I am fortunate to have the opportunity almost daily to walk around our campus — I regularly build in extra time on my way to visit classes or meet with people so that I truly appreciate how special Marquette is. On my walks, I think a great deal about the safety and security of our students, faculty, staff and visitors.
When that safety is violated, we become sad, fearful, angry. When anyone in our community is hurt, we all hurt.
In these times, please continue to look out for one another and lean on the many support resources and safety services we provide on campus. And please keep all victims, near and far, in your prayers.
Provost Debbie Tahmassebi joins Marquette next month
While Dr. Debbie Tahmassebi officially begins her role as provost and executive vice president for academic affairs on March 1, she has already been attending meetings with campus leaders to ensure a smooth transition. Provost Tahmassebi and her husband, Sam, have successfully moved from Salt Lake City and are becoming familiar with the Milwaukee area.
As we prepare to welcome Provost Tahmassebi, I want to thank Dr. Sarah Feldner for her leadership as acting provost during the past 15 months. She stepped forward to ensure the momentum we are experiencing continued, and I know that our students, faculty and staff join me in sharing appreciation for providing much needed continuity during a critical time in Marquette’s history.
Ignatian Examen, Mission Week center focus on our Catholic, Jesuit identity
Our Catholic, Jesuit identity is central to everything that we do at Marquette. The Ignatian Examen held in late January was an example of how that Jesuit practice can be used to humanize one another through prayer and conversation. It is powerful to listen, learn and reflect in a group setting on how our Catholic, Jesuit values guide us both as individuals and as a community.
This year’s Mission Week activities offered numerous ways to reflect on how we can “Act with Grace.” This year’s theme was helpful preparation as we approached the start of Lent. Thanks to everyone from across campus, led by our Mission and Ministry staff, who was involved in Mission Week planning.
Northwestern Mutual Data Science Institute welcomes three new partners
Since 2018, Marquette has teamed with the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Northwestern Mutual to lead the Northwestern Mutual Data Science Institute, a pioneering industry-academic model that integrates research, talent development, and community engagement and benefits students, businesses and communities.
Last week, I participated in an event that introduced three new NMDSI members — the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee School of Engineering and Waukesha County Technical College. The expansion announcement drew a capacity crowd, signifying the interest in how our region’s academic institutions are collaborating with a global financial services leader to cultivate a dynamic tech talent ecosystem and advance southeastern Wisconsin as a national hub for technology and research.
Online programs ranked among nation’s finest by U.S. News & World Report
Congratulations to the faculty and staff in the College of Business Administration, College of Nursing and Klingler College of Arts & Sciences whose graduate programs were recently ranked among the nation’s best online programs by U.S. News & World Report. Faculty credentials and professional expertise, institutional commitment to student success, and external recognition of the high quality of these programs factored into this recognition.
Author Jeff Selingo details research findings in campus visit
New York Times best-selling author Jeff Selingo, author of “Dream School: Finding the College That’s Right for You” shared insight from his comprehensive research during his visit to campus last week. I appreciated his findings that students are interested in opportunities to participate in campus life and they want to dig deep into skills and broad learning. An institution’s “door opener” is its value and outcomes, but there must be an emphasis on creating a sense of belonging for students. Much of what Jeff shared affirms the good work we are doing across campus to share our story with prospective students and families. You can read more about Jeff’s visit in this Marquette Today story.
The Upswing on WTMJ Radio January guest: Dan DeWeerdt, Marquette Mentors
January was National Mentorship Month, so it was fitting that Dan DeWeerdt, Endowed Robert H. Radtke Director of Marquette Mentors, joined me and host and alumnus Jeff Sherman, Bus Ad ’91, on the Upswing podcast on WTMJ Radio. Marquette Mentors is a high-impact practice that helps our students build personal and professional networks that shape their careers before graduation and helps our alumni create meaningful connections with their alma mater. The January episode is available here.
Alumnus Emery Lehman wins silver medal in Olympic Games
How exciting to cheer on Emery Lehman, Eng ’20, who won a silver medal in the team pursuit speedskating event at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics. He also finished 25th (and second among the American competitors) in the 1,500-meter race earlier today. This is the fourth and final Winter Olympics Emery has participated in during his stellar career.
National Marquette Day is a winner
By all accounts, National Marquette Day was a success on and off the court. A special thanks to the teams from MUPD and the Division of Belonging and Student Affairs for ensuring a safe environment on and around campus. Recovery at Marquette hosted the first National Marquette Day Sober Tailgate, an alternative event that had a great turnout.
In his first message for Lent, titled Listening and Fasting: Lent as a Time of Conversation, Pope Leo invites us to “strive to measure our words and cultivate kindness and respect in our families, among our friends, at work, on social media, in political debates, in the media and in Christian communities. In this way, words of hatred will give way to words of hope and peace.” I found the Holy Father’s words inspirational and something I will focus on during Lent.
I hope you have the opportunity to participate in the many events and worship opportunities on campus throughout Lent that support our spiritual renewal and growth.
Dr. Kimo Ah Yun
President
