Communicator of the Year Award

Timothy J. Vetscher, Comm ’98
Menomonee Falls, Wis.

For Timothy Vetscher, news director at TMJ4 News in Milwaukee, his role is not limited to the newsroom but extends to his efforts to Be The Difference in his community. He views journalism as a way to improve life for people living in Southeast Wisconsin.

One way that Tim and his colleagues are directly addressing the dangerous problem of reckless driving in Milwaukee is through the TMJ4 initiative, Project: Drive Safer. As journalists, they are committed to combating the problem by amplifying the voices of those working toward solutions.

Outside of work, Tim focuses on a cause that is close to his heart — furthering awareness of the benefits of adoption. Tim and his wife, Amie, adopted their two children, Evelyn and Oliver. Now, they serve on the board of the Wisconsin chapter of Gift of Adoption Fund, helping to raise money to offset the costs incurred by other families trying to adopt children.

Tim also demonstrates servant leadership by volunteering his time with the Ronald McDonald House of Eastern Wisconsin. He serves meals at the house several times a year as well as serving on RMHC's Development Committee. Tim and his family personally benefited from the services of the Ronald McDonald House when their son was born and had to be hospitalized for several months.

Tim values the opportunity to give back to the next generation of student journalists at Marquette. He serves as a member of the University Board for Student Media. Tim also mentors a student journalist through the Marquette Mentors program, and he returns to Johnston Hall one night each semester to sit in on an MUTV newscast and offer his feedback.

Fun Facts:

Name a Marquette faculty or staff member who had an impact on you, and how.
Too many to list, but to name a few: Greg Porter, Karen Slattery, Ken Ksobiech, Joe Terrian, Mike Havice, Adam Schrager. If I had to pick one, Dr. Slattery. She taught me how to write and conduct myself ethically as a journalist. I carry the lessons I learned from her with me to this day.

What is one of your favorite Marquette memories?
Holding my son, Ollie, while seeing Marquette cut down the nets at Fiserv Forum to clinch the Big East Championship on my birthday: March 4th, 2023.

Leave a congratulatory message for Tim!