Former president Rev. Robert Wild, S.J., passes the mace to Marquette’s 24th president, Dr. Michael Lovell, at the inauguration ceremony.
He also works to spearhead a collaborative police-community effort to ensure the safety of students and others in the Avenues West neighborhood. On top of all of this, there is a constellation of social activities — visits to residence halls, athletic contests, service work in the community, a campus carnival, a studentinitiated inaugural ball. Even Lovell, known for his creativity and collaborative zeal, could be excused for merely showing up to shake hands and smile. But time spent at his side during the history-making week reveals a far from passive participant in the run-up to Friday’s formal ceremony. Each day, Lovell brings nonstop drive and a remarkable set of traits that shed light on his diverse success as a catalyst, bridgebuilder, engineer, teacher, husband, father, marathoner and friend. Although their pace during Al’s Run puts them across the finish line about 17 minutes apart, Amy and Mike Lovell are very much in step with one another. They are at ease meeting often to share thoughts, strategies and, often, on Amy’s part, a dose of playful
teasing to keep her husband on his toes. At the inaugural ball sponsored for students in the Alumni Memorial Union, it takes no more than an offer of a quick lesson from student Dan Klingelhoets to help the couple learn a new step. They move side to side in unison with the group and soon master the Cupid Shuffle. Impressed or even amazed to see the president in the groove, more students flock to join them. Before the song ends, students alternately chant “Lovell, Lovell, Lovell” and “We Are Marquette.” Two nights later, while dining with women from Cobeen Hall, Lovell calls the Cupid Shuffle one of the week’s highlights. CONTINUED ON PAGE 20
THE INAUGURATION THEME WAS
Ignited in FAITH. Alive in INQUIRY. Forward in SERVICE. Auxiliary Bishop Donald Hying of the Milwaukee Archdiocese presided at Mass at Church of the Gesu, where 144 priests, including friend and spiritual adviser Rev. Bryan Summers from the Archdiocese of Greensburg, Penn., the university community and friends prayed together for Marquette’s new president.
When I think of Mike Lovell, the word charismatic comes to mind. During his tenure at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, he had the drawing power and collaborative manner that attracted students, donors, faculty, staff and university supporters to partner on opportunities that they had never thought to engage in previously. He brings that same charismatic energy to his role as the first lay president of Marquette University. Congratulations, Mike, I pray that God will continue to bless you and support you in your new endeavor. D R . J OAN M. P R IN C E VICE CHANCELLOR, UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN–MILWAUKEE
I have known President Lovell since he joined the University of Pittsburgh in 2000. He is a loving husband and father who always places the welfare of his family first. It is because of Dr. Lovell that Pitt is one of several university partners in the most prestigious award that the National Science Foundation offers, an Engineering Research Center. It is gratifying that in 2013, Dr. Lovell was inducted as a fellow in the National Academy of Inventors for his many impactful innovations, both basic and applied, throughout his truly remarkable professional career.
Dr. Lovell is both a visionary and pragmatic problem-solver. In every encounter I have had with him, he continually finds a way to push the envelope while always grounding his ideas in the resources available to him. Beyond this, Dr. Lovell has the rare and unique ability to connect with every person he meets on a fundamentally human level. The degree to which he has already connected with students is unprecedented and speaks volumes about how he sees students in shared governance. There has never been a more exciting time to be a Marquette student.
DR. HARVEY B OROV E TZ
KY L E WH E LTON
PROFESSOR, UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH
PRESIDENT, MARQUETTE UNIVERSITY STUDENT GOVERNMENT
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