Marquette University new president; Dr. Kimo Ah Yun elected
MILWAUKEE - Marquette University officials announced on Wednesday, Nov. 20 that Dr. Kimo Ah Yun was unanimously elected the 25th president of Marquette University by the Marquette Board of Trustees at a special board meeting.
"You know, for those of you who know me, you know, I love Marquette and I love everything it has to do. And all the work that we are doing while we are here.," Dr. Ah Yun said. "And one of the things I talk about is I'm a first generation college student. And when you are trying to make it through the world as a first generation college student. You don't know the pathway. You know, like Marquette says, you come with a will. You leave with a way? I had a will, but I didn't know how to get there. And and a lot of students don't have the opportunity to make it because they don't come alongside people who are going to give them the right values."
Dr. Kimo Ah Yun
Dr. Ah Yun served in the dual acting president and provost roles since June 10. He succeeds Dr. Michael Lovell, who led the university as its first lay president from 2014 until his death on June 9, 2024, from sarcoma, a rare form of cancer.
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"You know, I'd be remiss if I didn't talk about who we are as a university and where we're heading. Our mission hasn't changed at Marquette. Our vision hasn't changed. We know where we are going. We are called to serve God. And I tell people that's always enough. We don't need to go further than that," Dr. Ah Yun said.
A news release from Marquette University said Dr. Ah Yun is the first person of color to lead Marquette and the Catholic, Jesuit university’s second lay president in its 143-year history. He joined Marquette in 2016 as dean of the Diederich College of Communication, was named acting provost in 2018 and then permanent provost and executive vice president for academic affairs in 2019.
Students like Alaynah McClain cheer the move.
"He always tries to show up for all the different events," McClain said. "I feel like I see his face a lot, and I think that's important as president to make sure that you're showing your face and getting your name out there."
Possible pushback
But amid plans to scale back spending, some faculty aren't so sure.
The University Academic Senate will hold a special session next week to consider a vote of no confidence on Marquette's Executive Leadership Team.
Paul Gasser, the chair of the University Academic Senate, told FOX6 News in an email that next week, the body will consider a vote of no confidence in Marquette's leadership team, which includes the president.
It comes as universities everywhere are facing challenges and Marquette looks to permanently cut $31 million from its operating budget by 2031.
Gasser provided the following statement:
"I do want to clarify that the vote is not a vote of the entire faculty of Marquette University. It is a vote of the Academic Senate. I am the chair of the University Academic Senate (UAS). The UAS is a body that includes faculty, administrators, students, and staff of Marquette University. One of its charges is to respond to the concerns of faculty, administrators, and students related to the academic mission of the university. At the UAS meeting of November 18th, a resolution of no confidence in Marquette University's Executive Leadership Team was introduced by a senator. This resolution was brought in response to widespread concerns on the part of faculty across the University. The senate engaged in extensive and robust discussion of the resolution, and it became apparent that more time was required for senators to express their concerns and the concerns of their constituents. For that reason, the UAS voted to table the resolution until a special session, which will be held next Monday, November 25th."
That vote, which isn't binding, is scheduled during a special session of the school's academic senate on Monday, Nov. 25.
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Come December, the full Board of Trustees will hear recommendations on how to start saving money, as much as $11 million for the next school year.
Marquette University provided the following statement on the University Academic Senate:
"University leadership and the Marquette Board of Trustees are aware of the agenda item at the upcoming University Academic Senate meeting. The Executive Leadership Team is implementing the Board-endorsed Marquette 2031 strategic plan, continuing positive momentum from strong incoming classes, recognized teaching excellence, record student retention rates and historic fundraising success. The Executive Leadership Team is leading with our Catholic, Jesuit tradition at heart, ensuring that Marquette remains grounded by our mission, vision and guiding values.
While Marquette is in a strong financial position, there are complex economic and demographic pressures facing higher education as a whole — with fewer high school students, increasing unfunded tuition discount over the past decade, rising operational costs and careful scrutiny of the value of higher education. We cannot continue to do things the way we always have – we need to be proactive now so that Marquette can thrive for the next 150 years.
No confidence votes are becoming increasingly common nationwide due to the growing challenges facing higher education. However, it is important to remember that any vote of no confidence is a non-binding, symbolic act by an academic governance body, which carries no legal authority. These votes highlight the need for continued dialogue and collaboration to address the complex challenges facing higher education today."
The head of Marquette's Board of Trustees sounds confident, as well.
"We think we have the leadership team necessary to achieve our vision to be one of the most innovative and accomplished Catholic universities in the world," Chair Todd Adams said.
More about President Ah Yun (from MU)
President Ah Yun lives in Whitefish Bay with his wife of 25 years, Catherine Puckering, who is a faculty member in the Diederich College of Communication at Marquette and previously was on the faculty in the department of communication at the University of California, Davis. President Ah Yun and First Lady Puckering have three children.