MILWAUKEE — Marquette University President Kimo Ah Yun today announced a $2 million gift from alumnus Michael J. Miskella, DDS, and his wife, Rosaleen.
Miskella, a 1969 Marquette dental graduate said he was inspired to ensure the School of Dentistry remains a “top-flight school.”
The School of Dentistry is Wisconsin’s only dental school and treats patients from 66 of Wisconsin’s 72 counties. The school provides approximately 110,000 visits annually, including more than $16 million in dental services in Milwaukee alone.
“My education at Marquette Dental was demanding but very fair and gave me an opportunity for a rewarding and fulfilling career,” Miskella said. “I have a strong desire to give back to Marquette, and my deep hope is that our gift may motivate others to step forward in support of the school. I appreciated the Jesuit tradition and applied many of the lessons and skills I learned into my practice.”
The gift establishes the first endowed directorship in the School of Dentistry and reflects growing momentum among donors to support and endow high-level faculty and staff positions across the university.
“We are sincerely grateful to Dr. Miskella and his family for their generous support and for their faith in our world-class dental school,” President Ah Yun said. “When our alumni give to support our faculty and staff, they are investing in the talented people who make Marquette University such a special place.”
After completing his residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Miskella founded Bay Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. He practiced as an oral surgeon in Green Bay for nearly a half century.
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons specialize in diagnosing and treating injuries, defects and diseases of the mouth, jaw and face. Their work includes dental implants, jaw alignment, bone grafting and treating infections and cysts.
Dental School revitalization
Since 2022, Marquette has executed a multi-year revitalization of its 120,000-square-foot facility, upgrading clinics, technology and learning environments.
The effort includes the renovation of all four predoctoral clinics and the oral surgery suite, along with the creation of a digital innovation center, modernization of specialty clinics and upgrades to classrooms and patient areas.
“This tremendous gift comes at a time when we are transforming dental education,” said Dean Elsbeth Kalenderian, DDS, MPH, Ph.D. “We are thankful for Dr. Miskella’s support of his alma mater and his commitment to strengthening our talent pipeline. This gift will serve as a catalyst to endow additional leadership positions to sustain our vision for Marquette Dental for many future generations.”
A 2026 report by personal finance website WalletHub rated Wisconsin as the third-best state for dental health based on 25 indicators, including access to care and treatment costs.
“Gifts that support our teacher-scholars make a lifelong difference for students, ensuring they learn from the top leaders in their respective professions,” said Vice President for University Advancement Tim McMahon. “We appreciate the Miskella family for their passionate support and belief in Marquette.”
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.
