Marquette Today

Campus News and Events

Submit news

Menu

  • Campus News
    • Top News for Students
    • Top News for Faculty & Staff
    • Magazines at Marquette
    • Campus Alerts
  • Archives
  • Submit news
    • Editorial Guidelines
    • Contacts
  • @MarquetteToday
  • Events Calendar
  • Topics
    • Community Engagement
    • Diversity
    • Innovation
    • Master Planning
    • Marquette Momentum
    • Research
    • Strategic Planning
  • March 25, 2023

University receives Employer of the Year Award for inclusive hiring

October 24, 2019

Marquette is the recipient of Creative Employment Opportunities’ 2019 Employer of the Year Award, which was presented earlier this month on Oct. 10.

The award is part of CEO’s Inclusive Employer Leadership Awards, which recognizes employers who diversify their workplace by hiring adults with disabilities and network with like-minded organizations.

CEO selected Marquette for its commitment to employing individuals with intellectual and physical disabilities. Larry Birkett, associate director of the Spirit Shop, and John Sweeney, director of recreational sports, were specifically acknowledged for their inclusive hiring practices.

Both Birkett and Sweeney worked with CEO to hire individuals with disabilities in their respective departments at Marquette. Craig Zientek, who has fragile x syndrome, is a stocker at the Spirit Shop, and Ivan Lopez, who has cerebral palsy, is an employee at the Helfaer Tennis Stadium and Recreation Center.

Birkett said Zientek, and his love of music, puts everyone in a good mood and that coworkers and customers can hear him signing “about a block away before he arrives at work each day.” Sweeney said Lopez, who uses a device attached to his motorized wheelchair to clean gym floors, has been lovingly dubbed “The Human Zamboni.”

Hiring individuals with disabilities is important, Birkett said, “because everyone deserves the right to have a chance at finding meaningful work and to know they are included in the communities in which they live.”

Sweeney is candid about his passion for inclusive workplaces. His daughter Maggie has down syndrome. He said he understands how vast opportunities, both personally and professionally, can provide great hope to individuals with disabilities and their loved ones.

“When you get involved with Special Olympics, for example, you realize there is a whole world out there of people of all abilities and that we are all stronger when we work together,” Sweeney said. “Those sorts of things make me thank God that as a society, we are doing more than ever to be more accepting and allow every person to find their niche.”

Claudia Paetsch, vice president for human resources, said the campus community is incredibly proud of the great work Birkett and Sweeney are doing to not only help those with disabilities find employment, but enhance the overall Marquette experience.

“Their efforts to bring together people from all backgrounds, walks of life and abilities, strengthen Marquette’s culture of inclusiveness and benefits all team members,” she said.

Birkett and Sweeney both credit the award to their CEO hires — Zientek and Lopez — who they said bring valuable talent and morale to the workplace every day.

CEO is Milwaukee’s local branch of career and workforce development organization TransCen, Inc. This year was the inaugural year of CEO’s Inclusive Employer Leadership Awards.

Filed Under: Awards & Accomplishments, For Faculty/Staff, For Students, News

More news

Undergraduate Commencement tickets: what you need to know

March 24, 2023

Marquette University mourns the loss of Jerry Viscione

March 24, 2023

Children’s Wisconsin cancels Briggs and Al’s Run & Walk for 2023

March 24, 2023

Street traffic changes to begin on 16th, 17th streets; demolition to Rec Center will start next month

March 24, 2023

Dr. Xavier Cole named president at Loyola University New Orleans, will leave Marquette at end of semester

March 23, 2023

NMDSI Symposium on untapped AI, April 13

March 23, 2023

Adam Amin to deliver Axthelm Memorial Lecture, April 3

March 23, 2023

A federal perspective on Wisconsin’s lead pipe problem, April 5 

March 23, 2023

More news

Quick Links

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

Featured Stories

Marquette Bookshelf: ‘Sajjilu Arab American: A Reader in SWANA Studies’

Marquette Bookshelf: ‘Sajjilu Arab American: A Reader in SWANA Studies’

Co-Edited by Dr. Louise Cainkar, professor of social and cultural studies Both a summative assessment of the field and an exploration of new directions, this multidisciplinary reader addresses issues central to the fields of Arab American, U.S. Muslim, and Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) American studies. Taking a broad conception of the Americas, this […]

Educating the next generation of Marquette Nurses

Educating the next generation of Marquette Nurses

By Katie Darragh, communication intern in the Office of University Relations  Ranked 29th among nursing colleges nationally for its bachelor’s program, Marquette’s College of Nursing is a dynamic community of innovative teacher–scholars who are embracing Marquette’s mission to Be The Difference in the health of the community and in the lives of over 900 student […]

8 great things (you may not know) about Marquette

8 great things (you may not know) about Marquette

What you should know about Marquette as the men’s and women’s basketball teams compete on the national stage in the NCAA Tournament.

Read more featured stories.

Safety

Free steering wheel locks available from MUPD; new software available for Hyundai vehicles

Safety Task Force efforts help lead to reduced crime on campus

Marquette University makes safety a top priority

Human Resources News

March is National Nutrition Month

Earn My Wellness points and help Marquette beat Butler in blood drive competition

Register for upcoming GROW classes

Research

Apply for NMDSI mini-grants by April 7

Biological sciences professor receives R01 funding from NIH to expand genome editing tools in lizards

Marquette faculty and staff research grants from December 2022/January 2023

Awards & Accomplishments

Dr. Mark Berlin named 2023 Sabbatical Fellowship Award winner

Biological sciences professor receives R01 funding from NIH to expand genome editing tools in lizards

Director of the Lubar Center to receive Headliner Award from Milwaukee Press Club

Marquette UniversityCopyright 2022 by Marquette University
MARQUETTE.EDU // A TO Z