Marquette is closely monitoring developments related to coronavirus (COVID-19).
Visit marquette.edu/recovery for updates and information.
celebrating alumni volunteerism
“It’s not going to be easy, but anything worth doing is worth the effort it takes to do it right.”
-- Sarah Israel, Arts ’15
In the midst of this tumultuous year, we want to take a moment to shine a spotlight on remarkable Marquette volunteers such as Sarah Israel, who provided this inspirational quote to returning students. Our volunteers are also mentors, club leaders, (virtual) event hosts, scholarship benefactors, and university ambassadors ... to name just some ways alumni, parents and friends share their gifts. Your MUAA National Board of Directors is proud to represent the alumni voice and to grow our passionate Marquette community that is engaged with the university and each other.
The past six months has tested our resolve as individuals and as a collective Marquette family. In its 139-year history, the university never has faced what President Lovell calls a triple pandemic: impacting public health, the economy, and racial injustice. Our Marquette community continues to rise like never before to meet the challenges with focus, determination, and grace. This will define the future of our great university.
We all have a role in building Marquette’s future. Please also visit the alumni website and explore various ways you can get involved and access tremendous resources – such as virtual programming, faith connections, networking opportunities – to support students, fellow alumni and yourself in this year of great transition and change.
We are thankful for you. We will rise together. WE ARE MARQUETTE.
Monica Oliver, Sp ’81
President
Marquette University Alumni Association National Board of Directors
FAITH
REFLECTION
Leaning In: Praying Peace of Mind and Heart
By Dr. Kathy Coffey-Guenther, Arts '85, Grad '88, '98, Senior Mission & Ignatian Leadership Specialist, University Advancement, Marquette University
Despite the new rules of engagement necessary due to the Coronavirus, life on our campus continues. Despite students and families arriving from areas of wildfires and drought, shark sightings and impending hurricanes, Covid in the news and Covid in our families - despite all that the past few months has thrown at our Marquette family, here we are!
Today we want each of you to remember that our Marquette family is with you. This Marquette family of alumni and students and faculty and staff and parents and friends around the world is with us. Read the full reflection.
Marquette alums share their gifts with Ignatian Volunteer Corps
After Kathleen Mantz, Sp ’78, retired from a long marketing career and became a volunteer with Ignatian Volunteer Corp Milwaukee in 2019, she never expected to feel such a deep desire to serve. She began as a reading tutor and quickly transitioned to leading the formal reading program in Seton Catholic Schools. [Pictured at left: Kathleen works with a Seton student in 2019-20 school year (pre-COVID).]
Kathleen and fellow Marquette alumni came together for a Beyond MU – Lifelong Learning virtual program to talk about their IVC experiences. Watch their inspirational discussion to learn more about IVC and discern this special call to serve God and your community.
ALUMNI CLUB VIRTUAL CONNECTIONS
MU Club of San Diego sips -- and learns -- together
The MU Club of San Diego -- led by co-presidents Emilio Arechaederra, Bus Ad '85, and Lillian Leopold, Jour '84 -- have used their stay-at-home time to create regular virtual "happy hours" to stay connected to each other while advancing the Marquette mission. Guest speakers have included life coach Penny Eck Richichi, Bus Ad '87, to share tips to help during times of stress; and MU Club of San Diego collaborators Michael Johnson and Jeff Chinn Mac McElroy of Burrito Boyz, a charitable organization serving the homeless and in-need in the San Diego area. Follow the MU Club of San Diego on Facebook.
Grab your lunch and meet up with the MU Club of Madison
The MU Club of Madison (Wis.) -- led by president Ron Giordan, Comm '96 -- has a longstanding tradition of meeting for regular "lunch bunch" social and learning hours. The club quickly pivoted to virtual lunch bunch gatherings with local alumni and special guest appearances by Marquette Deans Bostic, Cullinan, and Krejci. Whether they're together in person or chatting via screens, the MU Club of Madison still rings out ahoya together. Follow the MU Club of Madison on Facebook.
SoCal's Marquette entertainment industry alumni find themselves at home on the small (computer) screen
In Southern California, entertainment industry residents are experts at quick thinking and video production. The Marquette Entertainment and Communication Alumni group have maintained their regular meetings with ease and good humor -- and in one case, a virtual variety show produced by Brendan Attey, Comm '19, spotlighting alumni including Anthony Crivello, Sp '78, and as of late featuring dialogue among alumni and friends hosted by Nick D'Agosto, Comm '02. Follow the MECA group and the MU Club of Southern California on Facebook.
Recent grads and current students get advice from professional alums in the MU Club of Washington, D.C.
Established alumni in the greater MU Club of Washington, D.C., area came together (virtually) with advice aimed at young alums and current Marquette students. Thank you to the following alumni panelists for volunteering their time and expertise to support our Marquette family: Theresa Bordenave, Arts '19; Mary Cordes, Arts '16; John Forristal, Comm '12; Aliya Manjee, Arts '16, Law '19; Kate M. Merrill, Arts '11; and Rachel K. Mollohan, Comm '09. Keep up with MU Club of Washington, D.C., programs and events on their webpage.
JOIN US!
Connect with your local Marquette alumni club.
Beyond MU — Lifelong Learning
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Princess Safiya Byers
Comm '20 |
James Causey
Comm '94
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Edgar Mendez
Grad '14 |
Ron Smith
Prof St '05, Grad '09 |
Journalists who cover the heart of the matter
When the calendar flipped to 2020, life as people knew it began changing forever, personally and professionally. Journalists are among the countless professionals who faced unexpected challenges around every corner, and local journalism has been especially hit hard. Yet everyday, readers benefit from the resilience, determination and commitment of journalists who honor their craft and deliver the important stories — those that matter.
BeyondMU — Lifelong Learning recently convened accomplished journalists who serve two recognized local media outlets backed by the Diederich College of Communication. Read the full story and watch the recorded program now on demand.
The Marquette community continues to mobilize to meet the needs of a changing world
Thank you to the dozens of alumni expert speakers who have, thus far, presented in nearly 40 virtual Beyond MU - Lifelong Learning events since the program's inception this spring.
Peruse the impressive archive of Beyond MU programs and watch all of them online now.
We want to hear from you! The Marquette University Alumni Association continues to plan virtual engagement opportunities for alumni, parents and friends including webinars, networking programs, socials, exclusive entertainment and more. Share your ideas and recommendations with us for future programming.
Alumni LIVING cura personalis
A profile in leadership: John Rakolta, Eng '70, shares life lessons while serving as U.S. Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates. For Rakolta, leadership starts by respecting each individual. "All of the mottos of the various schools I attended, including Marquette, focus on this important aspect," he said. Read more.
Thank you to Dr. Jodi Blahnik, Grad '03, '07, senior psychologist and coordinator of Training and Data Operations at the Marquette University Counseling Center, for her leadership and service. Jodi is in her fourth year with the Marquette Mentors program, and in March she led a webinar highlighting strategies and resources for mentors to best support their mentees during the pandemic.
Michael Derrick, Ed '11, is founding principal at Cristo Rey San Diego High School. Michael has felt a pull to service for many years, joining the Americorp VISTA program after finishing his Marquette degree. From there, he taught at three Milwaukee-area Catholic schools before learning of the opportunity to join Cristo Rey schools, where the mission of providing high-quality Catholic education for families who would not otherwise be able to afford it spoke to him. "Cura personalis and Be The Difference are more than words, but calls to action," he says.
Henry Thomas, Arts '11, was recently named one of Kansas City Business Journal’s NextGen Leader honorees. Henry co-founded the Maxwell T. Ward nonprofit organization, which provides preventative and remedial care to financially underserved children in Kansas City with congenital heart defects. He also helped start and is a current board member for Kansas City-based nonprofit MADI Makes, which helps women break cycles of chronic homelessness and unemployment by providing vocational training. He practices with Am Law 100 firm Polsinelli as an associate and is a member of the national Labor and Employment Practice Group.
Two-time Marquette alumna and Founder/CEO of Jet Constellations Nadiyah Johnson, Arts '14, Grad '16, was named on the Milwaukee Business Journal’s 2020 "40 Under 40" list, highlighting the Milwaukee native's vision to create a more diverse and inclusive tech ecosystem in her hometown. The social impact arm of Jet Constellations – The Milky Way Tech Hub – recently announced a $50 million fund that will invest in tech companies founded by Black and other minority entrepreneurs. Read more. Photo credit: Scott Paulus
When Sam Kissel, Eng '15, learned his friend, Kory [pictured on left], needed a kidney donor, he didn't hesitate to get a blood test. "Between the way I was raised and my experiences at Regis Jesuit High School in Colorado and at Marquette, I believe that if you have the capability to help someone, you should," Sam says. The test was a perfect match, and the friends completed a successful kidney transplant. "My dad always said that God never gives us more than we can handle, but that doesn’t mean life is easy," Sam says. "I knew the reward was worth it and I couldn’t be happier with how it’s turned out."
Anna Nicole Stein, Nurs '16, works as a registered nurse on the medical surgical floor at Aurora Sinai Hospital near the Marquette campus in Milwaukee. Since March, her unit has transformed into a COVID floor and her day-to-day patient care has changed drastically. Through all the uncertainty, Anna Nicole continues to provide compassionate care and remains dedicated to her patients.
Tell the Marquette community what you've been up to lately. Send in a class note today!
Publication of the achievements of our alumni does not constitute endorsement by Marquette University.
FIND your MARQUETTE
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY!
The Marquette University Alumni Association is dedicated to serving the needs and interests of our alumni. We strive to offer events, programming and online experiences that will connect Marquette’s alumni to the university and to each other. Volunteers play a vital role in creating alumni connections and deepening relationships with their alma mater. Explore the many ways to volunteer with Marquette and share your passion for the university.
Get a Mask, Give a Mask:
You Make the Difference
This summer, thanks to nearly 5,000 generous Marquette alumni and friends, over $200,000 was raised for current Marquette students studying to be on the frontlines of health care. Each benefactor received a face mask as a token of appreciation, and in turn, thousands of masks were distributed to current Marquette students.
If you missed the first opportunity and would like to mask up to show your Marquette support, check out the new 3-pack mask program available now for a limited time.
Let’s continue to #MaskUp, Marquette! Make a gift today and you’ll receive a 3-pack of masks as our thanks.
When designating your support, please consider either Bridge to the Future or the Student Affairs Excellence fund. These funds have a direct impact on our student experience, providing a variety of essential and immediate support for our students. As students unpack, let’s give back! #MoveInMarquette
Update your contact information on file with the Marquette University Alumni Association
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