The University of Wisconsin-Superior renamed its Health & Wellness Center the Marcovich Wellness Center to honor Toby Marcovich, noted Superior attorney, longtime university supporter, and former president of the University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents.

The naming ceremony on April 16 was attended by more than 200 family members and friends of Marcovich and his wife Sharon.

"We want to recognize Toby for all he has done for UW-Superior -- not only his generous financial gifts, but his tireless advocacy for our university as an active citizen, a member of the UW-Superior Foundation Board of Directors, and as a member of the UW System Board of Regents," said Chancellor Julius Erlenbach.

A native of Superior, Marcovich has long been prominent in the community, serving as city attorney, assistant district attorney for Douglas County, and school board president. He is a partner in the law firm of Marcovich, Cochrane, Milliken, Swanson & Kropid in Superior.

In 1997, then-Gov. Tommy Thompson appointed Marcovich to the UW System Board of Regents. During his seven-year term on the board he was twice elected regent president.

While a regent, Marcovich was instrumental in gaining state approval and support for construction of the building that now bears his name. When it opened in 2003, it was the university's first new building in 30 years. Marcovich and his wife Sharon, a UW-Superior alumna, made a substantial financial gift to support the project, one of many they have provided to the university over the years.

Toby and Sharon Marcovich served as honorary chairs of the university's recently concluded Campaign Superior: Higher Expectations. During those years Toby Marcovich played a critical role in winning state approval and support for the renovation of the university's Jim Dan Hill Library and construction of Swenson Hall, the biggest construction project in campus history.

"Toby Marcovich will stand in UW-Superior history as one of the most influential people of the past 20 years," Erlenbach said. "We are grateful for his many years of hard work on our behalf, and honored to bestow his name on a university building so widely used by people from both our campus and our community."

The Marcovich Wellness Center is located on Catlin Avenue and houses UW-Superior's Health and Human Performance academic program, athletic offices, classrooms, athletic training room, field house, weight room and fitness room.