Here is the text of the email that was sent to engineering alumni
Good Afternoon,
I'm writing to share the news that on Monday, July 14, Dr. Robert Bishop, Opus Dean of the College of Engineering, resigned from his position at Marquette. He will become dean of the University of South Florida's College of Engineering.
I have been asked to serve as interim dean, effective immediately. As an alumna of the College of Engineering and a faculty member for the past 24 years, including serving as chair of the Biomedical Engineering Department and most recently as executive associate dean, I am committed to working with university leadership as they appoint a search committee to find a new dean in the coming weeks. With Dr. Michael Lovell on board as new university president, and with his extensive background in engineering, I'm confident our search will secure the best possible leader for our college.
I know that our important work in the college - developing excellent engineers and conducting research that will solve global challenges facing our world - will be uninterrupted during this transition. I am proud and energized by the college's efforts with many new initiatives, including the recent opening of the state-of-the-art Visualization Lab and our students' upcoming participation in the global artificial intelligence competition, RoboCup, later this week in Brazil.
Marquette University greatly appreciates Dean Bishop's leadership and vision over the past four years in the College of Engineering, and we wish him well in his future. I look forward to serving the college and working with each of you as we continue building on the strong foundation that has served the College of Engineering for more than 100 years.
Warm regards,
Dr. Kris Ropella
Interim Dean, College of Engineering
For those keeping track at home:
University president - only recently hired
Provost - interim
AD - interim
B school dean - interim
Engineering school dean - interim
Anyone I miss? That has got to be the critical mass of revenue stream and leadership at MU, the only thing left out is Dental and Nursing. Buckle up kids because for better or worse MU will be a different place in 5 years.
Great. We're becoming the next SLU in basketball, and we're not even the next USF in engineering!
This was set in motion for a long time. It was clear almost immediately that Bishop was not going to cut it. Burned bridges with alums, faculty morale was low, fundraising dried up. That was a big reason the second phase on the engineering building expansion never happened. They wanted Ropella when the last dean retired but she turned it down. Glad to see she is back in charge and hope she is up to running the college in the long-term. I've heard nothing but good things about her for the last two decades.
Quote from: Freeport Warrior on July 15, 2014, 03:11:34 PM
This was set in motion for a long time. It was clear almost immediately that Bishop was not going to cut it. Burned bridges with alums, faculty morale was low, fundraising dried up. That was a big reason the second phase on the engineering building expansion never happened. They wanted Ropella when the last dean retired but she turned it down. Glad to see she is back in charge and hope she is up to running the college in the long-term. I've heard nothing but good things about her for the last two decades.
She was a "new" professor when I was a student.
Quote from: MU Fan in Connecticut on July 15, 2014, 03:31:58 PM
She was a "new" professor when I was a student.
She was a student when I was a sstudent, and a fellow GDL. BTW she completely disproved the theory that there were no cute girls at MU. I'd go as far as saying that she is likely the most attractive sittin dean of a college of engineering in the country.
Oh yeah, and she is wicked smart.
Quote from: warriorchick on July 15, 2014, 03:50:12 PM
she completely disproved the theory that there were no cute girls at MU.
Pics?
Quote from: keefe on July 15, 2014, 03:55:30 PM
Pics?
she likes red
(http://assets.bizjournals.com/story_image/105446*304.jpg?v=2)(http://www.marquette.edu/engineering/biomedical/images/biomedical_ropella2.jpg)
Ropella's work is too important for her to be a Dean, but Bishop has been out for awhile now. No surprise here.
I'll be making a recommendation that they take a long, serious look at Dr. Foley.
I think i might of banged her!
Quote from: River rat on July 15, 2014, 04:26:20 PM
I think i might of banged her!
Way to keep it classy
Quote from: PTM on July 15, 2014, 04:22:45 PM
Ropella's work is too important for her to be a Dean, but Bishop has been out for awhile now. No surprise here.
I'll be making a recommendation that they take a long, serious look at Dr. Foley.
Chris Foley is a great guy for sure.
Quote from: Freeport Warrior on July 15, 2014, 04:47:45 PM
Chris Foley is a great guy for sure.
I think he meant Matt Foley
(http://i483.photobucket.com/albums/rr192/krushrARFCOM/chopz/foleygv4.gif)
Loved Dr. Foley when I had him as a prof. Good guy, see to get what students needed to succeed without worshipping at the alter of almighty academia. Very social guy, I think he'd do just fine at the social/glad hand circuit....if he wanted to do it though is the question.
Not one to generally advocate this route, but MU needs to go internal on this one. Bishop didn't really get it IMHO
Quote from: Chucklehead on July 15, 2014, 04:11:33 PM
she likes red
(http://assets.bizjournals.com/story_image/105446*304.jpg?v=2)(http://www.marquette.edu/engineering/biomedical/images/biomedical_ropella2.jpg)
Well, she is older than from when Chick knew her. High foreheads are a sign of intelligence, though.
Quote from: keefe on July 15, 2014, 05:25:08 PM
Well, she is older than from when Chick knew her. High foreheads are a sign of intelligence, though.
I have pictures of her as a student, but I am not doing your work for you. All the yearbooks are online.
I knew chris pretty well during our days at MU. If I could dig those photos up from the statehouse or greentree his candidacy would be derailed for sure.
Quote from: warriorchick on July 15, 2014, 03:50:12 PM
She was a student when I was a sstudent, and a fellow GDL. BTW she completely disproved the theory that there were no cute girls at MU. I'd go as far as saying that she is likely the most attractive sittin dean of a college of engineering in the country.
Oh yeah, and she is wicked smart.
I credit all of her success to her brilliant GDL when she was a wide eyed freshman........
Quote from: pbiflyer on July 15, 2014, 08:36:27 PM
I credit all of her success to her brilliant GDL when she was a wide eyed freshman........
The best part of Orientation was the Block Party. Why the hell did they stop that?
Quote from: keefe on July 15, 2014, 09:30:08 PM
The best part of Orientation was the Block Party. Why the hell did they stop that?
Block Party wasn't part of Orientation but took place later in September. While I had already graduated, I believe but am not certain that the last was in either '84 or '85.
GDL?!
Quote from: jsglow on July 15, 2014, 10:25:03 PM
Block Party wasn't part of Orientation but took place later in September. While I had already graduated, I believe but am not certain that the last was in either '84 or '85.
You are correct. As to its demise I would venture a guess that it was a Jim Scott - Quentin Quade Politburo Rule by Fiat decision.
Another stellar event was camping for tickets. We lived on the lawn between Lalumiere and the Union for a couple weeks. Not a lot of studying got done but there was some mind altering and fornicating happening. Another great Marquette tradition done in by the Admin Nazis.
Quote from: 77ncaachamps on July 15, 2014, 11:00:18 PM
GDL?!
I've been racking my mind to remember what the initials stand for, but can't. Basically, they were upperclassmen who were given a break on room and board to babysit a floor of students for campus life (?)Scratch that. GDL, Group Discussion Leader, students who ease the transition of a group of new students during orientation by holding small group meetings, answering questions, and getting them to the correct places.
Quote from: jsglow on July 15, 2014, 10:25:03 PM
Block Party wasn't part of Orientation but took place later in September. While I had already graduated, I believe but am not certain that the last was in either '84 or '85.
I would bet that the raising of the drinking age played ar part in it.
Quote from: warriorchick on July 16, 2014, 08:16:18 AM
I would bet that the raising of the drinking age played ar part in it.
Correct. The autumn, 1984 block party was the first time they charged for alcohol. By 1985, half of the campus was underage. The university could no longer sponsor a drunk-fest with a large percentage of its students being too young to partake. Jigglesfest more or less replaced it in the spring of 88. But that was not university sponsored.
Quote from: tower912 on July 16, 2014, 08:50:18 AM
Correct. The autumn, 1984 block party was the first time they charged for alcohol. By 1985, half of the campus was underage. The university could no longer sponsor a drunk-fest with a large percentage of its students being too young to partake. Jigglesfest more or less replaced it in the spring of 88. But that was not university sponsored.
And Chick can tell you about some clown who paid for his beer in pennies necessitating other students to tie out the cash coin by coin. As is often the case, a handful ruin a good thing. As recently as last summer I was told stories I had not known about the 1981 Party of the Century that I helped run. There's a line not to cross and universities spend a lot of resources battling that 10% that seemingly always cross.
Quote from: tower912 on July 16, 2014, 08:50:18 AM
Correct. The autumn, 1984 block party was the first time they charged for alcohol. By 1985, half of the campus was underage. The university could no longer sponsor a drunk-fest with a large percentage of its students being too young to partake. Jigglesfest more or less replaced it in the spring of 88. But that was not university sponsored.
Being class of 83 worked out well in this instance. Block parties ... Friday concerts at the union ... but the BBall team did a little worse each year.
Quote from: radome on July 16, 2014, 10:49:19 AM
Being class of 83 worked out well in this instance. Block parties ... Friday concerts at the union ... but the BBall team did a little worse each year.
Shady Jim Productions!
Quote from: keefe on July 16, 2014, 02:42:33 AM
You are correct. As to its demise I would venture a guess that it was a Jim Scott - Quentin Quade Politburo Rule by Fiat decision.
Another stellar event was camping for tickets. We lived on the lawn between Lalumiere and the Union for a couple weeks. Not a lot of studying got done but there was some mind altering and fornicating happening. Another great Marquette tradition done in by the Admin Nazis.
I thought it was just the Quentin Quade Politburo, but I do remember that most decisions out of O'Hara Hall were by Fiat.
Quote from: mu-rara on July 16, 2014, 11:18:14 AM
I thought it was just the Quentin Quade Politburo, but I do remember that most decisions out of O'Hara Hall were by Fiat.
With the inevitable in loco parentis justification.
But Jim Scott was also a fascist. I knew Quade's daughter who actually went to LMU. Typical goofy looking parent with a smoking hot daughter scenario.
Quote from: keefe on July 16, 2014, 02:42:33 AM
You are correct. As to its demise I would venture a guess that it was a Jim Scott - Quentin Quade Politburo Rule by Fiat decision.
Another stellar event was camping for tickets. We lived on the lawn between Lalumiere and the Union for a couple weeks. Not a lot of studying got done but there was some mind altering and fornicating happening. Another great Marquette tradition done in by the Admin Nazis.
Keefe,
If you were on campus for both the demise of ticket camping AND the end of Block Parties and Grill Concerts you must have been one of those hacky sack kids out behind Brooks Union.
Quote from: jsglow on July 16, 2014, 12:12:11 PM
Keefe,
If you were on campus for both the demise of ticket camping AND the end of Block Parties and Grill Concerts you must have been one of those hacky sack kids out behind Brooks Union.
Yet another cultural gift Seattle has given to a grateful world, dude. Righteous.
Fortunately, I didn't see the demise of the Block Party. And I was buds with Shady Jim who launched the Grill Series.
Quote from: keefe on July 16, 2014, 01:56:58 PM
Yet another cultural gift Seattle has given to a grateful world, dude. Righteous.
Fortunately, I didn't see the demise of the Block Party. And I was buds with Shady Jim who launched the Grill Series.
My kids marvel at the notion of free beer at a university sponsored party or rock concerts on Friday afternoon where the pressure was on to procure a Mugrack pitcher. Good days.
Quote from: jsglow on July 16, 2014, 02:52:16 PM
My kids marvel at the notion of free beer at a university sponsored party or rock concerts on Friday afternoon where the pressure was on to procure a Mugrack pitcher. Good days.
I remember the Block Parties well. Each of the three breweries just rolled up trucks and started pouring beer. And the Mugrack Concerts were a great way to start the weekend. Actually, the weekends started the night before at the Lanche so the Mugrack concert was to take the edge off the hangover you carried all day Friday.
Quote from: jsglow on July 16, 2014, 02:52:16 PM
My kids marvel at the notion of free beer at a university sponsored party or rock concerts on Friday afternoon where the pressure was on to procure a Mugrack pitcher. Good days.
Last week at Summerfest a buddy and I were thinking back to the days of 50 cent beers at Summerfest 35 years ago and wondering if his daughter will think the same about $6 beers in 35 years.
Quote from: Chucklehead on July 16, 2014, 03:46:44 PM
Last week at Summerfest a buddy and I were thinking back to the days of 50 cent beers at Summerfest 35 years ago and wondering if his daughter will think the same about $6 beers in 35 years.
Both of my kids admit MU was more fun back in the day.
Quote from: Chucklehead on July 16, 2014, 03:46:44 PM
Last week at Summerfest a buddy and I were thinking back to the days of 50 cent beers at Summerfest 35 years ago and wondering if his daughter will think the same about $6 beers in 35 years.
In 35 years? Have you been to Caffrey's lately? It's $4.50 for a glass (glass, not bottle) of spotted cow. Was there a few weeks ago for a reunion thing. That's worse than most restaurants I know.
Edit: I see what you were trying to say, but it gave me an opportunity to complain about the price of beer these days.
Bars are making the opportunity cost of being in a bar versus drinking at home a lot higher, IMO.
Quote from: warrior07 on July 16, 2014, 04:29:01 PM
In 35 years? Have you been to Caffrey's lately? It's $4.50 for a glass (glass, not bottle) of spotted cow. Was there a few weeks ago for a reunion thing. That's worse than most restaurants I know.
I love hearing Wisconsin residents complain about the price of beer, when its $7 for a domestic in Chicago.
Quote from: keefe on July 16, 2014, 03:42:22 PM
I remember the Block Parties well. Each of the three breweries just rolled up trucks and started pouring beer. And the Mugrack Concerts were a great way to start the weekend. Actually, the weekends started the night before at the Lanche so the Mugrack concert was to take the edge off the hangover you carried all day Friday.
It's always fun explaining to my non Marquette friends what a brewery rep was and why we needed one in college.
Quote from: Bleuteaux on July 16, 2014, 04:31:53 PM
I love hearing Wisconsin residents complain about the price of beer, when its $7 for a domestic in Chicago.
$9 beer night?
Quote from: Bleuteaux on July 16, 2014, 04:31:53 PM
I love hearing Wisconsin residents complain about the price of beer, when its $7 for a domestic in Chicago.
Yeah! Well... beer is $10 for a domestic down here in Texas!
Never shocked to hear people from Chicago take jabs at Wisconsin residents. Why even bring it up? Does that make you a better person because you pay more for a beer?
Quote from: monkeyman34 on July 16, 2014, 05:44:56 PM
Yeah! Well... beer is $10 for a domestic down here in Texas!
Never shocked to hear people from Chicago take jabs at Wisconsin residents. Why even bring it up? Does that make you a better person because you pay more for a beer?
Truth be told, Chicago folks are simply jealous. And I've lived here for 30 years.
Quote from: keefe on July 16, 2014, 03:42:22 PM
I remember the Block Parties well. Each of the three breweries just rolled up trucks and started pouring beer. And the Mugrack Concerts were a great way to start the weekend. Actually, the weekends started the night before at the Lanche so the Mugrack concert was to take the edge off the hangover you carried all day Friday.
I just missed the block parties, but the Mugrack concerts were quite good. It was pretty amazing the quality of bands that came through.
Quote from: monkeyman34 on July 16, 2014, 05:44:56 PM
Yeah! Well... beer is $10 for a domestic down here in Texas!
Never shocked to hear people from Chicago take jabs at Wisconsin residents. Why even bring it up? Does that make you a better person because you pay more for a beer?
Don't think that was his complaint, merely pointing out that just down the road a bit things are a bit pricier but the beer isn't any better.
Since he is from Chicago, he knows he is not the better person
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on July 17, 2014, 12:54:12 AM
I just missed the block parties, but the Mugrack concerts were quite good. It was pretty amazing the quality of bands that came through.
I was buds with the guy who did the concerts at MU. He always got us passes to everything in town - from The Boss and Supertramp at the Arena to The Palms on State Street and the dive wave bar across the street from the Marc Plaza. Milwaukee was a mandatory stop for everyone touring.
Quote from: ChicosBailBonds on July 17, 2014, 12:54:12 AM
I just missed the block parties, but the Mugrack concerts were quite good. It was pretty amazing the quality of bands that came through.
We didn't have concerts or much when I was at MU, especially at the new union.
But it is a really excellent place to hold an insurance conference or medieval lit seminar.....
Quote from: monkeyman34 on July 16, 2014, 05:44:56 PM
Yeah! Well... beer is $10 for a domestic down here in Texas!
Never shocked to hear people from Chicago take jabs at Wisconsin residents. Why even bring it up? Does that make you a better person because you pay more for a beer?
It wasn't a jab.
I long for the days of $1 Spotted Cow drafts in my hometown in the Fox Cities. It was merely an observation that no bad how you think it is, stuff is always more expensive for someone else. And also envy that my high school friends can buy 4 bedroom houses for under $200,000, while that will buy you a 1 bedroom condo in Chicago. Its more jealousy than anything else. So settle down.