For the Love of Art: Jean and Chuck Holmburg, Marquette Parents

“Giving back makes you feel so good … you get so much when you give to others.”

Jean Holmburg should know. She’s given back to her community in many ways over the years. She and her husband Chuck recently made a planned gift to Marquette that will help provide educational programs at the university’s Haggerty Museum of Art. Dr. Holmburg, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Medical School, and Jean, a graduate of Madison General Hospital School of Nursing, are self-proclaimed “Badger fans.” They are also fans of Marquette and of the Haggerty in particular.

“Our daughter Ann Keiper graduated from Marquette (Arts ’92) and met her husband Jamie there,” says Jean. Jean raised three daughters with Chuck, a physician, and spent many years with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra League, serving as president and leading many fundraising events. It was in 2005, when she was invited to join the Haggerty board, that the couple became enthusiastic supporters of Marquette’s “jewel.”

Art has always been near and dear to their hearts. “We have been to lots of art museums,” explains Chuck. “But we didn’t hear about the Haggerty until Jean got involved with the board. I was amazed at the quality and variety of art in the museum.”

Jean says she learned to appreciate all kinds of art through the Haggerty, and “when I became president of the Board, I really enjoyed working with the Friends of the Haggerty. I’m very impressed by our new director, Susan Longhenry, who is moving us in the right direction.”

Jean is a co-chair of the effort to renovate the aging 30-year-old museum to create more space for exhibiting works of art and to accommodate the huge increase of its educational programming—not only for Marquette students but for students from nearby colleges, high schools, and elementary schools.

“Educational programs are at the heart of the Haggerty,” explains Jean. “Through our planned giving, we want to support the future of Marquette for our children and grandkids. Dr. Lovell is moving us forward and, along with Susan leading the museum, it will have a bright future.”