July 22, 2024

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MILWAUKEE — Marquette University’s Board of Trustees has officially launched a national search for its next president, who will be the 25th in the university’s 143-year history. 

Elected solely by the Marquette Board of Trustees, Marquette’s next president will succeed Dr. Michael R. Lovell, who provided extraordinary leadership to the university over the 10 years he served in the role. The university community continues to mourn his loss after his passing on June 9 following a three-year battle with sarcoma. 

Marquette’s 25th president will be expected to honor Lovell’s legacy of strong leadership, particularly by championing and implementing Guided by Mission, Inspired to Change: Marquette’s strategic plan for 2031 and the Securing Our Future initiative.  

“We begin this search at a critical time for Marquette, having just completed an inspirational strategic plan for 2031, Guided by Mission, Inspired to Change, with a highly engaged campus community that cares deeply for this great institution,” said Todd Adams, chair of the Board of Trustees. “This is a remarkable opportunity for a forward-thinking, mission-oriented leader who is at once strategic and creative and who will demonstrate a firm commitment to Marquette’s Catholic, Jesuit mission, vision and values.” 

Board of Trustees chair to lead search committee 

The Board of Trustees has elected a search committee, chaired by Adams, to lead the effort. The committee comprises the following: 

• Todd Adams, chair of the Board of Trustees; chairman and CEO of Zurn Elkay Water Solutions 

• Dr. Tara Baillargeon, dean of libraries 

• Hon. Janine Geske, trustee; retired professor of law and retired justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court 

• Nancy Hernandez, trustee; president, Hispanic Collaborative 

• Dr. Andrew Kim, associate professor of theology and member of University Academic Senate 

• Ray Manista, vice chair of the Board of Trustees; executive vice president – chief legal and public affairs officer, Northwestern Mutual 

• Rev. Pat McGrath, S.J., trustee; pastor, Old St. Patrick's Parish 

• Nicole Michaels, trustee; retired Global Insurance Business Transformation leader, Ernst & Young 

• Micky Minhas, trustee; senior vice president, Marconi Group 

• Jim Ryan, trustee; president and chief executive officer, Flexera 

• Peggy Troy, trustee emerita; president and chief executive officer, Children's Wisconsin 

The search committee will provide substantial opportunities for the Marquette community to offer feedback, which will help inform the search. Listening sessions will begin this summer and take place into the fall semester; watch Marquette Today for updates. 

The search committee will work closely with national executive search firm Isaacson, Miller. This will be a confidential, closed search.

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.

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About 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.