Marquette University's Director of University Communication and former Channel 12 reporter Ben Tracy, is leaving Milwaukee to return to his hometown of St. Paul, Minnesota. Beginning October 1, Tracy will become a special projects reporter for WCCO-TV in the Twin Cities, where he'll join former Today's TMJ 4 News Director Jeff Kiernan.

Tracy was an award-winning, lead/investigative reporter at WISN-TV, but left in 2001 to work for his alma mater, Marquette.

"Marquette has done so much for me both personally and professionally," says Tracy. "It is a place that I feel strongly about, and so it was meaningful to work there and try to give something back. Leaving Milwaukee is very hard. This is a place I have called home for nearly eight years, and I have truly grown to love it. I'll miss the genuineness of the people, the growing energy downtown and of course the big Lake to the East."

Still, he's happy to go home, both professionally and personally.

"I am very excited to get back into reporting, especially in my hometown."

Tracy currently lives on the East Side, is active in Young Professionals of Milwaukee and recently earned his masters degree in public service/policy and a certificate in dispute resolution at MU. No word on his replacement at MU, but Tracy will work with the University to ensure a smooth transition. His last day is Sept. 10.