Shortly after taking the helm as president of Marquette University on July 1, Michael Lovell promised he would explore more ways for the school to interact and collaborate with the Milwaukee community and its other institutions.
To that end, Lovell accepted a call to be the new co-chair of Innovation in Milwaukee (MiKE), an initiative of the Greater Milwaukee Committee focused on supporting a local entrepreneurial environment.
Lovell joins MiKE co-chairs Todd Teske, chief executive officer of Briggs & Stratton Corp., and Jonas Prising, CEO of ManpowerGroup.
“I am looking forward to helping create talent networks to foster innovation in Milwaukee and serving at the interface between university and industry,” Lovell said. “MiKE helps to position Milwaukee as a city of innovation and entrepreneurialism, and our depth of universities and educational opportunities further demonstrates Milwaukee’s ability to cultivate a deep pool for talent.”
Lovell came to Marquette after serving as chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee from 2011-2014, where he oversaw the expansion of the UWM School of Freshwater Sciences, was active in the creation of the Water Council and helped establish the App Brewery and launch the Student Start-Up Challenge.
Lovell brings with him an impressive track record as a distinguished scholar, researcher and educator.
As a researcher, Lovell has been a lead or co-lead investigator for nearly $30 million in externally-funded research grants from foundations, businesses and government agencies. His research has led to several technological breakthroughs, and he currently holds seven patents and 14 provisional patents.
MiKE focuses on connecting talent with corporations in the Greater Milwaukee region, as well as the importance of recruiting and retaining key employees – whether permanent or freelance – in the area, through events like Flying Car, its corporate and talent councils, and more.
