1. Vice President for University Advancement Julie Tolan to leave Marquette

Julie Tolan, Vice President for University Advancement, announced to the University Advancement division today that she would leave her position on June 30, 2012 in order to pursue leadership opportunities outside of Marquette. Her last day on campus will be May 31.

"I want to thank Julie for her nearly twenty years of exemplary service to Marquette University. Those of us who have worked with Julie have seen firsthand her passion for this university and for the difference its students and alumni make in the world. She will always be a part of the Marquette family," said Marquette President Scott R. Pilarz, S.J.

Julie began her career at Marquette in 1990 and served in several leadership roles in University Advancement until 1999, when she left to serve as President of the United Performing Arts Fund in Milwaukee, the nation's largest united arts fund at that time. She returned to Marquette as Vice President for University Advancement in 2002. Under her leadership, Marquette achieved record-breaking fundraising success, with more than $100 million raised in both 2007 and 2008 and $75 million in 2010. In total, nearly $650 million in fundraising is credited to her tenure as vice president. Among her signature accomplishments are the fundraising campaigns for Eckstein Hall and Engineering Hall, the campaign for Scholarship Aid in honor of departing president Robert A. Wild, S.J., and the conclusion of the seven- year Magis Campaign, which raised $357 million from more than 57,000 donors. Innovative alumni engagement programs, including the award-winning CIRCLES events for alumni and friends, have won recognition and awards from peers in higher education, while enhanced engagement with alumni and friends has raised the profile of Marquette throughout the country.

Julie is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Professional Dimensions, Tempo, and is an active community volunteer, serving on the boards of Nativity Jesuit Middle School, the Basilica of St. Josaphat Foundation and the University Club. Her past board service includes the United Performing Arts Fund and the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts, Tempo and Professional Dimensions and she has been a leader nationally for the Jesuit Association of Advancement professionals. She received the Scott Cutlip Outstanding Professional Award for 2010 from the Greater Milwaukee Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. In 2006, she was named a "Woman of Influence" by The Business Journal of Greater Milwaukee and was recognized as one of Milwaukee's "Forty Under 40" in 2000.

In an email to the division, Julie wrote, "My love for this very special place - and for you and our other colleagues across the University whose care and commitment to Marquette knows no bounds - is profound. To have been the Vice President for Advancement here through a period of time in which we experienced such success as a university is among the great privileges in my life."

Father Pilarz named Tom MacKinnon, Chief of Staff in the Office of the President, as Interim Vice President. "Tom brings a strong background in development, having worked as a vice president for a fund raising consulting firm, while also serving as Executive Director of the capital campaign at The University of Scranton. Working with the Advancement leadership team, I know that Tom will help continue Marquette's fine work in fund raising and alumni engagement."

Pilarz said a comprehensive search for the permanent Vice President for University Advancement would begin shortly.

There will be celebration in the near future of Julie's contributions to Marquette. Please watch News Briefs for more information.

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2. Four employees will be honored at Excellence in University Service Awards Luncheon June 1

Please join fellow colleagues at the 2012 Excellence in University Service Awards Luncheon Friday, June 1, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the AMU, Monaghan Ballroom. Four employees will be honored for their contributions to the university:

  • Timothy Badger, customer service assistant, Parking Services
  • Stephanie Danz, administrative assistant and assistant registrar, Law School
  • Kerry Grosse, associate registrar
  • Lynn Mellantine, assistant director of Human Resources

Attendees should RSVP by Friday, May 25, to University Special Events at 8-7431.

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3. Commencement weekend includes Mass, webcast and free parking

Nearly 1,250 undergraduates and more than 700 graduate and professional students will receive their Marquette degrees at Commencement Sunday, May 20, at 9:30 a.m. at the Bradley Center. The Baccalaureate Mass will be Saturday, May 19, at 4:30 p.m. at the U.S. Cellular Arena. Tickets are not needed for either event.

The all-university Commencement ceremony will be webcast so that family and friends not in attendance can participate.

Baseball great Hank Aaron will be the Commencement speaker. Aaron will receive an honorary doctor of humane letters degree from Marquette, along with Sister Mary Miguel Conway, BVM, co-director of the Working Boys' Center in Quito, Ecuador.

All campus parking lots will be open and free of charge over Commencement weekend, May 18-20. Gates to most lots will open Friday afternoon and will remain open through Sunday evening. Structures will still be staffed with an attendant. For more information, contact Jay Sobota, parking services manager, at 8-6911.

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4. University mourns death of Connie Kangas

Marquette University mourns the death of Connie A. Kangas, who served the university in the Office of the Registrar until 2008, and formerly worked in the Dean of Students office. She passed away April 26. A memorial service was held Saturday, May 5 at All Saints Lutheran Church.

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5. Oliver H. Smith Memorial Lecture will be held May 18

Dr. Kenneth H. Nealson, Wrigley Professor of Geobiology at the University of Southern California, will deliver the Department of Biological Sciences' annual Oliver H. Smith Memorial Lecture Friday, May 18, at 3:30 p.m. in Wehr Life Sciences, 111. Nealson will deliver, "Extracellular Electron Transport: Breathing Rocks, Eating Electrons and Other Crazy Things!"

For more information, call the Department of Biological Sciences at 8-7355.

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6. Submit online parking application by June 25

Full-time employees who want to park in one of the university-owned parking facilities for the 2012-2013 academic year need to complete an online application form by June 25. Parking assignments and new permits will be issued in mid-August, and will be valid for the 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 academic years. Parking assignments will be made based primarily on length of service to the university.

For additional information, contact Jay Sobota, manager of Parking Services, at 8-6911.

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7. Join Father Pilarz for walk celebrating National Employee Health and Fitness Day

In recognition of National Employee Health and Fitness Day, all Marquette faculty and staff are invited to join in a "Poker Walk" around the Marquette Mile, led by President Scott R. Pilarz, S.J. The walk will be held Wednesday, May 16, at noon, beginning and ending at the Helfaer Recreation Center. Each participant will be given a poker card at registration and will collect four cards along the route. The top poker hands at the end of the walk will win prizes. For more information, go online. The Department of Recreational Sports will also offer free admission to the Rec Center and Rec Plex Wednesday, May 16 to Friday, May 18.

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8. Register for Dissertation Boot Camp

The Graduate School will host an intensive, five-day Dissertation Boot Camp from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, June 4 through Friday, June 8, in the lower of level of Raynor Memorial Libraries. Dissertation Boot Camp offers a dedicated time and location for Ph.D. students to come together and work toward the completion of their dissertations. Faculty facilitators will be available throughout the week to monitor progress and offer suggestions. Participants will work daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with early dismissal on Friday.

For more information or to register, contact Bethany Neubauer, graduate service assistant, by May 24.

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9. Guest lodging available in campus apartments

Guest apartments are available this summer in Campus Town East and West to provide visitors with an alternative to area hotel accommodations.

Faculty and staff can house job candidates, guest speakers, seminar participants, new staff members, parents and other visitors who need a place to stay while on campus. Each furnished, air-conditioned guest apartment can accommodate up to six people and has a fully equipped kitchen with appliances and dishes, two extra-long twin beds in each bedroom with pillows and bed linens, alarm clock/radio, dresser, desk, closet space, a full bathroom with linens, wireless Internet access, an iron/ironing board and living room with cable television, a couch and chair.

For rates and room availability, contact Conference Services in the Office of Residence Life at 8-7208.

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10. Discount available for Marquette boys basketball camps

Registration is now open for Marquette summer basketball camps for boys ages 5-17. Three different weeklong sessions will be offered Monday through Friday for the following dates: June 18-22, June 25-29, and July 23-27. Camp runs from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day, and all camps are held on Marquette's campus.

Activities will focus on individual skill development, league games, camp contests and team play. The cost is $275 per camp, but a $25 discount is available for children directly related to an individual employed by Marquette University. Registration is required and space is limited.

For more information, contact the Men's Basketball Office at 414-288-5937.

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