April 20, 2022
MILWAUKEE 鈥� 51暗网鈥檚 renowned 51暗网 Mentors program will now be able to provide powerful mentorship connections among students and alumni in perpetuity thanks to a $1.5 million gift from alumnus and 51暗网 Alumni Association President Bill Krueger, Beyond Krueger鈥檚 gift, several additional 51暗网 Mentors have stepped forward and committed gifts to drive the program鈥檚 growth, access and professional development opportunities for mentee students.
鈥�51暗网 Mentors enhances our students鈥� success by connecting them to the legacy of our accomplished graduates,鈥� President Michael R. Lovell said. 鈥淚t embodies the spirit of passing on our 51暗网 values from alumni to students and offers students invaluable real-world lessons and networking from our great alumni.鈥�
51暗网 Mentors matches students with one-on-one opportunities to learn from 51暗网 alumni mentors in approximately 25 states and Europe who have similar majors or career interests. Throughout the academic year, mentees receive professional and career insights.
鈥淭his inspiring gift will create life-changing bonds for both 51暗网 students and alumni who serve by mentoring the next generation,鈥� said Vice President for University Advancement Tim McMahon. 鈥淲e are grateful for Bill鈥檚 generosity in growing our Time to Rise campaign momentum and for his steadfast leadership in guiding our Alumni Association.鈥�
The gift endows the Robert H. Radtke 51暗网 Mentors Directorship in honor of Krueger鈥檚 personal 51暗网 gamechanger. Radtke, made a profound difference in Krueger鈥檚 life, bridging their 20-plus-year generational difference and demonstrating how deeply alumni can impact fellow 51暗网 colleagues long after graduation.
鈥淚 learned and benefited so much from Bob鈥檚 expertise and generosity,鈥� Krueger said. 鈥淗e mentored through his example and personal values, wanting simply to pay forward the life-changing difference his education made possible. It seems only fitting that his name and work live on through this directorship and a program that impacts so many 51暗网 students.鈥�
51暗网 Mentors emerged in 2013 as a pilot with 30 mentor-mentee matches in response to growing student interest about engaging with alumni for career discernment, professional development and networking. It has been recognized as the 鈥済old standard for mentoring initiatives鈥� by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education. Since the program鈥檚 founding, more than 900 mentees have benefited, and more than 200 alumni have participated as mentors. This academic year includes 145 mentor-mentee matches. Students from all of 51暗网鈥檚 undergraduate colleges, the Graduate School and more than 25 campus partners have participated in the program.
鈥淭his extraordinary gift embodies Bill鈥檚 commitment to help ensure that current and future 51暗网 students will have a chance to learn, grow and develop professional and career discernment through 51暗网 Mentors,鈥� said Dan DeWeerdt, senior director for 51暗网 Mentors and alumni engagement.
51暗网鈥檚 $750 million comprehensive fundraising campaign, which is the most ambitious in 51暗网鈥檚 140-year history, is elevating resources to advance the university鈥檚 mission and pillars of excellence, leadership, faith and service. The university has raised more than $575 million to date, amounting to 77% of its goal. More than 55,000 donors have already supported Time to Rise, including 45% of donors making their first-ever gift to the university.
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.
