Thanks to all who attended the town hall meeting last week to learn about the 2025 Campus Climate Study process and key findings. I am grateful for the executive committee and implementation committee members, whose work has been key to gathering and analyzing the data and will continue as we develop initiatives to improve the experiences of all members of our campus community.
You can review the dashboards and comprehensive results here. I encourage you to participate in a focus group and share your feedback with and recommend actions to the committee. Your involvement and input help contribute to a high-quality living, learning and working environment.
Rallying with Children’s Wisconsin
Marquette was well represented at Rally Round, an event hosted by our partners at Children’s Wisconsin that brought the community together to support kids and families. Last Saturday at Wisconsin State Fair Park, more than 200 students, student-athletes, as well as staff and faculty, assisted with a variety of fun activities. Rally Round continues the 45-year legacy of Al’s Run & Walk, which legendary Marquette men’s basketball coach Al McGuire started in 1978.
Engagement in our Milwaukee community
Congratulations to Nicole Bungert, Jennifer Eggert and Dr. Alexandra Mainella and their respective teams, who were named winners of the 2025 Explorers Challenge 2.0! Coordinated by the University Innovation Council, the Explorers Challenge recognizes innovative and collaborative ideas from Marquette students, faculty and staff connected to Marquette’s 2031 strategic plan, Guided By Mission, Inspired To Change. You can learn more about the Explorers Challenge here.
The Wisconsin Policy Forum hosted a discussion last week about the challenges and opportunities facing local colleges and universities. As diverse as our local institutions are, we encounter many of the same issues. Collaborating to create a strong network of higher education institutions benefits our communities.
I appreciated the opportunity to dialogue with local higher education leaders President Anthony Cruz of MATC and Chancellor Thomas Gibson of UW-Milwaukee, MSOE President-elect Dr. Eric Baumgartner, and a large crowd of community members.
Reflecting on our shared grief
Our hearts remain heavy following the tragic loss of the young lives of Scott Michaud and Noah Snyder and the injuries suffered by their team members in a vehicular accident close to campus on Sept. 5.
I deeply appreciate the Stakeholder Emergency Response Team members and faculty and staff members across campus who came together to provide holistic support for our campus community. Every individual who has worked on some aspect of this tragedy prioritized the needs of our students and their families, as well as their colleagues, with an immediate, thorough and compassionate response.
We know that grief affects us in different ways. Please continue to check on your students and colleagues and take care of yourselves through the internal and external resources available to all members of the Marquette community.
This year’s Ignatian theme – “I have called you friends” – has been a source of strength and comfort these last several weeks, The theme also serves as a reminder that our connections with each other strengthen our relationship with God, which ultimately helps us become the best versions of ourselves.
Dr. Kimo Ah Yun
President
Marquette University
