In late February, freshman Kennedi Luckett was invited to join a Teams call where she was asked about her future goals and her experience at Marquette University. Little did she know that interaction was the beginning of a series of meetings that would change the course of her college life and land her on a highly rated national television morning show in New York City.
“I thought I was being interviewed for something but didn’t know what,” Luckett explains. “I’m a person who likes to be organized and have a plan. So, I’m not going to lie, when I wasn’t being told very much information, I got a little anxious. But I was being constantly reminded by others that the opportunity was going to be good so that helped me keep a little bit of peace.”
The big secret was that Luckett, a double major in psychology and digital media and an Urban Scholar, was being scouted to appear on the TODAY Show with Jenna & Friends to become the first Wade Scholar, a scholarship by Marquette alumnus and former NBA Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade that provides free housing and food on campus.
Live on the TODAY Show with Jenna & Friends
On Sunday, March 9, Luckett boarded a plane from Milwaukee to New York City, meeting up with two staffers from Marquette University when she arrived. The only thing Luckett knew was that she would be on a TV show talking about Marquette.
Lynn Griffith, chief marketing and communication officer at Marquette, who accompanied Luckett to NYC, knew everything that was going on behind the scenes after working with the TODAY Show producers for weeks ahead of time to coordinate.
“Whenever Kennedi asked questions, I would say, ‘The producers would like us to keep it a surprise. All you need to do is be yourself,’” Griffith says.
The next morning, Luckett and her “staffers,” Griffith and Kate Braasch, chief of presidential affairs and liaison to Wade’s team, arrived at NBC’s Studio 1A overlooking Rockefeller Plaza for the big reveal.
“The producer came to say hello and she told me that Dwyane Wade was there and that she would try and see if he could come and say hi,” Luckett said. “At that point, I didn’t know he was co-hosting with Jenna for the week. So, she got me good. Then it was time for me to wait backstage. I saw my interview on a small TV while I was waiting. I couldn’t believe people were seeing it live on television.”
Luckett was soon invited out to the set where she greeted Marquette alumnus Dwyane Wade and Jenna Bush Hager, the host of the TODAY Show with Jenna & Friends. She was asked about her time at Marquette and her plans to live at home next year due to the expense. That’s when Wade made the big announcement.
“One of the things that I’m really passionate about is seeing students get to experience Marquette to the fullest, like I was able to have,” Wade said. “I have a surprise for you. I’m excited to officially name you the first ever Wade Scholar, which means you’re receiving a full room and board scholarship covering all costs to stay on campus next year. You’re not going home. You will be on campus at Marquette University because you deserve to be there.”
“My jaw dropped because I just wasn’t expecting that,” Luckett says. “I was thinking ‘wow’ this is a direct connection to Dwyane Wade. I was truly honored and felt grateful and blessed to be the first Wade Scholar.”
Griffith says it was a beautiful moment to witness in person and that Luckett was a “total pro” the entire time.
“When the show cut to commercial after her segment, Jenna Bush Hager wiped away a tear from her eye and said, ‘Kennedi! You made me cry!’ All of the producers clapped for Kennedi and everyone said congratulations to her as we left the studio,” Griffith recalls. “It was such an emotional moment for everyone to see Kennedi’s life changed and to see how much Marquette means to Dwyane Wade.”
“I’ve had the honor of working with Dwyane and his team for over 15 years – and I have seen his philanthropy in action. No fanfare, no national spotlight,” Braasch says. “Dwyane has always felt a tremendous responsibility to give back and pay it forward – especially at Marquette. The impact of that day will inspire so many others to Be The Difference.”
With the TODAY Show bringing in a nationwide audience of 1.4 million viewers, it’s a communication and marketing leader’s dream come true. Griffith says she couldn’t have been prouder of Luckett and the extensive Marquette team behind the scenes that made it happen.
“It doesn’t get any better than a five-minute, positive segment on The TODAY Show,” Griffith says. “That is the ‘holy grail’ of PR moments and something every communication professional aspires to. As a Marquette alumna, I felt so much joy seeing Marquette on national television. I’m proud of Kennedi for her energy and poise and very grateful to Dwyane Wade for his generosity to Marquette, which made all of this possible.”
As for Luckett, the full housing and food scholarship on Marquette’s campus will provide the perfect backdrop as she aspires to own her own production company one day. She says that this experience was so inspirational.
“It made me feel important and cared for,” Luckett says. “It gives me encouragement to push towards my career path so that people can see my creativity and work. This was also a great test run for talking live in front of a camera. There will be more to come.”
