Marquette Mentors Newsletter February 2021 Mentee's passion for fashion, entrepreneurship and mentor's support lead to company launch Mentee Kaleb Tatum, Comm ’22, has an eye on fashion, sustainability, and appreciation of his mentor’s expertise with entrepreneurship. Kaleb co-founded AnydayCasual, a high quality yet sustainable t-shirt brand. The company was inspired from a volunteer event where he and his company co-founder were taken aback by the volume of plastic in Milwaukee waterways. Sharing a common interest in sustainability and entrepreneurship, they identified creating an eco-friendly, sustainable t-shirt in response to fast fashion, the high-volume production of cheap clothing that leaves a harmful impact on the environment. Following extensive research and development, AnydayCasual t-shirts finally debuted one month ago. Kaleb credits his 2019-20 program mentor Chris Murphy, Arts ’87, Grad ’89, and principal at Valor Equity Partners in Chicago, for his assistance in making AnydayCasual become a reality. “Chris has been a tremendous help,” Tatum says. “His expertise in research and analysis was key in the initial development stage. I’m very thankful for his mentorship, the support he’s provided and will continue to offer.” Especially in light of the pandemic, Chris is proud of Kaleb’s entrepreneurial spirit and determination. “I’m truly happy Kaleb has been able to launch his business in a particularly challenging environment,” Murphy says. “He’s an incredibly talented individual and has demonstrated many traits that underpin successful entrepreneurs: smart, hardworking, focused and resilient. Above all, he has been willing to seek help and listen to others at virtually every turn of his venture.” M’Laya Sago is a communication mentee, mentee alumna and intern for Marquette Mentors. (Mentor Nancy Armour, Comm ’93) March 4 “Five Questions With…” attorney Barrow; February recordings available Pre-law and law mentees and mentee alumni, don't miss “Five Questions With…” from noon - 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 4, with mentor Lansen Barrow, Bus Ad ’74 and recent retiree as chief counsel, US Department of Energy, SPRPMO, in New Orleans. Reserve your space via email or text to Dan DeWeerdt for this small-group discussion.   February “Five Questions With..." engineer Helfert and ad executive Marshall now available Engineering and communication mentees are sure to find this month’s “Five Questions With…” recorded virtual interviews of interest: Angie Helfert, Eng ’07, project manager at Mortenson in Portland, Ore. Interviewed by mentee alumnus Cole Blazer, Eng ’18 and MacLean-Fogg, Menomonee Falls, Wis. Delia Marshall, Arts ’00 and COO at Eicoff in Chicago. Interviewed by mentee alumna Olivia Bohringer,  Comm ’18 and Barkley in Kansas City, Mo. Olivia also served as Delia’s mentee in 2017-18. Participants provide mid-point program feedback Marquette Mentors salutes more than 130 survey respondents program for sharing shared their experiences to date in the Marquette Mentors’ mid-point survey. Results help understand mentor-mentee experiences, track and project goal completion (one of the program’s key performance indicators) and provide enhanced participant support. Among key findings: Mentor/mentee experience Excellent: 53% Very good: 30% Good: 11% Fair: 2%| Program expectations Exceeded: 61%  Met: 37% Not met: 3% Anticipated goal completion by program's April 22 formal conclusion Ahead of timeline: 22% On pace with timeline: 63% Currently tracking behind, but expect to be completed: 8% Do not expect to complete: 1% Most beneficial topics to date - Career advice, mentors’ career journey and the value of networking Biggest challenges thus far   None to date: 87% Scheduling time together: 10% Other: 3% Comments “I've really enjoyed this program! I've been in touch with other mentors who have helped me to network outside of the mentor program, which is awesome.” “Marquette Mentors has been nothing short of fantastic. Having a mentor to talk to and share ideas really helps me organize my thoughts. This program is probably my top bright spot of attending Marquette.” “I think this program has helped give me confidence in myself as well as my future.” “I’m really enjoying this experience - more so than I think I even expected. The quality of mentors and mentees is first rate as is the programming.” Congratulations, too, to survey respondents Dr. Richard Lucas (mentor, Eng ’98) and Yesica Rojo (mentee), whose names were randomly selected as recipients of a Marquette prize package. Mentee alumna Rose has support of Marquette Athletics community and Marquette Mentors during cancer battle  Although Sarah Rose, Comm ’20 and mentee alumna, had to forego her senior volleyball season due to treatment for Ewing's Sarcoma, a form of bone cancer, the Marquette community has rallied to support her- especially her fellow student athletes. Last week, Marquette’s athletic teams wore gold jerseys or shoelaces during their competitions in support of Sarah, who graduated in December and is attending Graduate School at Marquette. Learn more about Sarah’s courageous story by Marquette Athletics’ and Communication mentee Dan Avington.   Sarah’s 2019-20 mentor says Marilynn Gardner, Jour ’88 and president and CEO at Navy Pier in Chicago developed a special relationship with her during their mentor-mentee partnership. “Sarah’s dynamic spirit and always-positive attitude were so inspiring during our work together last year,” says Gardner. “She is facing her current health challenges with such strength and resolve. On behalf of Marquette Mentors, we are behind her every step of this journey and pray for her full recovery.” Those interested in supporting Sarah and families affected by pediatric cancer can make a gift to  the Go4theGoal Foundation via the Marquette Athletics’ team page. Marquette Mentors takes center stage at international education conference Considered “the gold standard for mentoring initiatives” by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) in 2019, Marquette Mentors was selected to present on Feb. 16 at the association’s All Districts virtual conference. Dan DeWeerdt, senior director for Marquette Mentors, presented “Creating a Mentor Program to Support Alumni, Students and Advancement (Including During a Pandemic)” to more than 2,800 attendees who streamed the program overview. Following the presentation, more than 25 universities, including Harvard University (Law School), Stanford University (Engineering), extended individual requests to learn more about Marquette Mentors. “The remarkable commitment, dynamic relationships and successfuol outcomes each year between mentors, mentees and campus partners have truly made Marquette Mentors a national model,” says DeWeerdt.   Save the dates: Mentor Best Practices workshop and program finale Mentors are reminded of the Virtual Best Practices Workshop from 5 p.m. - 6 p.m. CT on Tuesday, Feb. 23. The discussion will include successes, opportunities, mentoring tips and we'll hear from leaders in the Marquett Career Services Center and Marquette Counseling Center with suggestions how you can support your mentee. Look for a reminder email with the virtual link prior to the workshop. Marquette Mentors Virtual Finale Thursday, April 22: 4:30 p.m. - 6 p.m. CT Mentees, mentors, mentee alumni and campus partners are invited to this annual favorite to network, engage and celebrate the formal conclusion of the 2020-21 program. Information will be sent in March. Celebrate Marquette and participate in March 2 Give Marquette Day Join the fellow alumni, students and the entire global Marquette community on Tuesday, March 2, for the fourth annual Give Marquette Day. It's a special day to show your Marquette pride and support the university's initiatives that matter most to you. Gifts of any amount to any fund count, and as an added incentive, when you make a gift on Give Marquette Day, you'll get an exclusive pair of socks designed specifically for #GiveMUDay. Learn more here and look for details soon and how to join this annual favorite. A Lenten prayer God of peace, you do not want us to know relentless worry but rather a humble repentance of heart. It is like a surge of trusting that enables us to place our faults in you. And then, by the inner light of forgiveness, little by little we discover a peace of heart. Christ of compassion, through your Gospel we discover that measuring what we are or what we are not leads nowhere. What matters is the humble trusting of faith. By it we are led to glimpse the innocence of God And to understand that “all God can do is give his love.” Read the entire prayer. In the News Harvey Anderson, Eng ’84, has been promoted to chief legal officer and corporate secretary at HP Inc. in Palo Alto, Calif. He is serving for the fourth year in Marquette Mentors. (Engineering mentee Nick Orihuela)     Cole Blazer, Eng ’18, mentee alumnus at MacLean-Fogg, has been selected as 2020-21 vice president of the M-Club, Marquette Athletics’ athletic alumni association which annually supports athletes and programs. He also serves on the Marquette Mentors’ Mentee Alumni Leadership Committee. (2015-16 mentor Jeff Richlen, Harley-Davidson Motor Company; Milwaukee.) Nshimirimana Emelyne, Arts mentee, was accepted into STEP-UP, a Medical College of Wisconsin program offering Pre-med undergraduate college students the opportunity to work with MCW faculty, medical and graduate students. (Mentor Bridget McCurtis, Arts '95, Beyond Measure Coaching and Consulting, Harlem, N.Y.)   Rob Hart, Comm ’02, celebrates his five-year anniversary at WBBM Newsradio in Chicago. He is serving for the seventh year in Marquette Mentors. (Communication mentee Shane Hogan) Devon Hanley, Comm ’19 and mentee alumna, founded Devon Hanley LLC, a Milwaukee-based production company creating digital media through video and photography. (2016-17 mentor Bob Kohl, Comm ’89, Nashville Predators)     Mia Ketelhohn, Engineering mentee, is serving as co-lead of the March 20 Engineers Without Borders’ Virtual Silent Auction. All proceeds will support future sustainable infrastructure projects and COVID-19 relief efforts for the organization’s partner communities in Guatemala. (Mentor Aleisha Jaeger, Eng ’03, Kerry Group; Beloit, Wis.)   Kate Ryan, Communication mentee, serves as a marketing and sales coordinator intern at Drink Zyn in Milwaukee. (Mentor Brad West, Comm ’01, 3TreeMarketing; Chicago)       Share your new job, promotion, award or volunter role In the News. Send a one-sentence description with a headshot (no selfies, please) to Dan DeWeerdt.