Professional Achievement Award

Augusto P. Sandroni, Arts ‘93
Elm Grove, Wis.

Peter Sandroni has grown from managing the men’s basketball team at Marquette to owning and managing La Merenda, a successful Milwaukee restaurant celebrating its 17th year in business.

For Peter, cooking is a way to express cura personalis, care for the whole person. Even after 17 years in the restaurant business, Peter still loves cooking and is passionate about how his restaurant gives him opportunities to serve not only his customers, but also his community.

Peter says attending Marquette played a pivotal role in his success by fostering a rich environment rooted in Jesuit values. He credits the diverse and supportive community at Marquette with providing opportunities for growth, collaboration, and the development of leadership skills that all contributed to his personal and professional achievements.

Both of Peter’s parents also attended Marquette, and he continues their legacy through a scholarship in his father’s name, enabling future generations of students to be transformed by a Marquette education.

Peter lives Marquette’s mission daily by making a positive imprint on the community through dedicated volunteer work, impactful mentorship and meaningful philanthropy.

Each year, La Merenda supports many community organizations and groups that are particularly meaningful to Peter and the restaurant’s other staff and leaders, including: Multiple Myeloma Foundation, MACC Fund, Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin, Family Farm Defenders, Hope House, Neighborhood House of Milwaukee, Ronald McDonald House, and Fondy Farmer’s Market -Milwaukee. Peter and La Merenda are true community partners as shown through this generosity.

Fun Facts:

Peter was a manager for the men’s basketball team under Coach Kevin O’Neill, who nicknamed him Pudge. The original Pudge was a Marquette Hockey captain in 1929, who was featured in a poster in the Old Gym, where the basketball team practiced. O’Neill thought that Peter looked like Pudge, and that’s how he was known during his Marquette career.

Name a Marquette Faculty Member who has had an impact on you:
Too many to mention, but I’ll mention the one of whom I have the most distinct memories: Dr. Ronald Zupko. If you had the chance to take any of his medieval history classes, you were lucky. They were by far the most entertaining, informative and engaging classes. If you had to start your day early, taking one of his classes definitely set the tone for the rest of your day!

Leave a congratulatory message for Peter!