Alumnus Marcus Lemonis launches $5 million giving challenge

Marquette Class of 1995 alumnus Marcus Lemonis has launched a $5 million giving challenge on social media, calling on Marquette University alumni, parents and friends to give in honor of their “Marquette Gamechanger.” Funds from the challenge will support Marquette’s Student Success Initiative, which ranges from advising to internships, career counseling, high-impact learning, first-generation initiatives, peer mentoring and pre-orientation opportunities.

Lemonis is the star of HGTV’s The Renovator, CNBC’s The Profit and chairman and CEO of Camping World. Last week, the university introduced the “Marquette Gamechanger” asking the Marquette community to share the #MUgamechanger who helped them succeed at @MarquetteU. Dozens of alumni, parents and friends responded in social media, including Lemonis.

In response to the “Lemonis Gamechanger Challenge,” President Michael R. Lovell posted on his Twitter account, encouraging the Marquette community to rally around the cause:


President Lovell has called the university’s Student Success initiative a top priority, emphasizing the need to comprehensively support all students from the moment they arrive on campus until they graduate.