Marquette University In the News

Dr. Jeanne Hossenlopp, vice president for research and innovation, was profiled by the Milwaukee Business Journal after being named a “Woman of Influence” by the publication. In the feature, Hossenlopp said innovation is not entirely or even primarily about inventing new things, but figuring out “how to adapt things we already knew.” Hossenlopp added that what she finds fulfilling is “the privilege to help people move things forward, to harness the amazing capacity in the Marquette University community.”

Dr. Charles Franklin, director of the Marquette University Law School Poll, discussed where things stand in the presidential race with just 100 days left to go. “As a referendum on the president, both the events (the pandemic and the subsequent economic downturn) and President Trump’s response to those events, has led to a clear downturn across the board for him,” Franklin said, adding that analysts are talking of a blue wave dislodging Republican control of the U.S. Senate while building on the Democratic majority in the House. “I think the simplest thing is to say wait until November. We'll find out if they are right or wrong this year.”

Dr. Julia Azari, associate professor and assistant chair of political science in the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences, commented on how crime is not currently a top issue of concern for a majority of U.S. voters and how President Trump’s campaign is working on a strategy of a narrow win through the electoral college. “This has really never been a majority-focused administration,” Azari said. “In some ways it’s been an administration focused on mobilizing a segment of the American electorate, which is sort of strategically located throughout states that are important in the electoral college.”

Azari also spoke with Spectrum News in Cincinnati for a July 22 story about strong partisanship and weak parties, as well as U.S. News and World Report for a July 24 story about how Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden’s choice of running mate likely won’t help him win the election.

Dr. Risa Brooks, Allis Chalmers Associate Professor of Political Science in the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences, wrote a review of the book “The Rise of the G.I. Army, 1940-1941” by Paul Dickson. “Throughout, the book evokes the ethos of the World War II era, with subtle notes of can-do attitude and pugnacious spirit,” Brooks wrote. “It also in some measure reinforces the mythology surrounding World War II’s ‘greatest generation.’ Many Americans have come to believe that there was something intrinsically valorous about the generation that fought the Germans and Japanese. Dickson’s narrative does little to disabuse us that these men indeed were better Americans.”

Rev. Steven M. Avella, professor of history in the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences, discussed the legacy of the McClatchy family in American journalism, as the family begins separating from the Sacramento newspaper company that they have controlled for more than 160 years. “They were boosters, during a time in journalism when that would have been a lot more acceptable,” Avella said, adding that instead of ceding control to an East Coast investor, the family should ensure the newspaper continues to be locally owned.

Dr. Richard Fehring, professor emeritus in the College of Nursing and director for the Institute of Natural Family Planning, commented on the Marquette Fertility app he helped create. Fehring said the app is a tool meant to enhance and simplify the natural family planning program for couples, and though it’s free for download, he added, “we prefer that it is used as the couple works with a Marquette Model teacher.”

Prof. Edward Fallone, associate professor of law, discussed the White House hinting at a possible federal response to the protests in Milwaukee. Fallone said using federal officers to protect federal property is not unusual, but what is unusual are reports of federal agents detaining people in areas away from federal buildings. “This is not the sort of precedent we want to set in our country. Outside of matters of federal jurisdiction such as anti-terrorism efforts, for example, law enforcement within our borders has always been a local state concern. And it's absolutely unusual and troubling to see the Trump administration view these federal agents as some sort of ad hoc police force that they can send wherever they want around the country."

Dr. Amber Wichowsky, associate professor of political science in the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences, discussed Wisconsin’s large volume of political advertisements this election cycle. “Heading into the 2020 election, Trump is spending a lot on Wisconsin, spending a lot on Green Bay," Wichowsky said. “The number of ads being aired in that media market is some of the greatest volume and his advantage over Biden is also quite large.”

Residence halls to house convention guests
About one-third of the university’s residence hall rooms will be used to house guests of the Democratic National Convention. "All guests will be expected to follow Marquette’s COVID-19 guidelines, including wearing a cloth face covering when in public spaces or in the presence of others and physical distancing,” said Lynn Griffith, senior director of university communication. The DNC, which will take place Aug. 17-20, has been dramatically scaled back because of the coronavirus pandemic and will now be a mostly virtual event.

Alan Borsuk, senior fellow in law and public policy, wrote about the circumstances facing teachers this fall, amid the growing evidence that keeping kids at home during this spring was overall a setback to their education and social and emotional development. “Every person, certainly including teachers, should be supported in taking appropriate steps to protect health and cope in these difficult times,” Borsuk wrote. “But kids, more than ever, need teachers who will step up to help.”

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