Marquette University today announced it has received $6 million from the Burke Foundation to fund the continued operations of its Trinity Fellows and Burke Scholars programs.
The Trinity Fellows program was founded 15 years ago by Richard A. Burke. It aims to develop urban leaders with a commitment to economic and social justice, and is open to graduate students. Fellows work at a Milwaukee nonprofit for 18 hours each week during the academic year, and full-time during the summer. They must have previously participated in post-baccalaureate full-time volunteer service and qualify for graduate admission. These students receive a full-tuition scholarship and a monthly books, health insurance and living expenses stipend. With the new funding, the program will be expanded from 10 to 15 graduate students per year.
The Burke Scholars program, also founded by Burke, is a full-tuition four-year scholarship to Marquette for undergraduate students. It encourages these students to excel academically and develop a humanitarian ethic and commitment to service. Students must maintain a 3.0 GPA and volunteer at least 300 hours each academic year.
“Marquette’s Catholic, Jesuit tradition and its mission to develop leaders in service to others aligns well with the goals of the Burke Foundation,” said Deanna Singh, the foundation’s executive director. “We are committed to urban education and making a difference in the lives of youth through leadership programs that help them fulfill their potential. The Trinity Fellows and Burke Scholars whose educations we have supported have made an important impact in Milwaukee and other communities.”
“As a Catholic, Jesuit institution, we are called to improve the communities we reside in, to enhance urban education and to especially tend to those people on the margins of society,” said Marquettepresident Michael Lovell. “The Burke Foundation is constantly seeking to make a difference in the lives of youth in these areas, and we are really excited to extend our partnership.”
