1. Marquette alumnus and wife to give $7.5 million planned gift for need-based scholarships

A Marquette University alumnus and his wife will donate $7.5 million in need-based science, technology and engineering scholarships, Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., university president, announced today.

"I continue to be amazed by the support of our Marquette alumni and friends of the university," Pilarz said. "This act of supreme generosity demonstrates the commitment and passion these benefactors feel regarding educating the next generation of Marquette students to be leaders in the areas of science, technology and engineering. As a university, we will honor their gift by developing men and women who use their degrees to improve the world around them."

The alumnus, who asked to remain anonymous, noted the progress made on campus to support and enhance degree programs in those fields since his time as an undergraduate science major as a catalyst for his gift.

"It all started when I came back to Marquette with my wife for our class reunion," the alumnus benefactor said. "I hadn't been back on campus in decades. I was very fortunate to have earned a scholarship to Marquette and my wife and I thought, 'If we're able to help, we ought to give something back.'"

Did they ever.

The benefactors, who currently support three-to-four Marquette undergraduate scholarships per year, have designated their $7.5 million gift for scholarships to help educate future Marquette students studying in the science, engineering and technology fields, with the goal of producing graduates who help increase America's competitiveness in those areas.

"The United States is outside of the top 20 nations globally when looking at the number of students graduating with science, engineering and technology degrees," the benefactor said. "We need to make sure America is headed in the right direction. In my own experience, I found out that the skills and competencies I learned at Marquette were vital in helping me succeed in professional environments following graduation."

2. Four professors honored with Teaching Excellence Awards

Four professors were honored with Teaching Excellence Awards last Thursday at the annual Pere Marquette dinner. Dr. Mark Cotteleer, associate professor of management; Dr. Sarah Bonewits Feldner, associate professor of communication studies; and Dr. John Moyer, professor of mathematics, statistics and computer science, received the John P. Raynor, S.J., Faculty Award for Teaching Excellence this year. Dr. Rebecca Nowacek, associate professor of English, received the Robert and Mary Gettel Award for Teaching Excellence.

"Only through your work as dedicated teacher-scholars is this university able to succeed as the rarest sort of institution – one where we continuously push out the horizons of knowledge in a range of academic disciplines, while reaching each of our students in a way that leaves them prepared for their careers and transformed personally," said President Scott R. Pilarz, S.J., during his remarks at the Pere Marquette dinner.

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.

Milwaukee Brewers 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.

4. Stephanie Russell honored with Pedro Arrupe, S.J., Award from The University of Scranton

Stephanie Russell, vice president for mission and ministry, received The University of Scranton's Pedro Arrupe, S.J., Award for Distinguished Contributions to Ignatian Mission and Ministries at a ceremony last Thursday. Russell began her position at Marquette in 2001 and reports to President Scott R. Pilarz, S.J. Her responsibilities include promoting Marquette's mission and identity and overseeing the Faber Center for Ignatian Spirituality and Campus Ministry. To promote Marquette's mission, she focuses on core Catholic values and social teaching, the Ignatian spiritual and educational heritage, and interreligious dialogue.

"Stephanie's commitment to the advancement of Jesuit ideals and identity is impressive," said Kevin P. Quinn, S.J., president of The University of Scranton. "Both on Marquette's campus and throughout the country, she has worked to create a community of leaders, equipped with a deep understanding of our mission and the tools to go forth and articulate it."

The Arrupe Award is named in honor of the late Very Rev. Pedro Arrupe, S.J., the superior general of the Society of Jesus from 1965 to 1983. The University of Scranton instituted the award in 1995 to further its namesake's vision by recognizing men and women for outstanding contributions in a wide variety of Ignatian-inspired ministries.

5. EAA hosting ice cream social study break

The Ethnic Alumni Association is hosting a free ice cream social study break Wednesday, May 9, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the AMU, Lunda Room. For additional information, contact Alumni Engagement and Outreach at 8-7441.

6. Nursing research conference to be held May 10

The 14th annual Building Bridges to Research-Based Nursing Practice Conference will be held Thursday, May 10, at 7:30 a.m. in the AMU. The conference seeks to provide a forum for clinical researchers to share and discuss the impact of research on clinical practice and patient outcomes. Dr. Marianne Chulay, R.N., F.A.A.N., will present the keynote speech, "Engaging Clinicians in Research: Strategies for Success." Chulay is a consultant for clinical research in critical care nursing who assists hospitals with implementing and maintaining an applied nursing research program that facilitates bedside clinician involvement in research projects.

The conference is co-sponsored by the College of Nursing and Building Bridges to Research-Based Nursing Group. Register online.

7. MUSG year-end wrap-up report available online

Marquette University Student Government has compiled a wrap-up report of the activities it accomplished on behalf of the student body during the 2011-2012 academic year. Highlights include several successful new programming options, a Diversity Roundtable initiative and the development of The Gold Mine, a double-sided newsletter distributed to students at every men's basketball home game. The full wrap-up report is available online.

8. DPS lobby available for Internet transactions

The Department of Public Safety recommends using caution when conducting Internet transactions, including using Craigslist. Always meet in public spaces with someone else when meeting with an online acquaintance and never allow someone to meet at your residence. Public Safety and the Milwaukee Police Department have made their office lobbies available to conduct transactions.

Public Safety is located at:
Structure 1
749 N. 16th Street
Milwaukee, WI 53233

A list of Milwaukee Police Department District Stations can be found online.

9. Join Marquette women's basketball for annual golf outing

Registration is now open for the women's basketball program's annual Tee It Up for Hoops scramble golf outing, which begins at 8 a.m. Tuesday, June 12, at The Legend at Bristlecone. The outing is $195 per golfer for a four-person, 18-hole scramble. All proceeds benefit the women's basketball program.

New to the event this year is a Golf 2.0 interactive clinic for beginner golfers, which will be led by Bristlecone's head PGA Professional, from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Registration is $75 per golfer and begins at 10 a.m. the day of the event.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for corporations or individuals. For more information, contact Erin Wright at 8-5784.