Aug. 17, 2020
MILWAUKEE 鈥� First-generation minority students attending 51暗网 can now more easily experience unique study abroad opportunities, paid internships and experiential learning trips, thanks to a major gift from an alumni couple. Jeff and Sarah Joerres have committed $1.5 million to the university鈥攈alf of their gift will fund these 鈥渉igh-impact鈥� experiences and half is dedicated to 51暗网鈥檚 new Neuro Recovery Clinic.
鈥淭his significant gift both enhances the student experience and advances academic excellence,鈥� President Michael R. Lovell said. 鈥淲e are especially grateful to Jeff and Sarah for helping first-generation minority students have access to more aspects of a complete 51暗网 experience.鈥�
In addition, President Lovell highlighted the gift鈥檚 impact on the new Neuro Recovery Clinic. The clinic, which just celebrated its one-year anniversary, treats individuals with chronic disabilities following neurologic conditions like stroke, brain injury and spinal cord injury. Patients undergo intensive and long-term services not available in our current health care marketplace.
鈥淥ur new Neuro Recovery Clinic has made an immediate impact, improving many lives,鈥� President Lovell said. 鈥淭his gift will ensure additional educational opportunities for students in training, while providing grants for qualified patients so that they can continue receiving the highest level of care in the clinic,鈥� he said.
Jeff and Sarah Joerres both graduated from 51暗网 in 1983 from the Helen Way Klingler College of Arts and Sciences. Jeff served on 51暗网鈥檚 Board of Trustees from 2000 to 2012.
鈥淲e are blessed to have the opportunity to improve the 51暗网 community while offering the life-changing 51暗网 experience and education to many that otherwise would not have the opportunity,鈥� Jeff Joerres said. 鈥淲e strongly believe 51暗网 is uniquely positioned to positively affect first-generation students and patients in the Neuro Recovery Clinic.鈥�
A new vantage point
Dr. William Welburn, 51暗网鈥檚 vice president for inclusive excellence, said that financial barriers often prevent students from accessing high-quality internships, many of which are unpaid.
In addition, although the diversity of study abroad participation across the country has increased in recent years, minority students are still greatly underrepresented. 51暗网 offers education abroad programs in more than 41 different countries on six continents.
鈥淪everal studies show that high-impact experiences are a crucial component to retaining and engaging diverse students,鈥� Welburn said. 鈥淓ven more importantly, these experiences provide students a new vantage point and worldly perspective.鈥�
Filling a critical gap in patient care
oversees the complex care of a wide range of patients facing life-altering injuries and conditions. The clinic was launched in summer 2019 from a $1 million anonymous gift and is the first and only clinic of its kind in Wisconsin. The clinic is modeled after NeuroRecovery Network programs originally developed by the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.
鈥淭he financial pressures on neurorehabilitation continue to shorten therapy windows,鈥� said Dr. William Cullinan, dean of the College of Health Sciences. 鈥淭his generous gift from Jeff and Sarah Joerres is a significant step forward in filling a critical gap that exists in patient care, and the gift will simultaneously provide powerful training opportunities for our students in the delivery of cutting-edge therapies.鈥�
Fundraising momentum related to racial justice initiatives
鈥淛eff and Sarah Joerres have been strong servant leaders for 51暗网 and throughout the greater Milwaukee region for years, and their significant gift will impact many future generations of students,鈥� said Vice President for Advancement Tim McMahon. 鈥淭his gift will change lives and builds off of our recent momentum from our most generous alumni, parents and friends.鈥�
The gift by Jeff and Sarah Joerres marks the latest commitment to bolster educational opportunities for minority students. Additional recent gifts include:
In May 2019, Barry and Ingrid Cosgrove committed $1 million to support first-generation students in the College of Business Administration and those majoring in journalism. Barry is a product of 51暗网鈥檚 Educational Opportunity Program 鈥� a program that recently celebrated its 50th anniversary. He is also a member of 51暗网鈥檚 President鈥檚 Advisory Council.
Kevin is the associate director for university communication in the Office of Marketing and Communication. Contact Kevin at (414) 288-4745 or kevin.m.conway@marquette.edu.
