With 2025 coming to an end, the Office of Marketing and Communication shares Marquette’s top 10 news moments and media stories of the year.
10. Jacob Capin, triathlete champion
Jacob Capin made a name for himself shortly after arriving at Marquette when he was awarded a National Institutes of Health High-Risk, High-Reward Research award to conduct the first major study of the health challenges of former college athletes. In 2025, it was his hobby of winning triathlons that caught the attention of media. He was featured in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and helped Visit Milwaukee promote the Milwaukee Triathlon, which he won.
9. Thought leadership on display
Marquette faculty put pen to paper—figuratively speaking, of course—to put their thought leadership on display with several op-eds appearing locally, nationally and in higher education publications:
President Ah Yun penned an op-ed on the importance of higher education for the U.S. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) … Dr. Jacob Riyeff questioned how higher education can achieve its aim of scrutinizing reality when students don’t even seem to recognize the irreality of AI outputs (Inside Higher Ed) … Dr. Patrick Johnson offered how local news can restore its trust with the community (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) … Dr. Heidi Bostic wrote about how the humanities can be revitalized by Catholic universities (U.S. Catholic) … Dr. Christine Schindler wrote about a proposed “Safe Summer” legislative package that could reduce child deaths from gun violence (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel) … Dr. Philip Rocco came to the defense of the importance of official data such as the Census (MSNBC).
8. Move-In madness
Move-in Day is equal parts exciting and exhausting for students and their families. Each year, OMC facilitates ample media coverage of first-year student move-in. This past August was no different as several television stations and media outlets captured the excitement of the day.
7. Marquette faculty and staff provide expertise on navigating college
Faculty and staff from Marquette were featured prominently in advice articles from U.S. News & World Report on how to navigate different processes and experiences related to the college process. When reporters call, Marquette experts answer to help: College of Nursing Dean Dr. Jill Guttormson contributed to a step-by-step guide to becoming a nurse; Patrick Correia-Harker, director of undergraduate admissions recruitment, encouraged students to tell their story in applying to college; and Sarah Johannes, coordinator of sorority and fraternity life, discussed factors to consider before joining Greek life.
6. Commencement stories
Move-In Day is the exhilarating beginning, and Commencement is the thrilling conclusion to a student’s time at Marquette. The 2024 ceremonies and graduating students’ stories were on full display:
- From Saipan to Milwaukee: Engineering student’s 7,000-mile journey culminates in Marquette graduation
- Marquette nursing student donates lifesaving gift to stranger
- Diane Foley, mother of slain journalist James Foley, urges Marquette grads to live with ‘moral courage’
5. Research impact
Researchers at Marquette were featured prominently by media outlets for their exciting projects and ambitions. Dr. Chris Sundberg’s lab studied the athletic prowess of a 92-year-old sprinter (Washington Post); Dr. Brooke Mayer was featured for leading research to help federal government provide water security (Spectrum News 1); Dr. Kristi Streeter is working to improve breathing function in those with spinal cord injuries (FOX 6); and Dr. Chelsea Cook and her lab were featured for their bee research (Spectrum News 1).
4. Cancer survivor to cancer researcher
Natalia Beans had a notable 2025, receiving a prestigious Goldwater Fellowship in April. A survivor of childhood cancer, she was motivated by her experience, and her exposure to faculty-mentored research, to set her sights on earning a Ph.D. in cell biology and pursue advancements in drug discovery for cancer research. Her inspiring story was shared in Marquette Magazine, which caught the attention of local media. She was featured on FOX 6 in early December.
3. St. Joan of Arc has visitors from back home
A delegation from Chasse-sur-Rhône, France, visited Marquette to retrace the journey of St. Joan of Arc Chapel, which was originally built in Chasse-sur-Rhône in the 15th century as the Chapel of Saint-Martin de Seyssuel. The group, which included the mayor of Chasse-sur-Rhône, is producing a documentary that tells the history of the chapel, including how it was moved from France to Long Island in the 1920s and then to Milwaukee in 1964. Local media was on hand to capture the delegation’s visit to the chapel.
2. Get to Know President Kimo
President Kimo Ah Yun opened the year making the media rounds after being named the 25th president of Marquette in late 2024. Leading up to his inauguration in April, he participated in several interviews with local media. He was then featured for his faith over the summer. His inauguration on April 29 was covered by most local TV stations and news outlets.
1. The first Wade Scholar announced live on The Today Show
Kennedi Luckett’s story appears on several of OMC’s top 10 lists for 2025, as her appearance on TODAY with Jenna and Friends was a special moment for her, Dwyane Wade and the university. Wade announced live to a national audience that Luckett was the first-ever recipient of a Wade Scholar award.
Other stories that made news
- Marquette celebrated a new pope with a celebration Mass, ringing bells from the Carillon and a special story of a Marquette student’s experience meeting Pope Leo.
- Local media found several stories at Marquette to feature during Black History month:
- MUPD launched a Traffic Enforcement Unit over the summer to reduce reckless driving around campus, seeing large increases in traffic stops, citations issued and OWI arrests. Lt. Kevin Walz and Sgt. Josiah Williams spoke with several media outlets to share the motives behind the unit, as well as the early successes.
