The Burke Scholars Program at Marquette, a scholarship program for undergraduate students with a passion for social justice and a commitment to serve others, was the recipient of the 2023 Ignatian Medal for Outstanding Commitment to Diversity and Social Justice from the Jesuit Association of Student Personnel Administrators at the annual JASPA Conference, April 1, in Boston.
The Ignatian Medal for Outstanding Commitment to Diversity and Social Justice is given annually to a program or initiative that is aimed at those who demonstrate a strong commitment to issues of diversity and social justice in Jesuit higher education.
“On behalf of the Burke Scholars Program, it is an honor to receive the Ignatian Medal from the JASPA and be recognized among some truly innovative and inspiring programs from our fellow AJCU schools,” said Dr. Carie Hertzberg, director of the Burke Scholarship Program. “The Burke Scholars represent Marquette’s Catholic, Jesuit mission to develop leadership expressed in service to others. Our scholars’ authentic and consistent engagement with the Milwaukee community over their four years in the program supports a reciprocal, just relationship that impacts the students and our city.”
The Burke Scholars Program is a four-year scholarship for first-year, full-time undergraduate students at Marquette who are passionate about social justice and service. For the past 30 years, the award has been given annually to 10 new, academically talented Wisconsin high school seniors exhibiting leadership, demonstrating exceptional commitment to community, and aspiring to pursue careers that benefit the public good. Each year, there have been 40 Burke Scholars across four undergraduate class cohorts that represent all colleges across the university.
A significant part of the program is each student’s commitment to provide 10 hours of community service per week during each academic semester (totaling 300 hours per scholar each academic year). Burke Scholars focus their effort by working at a principal service site, enabling them to develop relationships and nurture an understanding of community engagement in the context of their undergraduate education and future careers.
The Burke Foundation is named in honor of Richard Burke, former chairman of Trek Bicycle Corporation headquartered in Waterloo, Wisconsin. Burke dedicated his life to investing in others. The Burke Foundation is committed to enhancing and improving the character, quality and access to education, the personal, social and intellectual development of children and youth, and the educational and social quality of community life. For more information, please visit theburkefoundation.org.
JASPA is affiliated with the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities, a national organization that represents Jesuit higher education among its various constituencies; provides a forum for the exchange of information and experiences in Jesuit higher education; and encourages and facilitates collaborative initiatives among its member institutions. Those initiatives include: fostering Jesuit, Catholic identity and mission; educating for a faith that does justice; supporting national, international and online collaborations between campuses; and sponsoring professional and leadership development programs.