Guided by Jesuit Catholic Values, Michael Crowley Gives Back with a Transformative New $250,000 Gift

For Michael T. Crowley, Jr., 1964 was a big year. Two days before graduating from what was then Regis College, he married Nancy, whom he met while both were undergraduates in Denver. Soon after, the pair moved to New York City, where Michael put his newly minted accounting degree to work at Deloitte & Touche. In the heart of the bustling financial capital, he honed his accounting skills working with a diverse range of clients, from insurance companies to advertising firms. While in NYC, he also passed the CPA exam, laying the groundwork for a career that would span decades and industries.
 
Michael says Regis was more than a stepping stone to a career in accounting—it was the fire in which his values, self-reliance and lifelong commitment to service were forged. "It was the first time I had been away from home, and Regis was instrumental in shaping my independence," he recalls.

Living in O’Connell Hall, navigating the challenges of being a freshman—including wearing beanies and ties as a rite of passage—Michael fostered relationships that would last a lifetime. As a student, he encountered the distinctive rigor and ethical framework of a Jesuit Catholic education. Courses emphasizing ethics and leadership were more than academic exercises—they became guiding principles. His professors not only prepared him academically, but instilled a sense of purpose that would influence his work in banking and philanthropy. 
 
After several years in New York, Michael returned to the Midwest to join his family’s banking business in Milwaukee where he rose through the ranks to become Chairman, President and CEO of Bank Mutual. His leadership wasn’t limited to growing the bank’s assets; it extended to strengthening communities. Inspired by being "men and women for others," Michael became a champion of ethical banking practices and financial literacy. He worked to expand homeownership opportunities for underrepresented communities, spearheading programs that educated families on sustainable ways to build wealth through home ownership. 
 
Michael credits Regis for planting the seeds of his understanding that professional success must go hand in hand with service. "Accounting isn’t just about numbers—it’s about trust, integrity and responsibility," he says.

In 2019, Michael and Nancy established The Michael T. Crowley Endowed Accounting Leadership Scholarship at Regis University with an initial gift of $250,000; the scholarship supports accounting students, ensuring that future generations are equipped to carry forward the values of transparency and ethics in a profession that serves as the backbone of the economy. Since the formation of the endowment, Crowley has given subsequent gifts totaling more than $100,000. He recently ensured the long-term impact of the endowment with a new pledge of $250,000.

Michael’s connection to Regis remains strong. He is part of a network of alumni from the class of 1964 who gather to reminisce and advocate for the university. Through his efforts, he has encouraged high school counselors in Wisconsin to promote Regis as a destination for students seeking a transformative education.

For Michael, Regis wasn’t just a school—it was the place where he learned to balance ambition with humility, independence with community, and success with service. "As they say, you can’t take it with you," Michael notes. "But what you can do is make a difference while you’re here."

We are immensely grateful to Michael and Nancy for making a difference in the lives of today’s students, and for setting an example for the many ways our Jesuit Catholic values can shape a life.