Marquette University Nears Completion of Comprehensive Wellness Facility

A new facility that consolidates student recreation, health, wellness, and counseling services is nearing completion at Marquette University. Located on the southwestern end of the campus at the intersection of 16th and Clybourn streets, it is set to open in early 2025, culminating an eight-year journey from concept to realization. The initiative is part of the Campus Master Plan adopted in 2016, with significant momentum gained in December 2021, following an announcement by the late President Michael R. Lovell regarding a substantial gift aimed at transforming the university’s wellness services.

Jessica Strigens, Vice President for Planning and Facilities Management, who has been involved in the project since its inception, remarked on its anticipated impact. «Providing a variety of spaces for recreation and fitness was important to us, while also allowing flexibility,» Strigens explained. She emphasized the improved medical clinic facilities within the wellness tower, highlighting that the second floor’s new medical clinic space will offer enhanced care quality.

The 30,000-square-foot, centralized three-story wellness tower embodies the Jesuit principle of cura personalis, or «care for the whole person.» The structure aims to foster community, inclusiveness, and engagement, offering a comprehensive solution for the mental and physical health needs of the Marquette community. Key services will be located on the second, third, and fourth levels of the tower, featuring the LOVELLSTRONG Center for Student Well-Being as a tribute to the Lovells.

Dr. William Smith, acting Chief Wellness Officer and Clinical Associate Professor of Exercise Science, oversees various health initiatives at the university. «I hope this facility is instrumental in embedding well-being into the Marquette student experience,» Smith commented. The facility will unify different health services in a state-of-the-art environment, facilitating personalized wellness journeys for students.

The Marquette Medical Clinic, set to move to the second floor of the new facility, is designed to expand its offerings beyond primary care. Services include x-ray, suturing, and a comprehensive medical team, including physicians and registered nurses, focusing on creating a better patient experience. All enrolled students will be eligible for its services, enhancing anonymity and reducing stigma to encourage mental health support.

The facility’s lower and first floors will feature upgraded fitness and recreation areas, including a pool, courts for tennis and basketball, an indoor track, and group exercise rooms. Strigens underscores the design’s inclusivity, aiming to accommodate diverse student approaches to fitness and recreation.

«We are working hard to get this project across the finish line so it’s open in January, as projected,» Strigens stated, acknowledging the temporary accommodations students have used during construction. Smith added, «We want it to be a welcoming space for all students,» referring to the facility’s potential to enhance wellness across campus.

Research underscores the critical role of wellness facilities in academic success. A National Alliance on Mental Illness report states that 64% of U.S. college students who leave school do so due to mental health concerns, and many do not receive necessary support. Inside Higher Ed‘s recent survey connects wellness with academic performance, indicating that physical health significantly impacts students’ academic outcomes. Marquette University hopes this new facility will address these challenges and elevate the campus community’s well-being.