The Marquette Gamechanger

If you participated in our deflection opportunity, thank you! The Marquette Men's Basketball team ended the game with a total of 36 deflections. 

There’s still time to participate in the Lemonis Gamechanger Challenge by supporting student success today. 

Thank you for your generosity! 

The Lemonis Center for Student Success will provide wraparound services for students across all majors, academic abilities and backgrounds to enrich and expand student opportunities.

“It is always important for Bobbi and me to create a clear path to success for every individual, no matter where they are from or what they are studying,” Lemonis said. “As an alumnus who got the most out of my experience, it was paramount for me to highlight the things that worked and to strengthen the things that could get better. This initial gift is the start of building the road for others.”

President Michael R. Lovell announced today that alumnus Marcus Lemonis, star of HGTV’s The Renovator, CNBC’s The Profit and chairman and CEO of Camping World, and his wife have donated a $15 million gift to create the Lemonis Center for Student Success.

Lemonis is a 1995 Marquette alumnus of the Helen Way Klingler College of Arts and Sciences, and he competed in javelin on the Track & Field team from 1991 to 1995.

Enter to win two courtside seat tickets! 

In honor of National Marquette Day, Marcus Lemonis, Arts '95, will match all gifts up to $5,000,000 in support of student success initiatives. Plus, you'll be entered to win two courtside seat tickets to the Men's Basketball game on March 5 if you make a gift by 11:59 p.m. tonight. 

For Bo Ellis, his Marquette gamechanger was Coach Hank Raymonds. Bo credits Coach Raymonds as playing a huge role in his student success. 

For Matt Wessel, Comm '03, Grad '11, his Marquette gamechanger was beloved Jesuit Fr. John Naus, S.J.

For Belton Flournoy, Bus Ad ‘03, his Marquette gamechanger was former management professor and chair Dr. Monica Adya.

For Pat Finn, Sp ’87, his Marquette gamechanger was none other than Chris Farley, Sp ’87.

For Katie Wessel, Arts ’07, her Marquette gamechanger was German prof Dr. John Pustejovsky, better known on campus as “Dr. Pusto.” 

For Steve Rushin, Jour '88, Hon Deg '07, his Marquette gamechanger was comm professor emeritus Jim Arnold. 

For Jim Murphy, Jour ‘86, his Marquette Gamechanger was the people he met and memories he made working at the Marquette Tribune.

Today we're excited to launch the Lemonis Gamechanger Challenge. Alumnus, Marcus Lemonis, star of HGTV’s The Renovator, CNBC’s The Profit and chairman and CEO of Camping World, has generously initiated a $5-million challenge, calling on alumni, parents and friends to give in honor or memory of the person who helped them succeed at Marquette University.

Make a pledge per in-game deflection in prep for the Marquette Men's Basketball game on National Marquette Day. Total deflections will be announced at the end of the game. 

Coach Smart believes deflections – more than any other statistic – are the best indicator of our team’s defensive effort during a game. 

Make a gift of any amount in honor or memory of your Marquette gamechanger. Or, interact with the Men's Basketball team by making a pledge per in-game deflection in prep for the February 26 game vs. Butler.

Participate in the Lemonis Gamechanger Challenge, and you will be entered into a chance to win two courtside seat tickets to the March 5 Marquette Men's Basketball game. 

Marquette Nation, we have an important question: who was the Marquette gamechanger who helped you succeed at Marquette University? Tag @MarquetteU and use #MUgamechanger to share your story with your network. Use the social sharing buttons or click the links below to share your story in the comments. 

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