College of Business Administration Award Recipients
Professional Achievement Award
Robert M. Bordeman, Bus Ad '78
Hinsdale, Ill.
(posthumously)
Bob valued his Marquette education so much that he paid his tuition by working a full-time job at the Marc Plaza Hotel in downtown Milwaukee. Bob, who passed away in December, regarded his Marquette memories among his fondest.
From 1995 on, Bob served on the board of directors for and was CEO of the Safeway Insurance Group, the largest privately held automobile insurance provider in the nation. Working in the financial services and insurance industries his entire career, he also served as corporate controller for Blue Cross of California, vice president of finance for the Merrill Lynch Insurance Group and CFO for two Lincoln National Corp. subsidiaries.
A certified public accountant and chartered financial analyst, Bob also held a master’s degree in finance from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business.
Bob is survived by his wife Cathy, Nurs ’78, whom he met at Marquette. They were married in 1979 at Church of the Gesu by Rev. Ron Bieganowski, S.J. He is also survived by his youngest son Adam, Bus Ad ’06, Grad ’07, and he was predeceased by his eldest son, Andrew.
Cathy recently wrote: “Bob felt education was the key to success, and it started with his degree from Marquette. He believed in the mission of the university and was a generous supporter of Marquette since his graduation. He, of course, was a devoted fan of the basketball team and loved to watch the games.”
