Father Wild has been named interim president.

[NersEllenson]

Will Steve Cottingham be next into the fold at Marquette and right the wrongs of the past?! 

[Norm]

I'm not sure why some of you are so critical of Fr. Pilarz's letter. The man came to the conclusion that he wanted to do something other in his life besides be a university president. AT least he discovered that early on in his tenure at Marquette. I remember reading once in a Marquette alumni magazine about a MU grad who ended up choosing to become a nun in an order where they take a vow of silence and rarely talk. She would not be able to talk to her family a number of years after she entered the order, and then only sporadically thereafter. While I didn't understand why she would want to live a life with little verbal communication, she seemed very happy about it and was eager to go. Maybe Fr. Pilarz really did have a soul altering experience when he did his 30 days of silent spiritual exercises - I'll certainly take him at his word of wanting to do more pastoral work and spend more time with his aging parents than being a university president allows.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Will Steve Cottingham be next into the fold at Marquette and right the wrongs of the past?! 

Why, has Larry done a poor job?  Seems to be Larry did just fine with the new Big East and our place at that table.  Larry didn't come up with a policy that was against the law in the state of Wisconsin which we violated either. 

[Pakuni]

Why, has Larry done a poor job?  Seems to be Larry did just fine with the new Big East and our place at that table.  Larry didn't come up with a policy that was against the law in the state of Wisconsin which we violated either. 

Well, in all fairness, neither did Steve. That was a DPS policy.
That said, no need to bring back Cottingham. He's gone for a reason.

[Coleman]

I'm not sure why some of you are so critical of Fr. Pilarz's letter. The man came to the conclusion that he wanted to do something other in his life besides be a university president. AT least he discovered that early on in his tenure at Marquette. I remember reading once in a Marquette alumni magazine about a MU grad who ended up choosing to become a nun in an order where they take a vow of silence and rarely talk. She would not be able to talk to her family a number of years after she entered the order, and then only sporadically thereafter. While I didn't understand why she would want to live a life with little verbal communication, she seemed very happy about it and was eager to go. Maybe Fr. Pilarz really did have a soul altering experience when he did his 30 days of silent spiritual exercises - I'll certainly take him at his word of wanting to do more pastoral work and spend more time with his aging parents than being a university president allows.

Agreed. I'm starting to think there's not much more to this. Maybe there were fundraising issues and some frustrations on his part. I'm sure that all played into it. But I think he is sincere in what he writes.

[brewcity77]

If we make a change at the AD position, it shouldn't be to bring Steve back, but rather to promote Mike Broeker. He was groomed for the role and now that the dust has settled from the incident that saw Cottingham leave, Mike would be the natural successor. Knows the program and if we don't give him that job he will eventually get it somewhere else. I think it would have been a mistake to give it to him when Cottingham left, but it would be a master stroke now.

[warriorchick]

This. He wasn't wandering around the floor like Father Wild always was, but he was certainly there. Most of the time he was up in the Marquette suite. In a conversation I had with him, he mentioned the only games he missed were when he was teaching a class.

And in regards to the person who said in another thread that Fr. Pilarz "wasn't a sports fan", let me add this:

I had the opportunity to engage Father Pilarz in conversation once at a basketball game, and although he was very nice to me, I could tell that he had one eye on the game the entire time.  His words to me were mostly sentences like this:  "Yes, I agree that the new nursing simulation lab is wonderf-GO CHRIS! TAKE IT TO THE HOLE!!-sorry about that..."

In other words, he acted the way I would if a virtual stranger tried to talk me up during an MU game.  And I wasn't the least bit offended.  I thought it was great that he was such a fan.

[chapman]

Great news, Father Wild Fan Club checkin in    Agree that there's no need to further question Pilarz - more detail was requested of him (by the students), he gave an appropriate response.  Also don't see what LW has done so wrong to warrant dismissal...if there's something that needs to be corrected, he now has a new boss to address it.  But I do agree that the next time we do have a change at the AD position, Broeker is the man. 

[brandx]

Great news, Father Wild Fan Club checkin in    Agree that there's no need to further question Pilarz - more detail was requested of him (by the students), he gave an appropriate response.  Also don't see what LW has done so wrong to warrant dismissal...if there's something that needs to be corrected, he now has a new boss to address it.  But I do agree that the next time we do have a change at the AD position, Broeker is the man. 

Agree with all your points.

Would also ask all the rumormongers for some sort of apology. (Fat chance!!)

[real chili 83]

The thread on SP's resignation got old quick.  Lots of piling on.  Lets just let the guy move on. 

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

What's your deal on this topic?

You seem to be the one guy who WANTS this to have been something scandalous.

I don't want it to be anything. I think the entire letter is bullsh*t and, frankly, insulting to the intelligence of every Marquette alum. If you believe that he's had some great change of vision or whatever he's spewing, more power to you. But the guy was fired, plain and simple. Claiming otherwise is flat lying. He should either tell the truth or shut up about it and leave.

[PuertoRicanNightmare]

One more thing, if the premise of his letter is to be believed, he's had an awfully urgent self discovery about pastoral work. We've had to pull our retired former president off the golf course to serve as interim president because of some fleeting thought Pilarz had during a retreat? And you people believe this? I suppose this is something that just could not be delayed until May or June 2014? Or 2015? "I have got to quit my job as president of Marquette University to write poetry." It's a bad joke.

[GGGG]

Agreed. I'm starting to think there's not much more to this. Maybe there were fundraising issues and some frustrations on his part. I'm sure that all played into it. But I think he is sincere in what he writes.

Not to go all PRN on this thread...  But let me say that the idea of "doing something different" and "taking care of his sick parents" was probably better than the alternative...which would have ended with the same result anyway. 

That being said, I will just wish him luck.  Not a bad guy.  Just a bad fit.

[Sir Lawrence]

That being said, I will just wish him luck.  Not a bad guy.  Just a bad fit.

Co-sign.

[Eldon]

Dear members of the Marquette community:
I am writing to provide some further background and information on my decision to resign as president of Marquette. First, I want you to know that I have enjoyed my time here, especially my interaction with students, faculty and staff. The classes I have been privileged to teach stand out in my mind. Marquette students are bright, engaging, thoughtful and genuine. Our faculty and staff are generous and deeply devoted to the university’s mission. Our work together throughout the strategic planning process is also a highlight in my career in higher education. I have never before seen a campus community work so well toward a common purpose. Hopefully the plan will shape the university’s direction for years to come. Additionally, I want to thank the vice presidents and deans for their contributions to the life of the university and to my life.

Given all of these truths, leaving Marquette is a decision that involved a great deal of prayer, thought, and spiritual conversation, a decision that evolved gradually over two years. But once I came to clarity, I decided it was best to act in a timely manner.  Both the clarity and timing are entirely mine, despite the efforts of friends and colleagues to convince me to consider remaining at Marquette.

As part of the final stage of my Jesuit formation, called tertianship (which admittedly came later for me than most Jesuits), I made the 30-day silent version of the spiritual exercises of St. Ignatius Loyola. Many of you are familiar with the dynamic of the exercises and its drive toward interior freedom. The exercises can lead to what St. Ignatius calls “an election.” During the retreat I felt initial stirrings that have grown in me over the past two years. I began to consider other apostolic opportunities available to me. As I look forward to my future as a Jesuit priest from the vantage point of being over 50, I realized I had been a university president for more than a decade. That is the longest I have ever done anything in my life and I have always been a restless soul. 

Believe me that I will be forever grateful for my work with colleagues and collaborators at Scranton and Marquette. It has been a blessing.

At the same time, I have decided to do more and different things as a Jesuit. For example, I desire to do more pastoral work than I have been able to do as a president. I also want to do more teaching, research and writing. I acknowledge, as well, a couple practical realities that have influenced the timing of my decision. First, I believe that Marquette needs a president who is willing to commit to working wholeheartedly on a comprehensive capital campaign over a five to seven year period. Given my other hopes and desires, I am not in a position to do that now. Also, I want to be more available to my aging parents’ health concerns than I can be in my current role. This is common among people my age. Finally, I want to give the Marquette trustees enough time to conduct a careful search for a new president. I decided it was better to share my thinking with them at the start of the academic year rather than in December or May. I agreed that I would stay at Marquette until the board could find an appropriate interim president.

I’m happy to share that the Board of Trustees has asked my predecessor, Rev. Robert A. Wild, S.J., to serve as interim president. Now that Father Wild has agreed to serve in that capacity during a search, I can confidently take some time to consider my future options during a sabbatical period in the coming months. I will assist Father Wild with the transition, while traveling back and forth to the East coast to care for my ailing father. Father Wild is concluding his duties with the Wisconsin Province and will take over as interim president on Thursday, Oct. 16. I know that Marquette is in great hands, and I look forward to working with Father Wild and the Board of Trustees to ensure a smooth transition and a successful search. 

I hope this helps to explain the nature and timing of my decision. Again, this has been a deliberate process in the context of great personal freedom during which I have had the support of friends and colleagues at Marquette and beyond. I am grateful for that and for my time here. 

God bless you, God bless Catholic and Jesuit higher education, and God bless Marquette. 

Sincerely,

Rev. Scott R. Pilarz, S.J.
President
Marquette University

Guys, am I the only one who interpreted the bold lines as "Marquette needs aggressive fundraising and I'm not your guy?"  I mean, what am I missing here?  It seems that he was pretty explicit in this letter.  Anyone have an alternative way of interpreting the bold part quoted above?  Or, in the words of 4ever, aina dim? (ain't I dim? am I just dim?)

[Dr. Blackheart]

Not to go all PRN on this thread...  But let me say that the idea of "doing something different" and "taking care of his sick parents" was probably better than the alternative...which would have ended with the same result anyway. 

That being said, I will just wish him luck.  Not a bad guy.  Just a bad fit.

+1...don't forget the "tertianship" and "sabbatical period in the coming months". He will be a very busy man so let's give him time to heal his inner self and hope for the best personally. With today's news, this will be a very quick transition which is ideal for all.

[chapman]

With today's news, this will be a very quick transition which is ideal for all.

Yep.  Having a lame duck for three months followed by a vacancy or "filler" interim is ugly.  Getting a recognizable face (and a well-liked one) in right away at least gives the feeling that we're not missing a beat. 

[Coleman]

One more thing, if the premise of his letter is to be believed, he's had an awfully urgent self discovery about pastoral work. We've had to pull our retired former president off the golf course to serve as interim president because of some fleeting thought Pilarz had during a retreat? And you people believe this? I suppose this is something that just could not be delayed until May or June 2014? Or 2015? "I have got to quit my job as president of Marquette University to write poetry." It's a bad joke.

I dunno man, I think you are being a little harsh. If you know anything about Ignatian spirituality it's about discerning what is your proper path and taking decisive action on it. The 30 day retreats (think about that for a minute... An entire month of nothing but self reflection) are super intense and a lot of Jesuits emerge with an epiphany of sorts. It does often lead to a change in the work they do. This sounds pretty sincere to me. I think he realized he wasn't a good fit, had some major weaknesses and was better suited doing something else. He might have gotten forced out eventually, maybe not. But he realized it wasn't the right path for him and acted decisively as soon as he knew. I don't see any bullcrap in any of it.

[avid1010]

I don't want it to be anything. I think the entire letter is bullsh*t and, frankly, insulting to the intelligence of every Marquette alum. If you believe that he's had some great change of vision or whatever he's spewing, more power to you. But the guy was fired, plain and simple. Claiming otherwise is flat lying. He should either tell the truth or shut up about it and leave.

i take the letter as saying i'm not going to jump through all the hoops of fundraising that the BOT requires because i have better things to do.  they have laid out their expectations of me, and i don't feel i care to meet them.

i won't get started on organized religion, and the god bless part is both lame and redundant in my opinion, but even with the way i view religion...i don't get the feeling that the guy is selling a lie. 

[Canned Goods n Ammo]

I don't want it to be anything. I think the entire letter is bullsh*t and, frankly, insulting to the intelligence of every Marquette alum. If you believe that he's had some great change of vision or whatever he's spewing, more power to you. But the guy was fired, plain and simple. Claiming otherwise is flat lying. He should either tell the truth or shut up about it and leave.

Well, previous to this, he didn't really say much, and people (you) hinted at some sort of scandalous behavior.

Now, he releases a statement to clarify his position and what happened.

He wasn't a good fit at MU, he wanted to move on. (It was probably mutual.) 

What do you want him to do or say? When he was quiet, you thought scandal. Now that he makes a statement, you call him a liar.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Guys, am I the only one who interpreted the bold lines as "Marquette needs aggressive fundraising and I'm not your guy?"  I mean, what am I missing here?  It seems that he was pretty explicit in this letter.  Anyone have an alternative way of interpreting the bold part quoted above?  Or, in the words of 4ever, ain't I dim dim? (ain't I dim? am I just dim?)

That's a big part of what I read.  I'm sure there might be a few other things, but I've seen it over the years where someone wakes up one day and says, enough.  Seriously.  And it's nothing more than that.  A lot of that going on lately...can't wait to do it.  Cathartic.

Is there more to this...sure.  PRN's thoughts are just as valid as those that might say he recognized this wasn't for him, after long introspection he decided that was it and he's ending it.  I could buy into both....for now, just speculation.

[ChicosBailBonds]

i take the letter as saying i'm not going to jump through all the hoops of fundraising that the BOT requires because i have better things to do.  they have laid out their expectations of me, and i don't feel i care to meet them.

i won't get started on organized religion, and the god bless part is both lame and redundant in my opinion, but even with the way i view religion...i don't get the feeling that the guy is selling a lie. 

God Bless you Avid, and the fish that you catch.

[MUfan12]

With today's news, this will be a very quick transition which is ideal for all.

I'm not so sure. Knowing how MU has conducted its searches as of late, I think they wanted Fr. Wild back in the event things drag out.

[Brewtown Andy]

Guys, am I the only one who interpreted the bold lines as "Marquette needs aggressive fundraising and I'm not your guy?"  I mean, what am I missing here?  It seems that he was pretty explicit in this letter.  Anyone have an alternative way of interpreting the bold part quoted above?  Or, in the words of 4ever, ain't I dim dim? (ain't I dim? am I just dim?)

Other than you left out the "for the next seven years" part.

[forgetful]

Guys, am I the only one who interpreted the bold lines as "Marquette needs aggressive fundraising and I'm not your guy?"  I mean, what am I missing here?  It seems that he was pretty explicit in this letter.  Anyone have an alternative way of interpreting the bold part quoted above?  Or, in the words of 4ever, ain't I dim dim? (ain't I dim? am I just dim?)

I thought the same thing reading that.  Admittedly, I may have been biased as I suggested the reason he might be leaving is that it is time for a new capital campaign and the board may have realized he is not the man for that job.  His letter seems to confirm that.