PHOTO/VIDEO ADVISORY: Groundbreaking on new home for Marquette Business and innovation leadership programs is March 23

March 17, 2021


WHAT: Marquette University officials will formally break ground for a new home for Marquette Business and innovation leadership programs at 16th St. and Wisconsin Ave. in a virtual ceremony. It will mark the start of construction on the 100,000 square-foot facility. The university surpassed its fundraising goal of $60 million, making this the largest fully donor-funded construction project in university history.

WHEN: Tuesday, March 23. The event will be livestreamed online at 2 p.m. CDT

WHERE: The event is virtual, but a small number of media members will be allowed on-site for visuals and interviews at the groundbreaking portion of the program. Media who wish to attend in-person following COVID-19 protocols, or who wish to view or record the livestream, should email Kevin Conway, associate director of university communication.

WHO: Joining Marquette President Michael R. Lovell for the groundbreaking will be:

  • Bob Eck, chair, Marquette Board of Trustees
  • Tim Hanley, interim Keyes Dean of Business Administration
  • Tim McMahon, vice president for university advancement
  • Emma Roffler, student
  • Kris Ropella, Opus Dean of the Opus College of Engineering
  • Lora Strigens, vice president for facilities planning and management
  • James Voiss, S.J., vice president for mission and ministry

Updated renderings are also available upon request.


About the new home for Marquette Business and innovation leadership programs
Marquette’s newest academic facility is built for the future with maximum flexibility and state-of-the-art, globally connective technology, anchoring the west gateway to campus.

The four-story building design is being led by Strigens and her team, in partnership with architectural firms BNIM of Kansas City and Milwaukee-based Workshop Architects. Findorff is constructing the building, which will feature an open atrium, collaborative classrooms, lab and study spaces, as well as an event space for the Milwaukee business community, bringing together thought leaders from across the region.

In addition, plans call for a café, areas for programmatic centers of excellence, including an EMBA Center, and faculty offices. The facility’s first floor is designed to provide wraparound student support, including centralized advising with a Student Success Center and a Business Career Center. The new facility will also house innovation leadership programs, and its proximity to Marquette’s Opus College of Engineering offers opportunities to pair faculty experts and students within the two academic disciplines.

Visit marquette.edu/future-of-business for more information.


About Kevin Conway

Kevin Conway

Kevin is the associate director for university communication in the Office of University Relations. Contact Kevin at (414) 288-4745 or kevin.m.conway@marquette.edu