The Marquette community gathered to dedicate the Lemonis Center for Student Success with a blessing and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday, Sept. 13.
The dedication ceremony for the Lemonis Center had over 150 people in attendance, including Marquette students, faculty and members of the Milwaukee community. Also in attendance was Kimo Ah Yun, acting president, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs.
The creation of the Lemonis Center was made possible by a $15 million donation in February from Marcus and Bobbi Lemonis. Marcus Lemonis is a star of HGTV’s “The Renovator“, CNBC’s “The Profit“, and chairman and CEO of Camping World and a 1995 alumnus of the Helen Way Klinger College of Arts and Sciences.
“This is a historical moment. President Lovell had a vision for the student success initiative to make it easy for students to access support and for services to be better in terms of resources that can be offered,” Marilyn Jones, director of the Lemonis Center for Student Success, said. “And, today, that vision came to fruition with the ribbon cutting and dedication of the Lemonis Center. He [Lovell] was there in spirit.”
Marcus was introduced to speak on the opening of the center and what it meant to him.
“Marcus gave a resonating speech on how Marquette helped him understand who he was as a person and how to be his authentic self,” Jones said. “He touched on how Marquette helped [Marcus] realize success is about the whole person, and it is something he is able to give back through the Lemonis Center.”
Jones said Marcus mentioned mentors who helped him achieve success during his time at Marquette and beyond, including Rev. Andy Thon, S.J., who was present to provide a blessing for the dedication of the center. After Marcus gave his remarks, Thon shared how much he was touched by the fact that Marcus mentioned him and then proceeded to bless the Lemonis Center.
Sebastian Rios, a junior in the College of Communication and Lemonis Center desk receptionist said he got to meet Marcus at the ceremony.
“It was surreal seeing everything come to fruition, and seeing the impact and meaning it holds on campus is amazing,” Rios said. “No one realizes the impact it has until they see it.”
Marcus Lemonis, Bobbi Lemonis and Rev. Andy Thon cut the ribbon in front of the main staircase to officially mark the opening of the Lemonis Center.
“It was really a day for Marcus, highlighting the work and donation he gave to make this space possible,” Jones said. “It was their moment [Marcus and Marquette staff]. They have been working on this for a while, and it was beautiful to see it all come together.”
Jones said the ceremony was a full circle moment for herself as a two-time Marquette alumna who used to study in the section of the Memorial Library that was transformed into the Lemonis Center. She said the area is different now but has become an amazing space that can be utilized by other students.
“The Lemonis Center really elevates student experience on campus,” Jones said. “Not a lot of places have a space where they can centralize academic and non-academic resources, but we do and that is something to celebrate.”
Jones said tours were given after the ceremony that showed all floors of the center. The tours showcased various spaces such as the multi-purpose room with a fireplace that hosts class sessions, nine interview suites, 16 tutoring spaces, the commuter lounge, lockers and noise-cancelling sound booths for phone calls.
Other services found in the Lemonis Center are the Ask Me Desk, tutoring, career guidance and exploration, academic coaching and spaces for collaboration.
The Ask Me Desk is a point of first contact when students enter the facility.
“We [Ask Me Desk] provide an outlet for students to ask any questions no matter how broad or niche they are,” Rios said.
Rios said it’s great to keep in mind that practically everyone working at the Ask Me Desk is a student just like “you” and the student receptionists are there all day to connect and help.
“As someone who was a transfer student, I feel I can connect and resonate with lots of students who come through the Lemonis Center, and help them with any needs,” Rios said.
Additionally, after passing the Ask Me Desk, students can get professional headshots taken for free behind the main staircase with the headshot photo booth.
Andrew Dobek, a sophomore in the College of Health Sciences, said he is already making use of the Lemonis Center.
“My favorite part has to be the study rooms,” Dobek said. “It’s a nice quite space where I can lock in with other students and really focus on my studies using the whiteboards and other resources in there.”
Additionally, Dobek said he enjoys working at any of the open table spaces.
“I feel that when students come here, they meet friends, tutors, mentors, faculty and staff that they develop meaningful connections with. And, those connections transform lives,” Jones said. “That’s what Marcus Lemonis wanted, and that transformation helps students to ‘be the difference’.”
Students can learn more about the Lemonis Center by visiting its website.
This story was written by Gabriel Mannion. He can be reached at [email protected].
