Michael Lovell is introduced Wednesday as the new president of Marquette University. Credit: Rick Wood

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Marquette University searched far and wide for its next president but ultimately found him across town.

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Chancellor Michael Lovell was unanimously elected the 24th president of Marquette by the university's board of trustees at a special meeting Wednesday. He is the first lay president in the Jesuit school's 133-year history, and will have only about a 10-minute drive between campuses during the transition.

Lovell, 47, will succeed Interim President Father Robert A. Wild and take office Aug. 1.Lovell's new salary has not been released; he received a $10,000 raise from the UW System in November to boost his salary there to $343,505.

At a news conference, Lovell described how he initially declined to be considered but over time trustees and others at Marquette continued to pursue him, raising his interest. A meeting with Wild also convinced him the move was the right choice.

"He didn't try to talk me in to it," Lovell said. "He said, 'Stand before God, and consider what path would give you the most fulfillment in your life.'"

Lovell said he consulted his longtime spiritual adviser, who told him God was calling him to this decision.

"It became clear to me I was called to Milwaukee six years ago to become Marquette's president," he said.

"It was never really my plan, but I'm just glad I decided to follow it."

Early Wednesday, Lovell sent an email to UWM colleagues and students on the east side campus immediately after Marquette announced his confirmation.

"I know that many of you will be surprised by my decision," Lovell said. "Those closest to me, however, know how important my Catholic faith is in my life, and having the ability to integrate my religious life with my professional life is something that I always wanted to do in my career."

A change in Marquette's bylaws in 2011 made it possible for Lovell, a Catholic layperson, to be chosen.

The potential candidate pool for the Marquette job included 16 sitting college presidents, eight Jesuits and 1,200 people "from both coasts and everything in between," said John Ferraro, who chaired the presidential search and is on the school's board of trustees.

Ferraro said that Lovell was "our first and clear choice." Ferraro also recalled his mother advising him that sometimes what you look for is right in front of you.

From the outset, Marquette cast its eyes to Lovell as the school sought to recover from the shocking resignation of Father Scott R. Pilarz, who unexpectedly quit in September after two years on the job.

Lovell said he was approached by Marquette about its presidency several months ago and declined because he could not imagine leaving UWM at that time.

"But in recent weeks, as several people asked me to keep an open mind, I began to hear a calling to serve at an institution where I could more openly share my Catholic faith," Lovell said.

Lovell told the UWM campus community in his Wednesday morning email that when he accepted the chancellor job in 2011, he never anticipated leaving UWM for a position at another university in Wisconsin.

Lovell originally came to UWM from the University of Pittsburgh to be dean of UWM's engineering school. His path to the top at UWM was nontraditional, just like his choice as Marquette's first lay president.

"My decision has been extremely difficult because of my love for the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and my tremendous respect for the faculty, staff and students of our campus," Lovell said.

Reaction on the Marquette campus and on social media was a mixture of excitement, relief and concern about the break from tradition in hiring a layperson.

But Lovell was an immediate hit on campus. Students mobbed him and asked that he pose with them for selfies in the Marquette student union's Brew Bayou.

Well aware of the several vacancies Marquette must fill, some students said they were pleased the Jesuit university began its rebuilding at the top.

"I have read how much the executive search committee has committed to getting the best candidate, Jesuit or lay person," said senior Calvin Nixon. "Getting Dr. Lovell shows that they're committed to raising our reputation as the foremost Jesuit university in the world. And I'm sure he will foster our values to the utmost level."

Other students expressed mixed feelings about the pick.

Clare Maloney, a sophomore from Cincinnati, termed the decision to hire a layperson "kind of sad." While she didn't think the decision would change how the university is run, "It would be nice to keep the tradition."

The fact Lovell is an engineer is a plus for Matthew Morris, a senior mechanical engineering major from Schaumburg, Ill. He wasn't concerned about Lovell being a layperson. "As long as he's here to do the job, then there's no problem."

Marquette University Board of Trustees Chairman Charles "Chuck" Swoboda called Lovell's selection a historic moment for Marquette.

"Dr. Lovell brings the experience and vision to effectively lead Marquette amid the challenging dynamics of higher education today," Swoboda said. "He clearly values the transformative experience of a Marquette education and, as our president, he will have the ability to lead and live out his Catholic faith as a servant leader."

Lovell and his wife, Amy, were college sweethearts at the University of Pittsburgh. Their first date was at the campus Catholic Newman Club. They have four children.

When he took the UWM chancellor's job, Lovell spoke then of his deep faith and how central it was to his daily decisions.

Lovell's departure from UWM comes as a shock. He is the sixth chancellor within the past year to either be replaced or to announce he is leaving the UW System. There are 13 chancellors in the system.

"Mike Lovell is someone for whom I have the deepest regard as both a valued friend and trusted colleague," UW System President Ray Cross said. "It may have started with our shared background as engineers, but it goes far beyond that. I respect his leadership and value his wisdom and counsel."

It was no secret last year that Lovell was upset when state lawmakers accused UW System leaders of not being truthful about their finances when hundreds of thousands of dollars in cash balances were revealed by a state audit. Lovell defended the money being kept on his campus as money earmarked for specific future purposes.

Cross said Lovell and others were moving beyond that frustration and rebuilding trust with lawmakers.

"I look forward to collaborating with Mike in his new role," Cross said. "Together, I am confident that we will continue to do great things for Milwaukee, the state and for our universities."

UW System Board of Regents President Michael Falbo said UWM "will continue to deliver on its promise of powerful ideas and proven results."

Filling the presidency allows Marquette to move forward on filling a number of key leadership positions, including provost, athletic director and director of admissions.

The Marquette community remains keenly interested in hiring a new basketball coach to replace Buzz Williams, who abruptly departed for Virginia Tech.

Lovell said he wanted to be sure Marquette hires a coach who not only is successful on the court, "but who also fits the values and traditions of the Marquette community."

"We'll move as quick as possible," Lovell added in response to another question.

The news of Lovell's jump from UWM to Marquette created a buzz across Milwaukee and Wisconsin.

Gov. Scott Walker, a former Marquette student whose oldest son attends the school, tweeted at 7:30 a.m.: "Congratulations to Mike Lovell as Marquette University's new president!"

Milwaukee County Executive Chris Abele, who attended Marquette's Wednesday afternoon news conference to announce the selection, said in a statement that he is happy that Lovell "is staying in Milwaukee to continue to improve our community. Milwaukee County is proud to work closely with both Marquette and UWM and this will strengthen those partnerships."

Bill Glauber, Mike De Sisti, Annysa Johnson and Astead Herndon of the Journal Sentinel staff contributed to this report