The Marquette Ignatian Educators of Distinction recognizes and honors faculty and staff who exemplify a deep commitment to the Catholic, Jesuit educational mission. Both faculty and staff at Marquette have a commitment to the holistic development of students in their curricular and co-curricular experiences.

Through the sustained study and practice of Mission Engagement, this group demonstrates both competence and dedication to animating Marquette’s Mission of Excellence, Faith, Leadership, and Service. This distinction affirms their leadership in their roles as faculty and staff at Marquette in fostering a transformative learning environment.

Purpose:  Faculty and staff at Marquette University are dedicated to the Catholic Jesuit educational mission. A Marquette Ignatian Educator is a campus and public recognition of a person’s commitment and competence in animating the Jesuit tradition of academic excellence.     

Standard:  This distinction is based on depth and time of engagement — approximately 20 hours in a one-year period engaged in comprehensive education and/or scholarship on Jesuit identity, including pedagogy, spirituality, heritage, service and retreat.  Applicants are encouraged to apply every year if they meet the standard. 

Pillar Components:

Excellence is a completion-of-formation program that deepens understanding of the life of St. Ignatius of Loyola and the mission, values, and history of Jesuit higher education. Through seminars grounded in Ignatian pedagogy and Jesuit educational tradition, participants are invited to reflect on excellence as a commitment to intellectual rigor, reflection, and continuous growth. These programs are offered through the Offices of Mission and Ministry, the Faber Center for Ignatian Spirituality, the Center for Teaching and Learning, as well as the AJCU and the Midwest Province. Most formation programs are eligible for up to three years of credit. 

Faith invites participants to engage Ignatian spirituality through retreat experiences that foster personal reflection, discernment, and spiritual growth in the tradition of St. Ignatius. Participation requires a minimum of 7.5 retreat hours. Retreats associated with the MCP and ICP count for the year in which the program was completed. Other eligible retreats include, but are not limited to, the Faber Retreat for Busy People, Faber Fall Weekend Retreat, Ignatian Writing Retreat (Center for Teaching and Learning), January Silent Retreat, Faber Center Half-Day Advent Retreat, Ignatian Faculty Retreat (Center for Teaching and Learning), Faber Spring Retreat, and the Marquette Moms’ Retreat. Departmental or office retreats do not count toward this requirement. 

Leadership reflects the Ignatian vision of forming people for and with others, rooted in the Jesuit tradition of educating leaders who serve the common good. This pillar includes attendance at a minimum of three programs grounded in Ignatian spirituality and Jesuit approaches to leadership, discernment, and accompaniment. These programs are primarily hosted by the Offices of Mission and Ministry, the Faber Center for Ignatian Spirituality, and the Center for Teaching and Learning. 

Service embodies the Ignatian commitment to faith that does justice and the Jesuit educational mission of solidarity and accompaniment. This pillar includes four or more hours of service within or outside the Marquette community that reflects solidarity, leadership, and care for the whole person. Options include, but are not limited to, participation in the Baccalaureate Mass, Staff Senate, Academic Senate, Move-In, Connect and Serve Fall 2026 with the Arrupe Center, serving on a Marquette hiring committee, service on a university or department committee, or serving as a spiritual director or spiritual companion for participants in the 19th Annotation Retreat or the Retreat for Busy People.

**Please note that if you currently run a program or event that fits within these tiers and you would like to be considered as a part of this distinction, please contact the office of Mission and Ministry. 

The ceremony will take place in February each year to honor both Marquette Ignatian Educators and Ignatius Award recipients.

To apply for the 2027 distinction, fill out the form linked here. Applications will be accepted until Jan. 10. This distinction can be received annually, so even if you've received it in the past, applicants can apply every year. 

Please contact Brigid Kinsella-Alba with any questions.

---

Marquette Ignatian Educators of Distinction

Expand all   |   Collapse all  

Recipients with an '*' have received the award previously.

---

Ignatius Award Recipients

The Ignatius Award honors individuals whose leadership, service, and personal witness reflect the enduring values of St. Ignatius of Loyola and whose work advances the mission of Marquette University in profound and lasting ways. 

Recipients demonstrate a sustained and deeply rooted commitment to Marquette’s Catholic and Jesuit identity. They have not only engaged with the Jesuit mission, but have allowed it to shape their leadership, their professional lives, and their service within our university community. 

The Ignatius Award also reflects the Province‑sponsored partnership that animates Marquette University. While it is conferred upon individuals, it honors the broader collaborative work of Marquette and its Jesuit sponsors—recognizing generations of educators, leaders, and students whose spiritually grounded lives have enlivened the human spirit on this campus. 

At its heart, the Ignatius Award is an act of trust. It acknowledges those who have drawn creatively from Ignatian formation to bring something new into being, while also affirming their responsibility to carry this mission forward for the good of others. 

In 2026, we had the honor of recognizing five individuals: 

Janine Geske and Michael Hogan are a couple that has transformed Marquette University. Justice Janine P. Geske is a nationally respected jurist, educator, and pioneer of restorative justice whose career has profoundly shaped law, education, and community life. A former Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice and longtime Milwaukee County Circuit Court judge, she serves as Director of Marquette University’s Andrew Center for Restorative Justice and as a Distinguished Professor of Law. Justice Geske has brought a deeply human, faith‑rooted approach to justice that centers healing, dignity, and the common good. Widely honored for her service, scholarship, and moral leadership, she has inspired generations of students, legal professionals, and communities to seek justice grounded not only in law, but in compassion and hope. 

Michael Hogan is a longtime educator, lawyer, and spiritual leader whose work has shaped both the legal profession and the spiritual life of Marquette University and Milwaukee. After a distinguished career as a trial attorney and nearly two decades teaching trial advocacy at Marquette Law School, he answered a deeper call to Ignatian formation as founding director of the Faber Center for Ignatian Spirituality. There, and through his continued ministry with Magis Milwaukee, Michael has accompanied faculty, staff, and community members in prayer, reflection, and discernment with generosity and wisdom. His lifelong commitment to justice, ethical leadership, and spiritual accompaniment continues to serve people of all faiths with depth, humility, and grace. 

Edith Hudson has prayerfully led with a faith and trust in God that is deeply rooted and deeply inspiring since she has begun serving as Marquette’s Chief of Police. Through the Ignatian Colleagues’ Program and the Seminar in Formation, Edith has become not only a leader, but a spiritual presence on our campus. She exemplifies service Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam—for the greater glory of God—and she empowers colleagues to embrace Ignatian spirituality in ways that are authentic to their own callings. 

Rev. Eddie Mathie, S.J.’s commitment to excellence in service to the Marquette community is extraordinary. Through prayer, presence, and companionship, he has walked faithfully with our campus community. From Director of Campus Ministry to Acting Vice-President of Mission and Ministry, to creating the founding class to lead students through the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola, Fr. Mathie has been a pillar of love and prayer on campus.  As chaplain to the women’s basketball team, we are grateful for his calm, loving, and steadfast presence. 

Anne Meyer has brought her best self to work each day, modeling true servant leadership by consistently placing the needs of others before her own. As an administrative assistant in University Advancement and first point of contact on the fourth floor of Zilber Hall, she attended to details that others might miss, ensuring no one is left behind on her watch. She is exceedingly generous, reliable, and caring.  She has provided strength and support to other offices in need during moments of challenge and grief.  

In 2025, we recognized the untiring work of Rev. Frederik Zagone, S.J, University Chaplain in University Advancement as the Midwest Province Ignatian Educator of Distinction. He he was the ultimate connector and gained his energy by attending hundreds of university events, and even more so in countless interactions with alumni during life’s most meaningful moments. Father Zagone spreads the message of Jesuit values which are lived out at Marquette and we are grateful for all he gives to the Marquette community. 

In 2024, Marquette handed out its inaugural Midwest Jesuit Province Ignatian Educator of Distinction Award to alumna and faculty member Dr. Marija Bjegovich-Weidman, Nurs ’23, ’95. The award recognized Bjegovich-Weidman’s incorporation of Jesuit values into her teaching.