The Democratic National Committee recently announced it will hold its next nominating convention in Milwaukee, July 13–16, 2020. Anticipating the more than 50,000 visitors the convention is projected to bring to the city, Marquette has started preparing for the opportunities this presents for the university in terms of academic programming, student experiences, financial revenue and national visibility, as well as for the operational and security challenges related to an event of this magnitude.
A Convention Steering Committee has been created to make programming and operational decisions related to the convention, keep the Executive Leadership Team informed and bring forward recommendations, as necessary. Any and all events, requests for university, college-specific or residence hall space, and programming or other activities related to the convention must go through the steering committee. Given the magnitude of an event this size and scope and the multiple areas across campus impacted, the committee is seeking to coordinate all requests through this centralized process.
The Convention Steering Committee, which will also handle matters related to the university’s mission and/or items of a political nature, comprises the following:
- Mary Czech-Mrochinski, co-chair, associate vice president for public affairs
- Lynn Sheka, co-chair, senior director of university communication
- Rana Altenburg, vice president for public affairs
- Cindy Bauer, vice president and general counsel
- Jean Dole, chief of staff, Office of the Senior Vice President
- Dr. Sarah Feldner, acting dean, Diederich College of Communication
- Steve Frieder, senior advisor to the president and corporate secretary
- Edith Hudson, chief of police
- Dave Murphy, vice president for marketing and communication
- Lora Strigens, vice president for planning and facilities management
Those who wish to engage in any way with the convention should contact Mary Czech-Mrochinski in the Office of Public Affairs. To submit questions or ideas related to the convention, please fill out this form.
The steering committee has developed five subcommittees, which will consider impacts on students, faculty, staff, alumni and visitors. The subcommittees and its leaders are:
- Academic (faculty and student opportunities) — Dr. Sarah Feldner
- Brand/Communications — Dave Murphy
- Facilities and Financial — Lora Strigens
- Operational Impact — Jean Dole
- Security — Edith Hudson
According to the steering committee, initial discussions are underway regarding the potentially broad impact the convention will have on university operations, faculty and student engagement, logistics, staffing and other such implications. The committee and its subcommittees will work over the next several months to formulate plans for operational continuity, but also for maximizing the unique opportunity an event of this scale presents to the university. The steering committee will also hold listening sessions during the fall semester to help shape those plans.
Please direct any questions regarding the work of the subcommittees to its respective leader.
Watch Marquette Today for updates regarding the convention.