June 23, 2025
MILWAUKEE — Marquette University President Kimo Ah Yun announced today that the university has received a $1 million gift from Denelle Dixon, wife of Harvey J. Anderson II, honoring Anderson’s legacy and leadership at Marquette.
The gift establishes an endowed high-impact experiences fund in Anderson’s name, providing students with transformational opportunities that range from applied and experiential learning to undergraduate research, service learning, international studies and participation in the nationally recognized Marquette Mentors program.
“Harvey was my source of compassion, love and life,” Dixon said. “He had a deep commitment to education, growth and the love of a higher power. He saw good in everyone — and he shared his love and insights freely. Harvey believed deeply that his Marquette education and his valued role as a trustee at Marquette University gave him the ability to show up in a powerful way in everything that he did.”
Anderson came to Marquette as a student in the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), which supports low-income and first-generation college students in attending and succeeding at the university. He graduated from what is now the Opus College of Engineering in 1984. In 2021, he was honored with the Professional Achievement Award during Marquette’s Alumni National Awards ceremony. At that time, he said Marquette changed his life’s trajectory, providing what he called “a platform to develop the confidence to excel and contribute.”
“Harvey cared deeply for our Marquette University mission and for the success of our students,” President Ah Yun said. “While he helped shape our vision at the highest level of the university, he also dedicated time to mentor students and help ensure they had the resources they needed.”
Anderson excelled professionally through a successful career in tech-industry law. He spent much of the past decade as a mentor in the university’s Marquette Mentors program, connecting with Marquette students who sought to pursue a similar career path.
Through Marquette Mentors, Anderson partnered with student Ahmoni Gonzalez, who graduated this May from the Klingler College of Arts and Sciences.
“One thing Harvey said to me that stuck with me was to just simply do things I wanted to do,” Gonzalez said. “I often get caught up in the ‘how’ of getting to my goals and he always told me that things will figure themselves out, but I shouldn’t let logistics hold me back. This is exactly why I decided to take a semester in Washington, D.C., at the Les Aspin Center. I love that this fund is being established in his name because it will allow students to not worry so much about the ‘how’ and be able to do things they dream of doing.”
Anderson earned his law degree from the University of San Francisco. He then provided in-house legal counsel for several of Silicon Valley’s most influential companies, including Netscape, AVG, Mozilla and Hewlett-Packard, where he served as chief legal officer and corporate secretary. He joined the Marquette University Board of Trustees in 2022 and provided counsel on many important strategic initiatives.
“Harvey was a blessing to everyone who knew him and this gift from his family will continue Harvey’s legacy of caring for others and making possible new opportunities,” said Vice President for University Advancement Tim McMahon. “Harvey’s wisdom, mentorship and leadership enriched Marquette, and we are humbled by this generous gift to keep his spirit with our students as they embark on their own Marquette journeys.”
Anderson arranged and funded a “Digital Discovery” tour in Silicon Valley for EOP and Upward Bound students, taking them to top tech companies like Google, Facebook and Dropbox and helping them broker professional connections. He was also a valuable contributor to Marquette’s “Silicon Valley Experience,” hosting and mentoring students who traveled west to explore careers in the tech industry.
“This gift to Marquette is our way of ensuring Harvey's journey will continue to empower first-generation students at Marquette to learn their strengths and to share their gifts with the world,” Dixon said. “Our family is honored to create this endowment in his name. He will forever be our guiding light.”
About Marquette University
Marquette University is a Catholic, Jesuit university located near the heart of downtown Milwaukee that offers a comprehensive range of majors in 11 nationally and internationally recognized colleges and schools. Through the formation of hearts and minds, Marquette prepares our 11,100 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional students to lead, excel and serve as agents of positive change. And, we deliver results. Ranked in the top 20% of national universities, Marquette is recognized for its undergraduate teaching, innovation and career preparation as the sixth-best university in the country for job placement. Our focus on student success and immersive, personalized learning experiences encourages students to think critically and engage with the world around them. When students graduate with a Marquette degree, they are truly prepared and called to Be The Difference.
Kevin is the associate director for university communication in the Office of Marketing and Communication. Contact Kevin at (414) 288-4745 or kevin.m.conway@marquette.edu.
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