Congratulations to the remarkable award recipients who were honored at Alumni National Awards Weekend, April 26-28. Your achievements exemplify the Marquette pillars of excellence, faith, leadership and service.
CEREMONY
All-University Awards
Saturday, April 28
Cocktails - 6 p.m.; Dinner - 7 p.m.
Alumni Memorial Union,
1442 W. Wisconsin Ave.
Black tie
Alumni of the Year Award
Karen Kane Swoboda, Eng ’90, and Charles M. Swoboda, Eng ’89
Cary, N.C.
Reflecting on how Marquette helped prepare them for success, Chuck and Karen are quick to agree: Beyond the invaluable practical and problem-solving skills gained as engineering students, their Jesuit education deepened their faith and encouraged them to live beyond themselves, enabling them to Be The Difference.
Professional Achievement Award
Wylie A. Aitken, Law ’65
Santa Ana, Calif.
Wylie has achieved local and national recognition and multiple awards for his achievements as a trial lawyer with the Santa Ana, Calif., firm he founded, Aitken Aitken Cohn. Yet he insists he’s never worked a day in his life, and once told a reporter, “I just go to the office to have a great time.”
Service to the Community Award
Bishop Donald J. Hying, Arts ’85
Merrillville, Ind.
A Catholic bishop’s very vocation is servant leadership. Bishop Hying, known widely for his deep compassion, humility and kind heart, considers his work a privilege: “Being with people in the most poignant, meaningful, joyful and sorrowful moments and to speak of God and His mercy is a true blessing.”
Service to Marquette Award
Valerie Wilson Reed, Sp ’79
Hinsdale, Ill.
Valerie believes that service is the secret to a happy life. Fortunately for Marquette University, her service has largely been on behalf of her alma mater. “When you love something,” Valerie says of Marquette, “you want to nurture it and help it grow to its fullest potential.”
Spirit of Marquette Award
Bryon M. Riesch, Bus Ad ’02
Waukesha, Wis.
Bryon is the very definition of perseverance. Despite a paralyzing accident early on in college, he went on to earn his degree, achieve professional success and establish the Bryon Riesch Paralysis Foundation, aiding individuals and funding scientific discoveries that he hopes will lead to a cure.
Friends of the University Award
Marianne and Sheldon B. Lubar
River Hills, Wis.
With a strong belief in the impact of education and a commitment to promoting dialogue around society’s most challenging public policy issues, Milwaukee philanthropists Shel and Marianne have invested in Marquette as an agent of change.
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