Lovell

[Sir Lawrence]

Some thoughts on Lovell:

1.   He hired Wojo
2.   He (probably) hired and fired the provost Dan Meyers
3.   He is involved with a lot of changes on campus - new buildings, new landscapes
4.   He is involved with pushing more innovation - with money/building renovations, and staff - like business collaboration lawyer
5.   He is involved with a shift for new technology and career focused majors
6.   But less core theology and philosophy
7.   Collaboration with city and West town
8.   Buying land towards downtown/to what end?
9.   Soon to get rid of McCormick Hall - and old rec center and build new rec center on Wisconsin ave.
10.   New Fatima shrine - which should be dedicated soon
11.   Value focused mission
12.   Accessible
13.   wife Amy and he are now involved with urban trauma/good representation for the University
14.   Catholic faith is very important to him
15.   New Jesuit residence
16.   New sports/athletic center almost done
17.   New Physician Assistant building = profit center for the University
18.   Hired and promoted VP for Diversity
19.   Strengthened collaboration with Medical College
20.   New focus on Homecoming in Fall and also with Reunions
21.   Very high admission rates -- many colleges/universities are struggling
22.   He is responsive with respect to interaction with students - and I think popular with them
23.   Runs daily with faculty and staff/allowing more access
24.   New dorm (The Commons)

Not all of the above occurred entirely during his watch, but brought home during his tenure.

[WarriorDad]

The use of social media plays a critical role in any organization's overall broadcast. I have never argued otherwise.

And for what it's worth, theBabyDavid's mother was recently named to lead the MSFT integrated web services business unit so I probably have a keener appreciation for PaaS than most of my generation.

My question is not if Lovell has mastered social media because he doesn't need to. It is how he has impacted Marquette in the five years he has been at the helm.

Maybe because my youngest is there I see the benefits.

Buildings popping up.  There is an old adage that if a college isn't constructing buildings, it is deal. Campus looks good
Competitive academically
Athletics doing very well in a top conference.  Playing is Fiserv is good short term move
Relations with the city, at least on the outside seem good
Students relate to him
Endowment was $531M in 2014, now $669M in 2018
Solid incoming classes


I think he stepped in it with the Political Science professor
He's not that great a speaker, but for an academic probably good enough
Has potential to make MU an academic powerhouse, but doesn't seem willing to do so.  Maybe that is ok. I'm torn

[theBabyDavid]

Maybe because my youngest is there I see the benefits.

Buildings popping up.  There is an old adage that if a college isn't constructing buildings, it is deal. Campus looks good
Competitive academically
Athletics doing very well in a top conference.  Playing is Fiserv is good short term move
Relations with the city, at least on the outside seem good
Students relate to him
Endowment was $531M in 2014, now $669M in 2018
Solid incoming classes


I think he stepped in it with the Political Science professor
He's not that great a speaker, but for an academic probably good enough
Has potential to make MU an academic powerhouse, but doesn't seem willing to do so.  Maybe that is ok. I'm torn

I was actually on campus this week for the first time in 20 years and was stunned by the physical transformation. Marquette's physical plant has genuinely come of age; it actually looks like a campus.

They have really cleaned up the surrounding area, too. I can't say that the gentrification of Wells and State Streets is all good, however. Some damned fine drinking establishments are now but sweet memories. But the Combat Zone is definitely gone which probably makes more than a few parents thankful.

The uptick in off campus-student housing quality is likely the most impressive thing I noticed. We lived in a sqaulor that would make the most mean spirited slum lord wince. The Greek housing, crammed along Kilbourn, was Delta House-esque. These rat-infested structures have been replaced by condos that would easily fit into any trendy urban environment.

It is my understanding that the intial vision for this transformation belongs to Al D but was largely executed by Wild.

[Disco Hippie]

Maybe because my youngest is there I see the benefits.

Buildings popping up.  There is an old adage that if a college isn't constructing buildings, it is deal. Campus looks good
Competitive academically
Athletics doing very well in a top conference.  Playing is Fiserv is good short term move
Relations with the city, at least on the outside seem good
Students relate to him
Endowment was $531M in 2014, now $669M in 2018
Solid incoming classes


I think he stepped in it with the Political Science professor
He's not that great a speaker, but for an academic probably good enough
Has potential to make MU an academic powerhouse, but doesn't seem willing to do so.  Maybe that is ok. I'm torn

Agree with all of this, especially the very last point!  Why doesn't MU aspire higher?  Overall his tenure has been very positive, but MU seems to be more than content with competing for the same students that LUC and SLU gets instead of schools like BC, Villanova and Fordham and their ilk.  The irony is MU's campus has improved to the point where if they put the slightest bit of effort into it, they have a really good chance at picking off some of these really high caliber students that historically have matriculated elsewhere and wouldn't typically consider a school like MU as recently as 3 years ago.   Both MKE and MU in particular has improved substantially in the last few yrs so climate aside, MU has never been in a better position to compete for these students, but at the end of the day MU is all talk and no action.  They say want to be a "national university" and destination school, but are unwilling to do what it takes to get there because it's anathema to their mission.  Obviously I don't agree with their approach because the other schools I mentioned largely have the same mission.

[jsglow]

Agree with all of this, especially the very last point!  Why doesn't MU aspire higher?  Overall his tenure has been very positive, but MU seems to be more than content with competing for the same students that LUC and SLU gets instead of schools like BC, Villanova and Fordham and their ilk.  The irony is MU's campus has improved to the point where if they put the slightest bit of effort into it, they have a really good chance at picking off some of these really high caliber students that historically have matriculated elsewhere and wouldn't typically consider a school like MU as recently as 3 years ago.   Both MKE and MU in particular has improved substantially in the last few yrs so climate aside, MU has never been in a better position to compete for these students, but at the end of the day MU is all talk and no action.  They say want to be a "national university" and destination school, but are unwilling to do what it takes to get there because it's anathema to their mission.  Obviously I don't agree with their approach because the other schools I mentioned largely have the same mission.

I assure you that we are.  And one with the highest Frosh enrollment and avg. ACT in many, many years, perhaps ever.  What is it that you want MU to be?  Or is that you simply don't want any 'undesirables' as you might define them on campus?

[GGGG]

I assure you that we are.  And one with the highest Frosh enrollment and avg. ACT in many, many years, perhaps ever.  What is it that you want MU to be?  Or is that you simply don't want any 'undesirables' as you might define them on campus?

He wants them to be ranked higher because he somehow believes that it matters.  I mean, I just don't even know what to say anymore.  The school is financially healthy, meeting its enrollment goals and serving its core mission.  It is a very successful institution. 

[warriorchick]

He wants them to be ranked higher because he somehow believes that it matters.  I mean, I just don't even know what to say anymore.  The school is financially healthy, meeting its enrollment goals and serving its core mission.  It is a very successful institution.

Yep. On the list of qualities Marquette is willing to dedicate significant effort and resources to attain, "snob appeal" is down at the bottom.

[jsglow]

He wants them to be ranked higher because he somehow believes that it matters.  I mean, I just don't even know what to say anymore.  The school is financially healthy, meeting its enrollment goals and serving its core mission.  It is a very successful institution.

Yes sir. And in an era of declining 18 y/o population, especially in our core market, I'd say we're winning big time.

[theBabyDavid]

I am genuinely impressed with the transformation of the total campus environment. Marquette actually has a coherent campus.

I will say that I was surprised by The Al. It is much smaller from the outside than I anticipated. For some reason I pictured a much larger venue.

On the negative side, I am shaking my head over the absolute obliteration of the MU drinking infrastructure. The Wells Street Watering Hole, from 11th to 17th, has been erased from history.

Jim Hegarty's is now an empty lot. The Lanche and The Gym gave way to Burger King and Papa John's.

Hallowed Ground. Consecrated Earth. Precious Soil. Defiled.

[tower912]

Agreed.   No Wales on Wells, Amigo's....     gone corporate.   

[WarriorDad]

He wants them to be ranked higher because he somehow believes that it matters.  I mean, I just don't even know what to say anymore.  The school is financially healthy, meeting its enrollment goals and serving its core mission.  It is a very successful institution.

Long term success may require a larger endowment, funded by talented and rich graduates, which tend (not always, mind you) come from smart people with great jobs or high revenue sources.   Is MU putting those types of people out there into the world at a clip that they should, or could?  Might make the difference between a great next 50 years and a so-so next 50 years.   I say this with some envy as Bloomberg just donated over $1 billion to Johns Hopkins University. 


edit: Fix typo, etc

[theBabyDavid]

Long term success may require a larger endowment

Jams,

This is spot on. At the end of the day Lovell's tenure will be evaluated by how much he has increased the endowment.

[rocket surgeon]

Jams,

This is spot on. At the end of the day Lovell's tenure will be evaluated by how much he has increased the endowment.

Makes one wonder how many of those who hung their mugs(beer steins) on the wall in ole brooks memorial contributed to where MU is today...the Ardmore was an old dental school hang out, hegs where the law school student s met their first mistress, old Kelly hung his head singing Irish ballads with an occasional eee, heee, heee heee heee over his screw top bottle of wine and the iconic felz Houston was carved into the tile above the men’s urinal ...otherwise, nuttin much happened here  the obvious, gym bar, ‘lanche and o.d.’s need no mention as they speak for themselves.  Can’t forget how many Milwaukee conquests from the circle inn were snuck in and out of Mccormicks stairwell...sigh...

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Jams,

This is spot on. At the end of the day Lovell's tenure will be evaluated by how much he has increased the endowment.

Viagra has gone generic,  so he can increase the endowment for less than previous years, aina.

[mu03eng]

Makes one wonder how many of those who hung their mugs(beer steins) on the wall in ole brooks memorial contributed to where MU is today...the Ardmore was an old dental school hang out, hegs where the law school student s met their first mistress, old Kelly hung his head singing Irish ballads with an occasional eee, heee, heee heee heee over his screw top bottle of wine and the iconic felz Houston was carved into the tile above the men’s urinal ...otherwise, nuttin much happened here  the obvious, gym bar, ‘lanche and o.d.’s need no mention as they speak for themselves.  Can’t forget how many Milwaukee conquests from the circle inn were snuck in and out of Mccormicks stairwell...sigh...

I'm sure there is still a drinking culture in the school, at least based on the condition some of the students find themselves in at the basketball games....it's just largely moved off campus and doesn't look like it once did, for both good and bad.

[mu03eng]

I don't know a lot, if anything, about running a university so my metrics feel pretty basic but Lovell seems to be doing well overall. I think the university is better off than when he found it, no glaring scandals or missteps (I don't care about the McAdams thing), and he seems engaged/responsive with the students/alumni. I also tend to view him as a change agent as I didn't like the direction of the university in the previous administrations, so if there is turn over in leadership I'm ok with it because you either need to get onboard or ship out.

Let's see what the next 2-3 years hold and then we'll know what we have.

I'd be curious to hear what things people think Lovell screwed up.

[brewcity77]

I'd be curious to hear what things people think Lovell screwed up.

The announcement of the Aurora Sports Institute that led to splitting the planned joint facility with the Bucks, followed by Aurora dropping out, was a fiasco to say the least. Led to a lot of dominos falling in ways that didn't help the University or basketball program.

That for me was the biggest public misstep. Hurt the relationship with Bucks owners, may have impacted lease negotiations, rendered the 7th & Michigan location useless so that now city officials want MU to turn the old Radisson into a homeless shelter, led to a smaller facility by the Al, which in turn will take parking away from Gesu church goers, all for a sponsor that pulled its sponsorship.

I still support Lovell and hope he learns from that one, but it was a really poor decision, and one that was obviously poor both in the moment and in the long term.

[warriorchick]

I'm sure there is still a drinking culture in the school, at least based on the condition some of the students find themselves in at the basketball games....it's just largely moved off campus and doesn't look like it once did, for both good and bad.

You also need to factor in a little embellishment and ailing memories amongst the older alums, especially regarding their romantic escapades.  I don't know who all these guys were allegedly hooking up with all the time, but it certainly wasn't me or my friends. And yes, we were attractive; we were also discerning.

Marquette alums who claim they were players at Marquette in the 70's and 80's are the same as 70-somethings from the East Coast who claim they were at Woodstock.   

[GGGG]

The announcement of the Aurora Sports Institute that led to splitting the planned joint facility with the Bucks, followed by Aurora dropping out, was a fiasco to say the least. Led to a lot of dominos falling in ways that didn't help the University or basketball program.

That for me was the biggest public misstep. Hurt the relationship with Bucks owners, may have impacted lease negotiations, rendered the 7th & Michigan location useless so that now city officials want MU to turn the old Radisson into a homeless shelter, led to a smaller facility by the Al, which in turn will take parking away from Gesu church goers, all for a sponsor that pulled its sponsorship.

I still support Lovell and hope he learns from that one, but it was a really poor decision, and one that was obviously poor both in the moment and in the long term.

The 7th and Michigan lovation isn’t “useless.”  It was smart to buy it anyway. 

[rocket surgeon]

I don't know a lot, if anything, about running a university so my metrics feel pretty basic but Lovell seems to be doing well overall. I think the university is better off than when he found it, no glaring scandals or missteps (I don't care about the McAdams thing), and he seems engaged/responsive with the students/alumni. I also tend to view him as a change agent as I didn't like the direction of the university in the previous administrations, so if there is turn over in leadership I'm ok with it because you either need to get onboard or ship out.

Let's see what the next 2-3 years hold and then we'll know what we have.

I'd be curious to hear what things people think Lovell screwed up.

I really believe that if some of these schools could stop veering away from their roots and bring back the core “MU” values, they would be looked upon as doing something refreshing and different. most schools are continuing to try to ram the square peg thru the round hole, because they know better what the alumni want.  That is, allowing for a glaring disparity in ideologies of thought.  MU, if it made a conscience effort to truly allow for good old fashioned debate and diversity of opinions, it could then set itself apart from the others.

   You do not(or maybe some do) realize how many people Out there who echo the same sentiments.  It’s like the the universities are trying to establish a “new normal”.  I know I’m going to get some blow back here, but argue it all you want.  From the outside looking in, it’s changed and the changes have cost schools some money.  They will never know how much because these people just shut down and go away.  People are noticing the UN-level playing field and do not feel their values are being represented anymore. 

Disclaimer, I am trying very hard to keep this apolitical, and if we can, it could be a very informative and influential thread(got that 82?) if it evolves into a shouting match?  It goes no where and the same old same old will continue on. 

[GGGG]

I really believe that if some of these schools could stop veering away from their roots and bring back the core “MU” values, they would be looked upon as doing something refreshing and different. most schools are continuing to try to ram the square peg thru the round hole, because they know better what the alumni want.  That is, allowing for a glaring disparity in ideologies of thought.  MU, if it made a conscience effort to truly allow for good old fashioned debate and diversity of opinions, it could then set itself apart from the others.

   You do not(or maybe some do) realize how many people Out there who echo the same sentiments.  It’s like the the universities are trying to establish a “new normal”.  I know I’m going to get some blow back here, but argue it all you want.  From the outside looking in, it’s changed and the changes have cost schools some money.  They will never know how much because these people just shut down and go away.  People are noticing the UN-level playing field and do not feel their values are being represented anymore. 

Disclaimer, I am trying very hard to keep this apolitical, and if we can, it could be a very informative and influential thread(got that 82?) if it evolves into a shouting match?  It goes no where and the same old same old will continue on. 

I have no idea what you are saying here.

[WarriorDad]

Jams,

This is spot on. At the end of the day Lovell's tenure will be evaluated by how much he has increased the endowment.

?

[brewcity77]

The 7th and Michigan lovation isn’t “useless.”  It was smart to buy it anyway.

Yeah, sorry, useless for the original plan. It's worth having the property, but to date hasn't really served any purpose.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

I have no idea what you are saying here.

He's whining that Marquette is too liberal.

[Pakuni]

I really believe that if some of these schools could stop veering away from their roots and bring back the core “MU” values,

Which core MU values the university has veered away from?