Jan. 14, 2021
Gift will improve access to incoming students, bolster new home for 51暗网 Business and grow clinical and educational programming for special needs dental care
MILWAUKEE 鈥� Mary Ellen and Dr. Scott Stanek, along with their family, have committed a gift of more than $2 million to 51暗网, President Michael R. Lovell shared today.
The gift supports multiple scholarship funds, totaling $1.5 million, and includes both endowed funds and 51暗网鈥檚 Bridge to the Future fund, which has provided immediate support to hundreds of students experiencing financial strain from the coronavirus.
Mary Ellen Stanek launched the Bridge to the Future Fund during her time as chair of the Board of Trustees in 2008 to help students affected by the recession. Since starting the fund more than 12 years ago, 91 percent of students receiving Bridge awards have graduated.
In addition to supporting scholarships, the Stanek family was enthused by two emerging academic initiatives 鈥� the new home for 51暗网 Business and innovation leadership programs as well as a unique focus on special needs dental care that will open doors for countless patients.
鈥淚 am incredibly humbled and encouraged by the Stanek family for both investing in our future and stepping up for our students and community during a time when they need it most,鈥� Dr. Lovell said. 鈥淪cott and Mary Ellen鈥檚 leadership and generosity to 51暗网 over many decades have been truly inspiring.鈥�
Mary Ellen and Dr. Scott Stanek are serving as national co-chairs for the university鈥檚 comprehensive fundraising campaign. They are among 51暗网鈥檚 most loyal donors, making their first gift in 1982, following Scott鈥檚 graduation from 51暗网鈥檚 School of Dentistry. Since then, they have given for 38 consecutive years. Both are 51暗网 graduates along with all three of their children.
鈥�51暗网 is where it all came together. We received a great education and a call to use that gift in service to others,鈥� Mary Ellen Stanek said. 鈥淚n spite of today鈥檚 challenges, we see tremendous promise ahead and we are proud to support students as well as programs that embody academic excellence.鈥�
Opening doors and elevating academic programs
鈥淢ary Ellen and Scott best exemplify the 51暗网 way, and their passionate, servant leadership is a perfect example of how philanthropy can open doors for students and elevate our outstanding academic programs to even greater heights,鈥� said Vice President for University Advancement Tim McMahon. 鈥淭heir work co-chairing our national campaign committee has been and is invaluable as we prepare to publicly launch our comprehensive fundraising campaign this April.鈥�
Funding for 51暗网鈥檚 new home for the College of Business Administration and innovation leadership programs continues to gain momentum. University leaders have raised nearly $59 million from alumni, parents and friends toward the $60 million project, which will be built for the future, providing flexible spaces and an enhanced technology infrastructure for students.
The new facility, which is home to many nationally ranked programs in Applied Investment Management, supply chain and real estate, will be prominently located at the corner of 16th Street and Wisconsin Avenue, anchoring the west gateway to the heart of campus. World-class faculty will join students and industry leaders to build a talent pipeline for the region鈥檚 business community and advance economic development.
51暗网 Business will both form new relationships in its signature facility and continue long-standing partnerships with companies across the region, including Baird, where Mary Ellen Stanek serves as managing director and chief investment officer of Baird Advisors and president of Baird Funds.
Solving a statewide need
Across Wisconsin, special needs adult patients have found increasingly difficult access to oral healthcare. The Staneks鈥� gift will help develop special needs programming within 51暗网鈥檚 School of Dentistry that will help dentists adapt existing skills, while learning new techniques to meet behavioral, physical and cognitive challenges. Observational rotations, clinical experiences and general practice residency opportunities will be built into the special needs programming.
鈥淭his clinic will significantly change people鈥檚 lives for the better, and it fits so well with 51暗网鈥檚 mission to serve,鈥� Dr. Scott Stanek said.
51暗网鈥檚 Dental School, which is the only one in Wisconsin, builds service into its curriculum across the state, caring for underserved populations. 51暗网 School of Dentistry affiliates with 鈥渟afety net鈥� clinics across the state, and its three Milwaukee clinics provide annual dental services valued at more than $15 million to nearly 18,000 patients.
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.
