Marquette University President Michael Lovell dies at 57 after battling cancer for 3 years

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Marquette University President, Michael R. Lovell, passed away on Sunday, June 9 while abroad in Italy, according to the school. 

Lovell had battled sarcoma, a rare form of cancer, for the last three years.

A statement from Marquette said he and his wife, Amy, were in Rome with members of the Society of Jesus and the Board of Trustees on a Jesuit formation pilgrimage when President Lovell fell ill and was taken to a hospital in Rome.

He had served as the first lay president in the school's 133-year history for nearly a decade, after working as University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Chancellor from 2011 to 2014.

Prior to that stint, Lovell had been dean in the College of Engineering and Applied Science.

"President Lovell’s decade of leadership at Marquette was marked by a deep commitment to innovation, entrepreneurship, and community renewal and development — consistent with the university’s Catholic, Jesuit mission that animated him. An entrepreneur at heart, President Lovell pushed Marquette and Milwaukee to ask what could be rather than settling for the status quo," the university statement said. "Throughout his presidency, he attended hundreds of campus events each year and continued to teach undergraduate students in his product realization class, saying that he gained great energy from his interactions with students, faculty and staff."

He also served on multiple local boards and national higher education consortiums. 

Late Sunday night, tributes poured in across the city.

"His faith was deep, and his commitment to service went beyond the boundaries of the campus," said Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson. “Equally impressive was Mike’s kindness and humility.  He was a gentle person who cared deeply about Milwaukee.  He served our community with distinction."

The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce added that "the future of our region is better because of his contributions."

In another statement, the Milwaukee Bucks said, "his extraordinary impact will be remembered forever."

On Monday, the school held a prayer vigil from from 9 a.m. until 7 p.m. at the St. Joan of Arc Chapel.

Many stopped by campus to place flowers nearby or to sit in front of a large cross decorated with blue and gold ribbons,

"A man of integrity and a man of faith," said Laura Abing, a Marquette senior communications specialist who worked in the same building as Lovell. "He was just a fighter up until the end. I think a lot of people didn’t know just how sick he was because he always insisted on being at events, being there and always with that smile.”

Abing said his legacy goes far "beyond" the campus boundaries.

"The energy that he brought here that really has transformed this place and set us up for a good future," Abing said. 

Former students told CBS 58 Lovell had helped transform Marquette into the institution it is today. 

“He just genuinely cared for every student, faculty member, person that came through this campus and I feel like this was his second home and I feel like he made the most he could for it to feel like everyone else’s second home," said alum Sammi Kindy.

Her friend, Jennifer Kruszewski, said they had graduated in May -- the last class to have Lovell as a speaker during festivities.

“The best thing is to just think about his impact and everything that he has accomplished for Marquette University and everyone in general throughout the Milwaukee community and focus on the positives and how much he has done for us," Kruszewski said. 

Details for a funeral arrangement have not yet been released.

Support and resources for the campus community can be found through Campus Ministry, the Faber Center, the Counseling Center and the Employee Assistance Program, which is available 24/7.