Milwaukee, Nov. 18, 2025 — Marquette University is excited to announce a significant gift aimed at expanding its two impactful scholarship programs: the Burke Scholars for undergraduates and the Trinity Fellows for graduate students. This $4.8 million contribution comes from the Burke Foundation, which has been a vital partner with Marquette for over 30 years.
The Burke Scholars program, founded by Richard A. Burke, aims to cultivate a generation of leaders dedicated to service and social change. Burke, a Marquette alum, was deeply involved with the university until his passing in 2008. His legacy lives on through these programs, which focus on community, justice, and leadership.
“Our students become changemakers in their communities,” said Marquette President Kimo Ah Yun. “These programs are where we start shaping students who care about the world.”
Every year, 40 Burke Scholars embark on their university journey with a four-year scholarship. These students are chosen for their academic potential and passion for community service. They commit to at least 10 hours of service each week, contributing over 225,000 hours since the program’s inception, impacting more than 95 local organizations.
The Trinity Fellows program, established in 2000, has provided full-tuition scholarships to graduate students for its 21-month program. With over 439,000 hours of community service logged by its alumni, the program prepares students for impactful roles in nonprofits and public sectors. About 83% of the 242 alumni continue their careers in those areas.
Kathleen Burke from the Burke Foundation emphasizes the importance of cultivating a spirit of service in students, ensuring they prioritize giving back throughout their careers. This effort aligns with state and national trends, where individuals from service-oriented programs are increasingly recognized for their contributions to community and social justice initiatives.
More than ever, this commitment to service resonates with recent survey findings from the Corporation for National and Community Service, which reports a 23% increase in college students participating in community service in the past two years. This shows a growing national awareness of the importance of civic engagement among young people.
As Marquette continues to attract driven, socially-conscious students, its collaboration with the Burke Foundation stands as a testament to the university’s mission of fostering leaders who are committed to the greater good.
The Burke Foundation, named after Richard Burke, is dedicated to improving education, character development, and social quality within communities. For more, visit their website at theburkefoundation.org.
Marquette University, a Catholic, Jesuit institution in downtown Milwaukee, is recognized for its comprehensive academic programs and commitment to preparing students to make a difference. It’s ranked among the top 20% of national universities, noted for its job placement success and innovative teaching methods. Students graduate ready to lead and inspire positive change in the world.
