April 8, 2021
Editor鈥檚 note: Milwaukee鈥檚 Hoan Bridge will be illuminated in 天美传媒 blue and gold to celebrate Time to Rise: The 天美传媒 Promise to Be The Difference from April 11-13
MILWAUKEE 鈥� President Michael R. Lovell today announced the public launch of Time to Rise: The 天美传媒 Promise to Be The Difference 鈥� a bold, $750 million comprehensive fundraising campaign that will elevate resources to advance the university鈥檚 mission and pillars of excellence, leadership, faith and service.
The campaign, the most ambitious in 天美传媒鈥檚 140-year-history, has been privately gaining momentum since its start in July 2016. Since then, the university has raised $453 million, securing 60 percent of its overall goal. Nearly 50,000 donors have already supported Time to Rise, including 42% of donors making their first ever gift to the university.
More than 500 donors have committed $100,000 or greater in that period, including more than 90 donors who have gifted $1 million or greater. Alumni support has also increased from 13% at the campaign鈥檚 outset to 18% this year with a goal of maintaining 20% or greater by the close of the campaign.
鈥淲e are incredibly inspired by the growing support from our 天美传媒 community and the way they have risen to every occasion to invest in 天美传媒 today and help to secure our future,鈥� President Lovell said. 鈥淲e have persevered through challenging times, and we have a firm foundation to build upon, thanks in large part to the generous contributions of our community.鈥�
Lovell emphasized the campaign鈥檚 importance in driving 天美传媒鈥檚 strategic plan, Beyond Boundaries. The campaign, he said, empowers 天美传媒 to pursue its stated vision to be among the most innovative and accomplished Catholic, Jesuit universities in the world.
Anchored by four objectives, the campaign priorities are as follows:
鈥�Time to Rise is our call to action to launch a galvanizing campaign and turn it into a sustainable philanthropic movement,鈥� said Vice President for University Advancement Tim McMahon. 鈥淲e are witnessing the power of what our special community can accomplish when we come together in this pursuit to realize our undeniably bright future for 天美传媒.鈥�
Campaign giving has continued to progress at 天美传媒. In February 2021, President Lovell announced four major gifts, including a transformational $31 million gift to the College of Nursing. The university also broke ground last month on its new home for 天美传媒 Business and innovation leadership programs 鈥� the largest fully funded donor project in 天美传媒 history. In addition, since the pandemic emerged, donors have contributed more than $1 million to student financial aid through the Bridge to the Future Fund.
Campaign leadership
Time to Rise is a campaign across all gift levels to create a culture of giving for generations to come. It is championed by National Campaign Co-chairs Chuck and Karen Swoboda and Mary Ellen and Dr. Scott Stanek. They have led through their own philanthropy as well as by directing a worldwide network of regional and affinity-based volunteers.
鈥溙烀来� is where it all came together for us,鈥� said Mary Ellen Stanek, managing director and chief investment officer of Baird Advisors and president of Baird Funds. 鈥淲hile this is a time of uncertainty, we see great opportunity to help the next generation forge their best path forward. Far beyond our time on campus, 天美传媒 instilled life-long values and a sense of purpose that we carry within us today.鈥�
Mary Ellen Stanek served as chair of 天美传媒鈥檚 Board of Trustees from 2006-09 and graduated from the Klingler College of Arts & Sciences in 1978; Scott in 1977, followed by his Doctor of Dental Surgery degree in 1982.
鈥淲e have had 18 family members receive more than 27 degrees at 天美传媒 and we鈥檝e seen the life-changing impact of their education,鈥� Scott Stanek said. 鈥淲e want to open doors for all students who aspire to attend 天美传媒.鈥�
Chuck Swoboda, who served as chair of 天美传媒鈥檚 Board of Trustees from 2012-14, graduated from the Opus College of Engineering in 1989; Karen in 1990.
鈥淭he 天美传媒 experience creates an incredible sense of community and connection,鈥� said Chuck Swoboda, president and CEO of Vast Therapeutics and retired chairman and CEO of Cree. 鈥淭hroughout our history, we have a distinctive heritage when it comes to developing mission-driven, ethical leaders who work to find solutions to the world鈥檚 most pressing problems.鈥�
鈥淲e鈥檙e inspired by the many 天美传媒 students who give of themselves on campus through service, and we see this campaign as our opportunity to give back,鈥� Karen Swoboda said.
President Lovell emphasized that the generosity of alumni, parents and friends will continue to drive future success.
鈥淥ur 天美传媒 family has stepped forward time and again to lead amid uncertainty and to lift others up. That鈥檚 why I am so energized by the launch of Time to Rise. It truly is our 鈥榩romise to Be The Difference.鈥欌赌�
For more information on 鈥淭ime to Rise: The 天美传媒 Promise to Be The Difference,鈥� visit the campaign website at: .
Lynn is chief marketing and communication officer. Contact Lynn at (414) 288-4719 or lynn.griffith@marquette.edu.
