Inauguration

We look forward to welcoming you to Marquette University as we celebrate the inauguration of Dr. Kimo Ah Yun as the 25th president of Marquette University.

Mass and Installation Ceremony

Tuesday, April 29, 2025
10:00 a.m.
Marquette University | Al McGuire Center | Milwaukee, Wisconsin

A reception will immediately follow at the Ray and Kay Eckstein Common (outdoor gathering space east of the Alumni Memorial Union; rain location is AMU, Monaghan Ballroom).

For questions or special needs, please contact University Special Events at
(414) 288-7431 or universityspecialevents@​marquette.edu.

Delegates

Please RSVP using the form below by March 22.

Delegate RSVP Form

Delegates are responsible for their own academic regalia, though rentals can be arranged through our provider, Herff Jones.

Additional details will be provided to delegates before the inauguration. Hotel and visitor information is available below.

For questions or special needs, please contact University Special Events at
(414) 288-7431 or universityspecialevents@​marquette.edu.

Guests

We look forward to having you on campus for the inauguration of Dr. Kimo Ah Yun. If you haven’t already done so, please RSVP using the form below by April 14.

Guest RSVP Form

All guests are invited to attend the reception immediately following the Mass and Installation Ceremony. Hotel and visitor information is available below.

For questions or special needs, please contact University Special Events at
(414) 288-7431 or universityspecialevents@​marquette.edu.

Faculty

Please RSVP to indicate your attendance for the ceremony, procession and reception by March 21. Faculty participating in the inauguration procession are to be attired in the appropriate regalia for their field of study and highest degree earned. Rentals can be arranged through our provider, Herff Jones, for pick up on Wednesday, April 23. Following the ceremony, boxes will be provided in the robing room for the return of rented academic apparel.

Additional details will be sent to procession participants before the inauguration.

Volunteer opportunity

Column marshals, volunteers, ushers, Eucharistic ministers (fully initiated Catholics) and musicians (vocal and instrumental) are needed for the Mass and Installation Ceremony.

If interested in volunteering, email University Special Events at universityspecialevents@​marquette.edu. Please include what role you’d like to help with and someone from the Special Events Team will follow up with more details.

Staff

The entire Marquette community is invited to attend the Mass and Installation Ceremony of Dr. Kimo Ah Yun and the reception that immediately follows.

Please RSVP by April 14 to indicate your attendance for the ceremony and reception. Direct any questions about attending to your manager.

Volunteer opportunity

Column marshals, volunteers, ushers, Eucharistic ministers (fully initiated Catholics) and musicians (vocal and instrumental) are needed for the Mass and Installation Ceremony.

If interested in volunteering, email University Special Events at universityspecialevents@​marquette.edu. Please include what role you’d like to help with and someone from the Special Events Team will follow up with more details.

Visitor information

• Hotels
• Campus Map
• Parking on campus
• VISIT MKE
• Virtual tour of campus

Hotels

 

Coffee spots on/near campus

• The Brew in the Alumni Memorial Union is the most accessible location on campus, located on the first floor of the Alumni Memorial Union.   
• Starbucks is located at 1610 W. Wisconsin Ave. and at 509 W. Wisconsin Ave.
• Stone Creek Coffee, a locally owned coffee chain, is located at 422 N. 5th Street.

Food on/near campus

• Chain restaurants on Wells Street (between 15th and 16th streets) include Jimmy John's and Qdoba. 
• OnMilwaukee.com has an excellent guide to Milwaukee restaurants.
• Sendik's Fresh2Go grocery store is just around the corner, located at 824 N. 16th Street.

About the president

Personal information

• Full name: James Kuuipo Choy Ah Yun, Jr.
• Preferred Name: Dr. Kimo Ah Yun (KEE-mo ah YOON)
• Age: 59
• Family: Spouse: Catherine Puckering; Children: Benjamin (22), Molly (21), Haven (17). Benjamin is a senior at Marquette studying criminology and computer science. Molly is a senior at the University of Southern California as a pre-law student studying law, history and culture. Haven is a high school senior who enjoys performing in choir and participating in musical theatre.
• Hometown: Compton, California
• Curriculum Vitae

Professional history

• Acting President, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Marquette University
• Previous positions:
• Dean, J. William and Mary Diederich College of Communication, Marquette University
• Associate Dean, College of Arts and Letters, California State University, Sacramento
• Chair, Department of Communication Studies, California State University, Sacramento
• Director, Center for Teaching and Learning, California State University, Sacramento
• Professor, Department of Communication Studies, California State University, Sacramento

Education

• Ph.D. in Communication, Michigan State University, 1996
• M.A. in Speech, Kansas State University, 1992
• B.A. in Communication Studies, California State University, Sacramento, 1990

Personal trivia

• First job: Newspaper carrier for The Sacramento Bee
• Favorite hobby: Listening to live music
• Favorite book: A Grammar of Motives
• Favorite travel destination: Hawaii
• Best advice: Be curious, not judgmental.
• Favorite quote: “Life's not the breaths you take, but the moments that take your breath away.” – George Strait
• Unique talents: I am like a human homing pigeon in that I have an excellent sense of direction and am a great navigator.
• Favorite meal: Plate lunch, which is a common multicultural meal in Hawaii