MILWAUKEE — Marquette University President Michael R. Lovell died Sunday after a three-year battle with sarcoma, according to the university. He was 57.
In a letter, the university said Lovell fell ill while in Rome with his wife, Amy, and members of the Society of Jesus and the Board of Trustees, for a Jesuit formation pilgrimage.
After falling ill, Lovell was taken to a hospital.
“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,” the university said in a statement. “An entrepreneur at heart, President Lovell pushed Marquette and Milwaukee to ask what could be rather than settling for the status quo.”
Marquette hosted an ongoing prayer vigil Monday at St. Joan of Arc Chapel from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Prayers were offered every hour from a member of the community. Students and staff members were welcomed to light a candle and say a prayer.
Students on campus said they will miss him and the joy he had for Marquette.
“I know that it’s going to be a loss and people are going to mourn and grieve in their own ways. But, I think it’s really important to acknowledge it, whether you had a relationship with president Lovell or not, he was someone that was a respected member of our community and he deserves that,” said student Rosie Kyriakopoulos.
Several leaders from the community reacted to the loss on Sunday night.
In a statement, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson said he was "greatly saddened" to hear the news of the Lovell's death.
“Marquette University has always been a great institution in Milwaukee; President Dr. Michael Lovell made Marquette a great community partner," the statement read in part. "His faith was deep, and his commitment to service went beyond the boundaries of the campus. He promoted community service, he worked to improve public safety, and his leadership with the Near West Side Partners elevated that organization in ways that would not have been possible without him."
The Milwaukee Bucks also released a statement on Sunday night, calling Lovell a "dedicated leader and educator who cared deeply about Marquette, it's students" and the city. The Bucks said this is a "terrible loss."
Gov. Tony Evers took to social media to share his condolences.
"I had great respect for Mike. He cared deeply about Milwaukee and the students and faculty he led, and I was always uplifted by his positive and professional manner. Truly a loss," he said.
I had great respect for Mike. He cared deeply about Milwaukee and the students and faculty he led, and I was always uplifted by his positive and professional manner. Truly a loss.
— Governor Tony Evers (@GovEvers) June 9, 2024
Kathy and I are sending our deepest condolences to his family, loved ones, and campus community. https://t.co/knr9j9oHuo
"I’m deeply saddened to learn of Michael Lovell’s passing. I was fortunate enough to know him & will miss him. He was a tremendous leader for Marquette, and was actively engaged in university life and was a committed scholar," Rep. Gwen Moore shared on X.
The Archdiocese of Milwaukee lifted up a prayer on social media for Lovell following the news.
Lovell was Marquette’s 24th president and served since 2014. Before coming to Marquette, Lovell was chancellor at University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. Earlier, he served as the dean of its engineering college. He also previously worked for the University of Pittsburgh and University of Kentucky.
He helped create the Near West Side Partners, a nonprofit focused on economic development, housing and safety in Marquette's neighborhood in Milwaukee, according to a profile on the Marquette website. He also helped start a number of other initiatives in Milwaukee, including the Midwest Energy Research Consortium, which promotes growth in the energy sector, and the Water Council, which focuses on innovation in fresh water technology.
He served on multiple boards, including the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities and the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities. He earned three mechanical engineering degrees, including a doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh.
The university said that support and resources are available on campus, including through the Campus Ministry, the Faber Center, the Counseling Center and the 24/7 Employee Assistance Program.
University officials said a campus prayer vigil is being planned and that funeral arrangements will be shared when available.
University officials announced Monday afternoon that the school's Board of Trustees has picked Provost Kimo Ah Yun to serve as acting president. Ah Yun was named acting provost in 2018 and permanent provost in 2019.
This story is developing. Check back for updates.