The Marquette University community expresses its deepest sympathies to the family and loved ones of Dr. John J. Pauly, former provost and dean of the Diederich College of Communication, who died Saturday, Aug. 10, at the age of 69.
Pauly was named dean of the Diederich College of Communication in 2006; he subsequently served as the university provost from 2008–2014. During his tenure as provost, Pauly established a Gender and Sexuality Resource Center; reorganized Marquette’s Center for Teaching and Learning to strengthen its support of faculty teaching; and improved practices for assessing learning outcomes and tracking student performance. Pauly’s advocacy for initiatives in social entrepreneurship and wellness led Marquette to being named an Ashoka Changemaker Campus and having received a Gold Well Workplace Award from the Wellness Council of America.
Before coming to Marquette, Pauly — a scholar in the history and sociology of the mass media — was a professor at St. Louis University for 13 years, including nine as chair of its communication department. A native of Chicago and graduate of St. Ignatius College Prep, Pauly received a bachelor’s degree in journalism with honors in 1972, a master’s in journalism in 1974 and a Ph.D. in communication in 1979, all from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
He married his wife Lindsey on Aug. 4, 1973; they raised two children, Kevin and Melanie. Beyond his professional achievements, he enjoyed spending time with family, bowling and cooking.
There will be a private interment at Forest Home Cemetery on Wednesday, Aug. 15. A visitation will be held at Feerick Funeral Home in Shorewood on Friday, Aug. 17, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.; a memorial service will follow.
In lieu of flowers, consider donating to the Hunger Task Force.