Dear Marquette community,
One of my favorite questions I ask members of our campus community is, “How are you growing as a leader?” That question was inspired by my friend, mentor and
colleague, Mike Lovell. An Ignatian leader to his core, President Lovell embodied a servant’s heart, a growth mindset and what it means to constantly strive for excellence. He worked tirelessly every day to be the best version of himself, and he invested his time and energy into helping others reach their potential too.
Today, we are honored to announce the Michael R. Lovell Presidential Scholarship program to attract and develop the next generation of servant leaders at Marquette University. This prestigious scholarship program was created in partnership with the Lovell family, who contributed a gift to make this program possible and offered guidance throughout its development.
The Lovell Scholars — the first-ever presidential scholarship program at Marquette — will begin this fall and benefit outstanding students from around the country who are grounded in humility and committed to the same values with which President Lovell lived his life. These values make up the pillars of Marquette’s mission: Excellence, Faith, Leadership and Service.
We are also grateful to Chris and Mary Swift, ’83, for their $5 million leadership gift to bolster the Lovell Scholars, broadening the program’s reach into this powerful cohort model. Chris has significantly helped shape our future as a member of our Board of Trustees, and the Swift family’s generosity has led our early efforts to endow the program in future years. Beyond the gift from the Swift family, others are stepping forward to drive the program’s growth. Please know how thankful we are for those who are inspired to give in honor of the Lovell Scholars program.
Marquette will award up to four scholarships annually (including full tuition, housing, and fees). When fully realized through continued fundraising efforts, four Lovell Scholars cohorts will comprise 16 total Lovell Scholars recipients on campus at a time.
Lovell Scholars will grow as dynamic leaders on campus, deepening their faith, while pursuing a rigorous academic journey and serving the broader community that President Lovell loved so deeply.
As I walk down the hallway to my office each day and pass his portrait that hangs on the wall, I think of Dr. Lovell and the ways in which he humbly lived his faith and ignited our Catholic, Jesuit mission and community. I know that our Marquette family will join me in feeling great joy knowing his name and legacy will live on in exceptional, service-oriented scholars.
Sincerely,
Dr. Kimo Ah Yun
President
Marquette University
