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Changing the Face of Milwaukee

One Project at a Time

When you meet Tom Ganey, University Architect at Marquette University, you wouldn't guess he's been a part of 17 major construction projects totaling nearly $350 million dollars since he began working for Marquette since 1994. Of those projects, six were brand-new buildings — two of which are currently under construction: The Law School building, set to be completed in June of this year, and the engineering building that broke ground in January. Planning for projects begins several years before breaking ground, when the individual departments bring their needs for new facilities to Marquette's senior leadership. This process has served Marquette well — it sparked interest in designing a new dental building, which helped catapult the dental school into a nationally recognized program. Looking back over the projects that have literally changed the face of Marquette, it's clear the university has improved its campus as well as its city.

"It's been said that a community can be gauged by the strength of its institutions," remarked Ganey. "Through Marquette's faith, leadership, excellence and vision, they've strengthened southeast Wisconsin." Ganey further explained that Marquette's mission and values have given students and faculty the tools they needed to become better educators, professionals and citizens.

Meeting Expectations

A lot goes into the projects that Ganey oversees, and his team faces many challenges along the way — from staying on budget; to communicating effectively with students, staff and the community; to dealing with whatever they might find once they break ground. However, Ganey said the most important step in the building process is assembling a solid financial plan to provide guidelines that allow the projects to run smoothly.

"[Relationships] are essential to a successful project. We depend on our partnerships with construction teams, and I've been fortunate enough to bring together the right people to meet Marquette's goals and vision."

Ganey is proud to say that he and his team have never gone over budget or exceeded a deadline on any project — a fact he says is due to everyone's hard work. He also said that working with people he trusts and knows helps get the work done on time and on budget, and provides the highest level of quality Marquette expects.

"School starts when school starts," Ganey said. "Classes start in August and there isn't room for errors or excuses as to why a building isn't finished. It takes a thousand individuals from concept to completion to ensure projects stay on course and expectations are met."

Throughout Ganey's time at Marquette, he has established many relationships within the construction industry which, according to him, "are essential to a successful project. We depend on our partnerships with construction teams, and I've been fortunate enough to bring together the right people to meet Marquette's goals and vision."

Julie Ledger, Director of Project Management for Opus North, a design-builder that has a longstanding relationship with Marquette, feels that Marquette's senior leadership and Ganey's team have served the university well.

"I've been fortunate to partner with Marquette University on several projects for over a decade, and being an alumna, I have a lot of pride in the work we are doing together," she said. "Tom's leadership and guidance has helped shape Marquette's campus over the years. The University's forward thinking has done wonderful things for Milwaukee."

Looking to the Future

When asked what the plans are for future projects, Ganey is quick to answer. "It's not a matter of if Marquette will build, it's a matter of when."

With a university that is committed to its core principles of faith, leadership, excellence and service, it isn't surprising to hear it is always open to improving its facilities and campus. After all, with a dedication to using the best the industry has to offer and the ability to assemble teams who continuously complete projects on time and on budget, Marquette has gone above and beyond in shaping the university's and Milwaukee's futures.

As members of Building Advantage, we should all be proud to have had a hand in the successful projects at Marquette University.

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