Father Jacques Marquette Finally Arrives at Marquette University Rleased: Friday, Sept. 23, 2005 Marquette University today dedicated a sculpture of the university's namesake, Father Jacques Marquette, S.J.  The bronze statue, standing 8 feet 2 inches tall and weighing nearly 3,000 pounds, sits upon a base of cranberry dolomite limestone on the Central Mall, behind the Raynor Memorial Libraries. A 17th-century French, Jesuit missionary and explorer, Father Marquette committed his life to spreading Christianity and, with French trader Louis Joliet and a Native American guide, explored the western Great Lakes and the upper Mississippi River.   The sculpture was created by Ron Knepper, who has exhibited his work internationally and has been awarded a Pollock-Krasner Grant and a Master's Fellowship. A native of Fort Wayne, Ind., Knepper resides in New York City and is a part-time instructor at Parson's School of Design.   The sculpture was made possible by a gift from John and Mary Madden. John Madden received a degree in Business Administration from Marquette in 1956 and is a member of the Board of Trustees. The installation coincides with the celebration of the end of the seven-year Magis campaign.  Magis was the most successful fundraising campaign in the history of the university, raising more than $350 million for Marquette. Office of Marketing and Communication Contacts Christopher Stolarski Media Relations Specialist Phone: (414) 288-1988 Send e-mail