MILWAUKEE — Dr. Kimo Ah Yun was inaugurated as the 25th president of Marquette University at a combined Mass and installation ceremony held Tuesday, April 29, at the Al McGuire Center. The Mass was presided over by the Most Rev. Jeffrey S. Grob, Archbishop of Milwaukee.
President Ah Yun was unanimously elected the 25th president of Marquette University by the Marquette Board of Trustees at a special board meeting in November 2024. The president, who had served in the dual acting president and provost roles since June 10, 2024, succeeded Dr. Michael R. Lovell, who led the university as its first lay president from 2014 until his death on June 9, 2024. President 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.
“The world needs a strong Marquette,” President Ah Yun said. “It needs passionate and compassionate leaders. It needs individuals who believe faith and reason can and should coexist. It needs thinkers and dreamers; the faithful and the curious. It needs Marquette.”
Todd Adams, chair of the Marquette University Board of Trustees, and Peggy Troy, trustee emerita, installed President Ah Yun on behalf of the Board of Trustees, while Rev. James Prehn, S.J., socius of the Midwest Jesuit Province, oversaw the commissioning.
“Without reservation, I can say that our 25th president, Dr. Kimo Ah Yun, is a faithful servant leader who cares a great deal about Marquette University, our mission, our people and our future,” Adams said.
The inauguration theme was “Open your heart. Find your compass. Change the world,” which celebrates Marquette’s rich Catholic, Jesuit tradition by inviting all in the community to ground themselves in the university’s mission and seek the truth about God and the world, that they may grow as individuals for and with others. In doing so, and by putting students at the heart of all we do, we will educate well-rounded servant leaders who transform their fields, our society and the world.
“Changing the world can seem like an impossible task,” President Ah Yun said. “There are so many things that get in our way. It’s easy to not do the difficult things. But I am fortunate. I get to see people change the world every day. I see it in our faculty and staff who are working with our students, advising them, teaching them, working with them on our research. I see it in our alumni across the world who are going out and setting the world on fire.”
The inauguration theme is rooted in a February 2022 letter from Pope Francis announcing the Catholic Church’s Jubilee 2025, in which he wrote: “We must fan the flame of hope that has been given us and help everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, a trusting heart and far-sighted vision.”
Over 40 universities, colleges and academic institutions were represented by affiliated delegates, a group that included 18 presidents and chancellors. More than 120 students representing 60 student organizations led a procession to open the proceedings.
President Ah Yun shared a message of gratitude with the Marquette community as he prepared for the inauguration ceremony.
“I have come to know Kimo as a man of extraordinary talent, of great faith, wonderful sense of humor and a deep devotion to all that Marquette seeks to be,” said Rev. Patrick McGrath, S.J., a member of the Marquette University Board of Trustees who delivered the homily. Rev. Gregory O’Meara, S.J., proclaimed the Gospel.
Other inauguration events included an Inauguration Symposium on April 10 that brought together leaders from Milwaukee’s four Jesuit schools for a panel discussion on Jesuit Education in Milwaukee. President Ah Yun participated in the Marquette Community Day of Service — the Arrupe Center’s largest and longest-running day of service — on April 12.
Additional inauguration content and resources are available for media use. Please credit “Marquette University” where appropriate:
- Photo gallery (higher resolution versions available upon request)
- Archive of the inauguration live stream
- Official inauguration website with biographical information on President Ah Yun, history of Marquette’s presidential inaugurations at the university and additional event details.
About President Ah Yun
President Ah Yun 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. A first-generation college student, he is committed to furthering the university’s mission of educational access and ensuring all students are successful from their first day to their first destination following graduation.
President Ah Yun’s tenure at Marquette has been marked by a dedication to fostering academic excellence and nurturing a community committed to service, faith and justice while having the fortitude to make difficult decisions. Having served Marquette in several key leadership roles over the past eight years, President Ah Yun’s leadership provides continuity on major initiatives including implementing the university’s Marquette 2031 Strategic Plan, and builds upon positive momentum in increasing student retention rates, transforming the campus environment, finding more effective and efficient ways for the university to operate, and raising funds to grow the endowment so that a Marquette education is accessible and affordable for all students.
Marquette is currently ranked in the top 20% of national universities and in the top 20 for undergraduate teaching by U.S. News & World Report. The Princeton Review named Marquette among its Best Value Colleges for 2024 and ranked it No. 12 nationally among private universities for internships and No. 1 in the nation for community service engagement.
More biographical information on President Ah Yun is available online.
About Marquette University
Marquette University is a Catholic, Jesuit university located near the heart of downtown Milwaukee that offers a comprehensive range of majors in 11 nationally and internationally recognized colleges and schools. Through the formation of hearts and minds, Marquette prepares our 11,100 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional students to lead, excel and serve as agents of positive change. And, we deliver results. Ranked in the top 20% of national universities, Marquette is recognized for its undergraduate teaching, innovation and career preparation as the sixth-best university in the country for job placement. Our focus on student success and immersive, personalized learning experiences encourages students to think critically and engage with the world around them. When students graduate with a Marquette degree, they are truly prepared and called to Be The Difference.
