Marquette Today

Campus News and Events

Please note that campus gatherings are currently limited due to COVID-19. See respective capacities for indoor, outdoor, religious and political events. Submit events for approval at marquette.edu/event-services.

For more coronavirus information and regular updates, visit marquette.edu/coronavirus.

Menu

  • Campus News
    • Top News for Students
    • Top News for Faculty & Staff
    • Magazines at Marquette
    • Campus Alerts
  • Archives
  • Submit news
    • Editorial Guidelines
    • Contacts
  • @MarquetteToday
  • University Calendar
  • Topics
    • Community Engagement
    • Diversity
    • Innovation
    • Master Planning
    • Marquette Momentum
    • Research
    • Strategic Planning
  • January 17, 2021

Marquette receives $2.5 million gift to support Innovation Alley leadership initiatives and men’s basketball program

April 29, 2019

Chuck and Karen Swoboda, an alumni couple, have committed a $2.5 million gift to Marquette, President Michael R. Lovell shared today. The gift will support the men’s basketball program and Innovation Alley leadership development initiatives, a key academic priority that aligns with the university’s strategic plan, Beyond Boundaries.

Chuck, who served as the chair of Marquette’s Board of Trustees from 2012-14, graduated from the Opus College of Engineering in 1989; Karen in 1990.

“This significant gift toward Innovation Alley programming will inspire us to reimagine education in the classroom as well as in the workplace and extend far beyond our campus and across our region,” President Lovell said.

In addition, Lovell highlighted how often students, alumni, parents and friends connect with the university through basketball. “If there are more passionate Marquette basketball fans than the Swobodas, and especially Chuck, I haven’t met them,” he said. “He was passionate as a student, and I don’t think his enthusiasm has dimmed since. With this gift the Swobodas are further reinforcing the foundation of a great Marquette program.”

Innovation Alley and Opus College of Engineering gift
Created in 2014 by Opus Dean Kristina Ropella, Marquette’s Opus College of Engineering has a nationally recognized, award-winning leadership development program called Engineers in the Lead, or E-Lead. The Swobodas will dedicate $1 million of their gift toward Innovation Alley programming to immediately double the size of the three-year leadership program. In fall 2019, the program will consist of 20 engineering students and 20 students from disciplines across the university. The 40 students will begin as a cohort and a new set of 40 students will follow each additional year.

One of the first graduating E-Lead cohorts.

“While we often think of technology when discussing innovation, it is people who provide the critical spark that drives innovative thinking,” Chuck Swoboda said. “Marquette has a distinctive heritage when it comes to developing mission-driven, ethical leaders who work to find solutions to the world’s most pressing problems.”

In January 2019, President Lovell, Chuck Swoboda and Ropella hosted Innovation Alley visioning sessions with industry leaders from across the region.

“Without question, the number one theme that arose was developing an influx of innovation leaders,” Ropella said. “Shaping our strategy around the people was a natural starting point for our Innovation Alley vision. Too often, leadership development is left up to chance. At Marquette, we feel called to intentionally and ethically prepare people to think and act differently and leave their manual at the door.”

In addition to developing more leaders through E-Lead, Marquette’s Innovation Alley will focus on engaging industry and creating new opportunities for students who have not previously had access to programs that promote innovative thinking and collaboration. The university has launched a dedicated website that outlines its vision, which includes a physical space in a future phase.

Tim McMahon, Vice President for Advancement, shared that the Swobodas are also serving as National Co-Chairs for Marquette’s comprehensive fundraising campaign.

“In addition to their impactful philanthropy, Chuck and Karen have given a significant amount of their time and energy as we build out our campaign priorities, formalize our volunteer infrastructure and generate critical campaign momentum. They are passionate and humble Marquette alumni leaders,” McMahon said.

Men’s basketball gift
For 18 straight years, the Marquette men’s basketball team finished among the top-25 teams in the nation in regular season average attendance thanks to the dedication and support of its tremendous fan base. The Swobodas have donated $1.5 million of the gift to support the program’s continued growth.

“Chuck and Karen have been tremendous friends of our men’s basketball program, helping us to thrive at an elite-level,” said Bill Scholl, vice president and director of athletics. “When you have a program that is both steeped in tradition and poised for new growth, it is our passionate supporters who make all the difference.”

Chuck Swoboda joked that he made an early commitment to Marquette.

“I made my decision to attend Marquette on March 28, 1977, when I was 10 years old,” Chuck said, noting that his brother was a Marquette student at the time of the team’s historic victory in the NCAA Championship. “I said to myself, ‘If Marquette wins this game, I am going to Marquette University.’ Karen and I are even more excited for the future of Marquette basketball. We believe in this team and have seen the tremendous progress made over the past five years, both on and off the court. Our future is bright.”

Filed Under: For Faculty/Staff, For Students, News

More news

Vice President for Economic Engagement Dr. Maura Donovan announces decision to leave Marquette

January 15, 2021

Spring 2021 Teams class sites to be created next week 

January 14, 2021

University Advancement continues strong philanthropic momentum

January 14, 2021

Alumni family gives more than $2 million to support scholarship and emerging academic initiatives

January 14, 2021

Faculty and staff encouraged to share upcoming career fair opportunities with students and employers in your networks

January 13, 2021

University releases COVID-19 vaccination statement

January 13, 2021

University announces two fellowships to support emerging or early-career filmmakers

January 13, 2021

New online mental health tool available to faculty and staff

January 12, 2021

New virtual M.A.P ‘Justice Journey’ will run February through May

January 11, 2021

Migration from Proofpoint Enterprise Security to Microsoft Office 365 ATP to take place Jan. 20

January 11, 2021

‘Solutions for Gender Equity in Academia’ is Jan. 21

January 11, 2021

COVID-19 update: Spring semester preparation

January 8, 2021

Students can purchase GradGuard tuition insurance for health-related academic withdrawal

January 8, 2021

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., virtual prayer service is Jan. 28

January 7, 2021

University mourns the loss of Sister Bernadette Prochaska

January 7, 2021

More news

Quick Links

  • Faculty/Staff News
  • Student News
  • Magazines at Marquette

Featured Stories

What we can learn from TikTok

What we can learn from TikTok

Marquette professor innovates with new digital learning

Thankful while facing adversity

Thankful while facing adversity

A student lacrosse player reflects on a challenging 2020

A ‘Giving Tree’ for those in need 

A ‘Giving Tree’ for those in need 

Marquette University Childcare Center collects winter essentials for those less fortunate ahead of Christmas 

Read more featured stories.

Human Resources News

Registration for January GROW classes now open 

Reminders for 2021-22 health plan ID cards

Marquette’s 403(b) plan updates

Research

Faculty and staff grants: November 2020

Research team receives $745,000 Mellon Foundation grant for Education Preparedness Program

Faculty and staff grants: October 2020

Awards & Accomplishments

AMU student employee wins regional award

The Commons recognized for innovative design by U.S. Green Building Council

Office of International Education’s Terence Miller receives service award from international academic organization

Marquette UniversityCopyright 2019 by Marquette University
MARQUETTE.EDU // CONTACTS // A TO Z