Excellence in Athletics: From Fierce Competitors to Female Trailblazers
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2022 | 8:00 – 9:00 a.m. CT
Join us virtually to celebrate and get energized by the 50th Anniversary of Title IX and the storied tradition of female excellence within Marquette Athletics. BIG EAST Commissioner Val Ackerman will provide a keynote and three prominent alumnae panelists will join her to discuss the challenges faced, lessons learned and the keys to success that have helped them become female leaders in their industries.
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Val Ackerman, BIG EAST Conference Commissioner
Val Ackerman has had a long and accomplished career in the sports industry as one of the few executives who has held leadership positions in both men’s and women’s sports at the collegiate, professional, national team and international levels. Val is an alumna of the University of Virginia where she was one of the school's first female student-athlete scholarship recipients. Val's accomplishments have earned her numerous accolades, including the prestigious Women’s Sports Foundation’s Billie Jean King Contribution Award for significant contributions to the development and advancement of women’s sports.
Patty Baker, Bus Ad '88, Law '91
Patty is a proud Marquette alumna and former women's basketball player currently serving as The Milwaukee County Judicial Court Commissioner in the Probate Division. Patty serves the Marquette community by mentoring current student-athletes who are interested in pursuing careers in law and criminal justice. As one of the all-time MU letter-winners, Patty credits Marquette with teaching her that the importance of making meaningful connections and treating others equally is just important - if not more - as monetary or professional success.
Joanna Bauza, Bus Ad '97
Elected to the Marquette Board of Trustees in 2016, Joanna Bauza is a former women's tennis student-athlete, and president of The Cervantes Group, a multi million dollar company previously recognized a one of the “Top Hispanic or Latino-run Companies on the Inc. 5000". A native of Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, Joanna was the No. 1 ranked Puerto Rican women’s tennis player for more than five years, was a three-time MVP of Marquette University’s women’s tennis team, and and represented Puerto Rico in the first Federation Cup tennis team in Puerto Rico’s history in 1992.
Anna Strong, Arts '17
During her time at Marquette, Anna was a member of the McNair Scholars program for post-baccalaureate achievement, a participant in the Marquette Mentors program, and a former track and field student-athlete. Throughout competition, Anna was an integral part of the women’s team that won four BIG EAST Conference Championships for both indoor and outdoor in 2016 and 2017. Anna recently graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law and will begin her career as a litigator for Coplan and Crane, Ltd. in Oak Park, IL.