John Wagner and Zach Melillo stand on stage with Ruby Brown
During his address to the campus community on Wednesday, Jan. 18, Marquette President Michael R. Lovell recognized several individuals with Difference Maker awards. These awards highlight personal stories of Marquette community members who have served others.
“We recognize people from the campus who have really gone above and beyond to really do great things for others,” President Lovell said.
This year’s recipients include two student-athletes from Marquette’s men’s lacrosse team, a Marquette University Police Department office and a Marquette Athletics trainer.
“All three of them are very powerful, and really demonstrate what a blessed community we happen to be in,”
President Lovell said.
When men’s lacrosse student-athletes John Wagner and Zach Melillo heard that Cobeen Hall dining employee Ruby Brown needed some help moving, they out of their
Marquette University Police Department Officer Josiah Williams is honored on stage
way to help. Their story was told in the Washington Post and on WISN-TV.
“They really went above and beyond to pay it forward for someone else,” President Lovell said.
Marquette University Police Department officer Josiah Williams reached into his own pocket and collected funds from fellow officers to help a family who was planning to temporarily sleep in their car stay in a hotel room for
three days.
Aaron Doering (left) and Dr. Brian Hodgson (middle)
“Certainly, Josiah went above and beyond the call of duty, and we want to honor him today,” President Lovell said.
Marquette Athletics trainer Aaron Doering immediately responded when School of Dentistry professor Dr. Brian Hodgson collapsed while running on the track at Valley Fields. Doering’s efforts helped save Hodgson’s life.
“It is a miracle that he is with us here today,” President Lovell said.