Joel Brennan started as president of the Greater Milwaukee Committee in 2021, the same year Marquette President Michael Lovell, who was on the committee’s board of directors, was diagnosed with cancer.
“At that point, he was challenged with his health but … provided me with guidance and was vigorous,” Brennan said. “He was someone that has always been generous with his time toward other people in the community.
“He put community before self in lots of ways.”
Brennan is among the Milwaukee and Wisconsin leaders mourning Lovell, who died Sunday at age 57.
He said he admired the way Lovell integrated Marquette into the community and will remember Lovell’s demeanor, especially when facing a challenge.
“He was always very soft-spoken,” Brennan said. “He didn’t have to raise his voice to get people to stand beside him. He had a strong will to do what was right and just be committed to making things better.”
Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson called Lovell, Marquette’s president since 2014, “a great community partner.”
“His faith was deep, and his commitment to service went beyond the boundaries of the campus. He promoted community service, he worked to improve public safety, and his leadership with the Near West Side Partners elevated that organization in ways that would not have been possible without him.”
Noting Lovell’s leadership at both Marquette and UW-Milwaukee, where Lovell was chancellor from 2011 to 2014, Johnson said, “Equally impressive was Mike’s kindness and humility. He was a gentle person who cared deeply about Milwaukee. He served our community with distinction.”
Gov. Tony Evers said on X, formerly known as Twitter, “I had great respect for Mike. He cared deeply about Milwaukee and the students and faculty he led, and I was always uplifted by his positive and professional manner. Truly a loss.”
Lovell was involved in numerous community efforts. He helped create the Near West Side Partners, a nonprofit organization focused on economic development, housing, neighborhood identity and safety in the Marquette area.
He and his wife, Amy, co-founded Scaling Wellness in Milwaukee, a community-wide effort designed to combat generational trauma. He served on the Greater Milwaukee Committee and helped start many other organizations, such as the Miidwest Energy Research Consortium, Scale-Up Milwaukee and The Water Council.
The Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce applauded Lovell’s leadership and his impact on Milwaukee.
“The future of our region is better because of his contributions,” MMAC wrote in a statement. “Our thoughts are with those who knew and admired Dr. Lovell during this difficult time.”
Dale Kooyenga, president of MMAC, wrote in a tweet on X that the Milwaukee community and Marquette “lost a good man and leader.”
Visit Milwaukee extended its condolences to the Marquette University family on X, as well: “Dr. Lovell’s work made Milwaukee better every day.”
University of Wisconsin System President Jay Rothman wrote on X: “I knew Mike to be a man of great integrity with a deep faith. He had an unwavering commitment to student success both while a Dean and Chancellor at UWM as well as President of Marquette. He leaves an enduring legacy.”
The Milwaukee Bucks released a statement, saying in part, “An important voice in support of Fiserv Forum being built, President Lovell stood firmly for progress and innovation, and we will always be grateful for his long-time friendship with the Bucks.”
John Y. Walz, president of Milwaukee School of Engineering, expressed his condolences in an emailed statement.
“I have profound respect for Dr. Lovell and his unwavering commitment to enhancing the educational experience, promoting research and collaboration, and strengthening ties with the broader community.”
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee, state leaders mourn Marquette President Michael Lovell
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