Editor's Note: "Mike Munkel: A Celebration of Life" will be held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 2 in the Skyhawk Cafeteria

A generation of UTM students will be cheated in never having the opportunity to meet Mike Munkel. Far too many people on campus will probably read today’s headline and wonder why his life was so important, so noble. Those of us who know are blessed.

He gave selflessly to the two true loves of his life: his family and UTM. We recall with fondness his dedication to Skyhawk Athletics, often serving as the master of ceremonies for parties in the Dining Hall before the big games. It wasn’t in his contract; it was in his heart.

He brought us courtside dining, a unique way for students, faculty and community members to enjoy UTM basketball games. He was a sports fan down to his core.

Amid discussions of the new food service contract, Munkel was regarded as one of the top reasons to retain Sodexho. His service to the university was that important.

While toiling away at the solemn task of reporting his passing, we felt that it was appropriate that the headline be donned in UTM Orange and Blue. To be true, these pages are simply an insufficient vessel to communicate our admiration for Mike.

In the memory of Mike Munkel, we humbly ask the university to strongly consider naming the Skyhawk Dining Hall in his honor. It will serve as an everlasting memorial to the man who gave so much to our university.

This university has lost one of its greatest supporters. His dedication to UTM, his friends, his family and the local community is a model that all of us would be well served to follow.

Related: Mike Munkel: Leaving a Legacy