In a 1996 interview with the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Marquette President the Rev. Robert A. Wild’s presidential checklist included the following: “Build a consensus, boost enrollment, balance the school’s budget and focus on academics.” Check, check, check and check.
To put it simply, when Wild makes a commitment, he follows through with it to the end.
Since 1996, Wild has done great things for our beloved Marquette. He has raised hundreds of millions of dollars, dramatically increased undergraduate applications and erected a half dozen buildings — just to name a few of his undertakings.
What more can you ask for?
We are on the editorial board are more than satisfied with his many presidential accomplishments.
Wild fulfilled his livewire roll, re-establishing Marquette as a bright light among Jesuit universities and colleges across America.
In all his achievements, Wild has become a Marquette household name.
Even through the controversial name change from Warrior to Golden Eagle — when Wild stood to lose proposed donations — he stood his ground.
Since his inaugural year, Wild has campaigned to increase undergraduate applications and enrollment.
He has been undoubtedly successful, with applications approaching 20,000 — four times the 1996 number.
Although he didn’t reach his $1 billion endowment goal, the nearly $750 million Wild has helped raise is surely nothing to complain about.
Our campus has been beautified and modernized through his fundraising efforts, including the construction of Raynor Library, the dental school, the Al McGuire Center, Zilber Hall, the Law School and the Discovery Learning Complex.
Other Wild contributions include the induction of our varsity athletic teams into the prominent Big East conference, pulling the university out of a multi-million dollar deficit, acquiring Norris Park for campus use and simply putting Marquette back on the map.
Wild and all he’s accomplished epitomize the faith, leadership, service and excellence that comprise Marquette’s community.
Wild will truly be a hard act to follow.
Just as long as he doesn’t pull a Favre and sign a contract with Notre Dame, he’s on the road to Marquette canonization.
