From its founding, Marquette University has understood education as formation — of mind, heart and spirit. Grounded in the Catholic, Jesuit tradition, Marquette calls its alumni not only to professional excellence, but to lives of faith, justice and meaningful service. The question is never simply What will you achieve? but Who are you becoming, and for whom are you living?
In that spirit, Marquette has partnered with Halftime to offer Engage, a cohort experience designed to help alumni prayerfully discern their next chapter and align their leadership with God’s invitation.
“No institutions have influenced me more than Marquette University and Halftime. Marquette prepared me as I entered the marketplace in my early 20s, and Halftime transformed me as I was transitioning out of the marketplace in my early 50s” said Jim Stollberg (Eng ‘88) and previous co-CEO of Halftime.
A Journey of Discernment and Purpose
The concept of “halftime” originated in the book Halftime: Moving from Success to Significance, written by Bob Buford. Buford observed that many accomplished leaders reach a moment when external success no longer satisfies the deeper longing for purpose. In response, he founded Halftime to accompany leaders through that transition — from achievement to enduring purpose.
Through the power of content, coaching and community, Halftime has served thousands of high-capacity leaders around the world to Get Clear, Get Free and Get Going on a life of significance. Guiding participants in the development of a personal roadmap, rooted not merely in ambition, but in calling. Participants are invited to integrate their passions, experience and spiritual convictions into a coherent vision for the next season of life.
For Marquette alumni, that journey resonates deeply with the Jesuit call to be contemplatives in action — men and women who discern prayerfully and then step forward courageously.
Made for More
Alumni and participant Jim Sartori (Bus Ad ’77) describes the experience as both grounding and galvanizing.
“My Halftime cohort experience has been a wonderful bridge, helping me to discern God's purpose in my "second half". The colleagues in my cohort have become lifelong friends. We learn together as we share our journeys from "success to significance."
Participants consistently describe the power of walking this path in community. Surrounded by peers who desire to steward their influence generously, they find both encouragement and accountability. They are reminded that discernment is not solitary work, but a team sport — it unfolds within relationships, prayer and shared mission.
A Lifelong Call
This partnership reflects Marquette’s enduring commitment to cura personalis — care for the whole person — long after commencement. Lifelong formation means returning to the essential questions of vocation again and again, trusting that God continues to call, guide and send.
For alumni sensing a stirring toward something deeper — a renewed commitment to service, a second career aligned with mission, or a desire to multiply impact for the common good — Engage offers a sacred pause and a purposeful path forward.
To learn more about upcoming cohorts, visit halftime.org or contact Jim Stollberg at jim.stollberg@halftime.org
When Nick Gross arrived at the Vatican on what would become a fateful January day, he and his classmates found a line of several hundred people already wrapped around St. Peter’s Basilica.
This isn’t happening, the Marquette University sophomore thought to himself.
“I was happy to see that the Catholic faith was alive,” he said, “but we knew our chances of getting near Pope Leo were slim.”
Four hours earlier, smothered by darkness while sleeping inside a Jesuit residence, the group of 15 students obeyed their alarm clocks and hustled to Vatican Square.
They shared a common bond: serving as Knights of Columbus on campus — a group Gross described as “a bunch of guys interested in growing their faith, a real brotherhood.”
Their 5,000 mile pilgrimage to honor the Holy year had begun several days earlier.
Together, the young men teamed with the Sisters of Charity — St. Teresa of Calcutta’s religious order — interacting with homeless men in Rome.
“That was a profound experience,” Gross said.
In a time when many worry about the future of faith among young adults, moments like this tell a different story.
They learned how to pray the rosary in Italian. They met with Cardinal James Harvey for a tour at the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls and walked through the Holy Doors on the eve of their closure for the next quarter century. They had not planned to attend the Pope’s general audience – a tough last-minute ticket to say the least – but they were elated when they were invited to attend 48 hours in advance.
For this group of devout Catholics, it was the stuff of dreams.
A faithful foundation
Making the transition from high school to college can pose a significant challenge to a young person’s faith life.
“All of a sudden, you are on your own and you make your own decisions,” Gross said.
He pointed to his parents, Michelle and Jim — both Marquette alumni — for helping to build his faith foundation.
"Our Catholic faith has been the guiding force in our family as we raised both of our sons,” Michelle Gross said. “We are incredibly proud of Nick and the way he has chosen to live his life.”
“He is unapologetically Catholic and on fire for his faith, which we believe has already inspired, and will continue to inspire, other Marquette students to feel comfortable expressing their beliefs and growing in their faith journeys while in college."
“Without them, I don’t know where I’d be,” Nick said. “Growing up, we never missed Mass.”
The New Berlin, Wisconsin family remains active at Holy Apostles Parish. On campus, Nick points to Rev. Michael Maher, S.J. and his fellow Knights for helping him to continue to grow.
“I’ve found a very vibrant Catholic faith community at Marquette,” Gross says. “I’m surrounded by people who like to live out their faith in various ways, from Bible study and service projects to weekly dinners and participation in Ignite.”
The fateful handshake
The fateful handshake that now lives as a framed photo inside Nick’s dorm room nearly never happened. “It took an act of God,” Gross said.
“We were supposed to be outside in the area where the Popemobile comes through Vatican Square. But a torrential downpour moved everyone inside.”
Before they knew it, the knights found themselves standing in a center aisle as the Pope approached. This is happening, they said to each other.
They draped a Marquette University flag over a gate which drew Pope Leo’s attention. He approached, shook hands and said two words that continue to resonate.
“Go Marquette.”
Then he moved onward through the sea of people.
“It was absolute shock and disbelief,” Nick said. I grew up a cradle Catholic learning as a textbook Christian. This experience made it real. I could see the Vicar of Christ — the successor of St. Peter — face to face. It was tangible and real.”
Hours later, the students scrolled through hundreds of photos on the Vatican’s official website. And, there it was. The iconic shot that will forever commemorate their faithful encounter: a simple handshake frozen in time.
“We were on a faith high,” Gross said, while being interviewed inside Zilber Hall.
“Before we left, I remember thinking, I don’t want to leave all that we encountered in Rome.”
“The call to be a Christian is to bring the joy of the Gospel to all people,” he added. “Our hope is to bring that joy back home to Milwaukee and Marquette University.”
