May 20, 2020 

Marquette experts provide commentary on coronavirus

President Michael R. Lovell discussed participating in a phone call with Vice President Mike Pence and Education Secretary Betsy DeVos. During the call, President Lovell and several other leaders of prominent institutions addressed concerns about the coronavirus with regard to the 2020-21 school year. "One of the things that the White House talked about specifically is having additional guidelines from the federal government, in particular the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention," President Lovell said. "Obviously, the faculty, staff and students are our first concern and we want to ensure that we have proper guidelines and allow the experts to be able to implement the guidelines."

Live interview aired on CNN, May 14, 2020 

Similar stories appeared on or in Inside Higher Ed, Diverse Issues in Higher Education and Politico, May 14, 2020  

Lovell also spoke with WGN-TV (Chicago) for a May 15 story about the prospects of campuses reopening in the fall, as well as WISN-TV (ABC 12) for a May 17 story about the university hosting a virtual run to honor the class of 2020.

Dr. Kimo Ah Yun, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs, commented on the university adjusting its 2020-21 academic calendar in anticipation of a predicted second wave of COVID-19 cases in late fall. “We are making the best choices right now that are possible based on the available scientific data and evidence and listening to our experts," Ah Yun said. "Nothing is fixed. If things change, we will change our plans as well. We will only accommodate (students) if it is safe to do.” Changes to the academic include starting a week early, offering finals remotely, shortening fall break and extending Thanksgiving break into the new year. Thomas Guiard, sophomore political science and history student, said the return to campus also brings hope of partaking in cherished extracurricular activities. He added he feels comfortable living on campus and thinks the university's approach is a “good compromise." 

Story appeared in the Chicago Tribune, May 19, 2020

The university was also mentioned in a May 12 WTMJ-TV (NBC 4) roundup of higher education action on the coronavirus.

Dr. Douglas Woods, vice provost for graduate and professional education and dean of the Graduate School, commented on how the university can develop new programs quickly to attract graduate students, as colleges and universities everywhere work to combat declining graduate student numbers amid the pandemic. “The initiative has helped start nursing, clinical health, data analytics and supply chain management programs,” Woods said, adding that the university has also created accelerated programs that allow graduate students to complete a doctorate degree in a shorter amount of time.

Story appeared on NBC News, May 13, 2020

Dr. Jax Sanders, assistant professor of physics in the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences, described the work they are doing with the Kenosha Fire Department to sanitize face masks with powerful ultraviolet light as a way to combat the shortage of personal protective equipment presented by the pandemic. “I design laser instruments for astrophysics,” Sanders said. “That means I need to know a lot about light in general and how materials, distance and design affect the flow of light.” Sanders created a physics formula to determine the distance and placement face masks should be from a UV light source and how long they need to be exposed to the light for decontamination to take place.

Story appeared in the Kenosha News, May 12, 2020 

Profs. Ed Fallone and Scott Idleman, professors of law, and Dr. Paul Nolette, associate professor and chair of political science in the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences, spoke with several media outlets for separate stories about the Wisconsin Supreme Court’s recent decision to invalidate the state’s coronavirus health order. They touched on various related topics including how the decision contributes to the state’s overall political climate and how it could impact similar orders across the country.

Stories appeared on The Hill, The Guardian, Wisconsin Public Radio and WUWM-FM (89.7), May 15-16, 2020

Dr. Michael Wert, associate professor of history in the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences, offered tips for working out like a samurai, as the pandemic has forced the closure of gyms. One tip is engaging in calisthenics like swinging a broom to resemble Japanese archery. “Samurai would always go somewhere to train,” Wert added. “So, if you can’t go and train anywhere because all the gyms are closed, then go hiking or jogging or running.”

Story appeared on Atlas Obscura, May 15, 2020

Marquette in the news

Exceptional twins to study nursing at Marquette
Twin sisters Arianna and Arielle Williams were accepted to nearly 40 colleges and offered over $1 million in scholarships. They chose to study nursing at Marquette. The sisters, who are valedictorian and salutatorian of their high school, are also first-generation college students and will be part of the Educational Opportunity Program. 

Story aired on Good Morning America, May 18, 2020

Similar stories appeared on or in the Associated Press, The Daily Mail, USA TODAY, People Magazine, Essence, WISN-TV (ABC 12), WTMJ-TV (NBC 4) and WDJT-TV (CBS 58), May 12-13 2020

The Marquette University Law School Poll was cited in multiple local, state and national stories for its latest results that found an increased division over the government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic — although majorities continue to support social distancing and other restrictions.

Stories appeared on or in the Associated Press, Washington Examiner, USA TODAY, U.S. News and World Report, Washington Post, FOX News, CBS News, MSNBC, The Week, The Hill, Politico, Politics USA, WMTV-TV (NBC 15), WITI-TV (FOX 6), WISN-TV (ABC 12), WTMJ-TV (NBC 4), WLUK-TV (FOX 11), WEAU-TV (NBC 13, Eau Claire), WXOW-TV (NBC 13), Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee BizTimes, Wisconsin Public Radio and Badger Herald, May 12-13, 2020

Dr. Sandra Hunter, professor of exercise science in the College of Health Sciences, was cited in a story about the future of marathons. Hunter’s research team published a study on the rapid progress of marathon running times and what it will take for times to continue to improve. They outline the three key traits of marathon physiology: maximal oxygen uptake, sustainable intensity and running economy. 

Story appeared in Outside Magazine, May 18, 2020

Dr. Risa Brooks, Allis Chalmers Associate Professor of Political Science in the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences and director of undergraduate studies, was mentioned in an analysis of the philosophy of political scientist Samuel Huntington. Brooks, who shared her take on Huntington’s book “The Soldier and the State” in a recent edition of International Security, wrote, “(In the book) civilians formulate goals without consideration of the military means to achieve them and then provide that formulation to military leaders,” Brooks said, adding that “Huntingtonian norms actually harm the United States in the pursuit of its strategic goals.”

Story appeared on The World, May 12, 2020