Welcome back to campus from Dr. Cole, vice president for student affairs

Dear students,

Happy New Year! I hope you had a peaceful Christmas Break with family and friends.

In case you missed it over the break, be sure to check out Marquette’s 2019 Year in Review video. We have a lot to be proud of from the past year, and I can’t wait to see what the new year will bring.

2020 also ushers in a new decade, full of exciting opportunities and fresh beginnings. Whether it’s your second semester on campus or your last, I know every one of you will continue to grow academically, personally and spiritually.

I want to call out several important upcoming events that I hope you will consider attending this semester:

  • Winter O-Fest, Jan. 16
    Winter O-Fest will take place on Thursday, Jan. 16, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. in the AMU, Monaghan Ballroom.O-Fest offers students the opportunity to explore how to get involved by talking to organization representatives and signing up for organizations of interest. In addition, there will be several university offices and departments present to share information about the various campus programs and services available to students.
  • Presidential Address, Jan. 29
    All Marquette students are encouraged to attend the Presidential Address on Wednesday, Jan. 29, at 3 p.m. in the AMU, Monaghan Ballroom.President Lovell will discuss the state of the university, provide an update on our Beyond Boundaries strategic plan and highlight Difference Makers — faculty, staff and students doing remarkable things in the Marquette community.
  • Mission Week, Feb. 3-9
    The Marquette community is invited to celebrate Mission Week 2020 by embracing this year’s theme of gratitude. Throughout the week, inspirational speakers will be on campus and there will be various opportunities for service, prayer, reflection and worship. Check out the Mission Week website for more information.
  • National Marquette Day, Feb. 9
    Following Mission Week, National Marquette Day will be Sunday, Feb. 9. For more than 25 years, this global celebration gathers the Marquette nation united together in pride, spirit and sport to honor the values we cherish throughout the year.

I encourage you to get involved, whether that means joining a new club or attending one of the many events happening on campus every day.

Lastly, 2020 will feature local, state and national elections that you will have the opportunity to participate in. As an educational institution, Marquette takes seriously our role in teaching students about how to engage in vigorous yet respectful debate, especially at a time when our country is more divided than ever.  The mu.edu/vote website is a great resource — it includes information about when elections will take place, where you can vote, eligibility requirements, how to register and more.

I wish you a great spring semester. We are Marquette!

Sincerely,

Dr. Xavier A. Cole
Vice President
Division of Student Affairs