Released: April 22, 2005
John J. Stollenwerk, President, CEO and owner of Allen Edmonds Shoe Corporation, will be honored as Alumnus of the Year by the Marquette University Alumni Association at its annual Alumni National Awards Dinner on Saturday, April 23.
Stollenwerk has provided tireless leadership and service to Marquette since receiving his bachelor’s degree in 1962 and graduate degree in 1966. In addition to serving on the university’s Board of Trustees, he is the chairman of the school’s Magis Campaign, which when completed in June, will be the most successful fund raising effort in university history, raising more than $330 million.
Since assuming leadership at Allen Edmonds in 1980, the company has flourished. Sales have increased tenfold on his watch and the company employs five times as many workers as it did when he took over. He has long been a leading force in Partners Advancing Values in Education, an organization that supports better educational options for low-income children and their families. In recognition of his commitment to Catholic education, he and his wife JoEllen were recently recognized with the prestigious St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Award from the National Catholic Educational Association. He also volunteers his time with many organizations, including the Milwaukee Public Library Foundation and the Skylight Opera.
The Alumni National Awards dinner is part of Marquette University’s Alumni Awards weekend, during which each college honors the contributions of their alumni and bestows awards on those demonstrating exceptional achievement.
For more information, please contact Brigid O’Brien, Director of University Communication at 414.288.7445.
