West Coast connections are thanks in part to a network of committed alumni who form active local affinity groups like MECA — the Marquette Entertainment and Communications Alumni initiative.

When Joel Andryc graduated in 1979, he left for Los Angeles without having any professional contacts in the city and ended up meeting 1957 alum Jerry Jaskulski. “In those days, Jerry served as the godfather and mentor for anyone from Marquette who came to the LA area,” Joel recalls.

“It was great to have that connection to help open doors, and I wanted to pay that forward.”

Flash ahead a few decades, and the number of Marquette grads heading to the West Coast was rapidly increasing. After hearing a presentation on what became the renowned Marquette Mentors program, Joel and 1980 graduate, actor and comedian Rondell Sheridan, volunteered to lead an on-the-ground mentoring effort in Hollywood for the Diederich College of Communication. 

Interest often started with requests from Marquette professors who had students considering the move to LA. Longtime E! News producer Rebekah Ingraham, Comm ’03, heard about the group through Joel. Like him, her early days in LA involved crashing on the couch of a fellow alum. “It’s definitely the Marquette spirit to let a stranger come into your home just to help them,” she jokes.

Getting the MECA treatment

Jenna Santoianni, Comm ’06 and now head of television at MRC, also brainstormed with Joel to formalize the MECA initiative. Today, she is one of those who host the program’s first-night dinners for participants. “We started out at restaurants and now I invite everyone to my house. We want to hear from students — what they are interested in, what experiences we want them to have while they’re in town,” she explains. 

Jenna and the MECA team also ensure that students hear stories from alumni about their own West Coast experiences. “Many students don’t know how to break into the industry,” she adds, “and we want to help.”

While MECA focuses on the entertainment and communications fields, its members cover a variety of careers and career stages and are more than willing to share regional insights and industry publications to help fellow Marquette students and young alumni get the inside track for interviews and opportunities, even tips on how to relocate cross-country.

During Marquette’s unique Diederich Experience networking trips, for example, alums from MECA make themselves available to connect with current communication students. “Everyone is always there for each other. No one says no to the opportunity to help a fellow Marquette student,” Joel says.

Rebekah has invited Diederich students to tour E! News and has stayed in touch with several, including one fellow alum who is now working in LA. “It’s the greatest gift to be part of their story,” she says. “I ended up out here because people were there for me. The only way to be grateful for that is to pay it forward.”

Marquette loyal

The connections that MECA is building also fuel Marquette loyalty and energy. “MECA is cross-generational,” says John Lockhart, Jour ’81, who helps plan the group’s programming and maintain its social media presence. “It’s fun to see such a mix in the room. We’re doing everything from engaging students and young alumni to strengthening relationships with older alumni.”

Rebekah Ingraham agrees. “I love the events and basketball watching parties,” she says. “When I was a student, I hadn’t realized what a unity we had out here.”

MECA Happy Hours allow people to get together at local restaurants, familiarizing newcomers with the city and with their fellow Marquette contacts. “Every time you talk to someone at one of these events, you get introduced to even more people,” Rebekah says. “It’s great networking for students and for alumni looking to pivot into a different role or field.”

 

Jenna talks about her own personal story — a career path that began in part because of her Marquette scholarship. “I was so grateful to be a scholarship recipient and wanted to thank someone in that family. I emailed blindly, and my contact happened to be an exec at Paramount, where I was interning at the time. That contact turned out to be Brian Wensel, a 1980 alum. Brian showed me so much hospitality, mentorship and stewardship,” she says.

“I want to do the same for students. It ties back to cura personalis. There is a fidelity out here that is unique to Marquette.”

Having grown up on the West Coast and traveled to Marquette for college, Jenna is in the opposite position of many of her fellow graduates, and she’s happy to share her local expertise. One of her favorite examples is working with a student who earned an in-person LA interview while still attending classes in Milwaukee. The student called Jenna for advice, and Jenna encouraged her to fly out, picked her up at the airport at 2 a.m., and helped her buy an outfit for an impromptu follow-up with a high-profile showrunner. The student landed a PA position on a hit TV show, and the studio was even willing to hold the job for her until she officially graduated. 

“There is a network of people out here who want to see you win. Never forget that,” Rebekah says. “We have such great momentum here on the West Coast.”

The MECA group continues to cultivate young alums who can help the newest graduates in turn.

“If students are looking for guidance and mentorship on their professional path, come to a MECA event,” says John Lockhart.

Those who do will encounter the warm spirit of their extended Marquette family.

Learn more about MECA and the West Coast alumni mentors.
Connect with the MECA community on Facebook.

One for the generations

For the Schaefers of Lansing, Michigan, Marquette and its School of Dentistry are a family affair that spans three generations. 

“As a kid, I knew of Marquette through its football games against Michigan State,” says family patriarch Richard. A product of Catholic education, he gives credit to his father as the inspiration that ignited the family trend. “My dad was in the shoe business and had a great belief in the power of higher education,” he says.

After hearing a high school career-day presentation about dentistry, Richard decided to pursue it himself and graduated in 1964 from Marquette’s dental school. “My dad was so proud,” he recalls, joking that his father thought the Jesuits walked on water.

He also remembers the intense dental workload. “All your classmates were in the trenches with you,” he says. Richard’s post-graduation career started with two years as a US Army dentist, where he experienced great patriotism and instant feedback on the value of his Marquette education while working alongside about forty other dentists.

After his time in the Army, he returned to Lansing and, in 1966, began a private practice now known as The Schaefer Dental Group, with his son and fellow Marquette dental alumnus, Patrick, joining him and eventually taking over the practice.  

The Schaefers joke that, upon his retirement, Richard offered the practice’s then-building to Patrick who said, “Dad, I don’t think this will be big enough.” Patrick’s prediction proved accurate as the practice grew to eight locations with 17 dentists — one of the largest in Michigan. Along the way, the family has welcomed a number of Marquette and other practicing relatives. 

“It’s been amazing to watch how the practice has grown since its roots,” says Richard, who also taught at the local dental hygiene school during his career.

Being the difference: dental style

Patrick Schaefer sees their success as tied directly to the family’s belief and commitment to giving back. “As a practice, we work with charities in the community and, each year, we select 10 local families to help at Thanksgiving and another 10 at Christmas,” he says. “It’s a great way to share this attitude of involvement and giving back with our staff as well.” 

Throughout the practice’s growth, Patrick and Richard have welcomed young people to shadow in the office before they go off to dental school — several have since returned to the practice as fully-fledged dentists. The same holds true for mentoring their peers. Patrick makes a habit of helping dentists establish their own practices as partnerships with The Schaefer Dental Group.

“Our experience at Marquette is the foundational component of our family’s success after graduation,” Patrick says.

“Now we’re attentive to how we can give back," he adds, "whether to Marquette or in our Michigan communities.” 

He recalls the strong relationships with his dental classmates and undergrad friends — some of whom he still sees when he returns to campus for Briggs and Al’s Run in the fall or for a quick stop at the Dental School.

Beyond dentistry, Richard’s daughter, Stacey, graduated from Marquette in 1984 with a Bachelor of Arts. “I will always remember the beauty of St. Joan of Arc Chapel and the countless hours I spent studying or throwing a frisbee on the lawn in front of Lalumiere,” she says.  “Every part of these experiences was drenched in Midwest welcoming hospitality.”

She also appreciated the smaller class sizes and the ability to work one-on-one with professors.

Honoring a legacy, for future generations

Now, the Schaefers are living out their dental leadership in a new way through the Walter R. & Roseann D. Schaefer Dental School Scholarship to support Marquette dental students from Michigan.

“We wanted to do something special for Marquette that would most directly impact students,” Richard says. “Our goal is to enhance the opportunity for capable, quality individuals to pursue dental school without the burden of a big tuition bill.” 

The fund name encompasses not only the three generations of current Marquette dentists in the family, but also Richard’s parents.

“Our family has always tried to pay it forward,” he says. “My father’s fervor and appreciation for the role education played in our lives was so instrumental in changing our trajectory. I feel it is his legacy, not mine, and it’s a satisfying feeling to know we’re making a difference that will continue on.” 

The support also helps strengthen the local talent pipeline for dental caregivers.

“There’s always room for another good dentist! I can’t imagine a more rewarding field of helping people,” Richard says.

Stacey sees the family scholarship fitting perfectly with the values she learned growing up. “My parents instilled in me and my brothers the importance of remembering ‘you did not get here on your own.’ It is the community and family that are a part of our own successes. With this in mind, we give back to those around us while honoring the ones who came before us,” she says.

Continuing the tradition

For the Schaefers, the best news is that the family’s Marquette story is ongoing. In May, third-generation Marquette Dental student Carly Schaefer crossed the stage with plans to start her post-graduation dental career in Austin, Texas.  

“My parents and Marquette University School of Dentistry made me what I am today,” Richard says. “I think my son, Patrick, and my granddaughter, Carly, would say the same. Marquette shaped my character in terms of empathy and my care for patients. It gave me an opportunity to do what I loved for more than 30 years.”

So, will there be a fourth generation of Schaefers at Marquette School of Dentistry? “Time will tell,” Richard smiles. 

 

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Marquette’s historic Time to Rise campaign keeps students at its heart. The amazing momentum and support from our alumni, parents and friends allows us to make a profound difference on the lives of our students, through scholarship and beyond. Recently, Victoria Rios, Communication student and E-Lead participant shared her Marquette story. Our great Marquette family helps stories like this become reality for students every day.

Read Victoria's remarks below.

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Good evening, everyone. I am honored to stand before you today and would like to personally thank you for joining us to celebrate your generosity in providing so many opportunities for all of us. My name is Victoria Rios, and I am a senior in the Diederich College of Communication, majoring in corporate communication with a minor in marketing.
 
Your scholarship support has been instrumental not only in helping me get through college but allowing me to do so successfully with a promising future. As a first-generation college student and a descendant of Mexican immigrants, I am profoundly grateful to have been able to live out the vision that my parents had for me. I grew up in the city of Milwaukee, where my family and loved ones reside. I fell in love with the people and cultures that keep this city alive, and I have had the privilege of starting my leadership journey through my education. One of the most pivotal moments of my life thus far has been as a member of the founding class of Cristo Rey Milwaukee, part of a network of Jesuit high schools that uses an innovative work-study program to connect academic coursework to future employment opportunities.
 
Because of my experience in a Jesuit high school, I knew that Marquette University would offer a valuable and transformational education that allowed me to stay in my home city close to my loved ones. While there, I participated in a corporate work study program with Baird. My colleagues and mentors from that program were thrilled to learn that I’d be attending a school that they also called home. And when I decided to attend Marquette, they asked me to continue my internship at Baird with the Baird Advisors team. 
 
The Jesuit value of cura personalis, caring for the whole person, really motivates me to ensure that I continue to grow in every way — as a student, as a worker, and as a person. The supportive community that I found at Marquette allowed me to flourish in every way and has really inspired me to Be The Difference. 

Throughout my Marquette experience, I had the opportunity to plan and execute various events and initiatives across Hispanic and Latino organizations on campus and in the Milwaukee community. This involvement and early leadership opportunities led to the director of Hispanic initiatives here, Jacki Black, nominating me for Marquette’s Excellence in Leadership program, or E-Lead. Joining E-Lead introduced me to a variety of like-minded students across majors and fields, all focused on leading ourselves, leading with others and leading innovation. The unique teachings of the E-lead program gave us such shared experiences that drew us closer together and helped us learn more about ourselves throughout the years.

The leadership program not only helped me grow as a leader but also helped me discover my passion for helping other first-generation students like myself. I realized that I had the power to make a difference in their lives by sharing my experiences and providing guidance and support. I’ve been a member of the Encuentros Program here at Marquette, which offers mentorship and college preparatory opportunities for Cristo Rey Milwaukee students, bridging the two institutions and exposing them to everything that Marquette can offer. 

"During my time at Marquette, I realized that my purpose in life is to make a difference in the world, and I am grateful for the scholarship support that made this realization possible."

I am a better person today because of the E-Lead program and the generous donors like Karen, and like all of you, who made it possible.
 
I promise to pay it forward by using my skills and knowledge to make a positive impact in the world and in my communities. I hope to continue partnering with Cristo Rey and Marquette to create a pipeline of academic success and the inclusion of young people of color in professional spaces. As I graduate from Marquette University and start as a full-time associate with the Baird Advisors team this summer, I have reflected on the way that these organizations have molded me into the person that I am today, and for that I will always represent these organizations with integrity and respect.

Thank you for your continued support towards funding a fulfilling education for me and so many students here tonight and at Marquette, and I hope that the support continues for the next generation of leaders. Thank you and have a wonderful evening. 

 

Marquette’s historic Time to Rise campaign keeps students at its heart. The amazing momentum and support from our alumni, parents and friends allows us to make a profound difference on the lives of our students, through scholarship and beyond. Recently, Stevie Mitchell, business student and men’s basketball player shared his Marquette story. Our great Marquette family helps stories like this become reality for students every day.

Read Stevie's remarks below.

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Hello everyone. My name is Stevie Mitchell. I’m a sophomore here at Marquette double majoring in finance and information systems, and I’m a guard on the Marquette men’s basketball team. I’m from Sinking Springs, Pennsylvania, which is near Philadelphia. I grew up with my mom, dad and brother, and I have two dogs named Zoey and Ace. Both of my parents played basketball back in the day – My mom at Temple, and my dad played NAIA hoops at Xavier Louisiana. So, I’ve been around basketball my whole life. I always thought it was something I could do for fun – I wanted to play wherever and whenever. I’m from more of a football town, so not many people play basketball at the next level. From my high school, I’m only the second person to go Division 1 for basketball. Being here at Marquette, I have been able to inspire the young hoopers from back home to chase their dreams and show them they can play Division 1 basketball if they work hard, stick with it and have fun. 

Fun fact about me, I never was able to visit Marquette in high school because of the COVID-19 pandemic. I initially committed to Marquette with Coach Wojo’s staff, along with Kam Jones, but in the spring of my high school senior year, Marquette parted ways with Coach Wojo and I was unsure if I would have a future at Marquette. Right away, Dr. Lovell, Bill Scholll and Mike Broeker got on a Zoom call with me emphasizing that they still wanted me to be part of this university. This gave me reassurance of the genuine care and quality of people here. Then, as soon as Coach Smart started as head coach, he called me that day and from there we got to know each other, and he seemed like a great guy. That really helped me decide to stick with Marquette despite never seeing campus or Milwaukee, because I felt that the people here care about one another. 

Coach Smart continues to prove that to be true every day. Everything he is about has helped me grow on and off the court. I feel like I got the best situation possible: A coaching staff that cares about me like I’m one of their own, and teammates who I see as my best friends. The relationships we’ve built and memories we’ve already made have made my time here at Marquette special. I came to Marquette with a goal to grow and become the best version of myself on and off the court. That is still the same goal I have. I believe I have come a long way since I got here, especially with the mental side of everything. Being a college student-athlete is not easy. The workouts we do, our practices, the lifts, the conditioning — everything we do is difficult on top of a full class schedule. With that being said, I wouldn’t want to do anything else. My demanding schedule has helped me get more mentally tough during my first two years here, which hasn’t just helped me on the court — it’s helped me in other areas of my life. 

Whether I’m going through something in my personal life or struggling with something in school, I feel more prepared than ever to handle any adversity thrown my way. I’m thankful to be surrounded by a great support network that has helped develop this mental toughness. Just another example of why there is no place I’d rather be struck me towards the end of the regular season. During that time, my grandmother passed away. Obviously, this was not something that was easy to deal with, but the coaches, support staff, my teammates, and our team managers made this as bearable as possible. The overwhelming love and care they went out of their way to show meant the world to me. 

Without hesitation, Coach Smart allowed me to go to her service in Louisiana the day before we had a game. He wasn’t worried about me missing practice. He wasn’t worried about me missing scout. He was worried about my wellbeing and about me being with my family on the day we’d celebrate the wonderful life my grandmother lived.

Marquette is full of special people. We’ve had Dwyane Wade come talk to our team; I got to sit with Steve Novak at this event last year. Both people I watched play the sport I love at the highest level when I was a kid. Along with them and other former players, I’ve gotten to meet CEOs of major companies and other people incredibly successful in their respective careers. Meeting the alums and benefactors and people who support Marquette and our basketball program has helped me see how successful people are from Marquette. That has truly made me more motivated to work hard, because these people have shown that if you put in the time, effort, and dedication at Marquette and beyond, all your wildest dreams and aspirations can come true.

"To all the alumni and benefactors, you have meant a lot to not only me but all of us students, because a lot of the opportunities we have wouldn’t be possible without you. As a student-athlete, one thing that made our season feel even better than just the thrill of victory was that we felt like we were making you all proud. Anytime you can make the people who give you overwhelming support and want you to succeed proud, it’s a great feeling." 

We are extremely motivated to continue growing both on the court and off and look forward to continuing to be able to make you all proud. 

"I don’t know how common it is for student-athletes to have relationships with donors, but that connection here will never go unseen or unvalued. I’m grateful to be able to attend this prestigious university and receive the high quality education that would not be possible without all of you."

For the rest of my time here at Marquette, I look forward to continuing high-quality relationships and meeting new people with all types of backgrounds, in any profession and with different aspirations. I am eager to learn from them and to continue to grow as a person so I can not only be the best I can be but also uplift and bring out the best of those around me. 

Thank you all! 

 

Marquette’s historic Time to Rise campaign keeps students at its heart. The amazing momentum and support from our alumni, parents and friends allows us to make a profound difference on the lives of our students, through scholarship and beyond. Recently, Johnnie Brooker, communication student and Urban Scholar shared his Marquette story. Our great Marquette family helps stories like this become reality for students every day.

Read Johnnie's remarks below

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Greetings! Before I begin, I would like to thank Marquette for giving me this great opportunity to speak to you all this evening. To say the least, never in a million years did I think that I would be a student at Marquette. To bring it even closer, never did I think that I would be in the state of Wisconsin. Being a “city boy” from the garden state of New Jersey, the number one question that I always receive is “How in the world did you end up in Milwaukee”?

Before I answer, let me tell you a little bit about myself. I was born and raised in East Orange, NJ, which is approximately 10 minutes from NYC. I attended a Catholic, parochial school from kindergarten, all the way to the eighth grade and then attended Saint Peter’s Prep, an all-boys Jesuit high school in the heart of Jersey City. 

When I was in high school, upon completion, I thought I would move on from the Jesuits, but here I am! Continuing with the Jesuits is the best thing that I could have done, because they are great people who I have a willingness to serve, especially the ones on this campus. So, how and why would a Jersey kid like me would end up in a cold place like here (even though last week we were teased with great weather)? Just like many of us, I applied to schools across the country during the global pandemic. It was an interesting process because schools became test optional, not all schools were open, and I was still trying to finish up senior year of high school on a hybrid model. 

Little did I know that eight months later, I would be receiving a full tuition scholarship through Marquette’s Urban Scholars Program, which ultimately solidified my belief on why I was meant to be here. Yes, meant to be here. Let me take you back. I initially got accepted to Marquette in fall of 2020 and received the Pere Marquette Scholarship Award. Then, I applied to the Jesuit scholarship because that is half-tuition and, a few months later, I was blessed enough to receive it. Now for the big one. The Urban Scholars Program. 

I always knew about the program but thought it was just for Milwaukee residents, but boy was I wrong. Throughout my admissions process, I made sure I joined Marquette’s social media page so I could know potential classmates, and one of those classmates from Missouri texted me in late April asking me if I’d applied to the Urban Scholars Program. That is how I learned the support went beyond Milwaukee. 

So, even though it was wayyyy past the deadline, I emailed Program Coordinator DJ Todd. I sent him everything: My resume, college essay, transcripts, test scores, the man had it all. And being the persistent person that I am, which I get from my parents, I contacted my admissions counselor Ms. Cecilia Heffernann and asked her to put my entire file on DJ Todd’s desk and she did just that! I received an email from DJ a few days later with him basically saying, “There are 10 candidates left for 3 open spots, so your interview is tomorrow.” 

Needless to say, I made the interview and, even though the odds were stacked against me, the rest was history. I cannot deny the fact that I am meant to be here. I am blessed to be here. I really believe that everything positive and negative happens for a reason because Marquette was the school for me. Receiving this scholarship meant the world to my family and me. My mom cried because what was once a financial burden is now a blessing. 

It is currently April 20, 2023, and I can say that I made one of the best decisions of my life to become an Urban Scholar. In just a short amount of time, this scholarship has meant the world to me. Because of it, I developed physically, mentally, and socially. I gained best friends that will last me a lifetime, I have received so many opportunities in a short amount of time and networked with impressive people who can be a key to my future, and ultimately a home away from home. 

My mother told me before I left Jersey in August, if I am going far for school, it better be a great school. I can honestly say that I love Marquette. In the classroom, I am learning about things that are making an impact outside of campus, too. Currently, I am double majoring in Journalism and Political Science. I am in the process of doing research with the Center of Urban, Research, Teaching, and Outreach studying the Black Middle Class in Milwaukee. I am a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. by way of the Epsilon Tau Chapter where I serve as Secretary for my chapter and, as of Sunday, I am the newly appointed Assistant Executive Director of the Midwestern Region. 

On campus, I also serve as an Honors Peer Mentor, where I mentored honors students on a week-to-week basis last semester. I am a communications ambassador, where I assist the needs of the students and faculty in the Diederich College of Communication, and above all things, the reason that I am here, I work for Admissions as a tour guide. As a tour guide, I get excited because I am with prospective students who might be blessed with a scholarship like I was. 

"This school has been nothing but a blessing to me, and I am so thankful to the magnificent scholarship donors who have impacted my life. I hope my story shows you why your contributions are so meaningful. It changed my life completely and I am forever grateful."

Thank you.

The Marquette Thing

An unspoken quality unites our Marquette family

“This must be a Marquette thing,” thought Ivan Rojo when he realized all his favorite teachers at his high school had graduated from Marquette University. Something in the way they helped him and others — their personal engagement and inspirational direction — reminded him of the mentoring style of another Marquette alumnus, his middle-school basketball coach, Kerry Trotter, Arts ’86. “I don’t know what Marquette has,” he thought at the time, “but I want it.”

Ivan had first encountered this “Marquette thing” when he was eight years old after he and his family moved to Milwaukee from Texas. Growing up in a Spanish-speaking family, he suddenly found himself in a predominantly white school and in need of help with his English. His teachers also wondered whether he suffered from a speech condition known as “lazy tongue.” The principal at Ivan’s school recommended he visit Marquette’s Speech and Hearing Clinic for diagnosis and therapy. After a few months of the clinic’s personalized, focused treatment, Ivan’s speech, English and literacy skills improved significantly. “The speech barrier prevented me from asking for help from my teachers and playing with classmates,” recalls Ivan. “Now I had the confidence to sit with people at the lunch table and make friends rather than sitting alone.”

His senior year of high school presented another Marquette encounter. Ivan’s basketball coach encouraged him to apply for the Rick Majerus Wisconsin Basketball Yearbook Shootout scholarship. In the process, Ivan was delighted to learn that the scholarship’s namesake was not only a Marquette alumnus but also Kerry Trotter’s coach while he played for Marquette, and that among Kerry’s teammates under Coach Majerus was the legendary Glenn “Doc” Rivers! There it was again — that Marquette thing.

Ivan won the scholarship, one of only eight to be awarded from among 70 to 80 applicants. When it came to deciding where to go to college, the choice was easy.

Since he’s been at Marquette, Ivan has done everything possible to learn from, embody and share his ideal of that Marquette thing. Though working two jobs and living off campus to ease the financial burden on his family, he is double majoring in Spanish and Theology, minoring in biological sciences and enrolled in Marquette’s E-Lead leadership development program. Off campus, he gives back to the community, serving as a basketball coach and mentor to his former middle school following in the footsteps of Kerry Trotter and tutoring the children of Southeast Asian immigrants and refugees through Milwaukee’s SEA Literacy program. “I’ve noticed some of the kids are more motivated to succeed after I’ve told them I used to be in their position,” says Ivan.

Embracing Marquette’s call to Be The Difference, Ivan saw an opportunity while working for Dining Services on campus. He noticed that many students were not using all the swipes on their meal cards, so he helped propose a system by which they could donate unused swipes to the university’s Backpack Program for students in need. The program, now known as “Swipe Out Hunger,” is today in full vigor.    

“I see service as a chain,” Ivan explains. “When a service is done for someone without anything expected in return, that person will pay it back to someone else, and the cycle repeats itself.” Spoken like the true servant leader he is.  

“When a service is done for someone without anything expected in return, that person will pay it back to someone else, and the cycle repeats itself.”

Ivan will be graduating this May and intends to leverage his biological sciences minor and time spent shadowing doctors at Children’s Wisconsin to apply to medical school. Whatever field this first-generation success story pursues, we can be sure that excellence, faith, leadership and service will be his hallmarks. It’s a Marquette thing.

Pete, Bus Ad ’77, and Judy, Arts ’77, O’Hagan in front of McCormick Hall during demolition.

Helping the Experience Live On

For Pete, Bus Ad ’77, and Judy, Arts ’77, O’Hagan, the Marquette experience spans generations. Judy’s parents met at Marquette, and often recounted that they had one of their earliest dates at the Walgreens lunch counter on 16th street. Pete attended on a ROTC scholarship and worked his way through his final two years, and both say they’ve seen the impact of Marquette on their families, whose alumni now number in the double digits.

“This special experience has repeated itself for multiple generations in our family,” the O’Hagans say.

It’s an experience they’ve helped open to future students through their commitment to scholarship. Judy and Pete established the Peter O’Hagan and Judith Giffhorn O’Hagan Endowed Scholarship Fund 15 years ago and continue to grow it incrementally — including now through a planned gift pledge.

“As we evaluated our estate plan, we saw a way to make additional impact,” they say. “We have confidence in Marquette and in the experience that students receive during their time here.”

The O’Hagans’ involvement with the Cristo Rey network of Catholic high schools also highlighted the transformational impact that higher education can have on students. They witnessed one Cristo Rey student from New Jersey go on to Marquette, achieving great success including the completion of her master’s degree from Marquette.

“We see kids coming from extremely difficult life paths, and when they’re able to go to Marquette, with its commitment to inclusion, diversity and first-generation support, it makes such a difference,” say Pete and Judy. “The thank you notes and videos we receive of students’ scholarship stories are so meaningful, because you can see how lives are being changed!”

For Pete, as one of six kids, he understands how difficult it would be for students today to cover college expenses as he did by working. He has also witnessed this as a small business owner: “I’ve hired a lot of young people with crushing debt,” he says. “Hopefully, our scholarship will help alleviate that.”

He and Judy are particularly grateful for the spectrum of planned giving options Marquette offers. “There’s such flexibility,” Judy says. “It’s amazing how far your giving can go through the different avenues for planned gifts. After we’re gone, we can live on in a way through future Marquette students.”

It’s a prospect that cheers the O’Hagans. They and their close alumni group of friends still share strong affection for Marquette. That love for their alma mater has also inspired Judy and Pete’s robust support, including their leadership on the Regional Northeast Campaign Committee for Marquette’s historic Time to Rise campaign and through hosting regional Marquette events like local Mass and game watching.

“Our four years at Marquette were a bonus in our lives,” say Pete and Judy. “They were truly formative. We grew up together, fell in love together, and got to celebrate a national championship together!”

Speaking of that championship, Pete remembers walking down Wisconsin Avenue after the game and having one of his Jesuit professors shout from a bike, “No class, Pete.” Pete thinks that Judy went to class anyway….

“It doesn’t matter if you’ve been away for a few years, come back!” the O’Hagans urge. “You realize how much Marquette means to you. It’s never too late to re-engage.”

 

Accelerating Student Opportunity through Planned Giving

One Marquette alumna and her husband are making a difference for faculty and students through an estate pledge to support depression research as well as rural Wisconsin scholarships. As a career-long health professional and now volunteer teacher and mentor for top-of-the-class middle-school students at a Milwaukee Catholic school, this alumna has strong affinity for both aspects of her gift.

The couple’s generosity toward mental health research through Marquette’s Kubly Center in the College of Health Sciences will empower researchers to uncover the basis of depression, seeking to find faster acting and more effective treatments.

“We also have a special heart for kids growing up in a rural setting with little exposure to what university can offer,” she says. “Like many of the students I work with through my service, they’re so bright, with so much potential, and I’m happy to provide support so they can reach their dreams.”

In his own childhood, her dad was denied a grade school diploma and had to work the family farm instead of furthering his education. He was adamant that she have the opportunity to go to university. Now, she’s paying that forward to new generations through scholarship.

“Overall, we want to help students realize that places like Marquette are possible for them,” the couple says. “And that it will make a difference in their lives and the lives of others.”

 

Faith in the Future: Strengthening Catholic education through planned giving

Catholic education is close to the heart for Brian, Arts ’78, and Irene Binash. As the couple reflected on how they might help “close the leap” for students from Catholic high schools to afford Marquette, they realized a planned giving scholarship was their best way to accomplish it.

Being involved in the structure of the gift and its impact was important to the Binashes, so they decided to initiate the gift early instead of waiting to alert the university only as part of their will. The Binashes pledged a percentage of their estate to Marquette and worked with Marquette’s Advancement team to direct that percentage toward scholarship.

“We hope our approach will inspire others to do likewise,” Brian and Irene said. “We are pleased to have the opportunity now to tailor our future estate gift so that it benefits Marquette students according to our desires and prescription.”

For them, the gift deepens their connection to Marquette and underscores the value of Catholic education at a university level.

“We felt it was important to empower students to have a solid, faith-based education while espousing the conservative Christian values we believe are so important in society today,” they said. “We believe this will enable students to take that education and further it into the community. Well-informed students contribute greatly to society, and the effect that will have over time will be invaluable.”

The scholarship is focused on helping students — especially first-generation college students — from Catholic high schools in urban areas, like Brian’s alma mater of St. Thomas More in Milwaukee.

“Knowing, while you are alive, that your desires will be followed after your death is indeed a very peaceful thing. That was what really drove us to make our intended gift known now. We have been blessed with much, and we are absolutely at peace knowing that our desires for our gift will be carried out according to our intentions. For that, we are eternally grateful.”
— Brian and Irene Binash, Marquette Legacy Society members

 

Hold the Door Open

Bob Sobczak (Eng ’71, Grad ’74) and Nancy Laning Sobczak (Eng ’70, Grad ’72, ’07): Marquette University and their love for engineering brought them together while Marquette basketball kept them engaged with their alma mater long after graduation.

They attended games for decades, sharing their passion for the sport that unites Marquette alumni across generations. The Sobczaks grew particularly fond of the women’s basketball team, even having “meet-and-greets” with the student-athletes.

“Our Marquette student-athletes are exemplars of what academic competition in college means,” Bob says, echoing how Nancy — who passed away 10 years ago — felt the same. Indeed, the two were like-minded regarding the total Marquette experience and its impact. “Today’s students just want the same thing we did: to find their own future,” Bob says.

To help them get there, the couple was committed to “hold the door open” by establishing a variety of scholarships across campus. Recently, Bob wanted to open new doors to recognize the wealth of potential and inspiration he and Nancy saw specifically in the women’s team. He decided to support the Marquette’s Women’s Basketball Excellence Fund.

 

Uniting excellence in athletics and academics

Bob’s gift last April, which is the largest in support of women’s athletics at Marquette to date, is helping “tip off” the new Elevating Excellence in Women’s Athletics initiative at Marquette. The initiative, honoring the 50th anniversary of Title IX, is focused on increasing both scholarship and excellence fund support across women’s sports. “Marquette sports aren’t just about men’s basketball,” Bob insists. Rather, he is confident that both male and female athletes at Marquette contribute to the university’s athletic reputation — as well as its academic excellence. The generous donor heralds Marquette Athletics for providing student-athletes with a solid “union of academics and athletics” that does not prioritize performance in one sphere over the other.

The academic performance of female student-athletes in the 2021-2022 academic year speaks to Marquette’s philosophy of equilibrium between athletics and academics: 26 student-athletes finished the spring semester with a 4.0 GPA, and 137 student-athletes earned recognition on the Athletic Director Honor Roll. Among such impressive academic accomplishments, one women’s basketball player earned a 4.0, and eight of her teammates received honor roll recognition.

 

Paying it forward

These high-achieving young women inspired Bob, also a member of Marquette’s Founders Society, to make his sixth major gift to the university — a milestone in itself! His support of the Women’s Basketball Excellence Fund helps provide our coaches and their staff with financial support necessary to achieve national success by helping student-athletes fulfill individual potential as members of a team. With Nancy no doubt smiling in approval from above, Bob’s recent generosity continues the couple’s commitment to “hold the door open.”

Bob is hopeful that his recent gift benefits not only student-athletes, but also children in the Milwaukee area. Recalling how he heard a young boy on his way to a Marquette basketball game declare proudly that he wished to attend Marquette someday, Bob believes that boys and girls alike who take field trips to watch the women play at the Al McGuire Center can experience firsthand the power of positive role models. Talented women who inspire youngsters to envision college, aim high, and work towards their goals. A believer in the pay-it forward spirit of giving, Bob likes to cite his favorite quote from legendary Marquette Men’s Basketball Coach Al McGuire: "Help one kid at a time. She'll maybe go back and help a few more."

Speaking of legends, Marquette is grateful for and proud of the caring generosity of Bob and the late Nancy Sobczak, which continues to “hold the door open.”

 

Estate gift in support of the Haggerty Museum: A thing of beauty

To appreciate a singular brushstroke in a masterpiece, you often need to step back and consider the whole. The same can be said about Maryanne Torner’s generous estate gift, a reflection of the many brushstrokes creating beauty in her life. For the Detroit resident, her late husband, Charles (Eng ’61) and a love of art truly constitute the subjects of her “big picture.”

Maryanne graduated from the liberal arts College of Wooster (Ohio) and served as an executive assistant at General Motors Design Center in Warren, Michigan, where she met “Chuck.” The Milwaukee-born Marquette engineer, also an outstanding athlete, had an interest in the arts as well. A canvas would ultimately be painted around their shared perspective of the liberal and creative arts. “It’s about educating the whole person,” Maryanne comments. And appreciation of the creative arts in particular would help bring the two together.

After Chuck was widowed in 1984, he and Maryanne began a long courtship and were married in 2000. His three children, their spouses and six grandchildren were a bonus for Maryanne. The couple’s life was filled with world travels, from South America to South Africa. “I got Chuck to go to places he thought he’d never see,” Maryanne recalls, adding with a wistful laugh, “I expanded his horizons and mine as well, sharing tremendous experiences together.” Chuck continued his interest in art by taking painting classes soon after his retirement in 2000. He exhibited often in juried shows and sold some of his work.

Maryanne and Chuck pursued the beauty of art together when they became members of Marquette’s Friends of the Haggerty Museum in 2005. Through trips and events, this group fueled the Michigan couple’s love of art and travel while connecting them with like-minded people. “The Friends of the Haggerty were exactly that — real friends,” Maryanne comments. They even discovered connections to the College of Wooster and General Motors within the group. “It’s the circles in life that add to the circle of life’s beauty", Maryanne reflects.

When Maryanne tragically lost Chuck in 2020 to COVID-19, she felt compelled to revise her estate plan. It seemed natural to share her professional gains with places that mattered most to her personal formation and happiness. In addition to the College of Wooster and Michigan’s Oakland University, Maryanne decided to make a planned gift to support the Haggerty Museum. She explains, “While Chuck always supported Marquette through scholarships, the Blue & Gold Fund, the Engineering Building Fund and the Friends of the Haggerty, this was ‘my gift’— one I think he would value because of what we shared behind it.”

Marquette University will always value the artistry of this most thoughtful brushstroke, a finishing touch to a beautiful life story.

 

Continuing a More-than-40-year Tradition

How do you measure the impact of a man whose career was built around the literal science of measurement? If we’re talking about historical metrology expert and long-time Marquette professor, Ronald Zupko, the answer lies in the generations of students he taught and mentored.

Students spanning 40 years will remember Dr. Zupko’s infamous “rat lecture” about the spread of the Bubonic plaque and its disruption of medieval trading systems. Leaning into his background in medieval history, Dr. Zupko brought unique facets to life in his classrooms.

From 1966 until his retirement from Marquette 40 years later, Dr. Zupko became known for the enthusiasm and intellectual rigor he exhibited in his lectures and as a research scholar, earning him the university’s Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence in 1977, the highest honor bestowed upon Marquette faculty. Dr. Zupko also authored seven books and numerous articles during his storied career.

Yet, Dr. Zupko was one of those remarkable teachers whose support of students goes far beyond the classroom. Together, he and his wife, Kay — a long-time teacher in the Milwaukee Public Schools system at Lloyd Street School — endowed a $1 million scholarship to support qualified MPS high school graduates interested in attending Marquette. The scholarship has covered full tuition for multiple recipients since 2015 and continues to do so through the Zupkos’ estate pledge and add-on gifts from their former students as well as colleagues and friends.

It bridges the passion that Dr. Zupko and Kay held for each of their academic institutions, supporting students across both organizations by providing the care, direction and inspiration needed to succeed and complete their education.

“Throughout our careers, Ron and I have helped shape the lives of many students, and we wished to continue our efforts. This is why we established the Ronald E. and Kathleen M. Zupko Endowed Scholarship,” Kay explained about their hopes for the scholarship in its early days. “We recognize that there are high-performing students from Milwaukee Public Schools who desire, but are unable to have, the Marquette experience because of financial need. We hope to help them fulfill their dreams.”

At the time, Dr. Zupko said, “Our fund will enable future generations of students to receive a Marquette education. This is our legacy to our professions and our lives. There is no greater gift than this!” And, in light of his passing in November 2021, it seems the beloved professor got it right once again — his is a legacy that lives on brightly for the university and students he cherished.

 

It’s the Simple Things

Young alumnus finds meaningful ways to give back

As a supply chain leader for Rockwell Automation, Marquette Business alumnus John Mau knows how each seemingly small step in a process can make a lasting difference on the overall outcome. As a former student-athlete for Men’s Soccer and now as an enthusiastic young philanthropist, he knows the same principle applies to simple gestures of paying it forward — they can have life-changing impact!

“My professors, coaches and advisors at Marquette were my biggest cheerleaders as I started my career. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am,” John says. “The only ask these mentors had in return was that I find a way to help someone else.”

John takes this attitude to heart through a spectrum of opportunities to give back to his alma mater. “The beautiful thing about giving to Marquette is that you can truly know and understand where your gift is going and see how it is impacting the lives of students,” he says. “You are creating the next opportunity for someone to carry on the Marquette legacy and tradition. Being able to help and support the next Supply Chain student or Men's Soccer player is a passion of mine.”

Championing the future of Supply Chain

When reflecting on the Marquette Supply Chain program (Currently ranked #12 Nationally) that launched his career, John believes it’s one of the best in the world. “The skills and knowledge gained here rank with any institution, but what sets Marquette apart is the way students are taught to lead, develop and empower those we work with in Supply Chain and industry,” he says. “The values of Cura Personalis are embedded in everything we do.”

There’s one way to do business and supply chain, John jokes … and then there’s the Marquette way. “The Jesuit education and ideals pushed me to be a better friend, brother, co-worker, manager, and alumnus,” he says. “I hope to provide resources so Marquette can instill that with more and more students.”

Rallying young alumni

John views his support as a young alumnus as a demonstration of what Marquette means to him. “There is no dollar value I can put on what Marquette has done for me,” he says.

Part of John’s role as an alum is connecting with other Marquette alums. “We’re at a great inflection point for Marquette right now,” he says. “We’re becoming a nationally-recognized brand across so many landscapes where people from all over the world want to come. There’s a reciprocal energy you feel as alumni.”

Asked about advice for fellow young alumni and graduating seniors, John says, “Think about what was special to you over your time at Marquette and consider ways to get involved in those areas. Supporting the university can be as simple as taking a call from a prospective student or having coffee with a faculty member to share insights from frontline industry. There is never a bad time to start giving — no matter the amount — because every gift will do something to help the next generation of students,” he says.

Servant leadership in the goal

One of John’s favorite Marquette memories is winning in the 2013 NCAA Soccer Tournament at Valley Fields. “In typical Milwaukee fashion, it was below freezing in November, but the way we won and celebrated as a team is something I will never forget,” he says.

The team was one of the most successful in Marquette Soccer history not only for its performance on the field but also for the team’s actions off the field.

“I was fortunate to have upperclassmen take me under their wings,” John says. “Each day, we made choices that prepared us for the field, off the field, and life after Marquette. Those teammates remain some of my closest friends. For me, it’s a great joy to ensure other Marquette soccer players and athletes understand the family they are joining and how special it is to so many of us.”

The Betsy Traczek ‘Say Yes’ Memorial Endowed Scholarship

Thanks to the energetic life and essence of one Marquette accounting alumna, accounting graduate students can say ‘yes’ to a Marquette education through scholarship.

Elizabeth (“Betsy”) A. Traczek’s spirit endures beyond her life, which was always open to the possibilities of saying “yes.”

Betsy’s can-do, will-do spirit blossomed as the graduate of Bolingbrook High School in Illinois came to Milwaukee in 1991. An accounting student in Marquette University’s College of Business Administration, she embraced her time on campus — from joining the Alpha Chi Omega sorority to cheering on MU basketball. After earning her B.A. in Business Administration and Accounting in 1995, she became a loyal alumna who reveled in returning to campus to celebrate her Marquette family. Indeed, once Betsy became part of something, she was all in. That included her career.

Just out of Marquette, Betsy became an accountant with The John Buck Company, a Chicago-based real estate enterprise. She worked her way up to Property Manager and ultimately served as a Principal, Director of Property Management, and member of the company’s Board of Directors. Adoring co-workers describe how “Betsy took extreme pride in her work” and had an ability for “being able to communicate with and lead at all levels” that rivaled her knack for numbers as “an accounting wizard.”

She never forgot from where she started and always was open to new adventures and opportunities. That included her dedicated work with the John Buck Foundation, especially its annual Spring Fling fundraiser — the leading charity celebration in the Chicago Real Estate community. Betsy was part of the backbone of the area’s profession, also serving on the boards of the Building Managers and Owners Association of Chicago and the Chicago Real Estate Network. Saying “yes” kept her busy! Yet not at the expense of her family and personal life.

The fun-loving Betsy always enjoyed experiencing all that Chicago had to offer. A true fan of the White Sox, Bears, Blackhawks, and Bulls, she loved sharing the city with family and friends — especially her nieces and nephew. From travel and concerts to time at her family and friends’ lake houses, Betsy was a generous, quick-witted, and kind person who, from all that she received, brought significantly more to life and those around her.

Cancer tragically claimed Betsy’s life at age 46. But her undying example of being open to the possibilities of saying “yes” moved her family, friends, and colleagues to establish the Betsy Traczek “Say Yes” Memorial Endowed Scholarship in 2021. Their contributions, matched by The John Buck Company, make it possible to annually award the scholarship to one Marquette student from Chicago in pursuing a master’s through the Accounting Analytics program. We celebrate this honor and opportunity to carry forward Betsy’s indomitable spirit for generations to come.

 

Bringing dental values into the field

Marquette alumnus Daniel Cook, D.D.S., M.S., owned a private pediatric dental practice for 50 years before transitioning to teach pediatric dental residents at the University of Washington, where his current chief resident, Tessa Holmes, D.D.S., Dent ’19, is a Marquette alumna. He has a particular affinity for helping first-generation dental students and residents from around the world whose hard work can set them on successful life paths.

“Working with dental residents gives me an opportunity to help close the gap for them between learning dentistry and doing dentistry,” said Dan, Dent ’66, Grad ‘72. “To truly prepare people for being in the field, actively doing dentistry beyond the classroom.”

Dan’s passion for teaching and mentoring in pediatric dentistry inspired his recent planned gift to Marquette’s School of Dentistry, which will help provide upgrades in the pediatric dental clinic, enhancing students’ opportunity to learn in real-world spaces.

“I received an excellent education at Marquette, and much of what I have is due to that,” explained Dan. “I’ve been blessed. Providing this support will help perpetuate some of the things I believe in and create a reservoir of goodwill for graduating dental students.”

Beyond his most recent gift, Dan supports Marquette through an endowed scholarship. He also supported construction of the current dental school, making a gift in honor of his parents that is recognized on a special plaque within the facility.

“There are no words for how powerful that moment was for my parents to realize the gift had been made in their honor and to be present at the 2001 dedication of the dental school,” he said. “My parents taught me the value of work and the value of thinking. Marquette perpetuated that value system, and I believe values are transcendent. They bind us together.”

 

Black Alumni Association broadens student access with milestone gift

Black Alumni Association President Nkozi “Jay” Knight has a special place in his heart for Marquette’s Ralph H. Metcalfe, Sr. Scholarship. After all, he was a recipient of the scholarship when he attended Marquette, and he’s also the inspiration behind the scholarship’s recent $10,000 gift — the largest in its history since the gift that established its endowment.

“The scholarship helped out with books and went a long way for me as a student,” Nkozi says. “It was important for me to be able to pay it forward, and I’ve contributed ever since.”

The Black Alumni Association Ralph H. Metcalfe, Sr. Scholarship has been helping students since 2003 and currently provides two annual scholarship awards — one to support a student in Marquette’s Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) and one to support a non-EOP student. Over the years, the scholarship has benefited 35 students, including Nkozi.

So when his company, Northwestern Mutual, offered employees the opportunity to submit essays about their chosen nonprofit organizations as part of a Days of Sharing charitable grant process, Nkozi jumped at the chance to build on his personal philanthropy and submitted Marquette and the Metcalfe Scholarship as his cause of choice. His application was selected, and the Northwestern Mutual Foundation contributed a $10,000 gift to the scholarship in his name.

“It’s so important for today’s students to see that we’re invested in their futures the way someone was invested in mine,” says Nkozi, who recently accepted a promotion to assistant director of contract, licensing and registration for Northwestern Mutual. “There are a lot of struggles right now, but it’s not the first time we’ve overcome. Rather than complaining from our couches, let’s build something together. Give back to your university, your high schools and middle schools and build a different world,” he encourages.

Supporting scholarship can make it easier for kids who are experiencing their first time away from home at Marquette, giving them the confidence and resources to persevere through the first-year challenges of university.

“I loved being a part of Marquette,” Nkozi recalls. “The teachers who poured interest into me are some of my favorite memories. They invested in me, filled me with the Jesuit servant leadership skillset, and made me a better student and person.”

Paying forward that investment is part of why Nkozi stays deeply involved in the alumni association and as a member of Marquette’s Annual Giving Campaign Committee.

“I’m involved as a way to give back to the community and build the future leaders of tomorrow,” he says. Those future leaders include his nephew — now a current student at Marquette.

“It’s a way of saying thank you to the university for giving me the opportunity to flourish and become the man I am today,” Nkozi says. “I hope to grow the scholarship and offer it to more people. If there’s ever a time to step up, it’s now as we come out of 2020. I really hope this gift inspires additional alumni giving – I want someone to beat my gift!” he jokes.

 

Penning the future for communications students

Sylvia Wallace, Jour ’77, first considered Marquette because she longed to study journalism under then-J School Dean and Former White House Press Secretary George Reedy. Her decision came somewhat last minute, meaning less financial support from family and limited access to large scholarships, so Sylvia applied for dozens of small community scholarships to fund her education, working full time during school to make ends meet.

“I wanted to take advantage of every possible opportunity to follow my dreams,” she recalls. “Tell me I can’t do something and watch me go. The financial challenges made getting there even sweeter.”

Now, through a $1 million estate pledge toward scholarship, Sylvia—along with her husband, Lon—hopes to alleviate that burden for future communication students.

“If I can make the financial struggle a bit easier for the next student who wants to take on the world through a bedrock Marquette education, then I’m giving back what the university gave me,” she says.

She and her husband have actively volunteered throughout their married lives and decided to pledge substantial gifts to each of their alma maters.

“I believed in ‘Be The Difference’ before it was a motto,” Sylvia jokes. “Our family has been so blessed, and I attribute the basis for it to my years at Marquette. We wanted to make an impact for others.”

Making that impact at a Jesuit school was also a draw for Sylvia, whose best friend went on to become a Jesuit priest.

“Marquette was a deeply meaningful place for me. Those four years taught me not only who I wanted to be, but how to get there. It was the beginning of the life I wanted and made everything in my life possible,” she says.

When Sylvia’s grandchildren were thinking about colleges, she and her husband advised them to consider a university that taught three things: how to focus, how to think critically about the world, and how to conduct themselves as young men or women. For her, those life lessons aligned at Marquette.

“When I graduated, I was ready to take it on!” she remembers. “I had the ability to do whatever I wanted with my life. It changed my world.”

To those considering similar gifts, Sylvia offers words of encouragement. “If you had a wonderful experience at Marquette and it set you on a life path, then why not give that same opportunity to someone else? Part of being the difference is reaching out to help the next generations,” she says. “It gives them the beginning of the rest of their lives. I will forever be grateful for my time at Marquette.”

Scholarship and University Support: A Winning Pair

For Marquette alumna Joanne Topham (Bus Ad ’70), education is a source of positive change for many of the world’s challenges — from overcoming poverty to supporting future families. She recently doubled down on helping people access Marquette’s life-changing education through planned gift commitments that provide both scholarship for students and unrestricted support for the university.

“Students are our future leaders,” she said. “Education gives them the tools to develop their leadership and contribute to society, yet it’s hard to afford without help. Philanthropy is my way of making a difference for them.”

Joanne particularly recognizes the difficulties of today’s tuition landscape, with the pandemic causing additional economic hardship and underscoring the costs of maintaining technology equity for students now learning online.

“Marquette was a wonderful experience for me,” she recalled. “It’s allowed me to have a fulfilling career and life, and I personally appreciated the Jesuit aspect of my education and how it guided my growth. I hope my scholarship will help students meet the challenge of tuition so they can access similar experiences.”

In addition to supporting students directly, Joanne also committed unrestricted funds to the university to provide Marquette with latitude to address emerging needs into the future.

“While I can’t know everything about the university’s long-term goals or critical needs of tomorrow, I see the value of giving Marquette’s administration the ability to react to those needs,” she said. She cited the COVID-19 pandemic as a great example of how this kind of support may allow Marquette to pivot quickly, enact safety measures and address other related needs.

“I strongly believe in the importance of education, and my planned gifts allow me to have an impact on students, the university and society,” Joanne said. “I’d encourage others to consider how they can make a difference in the world in areas they feel are important to them.”

“I hope my gift plays a small part in inspiring students to inspire others in turn.
To encourage them to look at their dream life path and say, ‘I can do that!’” – Joanne Topham

Creating future smiles through dental scholarship

Marquette Dentistry alumnus Jeff Carpenter (Dent ‘86) is part of a dental legacy bridging from 1924—the graduation year of fellow Marquette alumnus Dr. Willard VerMeulen, whose practice Jeff first bought—to future generations of dental students thanks to his recently documented $1 million estate gift to scholarship.

“I’m concerned about the cost of education and wanted to help students,” Jeff said. Since Marquette had prepared him so well for his own dental career, he wanted to create a similar path for future Marquette dentists.

After reading one of our previous issues of Explorer, Jeff reached out to learn more and discovered that a planned giving approach allowed him to structure his support at a level that accomplished his desired impact.

The scholarship will provide tuition for one future dental student each year, with the recipient receiving support until graduation. In addition, Jeff’s commitment also honors his parents through the establishment of the named Dr. Herbert and Susan Carpenter Scholarship Fund. Jeff bought his father’s practice later in his career, and the two worked alongside until Herbert retired.

“I’m very pleased with what Jeff is doing,” Herbert said of his son’s charitable choices. “It makes me very proud.”

Jeff explained his gratitude about his parents’ ability to help with his own schooling costs. “I was fortunate,” he said. “With this gift, I’d like to provide a boost for students that empowers them to lower their debt so they can graduate and make a little money. My hope is that it inspires recipients to give back too and continue to pay it forward.”

'Within the Life of God:' Cecille's Story

With support from scholarship, Theology doctoral student Cecille is learning “what it means to really live life within the life of God” at Marquette.

“As a PhD student in theology, I feel a tremendous amount of joy and purpose in what I do. Being able to study theology at the doctoral level has allowed me to write and read more, focus my interests, and share my work with others in conferences. I'm extremely grateful for the opportunity to be at Marquette,” she said.

Through her roles as a teaching assistant for three courses, Cecille has connected with professors and students alike about theological pedagogy. In the unique position of student and teacher, she is learning how best to draw students to the mysteries of God, and she hopes to carry these lessons on to her own, future students by becoming a professor in theology.

Using her scholarship fund, Cecille’s main goal is to help Marquette’s Institute on Method in Theology. Marquette’s Jesuit values allow her to study theology systematically and thoroughly and to share the significance of theological study, especially in this time in which many people are losing faith.

Cecille believes that, through scholarship, “we are able to reach many people and expand our understanding of the faith, leading us all closer to God.”

 

MARDI GRAS: Students Fill Their Hunger for Service

In the wake of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, student organizations like MARDI GRAS (Making a Real Difference in the Gulf Region and Areas Surrounding) are more relevant than ever. MARDI GRAS was started by a Marquette College of Health Sciences student displaced by Hurricane Katrina, and it continues to aid hurricane victims in the Gulf Region and beyond.

Student volunteers like Roberto Varela, now an alumnus from the College of Health Sciences, roll up their sleeves to repair homes, lay flooring, hang drywall, and more. “Our physical acts of rebuilding are helpful,” he said. “But our greatest impact is letting homeowners know they matter. By joining MARDI GRAS, I not only found a family on campus but also in the areas we visited. The people of New Orleans are resilient, and it is truly a gift to spend time with and learn from them. The spirit of MARDI GRAS persists long after the trip and helps you love those around you so much more,” he said.

A beautiful, rare alignment

During her four years as a Marquette undergrad, Hilary Braseth, a 2011 graduate of the Klinger College of Arts and Sciences, participated in MARDI GRAS 13 times.

“Those moments were so much more than ‘a service trip’ for me. MARDI GRAS catapulted me on this lifelong quest to dig into the roots of what it means to be human, to belong, to be in a community.”

Hilary’s time in MARDI GRAS motivated her to do her own research on the Lower 9th Ward of New Orleans and other communities. “Because of MARDI GRAS, I’m now building a technology company for small business growth in West Africa. I traveled to Guinea for three years while in the Peace Corps, lived in a mountaintop yurt outside of Los Angeles, and am studying for my Ph.D. in depth psychology.”

Like Roberto, she credits MARDI GRAS with fostering dear friendships and broader perspectives. “It granted me the opportunity to step outside the bubble of privilege I was raised in. To me, MARDI GRAS wasn’t just about the manual labor of gutting and drywalling. It was about the relationships. It was about opening the eyes of Marquette kids, planting the seeds inside each of us of what it means to not only serve for others but to enter into relationship with others. There was a beautiful, rare alignment between heart’s longing and world’s need.”

Recipient to Benefactor: Steve's Story

After walking the stage as part of Marquette’s first Biomedical Engineering class in 1978 and returning for a graduate degree in Electrical Engineering, Steve Murawski joked that he suddenly became a highly recruitable job candidate.

That skillset continued to serve him well during his diverse 40-year career path within GE. And it’s one he hopes to provide future grad students through his $50,000 gift to scholarship in the Opus College of Engineering.

“How students work in the environment today versus the classroom teaching of years ago is night and day,” he said. “Marquette offers opportunities to work alongside people from diverse backgrounds and disciplines, so students begin to understand what’s important to colleagues across teams in addition to their own interests. They learn to find the cooperation between the two.”

Steve remembers how his experience as a Grad School TA allowed him to interface with a variety of students, which helped immensely as he entered the business world.

“I really wanted my gift to help students explore the aspects of their engineering education or career goals that spoke most to them, and then position them to build on the robust network they’ll develop at Marquette,” he said.

He and his wife, Carol, considered giving via their estate but were drawn to the idea of seeing results in real time. They decided on establishing the Murawski Family Endowed Scholarship for Graduate Engineering Students.

“The help I got went to an individual student — me,” Steve said. “So I wanted to do the same and open doors that today’s students may not have thought would open for them.”

Drawn to Service: Zoya's Story

Imagine delivering life-saving dental care in Nicaragua, Panama and Brazil as a Marquette junior. For pre-dental student Zoya, these experiences are part of why she fell in love with service at Marquette.

“This was a type of service I had never experienced,” she says. “Where the focus is on connecting with and working with the community and each other. I’ve been able to help so many people along their journeys.”

Applying her skills in developing countries merges Zoya’s passions for public health and dentistry — a dream she’s pursued since completing dental assistant classes at her community college while still in high school. “I wanted to get the experience, make sure I truly loved dentistry, and save money for college,” she jokes.

Now, she’s looking forward to grad school. “I never thought coming here as a freshman that I’d have the dean of my college write my grad school recommendation letter based on a service trip we took together in another country. But that’s Marquette!” she says.

Building student community and service also inspired Zoya to launch Marquette’s first-ever Pakistani student organization, of which she is now president. The organization hosts co-events with the University of Wisconsin-Madison to help Pakistani students get to know each other over game nights and other activities.

“As students, we can get locked into a bubble within our major or college,” Zoya says. “Service and campus jobs can help you see other student experiences. I like seeing the visibility of cura personalis on campus from so many different angles. This school has changed my life.”

 

Dreams of Nursing: Kasey's Story

Growing up, Kasey was a happy participant in sports of all kinds – even when they led to injuries requiring medical attention. Her interactions with nurses during those times sparked a dream of becoming a nurse herself. Marquette is helping this dream come true.

As an out-of-state student wanting to attend Marquette for its stellar nursing program, Kasey knew she would have some hurdles to jump to get here. The two scholarships she received helped her say yes to a Marquette education without financial stress. “Scholarships allow me to gain an education and prepare me for my future,” says Kasey.

Now in the College of Nursing, Kasey utilizes assets like the Wheaton Franciscan Healthcare Center for Clinical Simulation, which allows students to perfect nursing skills in real world situations. “The Sim Lab is such a great resource, and professors are so passionate about what they do,” says Kasey. “They make me more excited and eager to learn.”

One semester, she worked with fellow nursing students to create a teaching plan for a hypothetical patient. After treating the patient, students were required to film themselves advising their patient on follow-up steps. The Sim Lab strengthens both the biological, bodily concentration of nursing while also solidifying the foundation of a Marquette nurse: empathetic human interaction.

Without her scholarships, Kasey may not have had opportunities like the Sim Lab. “Scholarships have done so much for me,” says Kasey. “I almost can’t put it into words. Being able to receive a scholarship changes my world.”

 

Pushing Boundaries: Emanuel's Story

Emanuel has always pushed himself. In academic competitions. In a cross-country move from Texas to attend Marquette on scholarship. Now, he’s pushing boundaries of nebulizer science.

Working with Biomedical Engineering Professor Lars Olson, Emanuel and fellow undergraduates are developing a hand-powered nebulizer to deliver aerosolized measles vaccines to people in rural or third-world areas where typical vaccines aren’t available.

“I’m focused on the impact our research will create,” Emanuel said. “It helps people see engineers as more than computers with faces.”

Emanuel’s time at Marquette began with an Opus Scholarship — one of several full-tuition scholarship programs within the college. His opportunity alleviated the cost burden for his parents and solidified his decision to attend Marquette. “It afforded me a chance to live my dreams and give back to my hometown, the parish I grew up in, and so many others through my education,” he said. “You can’t put a price on this.”

 

Opening Doors: alumnus Dr. Paul Andrews makes largest gift in history of School of Dentistry

In a career spanning more than two decades, School of Dentistry Dean William K. Lobb has had no shortage of surprises. None has come close to the one he shared on Saturday night. During a celebration the university held to honor Lobb’s 20-year anniversary as dean, the longstanding leader made a major announcement.

An alumnus emailed him, Lobb said, and asked if he could have someone call him back as he’d like to make a gift. After a few additional phone calls, the alumnus pledged to give a $5 million estate gift to the dental school. The pledge, which will focus on scholarships for veterans and their families, will represent the largest single gift in the history of the dental school.

Lobb then introduced the major benefactor, Dr. Paul Andrews, a 1974 graduate of the School of Dentistry who flew in for the anniversary party from his home in Orlando. He was greeted with a standing ovation. Originally from Elkhorn, Wisconsin, Andrews shared that he is the oldest of five kids, and as the son of a dairy farmer, he “grew up milking cows and fixing tractor tires.”
Dr. Andrews spoke to the crowd of about 200 alumni, faculty, staff and students in the Alumni Memorial Union ballrooms and shared what inspired he and his wife, Patricia, to make the transformational gift.

“The first time I walked through those doors, I was scared to death,” Andrews said, recalling the day he took the dental aptitude test that his future hinged on. Four years later, Andrews said he felt much different. “When we first walked out of those doors, they opened up to the world,” he said. “And, we walked out as dentists ready to take it on, because we were taught how to take it on.”

Dr. Andrews took an untraditional path before arriving at Marquette, serving six years in the Navy before attending college. The Vietnam veteran was inspired to pay it forward to honor his Godson, Jefferson, who aspired to attend dental school. He never had the chance as he was killed while fighting for his country in Afghanistan. Andrews also remembered eight members of his high school class died in Vietnam.

Andrews said that the university made him into the person he is today and that he owes all that he achieved in his professional career to Marquette’s dental school. He also credited the military, reflecting on the time he was a recipient of a Navy scholarship program. One of his goals, he said, is to reduce student debt and give others the same chance he had.
In a night filled with gifts and memories, President Michael R. Lovell kicked the event off by honoring Lobb, calling him the “dean of deans.” Among Marquette’s academic leaders, Lobb has the longest current tenure, which is six years more than the next dean in line.

Applauding Lobb for “continuing to guide the School of Dentistry into the 21st century by building and expanding a state-of-the-art facility that is second to none in preparing today’s dental professionals,” President Lovell went on to say that “the dental school is a shining beacon of excellence in our university.”

Lobb, who described himself as just a “humble immigrant from Canada” said he originally had no interest in a party honoring him. But, clearly many others in attendance did have interest.
Once he gave in and agreed to the party, Lobb said that he wanted the focus of the event to be on the future and the vision for the school. One alumni family made sure that would happen, cementing Lobb’s legacy with a $50,000 gift to start a scholarship fund in his name.

“I have never believed that what we’ve accomplished here at the Dental School is about me as an individual,” Lobb said. “It is all about the collective work of our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the people who we serve that contribute to the progressive nature and culture of the dental school.”
Marquette’s longest serving dean has led the dental school through two capital campaigns, including the recent $16 million, 40,000-square-foot expansion to create additional clinical, lab and classroom space.

The expansion added enough clinical, lab and classroom space to accommodate classes of 100 students each year for an annual enrollment of 400 students. Marquette’s dental graduates currently practice in 69 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties.
In addition to President Lovell, Chancellor Robert Wild, S.J. and Trustee Emeritus John Bergstrom spoke at the event, honoring Lobb.
“If you want success at a university, continuity of leadership really matters,” President Lovell said. “Bill has been a steadying hand for the dental school and we are really lucky to have him.”

 

Bridging Worlds: Alumnus gives back to help international students at Marquette

In his global insurance career, Bill Lagano traveled 4.5 million miles. That amounts to more than 1,000 trips from New York City’s Ellis Island to Paris. But it was the trips that others could not afford to take that inspired him and his wife, Pam, to give back.

The Laganos found that everywhere they went in the world, they heard a similar wish. “When we talked with local residents about their desires to come to America, we heard so often, ‘It is our dream, but we can’t afford it,’” Bill said.
He and Pam decided to help by making a generous estate pledge toward endowed scholarship for international graduate students at Marquette.

“We wanted to give students the opportunity to study at a great university on a daily basis,” said Bill, who earned his Master of Arts in History through Marquette’s graduate school in 1981. “Education means a lot to me. It’s the source of all good.”

Bill’s parents were first generation Americans; his ancestors emigrated from Italy through Ellis Island and eventually settled in Connecticut. For him and Pam, international travel has been a way of life.

They spend a month each year visiting friends in Italy. They’ve also hosted international students from countries like Italy, France and Russia and volunteered in Africa, Bosnia, Poland and Romania.

Pam and Bill Lagano love cultural experiences like these in Italy — something their gift will champion for international graduate students. “We’ve always enjoyed traveling. The thrill for us comes from the relationships we form with people of diverse cultures in different countries. It gives us a chance to see life through their eyes,” Pam said.

Their international volunteer experiences have shown them how truly life changing it is for youth to experience different cultures. “We both wanted to travel abroad in college, and now we can help students around the world have that experience by coming to Marquette,” Bill said.

The hope is that earning an advanced degree will give international students a leg up in their careers, whether they choose to work in the States, in Europe or elsewhere. Immersive learning in another culture will distinguish them from peers.

The Laganos also see reciprocal good from the scholarship, both for international student recipients and for those at Marquette who will interact with them and learn new cultural perspectives.
“I grew up seeing the good that comes from philanthropy, and I’ve always believed in giving back to industry, community and school,” Bill said.

“My experience at Marquette was absolutely fabulous,” he continued. “I made a lot of great friends, loved the teachers. That’s what I hope for these students. It’s meaningful while you’re there, but years after the thoughts sink in, the true value comes through. To be able to do something on behalf of Marquette brings it full circle, because the university did so much for me. We’ve been fortunate economically, and it’s a joy to help students along the way.”

 

Computing the Possibilities: Drew's Story

Drew Williams wasn’t interested in research. At least, that’s what she told herself when she applied to Marquette’s graduate program in Computational Sciences. “I thought I’d do my Master’s and leave,” she joked. “I just needed that extra bit of schooling and then I’d get an industry job.”

Now, she’s completing her dissertation and working on representing data for non-data scientists. “Basically, how do we create methods for people to take data and digitalize it in a way that makes sense,” Drew said.

She’d always been interested in computers and worked as technical support for family and friends during high school. That role lent itself to noticing a lot of design flaws in software, so Drew sought out programming classes for her bachelor’s at University of Chicago.

Growing up near Sherman Park in Milwaukee, Drew always loved Milwaukee and Marquette’s great personal values and lively campus. But it was the professors who finally changed her mind about research. “When I started taking classes here, I realized the professors were really amazing. They’re available and easy to understand. I met my future PhD advisor who asked if I’d ever considered research. It ended up hitting every skill and interest area I have,” she said.

Looking forward, she’s considering both the teaching-and-research route and the programming route. “I’m really interested in user interfaces,” she explained. Drew also champions Marquette’s COSMIC program, where people with bachelor’s degrees in any area can earn their Masters in Computation and Programming. She became the program’s first TA.

Marquette’s partnership with Northwestern Mutual and UWM is also right up her alley. “The new Data Sciences Institute is really exciting and beneficial,” she said.

As a scholarship recipient, Drew knows the value of donor support. “I had debt from undergrad and wasn’t looking forward to taking on more,” she said. “Without Marquette’s ability to offer research assistantship and stipends, I wouldn’t have been able to do the PhD.”

 

It’s That Simple: Dr. Joan Bathon

“I support scholarship to help others accomplish their professional goals.”

That’s Dr. Joan Bathon’s simple explanation for supporting different Marquette scholarships over the years, which includes creating an endowed scholarship in her name. For generations to come, students who otherwise could not afford Marquette will be able to grow personally and professionally because of Joan’s simple desire to help them do so.

Her desire to help is equally simple: it’s about paying it forward. If not for scholarship support, the Maryland native who yearned to spread her wings and attend a Catholic university with a high-caliber science program would not have been able to earn her biology degree from Marquette in 1974. “Marquette is as good a place as I imagined, providing me with a great education that made it possible for me to earn my medical degree back in Maryland. I will always be grateful for my Marquette experience, which significantly shaped who I am today.”

As the director of the Division of Rheumatology and professor of medicine at Columbia University Medical Center, Joan has accomplished much. As an endowed scholarship donor, she is making it possible for others to accomplish their own goals.

It’s that simple for Joan Bathon; it’s simply invaluable for future Marquette graduates.

 

A Step Toward the Future: Jazzmine's Story

"For as long as I can remember I’ve wanted to work in our justice system as a judge, particularly with kids.I want to be a role model and let them know they can become something great. I feel incredibly lucky to be on the path to live out my dream thanks to the scholarships I receive. It’s what motivates me to do good in life and pushes me to work hard to prove the investment made in me is worth it."

Many of tomorrow’s leaders will be formed by today’s scholarship support. Join us in helping students like Jazzmine.

 

The Letter That Changed Everything

Early morning, September 14, 2014
Markie Pasternak’s alarm clock blared obnoxiously, urging her to wake up from her slumber. She turned, peered at the clock and the ungodly hour of 6:30 a.m. stared back at her. On a Sunday. With darkness surrounding her Campus Town East apartment, she quietly slipped out of bed.

It would be several hours before most of Markie’s 8,000 hibernating Marquette University undergrad classmates would finally rise and face the day.

But, not Markie.
She had work to do.

Like every Sunday morning when the Packers played at home, Markie packed up and jumped into her mom’s car. It was unseasonably warm — unlike most of her trips to the field often referred to as the frozen tundra. With her mom having a precious day off from her job cutting hair, it gave them both cherished spare hours to earn additional income.

Together, they began the two-and-a-half-hour commute to Lambeau Field on a day in which they would never step inside the stadium and see the actual field.

Instead, they stepped into their decade-long routine. It was a mother-daughter routine that started as a way to raise funds in support of Markie’s figure skating lessons as a kid years ago and now had a new, urgent cause — her college future.

They lifted their red wagon from the trunk and filled it with Packers gear, cowbells and swag. From parking lot to endless parking lot, Markie and her mom roamed among the tailgate parties.

And one sale at a time, they began paying off her college education.

It was towards the end of their Lambeau Field pilgrimage that Markie’s mom dropped the one- liner that would change everything.
“By the way, there is a letter that came to the house for you,” she said. “It is from Marquette.”

Six months earlier — March 16, 2014
Flash back 182 days before the Lambeau Field mobile store and Markie was relishing the final day of spring break — a welcome respite from the end of a challenging sophomore year at Marquette. While she savored every moment of her first two years, there was never an easy day. She was, after all, the first in her family to ever attend college.

Her father had planned to drop her off on campus, but he wasn’t feeling well. Markie is an only child — years earlier, a seventh grade counselor picked up on the close Pasternak family bond and called them the “three musketeers.” Now, after losing his job in the recession while Markie was in high school, her father had been sick for the last few years. Markie leaned in and hugged him goodbye.

Time to head back to Marquette and the campus that had become her sanctuary.

Back on campus, Markie was studying for her marketing class that same night when her phone started to explode.

Where are you? her friends asked repeatedly.

This is weird, she thought.

She called home and instantly heard the worry in her mother’s voice. It had to be her dog, she thought.
Roxy had been sick and Markie always worried she’d get a call about her dog while at school.

“It isn’t Roxy,” her mom explained.

It was her father.

Markie’s world as she knew it ended that day. She dropped the phone and ran out of the room. Screaming.

When Markie returned to campus after her world had been turned upside down, a group of leaders within the Helen Way Klingler College of Arts and Sciences were meeting inside Marquette Hall.

They had learned that on the same day that Markie Pasternak had returned from spring break, her mother drove home and found her husband — Markie’s father — completely unresponsive in his favorite rocking chair. She immediately called 9–1–1, but it was too late. He was gone.

One of their best and brightest students needed help. In fact, Markie was a remarkable representative of Marquette. As a student leader, she served as the president of the national Active Minds Student Advisory Committee.

Markie also has an incredible ability called highly superior autobiographical memory, in which she can recall in specific detail what she did every single day. Fewer than 100 people in the world have her ability.

As a student, Markie worked with psychology professor Kristy Nielson to provide extensive testing of herself and her rare abilities, with Markie serving as both subject and co-author of a research paper.

And now, Markie needed them.

Under the direction of Dean Rick Holz, the Marquette leaders came together knowing they had to do something. They worked the phones, connected with the financial aid office and sought a solution. They couldn’t bear witnessing Markie struggle through classes while facing a mountain of financial responsibility that no 20-year-old should have to climb.

Would she have a future at Marquette?

Six months following her father’s death:
Late evening, September 14, 2014
After their long day at Lambeau Field selling items out of their wagon, Markie and her mom drove back to their house in DePere.
Markie then picked up the letter.

The thought of opening the letter was stressing her out. So, she didn’t. She looked at the return address. It was listed as “Office of Financial Aid.”

Another bill, she thought.

How am I going to pay for this?

A few hours later, the letter still sealed shut, she arrived back at her Marquette home of Campus Town East. It felt like days had elapsed since her mom picked her up that morning shortly after 6:30 a.m. She greeted her three roommates, and consumed by exhaustion, she settled into her bedroom by herself. She had to face her fear head on. It was time to open the letter.
Here goes, she thought.

Dear Markie,
Marquette University is pleased to inform you that you have been awarded a $15,000 scholarship…

She looked once again at the letter that came from her Marquette family and sat in stunned silence. In that moment, she knew. It was one letter that changed everything.

Epilogue
Thanks to her $15,000 scholarship, Markie Pasternak graduated from Marquette University in May 2016 with a degree in psychology. She went on to earn her master’s degree from Indiana University in May 2018 while attaining a full scholarship, earning her advanced degree from one of the nation’s most prestigious higher education and student affairs programs.

In the months leading up to her graduation at Marquette, she described feeling “so grateful” and she wrote thank you notes to her many professors who either “listened to me over coffee, let me babysit their families to try and make ends meet or were just there for me.”

Markie is now proudly Being the Difference at Auburn University, where she was hired in summer 2018.

She is paying it forward as a staff member of Auburn’s Division of Student Affairs where she is the adviser for the university’s Active Minds chapter.

She is providing mental health services for students who truly need help — students just like her.

 

Changing Worlds: Djdade's Story

"I always knew I wanted to be an engineer. I grew up in the inner city and tried to make the best of my situation and show others from my neighborhood that there is a way to better oneself legitimately. While we never really had much, there was always room for opportunity.

Engineering really took off for me in high school when I met one of my teachers who worked on satellites and mechanical systems. He introduced me to how you can manipulate things to make better products and be more efficient. Now I see the whole world in a different context and see the needs of the world and the future needs of the world.

Scholarships gave me an opportunity to explore the field of engineering, and now I'm studying environmental engineering and specializing in water. These scholarships have allowed me to give back to the community that helped raise me. I've volunteered at schools, I've done talks, I coach. I come from a very underprivileged neighborhood,and I want kids to understand that if opportunity knocks, you should go after it. And never give up."

For Djdade and students like him, scholarship support means the opportunity to pursue what they never thought possible.

 

Making Dreams Possible: Jenn's Story

For Ph.D. student Jenn, the doors to higher education weren’t always open. As one of six children — and the only one to graduate high school — college was a pipe dream. The Colorado native achieved it, working full-time to afford community college and receiving a Pell Grant that helped her earn a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from a local state school.

But her educational dream was not over. Accepted into Marquette’s graduate program in philosophy, Jenn took a leap of faith, enthusiastically taking the offer without figuring out moving and living expenses. Her faith was rewarded and dream fulfilled when she learned that a funded fellowship opened up for her three weeks before she was set to begin classes.

Because of donor support, Jenn moved to Milwaukee and flourished as a leader in the Marquette graduate community. She is now a doctoral student lecturer, opening doors for others — particularly women who aspire to become philosophers.

Jenn will tell you that the grace of her benefactors and Marquette made her pipe dream a reality. We can tell you that, in turn, she is fostering the dreams and potential of others.

"I hope to stand as an example for others, to bring attention to women as both cultural and academic contributors, talented and worthwhile scholars, leaders and educators," Jenn said.