Marquette

When Jeannie Gaffigan takes the stage at Marquette University’s commencement this Sunday, it’ll almost feel like a victory lap.  Gaffigan graduated from Marquette, back when she was Jeannie Noth.  She’s been a comedy writer for years since then.

As the current academic year wraps up at colleges and universities around the country, one area school is already preparing to make college life a success for a particular group of students in the fall of 2019. 

It’s graduation season, which also means it’s the season of commencement speeches. A time when celebrities take the stage, armed with jokes and wisdom for millions of young people entering the workforce.

The Milwaukee Bucks agreed yesterday to a 30-year lease on the new arena, which they hope to begin construction on this summer. They’ll pay a minimum of a million dollars a year to the Wisconsin Center District. Meanwhile, another nearby project the Bucks are partnered with also took a step forward this week.

Marquette University just launched the Josiah A. Powless Scholarship - a fund that will help Native American students and other underrepresented minorities afford tuition at the prestigious university.

But according to Marquette Provost, Dr. Daniel Meyers, the fund is also symbolic of Marquette’s dedication to creating a more welcoming campus.

More new construction is coming to Milwaukee’s near west side. A new athletic research facility will be built on four city blocks bordered by Michigan Street, north 6th Street, 10th street and the Marquette Interchange. The project is a partnership between Marquette University, Aurora Healthcare and the Milwaukee Bucks.

Despite UWM's loss, several people say Lovell's move seems like a win for Milwaukee.