Marquette University recognized Dr. Colleen Lawton, former residency program director at the Medical College of Wisconsin’s Department of Radiation Oncology, with its highest honor, the Alumna of the Year Award for her work advancing world-class cancer care at the All-University Awards dinner on Friday, May 31. James Wright Foley, a 1996 graduate of Marquette University, was also honored posthumously with the university’s Service Award alongside the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation in memoriam of the 10th anniversary of his murder.
Diane Foley, Jim’s mother and advocate for hostage rights, was present to accept the award.
Joining Lawton and the Foley Foundation as this year’s all-university recipients were Jo Ann Schedler, tribal leader, historian and education advocate, who received the Professional Achievement Award; and Matthew Wagner, chief operating officer at Camping World, who was honored with the Spirit of Marquette Award (achievement before age 40).
Throughout her storied 40-year medical career in Milwaukee and beyond, Lawton relied on the values she learned from her time at Marquette, as well as her family and their strong Marquette legacy. Principles grounded in her faith have guided her to make contributions far beyond patient care and research, including her strength in leadership, her professional accomplishments as a clinician, and her role as a mentor guiding the next generation of oncology physicians and researchers. She spearheaded the in-training exam program at the American College of Radiology, fostering collaboration with other leaders in her field to enhance resident education.
The foundation of moral courage Foley gained at Marquette and continued to develop throughout his career as a frontline, conflict zone journalist guided him to tell the stories of the voiceless and those trapped in turmoil in war-torn regions. His ultimate sacrifice in the line of reporting inspired the creation and heroic ongoing work of the Foley Foundation, which advocates tirelessly on behalf of Americans held captive abroad, journalist safety and inspiring moral courage one person at a time.
Marquette’s Alumni National Awards honor distinguished alumni, parents and friends who embody Marquette’s mission through their character, personal and professional achievements, and their impact on the community and others.
Award recipients include individuals from each of the university’s colleges and professional schools. They embody Marquette’s spirit and mission in searching for truth, discovering and sharing knowledge, fostering excellence, promoting faith, and developing leadership through serving others.
The Awards celebration is a part of Marquette’s Alumni Reunion Weekend. The Alumni Association welcomed graduates from undergraduate class years ending in a 4 or 9 and its First Reunion (Class of 2023) to Milwaukee, May 31-June 2.
Short profiles of the honorees are available on Marquette’s Alumni National Awards webpage.
ALL-UNIVERSITY AWARD RECIPIENTS
Alumna of the Year Award
Colleen Anne Fotsch Lawton, M.D.
Oconomowoc, Wisconsin
For Lawton, the pursuit of a profession became much more than a career; it became a calling to improve the lives of others by advancing world-class cancer care. Her drive is fueled not just by a desire to leave a footprint as a caring clinician but to pave a path for those who follow through mentorship.
Service Award
James Wright Foley and the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
The foundation of moral courage Foley gained at Marquette and continued to develop throughout his career as a frontline, conflict zone journalist guided him to tell the stories of the voiceless and those trapped in turmoil in war-torn regions. His ultimate sacrifice in the line of reporting inspired the creation and heroic ongoing work of the James W. Foley Legacy Foundation, which advocates tirelessly on behalf of Americans held captive abroad, journalist safety and inspiring moral courage one person at a time.
Professional Achievement Award
Jo Ann Gardner Lenz Schedler
Gresham, Wisconsin
As a tribal leader, historian, and advocate for education, Schedler weaves a narrative that honors community and empowers future Native leaders. She studied nursing at Marquette and served more than 20 years as an Army Nurse reservist as well as being one of the founders of Milwaukee’s Indian Summer Festival. She now serves on Marquette’s Council on Native American Affairs, strengthening the ties between the university and Native communities, promoting education and nurturing future leaders.
Spirit of Marquette Award (achievement before age 40)
Matthew D. Wagner
Long Grove, Illinois
For Wagner, success has no finish line. Instead, it’s defined by ongoing impact. After graduating with his Bachelor of Science in finance and operations and supply chain from Marquette in 2007, Matt joined Camping World as an inventory analyst and rose rapidly through the ranks, earning his current role as the company’s chief operating officer last year. Matt was nominated for the Spirit of Marquette Award by Marcus Lemonis, Arts ’95, the Camping World chairman and CEO who is perhaps better known for the CNBC reality show, The Profit.
COLLEGE, PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL AND AFFINITY AWARD RECIPIENTS
The names of the alumni and friends who will be honored are below. Visit the Marquette University Alumni National Awards webpage for additional information on each award recipient.
Association of Marquette University Women
Mary Neville Bielefeld Award – Patti Pavlic Bohne
Nora Finnigan Werra Faculty Achievement Award – Dr. SuJean Choi
Ignatian Leadership Award – Mia M. Gleason
Helen Way Klingler College of Arts and Sciences
Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award – John J. Byrne
Professional Achievement Award – Jeffery P. Robinson
A Person for Others Award – Bishop Walter F. Harvey
Young Alumna of the Year Award – Kate Merrill Kros
College of Business Administration
Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award — Michael Giffhorn
Service Award — Matthew A. Sallaberry
Entrepreneurial Award — John R. Dwyer Jr.
Young Alumnus of the Year Award — Stanley Nunoo
William and Mary Diederich College of Communication
Communicator of the Year Award — Timothy J. Vetscher
Byline Award — James E. Causey
Professional Achievement Award — Linus Chua
Service Award— Joshua D. Hale
Young Alumna of the Year Award — Lacey Sadoff
James T. Tiedge Memorial Award — Mary Clegg Bridges
College of Education
Distinguished Alumna of the Year Award — Dr. Bonnie C. Nicholson
Young Alumna of the Year Award — Sonia C. Escamilla
Opus College of Engineering
Distinguished Alumna of the Year Award — Martha Vignovic McJilton
Professional Achievement Award — Scott S. Schwab
Entrepreneurial Award — Michael A. Weber
Young Alumna of the Year Award — Angela M. Helfert
College of Health Sciences
Professional Achievement Award — Daniel A. Infusino
Service Award — Aisha A. AlFadhalah
Young Alumnus of the Year Award — Dr. Kevin A. Alby
College of Nursing
Professional Achievement Award — Dr. Mary Matteucci Ouimet
Service Award — Mary Astor Gomez
Young Alumna of the Year Award — Kelsey E. Schmitt
Department of Intercollegiate Athletics
Distinguished Alumnus of the Year Award — William A. Suneson
Professional Achievement Award – Augusto P. Sandroni
Young Alumnus of the Year Award — Adeola G. Giwa
Friends of Marquette Athletics Award — Susan D. Thelen and Michael J. Thelen
M Club Hy Popuch Memorial Service Award — Karen M. Jahimiak, D.D.S.
Robert L. and William P. McCahill Award — Chloe K. Marotta and Mason J. Woodward
Institute for Women’s Leadership
Excellence Award — Sabina Bhatia
Law School
Alumnus of the Year Award — Gregory J. Heller
Lifetime Achievement Award — Julianna Ebert
Howard B. Eisenberg Service Award — Marvin C. Bynum II
Charles W. Mentkowski Sports Law Award — Kerri L. Cebula
Pedro Arrupe Award
Pedro Arrupe Award — Radhika Prakash
School of Dentistry
Distinguished Alumnus in Dentistry Award — Paul A. Andrews, D.D.S., Ph.D.
Outstanding Dental Service Award — Eugene B. Shoemaker, D.D.S.
Young Alumna of the Year Award — Shaheda G.M. Govani, D.D.S.
