MILWAUKEE — Marquette University President Kimo Ah Yun announced a $2 million gift from alumnus Dr. Michael J. Miskella and his wife, Rosaleen, to support the School of Dentistry.
Miskella, a 1969 Marquette dental graduate, said he wanted to ensure the school remains “top-flight.” Wisconsin’s only dental school treats patients from 66 of the state’s 72 counties, providing roughly 110,000 visits annually, including more than $16 million in services in Milwaukee alone.
“My education at Marquette Dental was demanding but fair and set the foundation for a rewarding career,” Miskella said. “I hope our gift inspires others to support the school. The Jesuit tradition shaped both my practice and my life.”
The donation establishes the school’s first endowed directorship, part of a growing trend of donors funding high-level faculty and staff positions.
“We are sincerely grateful to Dr. Miskella and his family,” President Ah Yun said. “Alumni support invests in the talented people who make Marquette University special.”
After completing his residency at Johns Hopkins Hospital, Miskella founded Bay Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Green Bay, where he practiced for nearly 50 years. Oral and maxillofacial surgeons diagnose and treat injuries, defects, and diseases of the mouth, jaw, and face, including dental implants, jaw alignment, and bone grafting.
Since 2022, Marquette has been revitalizing its 120,000-square-foot facility, upgrading predoctoral clinics, the oral surgery suite, specialty clinics, classrooms, patient areas, and creating a digital innovation center.
“This gift comes as we transform dental education,” said Dean Elsbeth Kalenderian. “Dr. Miskella’s support strengthens our talent pipeline and will encourage additional leadership endowments for future generations.”
A 2026 WalletHub report ranked Wisconsin the third-best state for dental health, considering access to care and treatment costs.
“Support for our teacher-scholars ensures students learn from top leaders in their professions,” said Vice President for University Advancement Tim McMahon. “We are grateful for the Miskella family’s commitment to Marquette.”