Ahoya October 2017 Newsletter

Philanthropist Michael Cudahy gives $1 million to support first-generation engineering students

Milwaukee entrepreneur, business executive and philanthropist Michael Cudahy has given $1 million to support five full scholarships, including room-and-board, for students attending the Opus College of Engineering. Four students, all of whom are the first in their families to attend college and come from diverse backgrounds, started at Marquette this academic year.

“I’m incredibly grateful to Michael Cudahy for this gift that will greatly impact our students and also for first teaching me the true meaning of being a servant leader many years ago,” said Dr. Kristina Ropella, Opus Dean of the Opus College of Engineering. “Gifts like this are such an important part of how we’re changing the face of engineering, starting at the most basic level of the students who come through our doors.”

Read more about the Michael Cudahy Scholarship online

Michael Cudahy gift
Seated: Robert A.Wild, S.J., Mr. Micahel Cudahy, Dr. Michael Lovell
Standing: Dr. Kristina Ropella

Thought Leaders Council convenes in Milwaukee

The Opus College Thought Leaders Council convened in Milwaukee for their annual meeting on Friday, Oct. 6. Nearly 20 alumni, friends and supporters of the college were on campus to discuss top priorities for the Opus College, including Ignatian innovation, industry relations and diversity in engineering. The group also had the opportunity to tour research labs and the project site for Marquette’s newest residence hall, Robert A. Wild, S.J. Commons, which is set to open for the fall 2018 semester.

Thought Leaders at Wild Commons
Opus College of Engineering Thought Leaders Council tour
Robert A. Wild, S.J. Commons

OCOE in the news

Engineering students explore opportunities with Foxconn: Now that Foxconn is coming to Wisconsin, the Taiwanese electronics company is looking to hire thousands of people, including those in a variety of engineering roles. Marquette hosted a technology showcase and recruitment event, to help the company do just that. More from WITI-TV (FOX 6).
How this woman became a university ‘entrepreneur in residence’: Adonica Randall is prepping the next generation of engineers to enter the business world as the Opus College of Engineering’s first entrepreneur in residence. More from 88.9 FM (Radio Milwaukee).
Girls Who Code experiences rapid growth: Girls Who Code has experienced enormous growth over the past two years at Marquette, tripling their number of classes and giving more girls in grades 5-12 the opportunity to learn about computer science and engineering. More from the Marquette Tribune.

Accomplishments

Congratulations to the following individuals on their recent accomplishments:

Opus College alumni Angie Helfert (Project Manager of the Year), Tess Massaroni (Rising Young Professional) and Scott Simpson (Estimator of the Year) were named 2017 Newsmakers of the Year by the Daily Reporter. Each year the publication honors local AEC professionals in more than 20 different award categories.
The Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering received the 2017 NCEES Engineering Education Award, worth $7,500, for its work on EWB’s El Bosque Pedestrian Bridge. The jury selected Marquette from 16 entries in recognition of engineering programs that encourage collaboration between students and professional engineers.

EWB award
Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering
team receives award

Bridge to Business for Engineers seeks applications for first cohort

In a unique collaboration between Marquette University’s Opus College of Engineering and College of Business Administration and Milwaukee-based manufacturer Rexnord, the Bridge to Business program provides early career engineers with business fundamentals to give a better understanding and appreciation of the business enterprise. This immersive, six-day non-credit program exposes participants to an integrated curriculum that focuses on teamwork and team leadership; personality and communication styles; conflict and negotiation; accounting and financial statements; marketing channels, sales and pricing; voice of the customer; and supply chain management.

The program is specifically designed for early career engineers who recently graduated with a bachelor’s or master’s degree in engineering, as well as those with a few years of experience. Program dates for 2018 will be delivered over two, three-day sessions on May 22–24 and June 12–14.

The program fee is $3,750 per person; organizations sending two participants are eligible to send a third participant for free. For questions and to be notified once applications are available, please contact Kevin Walsh, director of executive education.

Last chance! Support Dean Ropella in Milwaukee’s Stars Merengue for Cristo Rey

Cristo Rey Jesuit High School of Milwaukee will host a new annual fundraiser, Milwaukee’s Stars Merengue, its own version of Dancing with the Stars. The event will feature eight hometown stars — including Dr. Kristina Ropella, Opus Dean of the Opus College of Engineering — who will partner with dance professionals to choreograph and perform live original routines on Saturday, Nov. 18, at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

Want to help Dr. Ropella secure her spot as Milwaukee’s Merengue Star? The winner will be chosen by accumulating the most votes while raising the most funds to support the mission of Cristo Rey. Votes are $10 and can be placed online; there is no limit to the number of votes individuals may place.

For those interested in sponsoring or attending the event, additional information can be found online.

Tyler Grymkoski

Having a ball with the Diederich College

In October, the Opus College took on the Diederich College of Communication in the first annual kickball matchup between the two colleges. Communication may have taken home the gold, but a good time was had by all!

Kickball Game
Opus College of Engineering and Diedrich College of Communication
compete on the kickball field

Upcoming events

Environmental and Water Resources Engineering Seminar Series: Hosted by the Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering
Fall 2017

Electrical and Computer Engineering Seminar Series: Hosted by the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Fall 2017

Joint Bioengineering Seminar Series: Hosted by the Marquette University and Medical College of Wisconsin Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering and the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee
Fall 2017

Engineering on social media — join the conversation!

For the latest real-time updates on the Opus College of Engineering, follow us on social media and be sure to like, comment and share to help spread the word:

OCOE on Facebook

OCOE on Twitter

OCOE on Instagram

Dr. Kristina Ropella, Opus Dean, on Twitter

Mailing address:

1250 W. Wisconsin Avenue

Milwaukee, WI 53233

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Marquette University.

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