Providing a bridge
When a group of friends had to cancel their annual trip, they donated to Marquette’s Bridge to the Future fund
They met at Marquette and became lifetime friends.
Each year they renew and strengthen their friendship with an annual trip together— until this year. The COVID-19 pandemic canceled their plans and put their trip on hiatus.
In response, they decided to instead donate to Marquette’s Bridge to the Future Fund, which provides relief to students affected by the economic impact of COVID-19.
The Bridge to the Future Fund provides financial assistance to those whose changing economic circumstances jeopardize their ability to continue their education. The fund can be used to support students in these times of need and has immediate impact for our students.
In this interview, Elizabeth Bensen explains how the friends built a bond at Marquette, and why they are giving back to the next generation right now.
How long have you known your Marquette friends and how did you meet this group?
Most of us met freshman year, while living at O’Donnell on the same wing. We became fast friends and entered the dorm lottery for sophomore year. Eight of our group ended up at Schroeder and four of us were in a quad at Cobeen. We all decided to find housing for junior year together. We signed a lease for four apartments across the street from Real Chili above a Chinese restaurant on 17th and Wells. We occupied all four apartments. Though we were in different majors, we all gathered at nights and on the “patio” — i.e., the asphalt rooftop-to talk about the day, our romantic interests and to have dance parties.
How often do you normally take trips together?
We have done annual trips since 1988. Sometimes the trips have been regional, for instance to the Ozarks, Door County or the Dells, especially during our younger, leaner years. We often went with kids and partners. As we have gotten older, we typically go on our girls’ trips on our own to have tons of laughs, eat well and drink lots of wine. We have traveled to Arizona, Florida and to a friend’s lake cottage in Michigan. On occasion, when there were too many family events between March and May, we would stay more regionally and do a weekend in Chicago. There are many subgroups who meet up, especially in Milwaukee and Chicago.
How has this crisis personally affected you or others in your Marquette friend group?
Like society in general, it has affected our friend group somewhat substantially. Many of us are working from home. One of our friends is a nurse and she has been called to work in critical access unit in the Chicago area. One of our friends works for the school district in St. Paul, and her school is now providing child care within that school. One friend is facing challenges as a high-level administrator in an NPO, struggling to keep the multi-million dollar budget afloat. Some of us are underemployed. Most of us have college-age children who are housing with us at least temporarily.
Why did you decide to donate to Marquette when your trip was canceled?
Marquette is where it all began! If it hadn’t been for Marquette, we would not have become friends. Our travel plans may have changed but our enduring friendship never will. We are so very thankful for our Marquette experience! Our hope is that all MU students impacted by COVID-19 will be able to continue with their Marquette education; that they will have the opportunity to pursue their Marquette dreams. We want to give back to Marquette students to ease their concerns in any small way!
What would your advice be to others who are also forced to cancel trips or activities as a result of COVID-19?
We stay in touch with periodic zoom meetings to celebrate birthdays or to just chat and catch up. We have had themed zoom happy hours. One of our friends has the youngest daughter, age 6, so some of the gang is taking time to read to her to give her mom a break. We also have a very private Facebook page to put out accomplishments or hardships, big or little or to post hilarious photos from past and present.
When you can travel together again as a group, where would you want to go together?
With us scattered across the county, ANYWHERE we can be together. Our trip this year had been canceled to San Antonio, so we hope to reschedule that. We have talked about Napa Valley or a film festival.
