Category Archives: DU Scene
7th Annual OMA Unity Banquet Features Duquesne’s Dr. Yancy
Dr. George Yancy, noted author and professor of philosophy, spoke about racism as an obstacle to unity at the Office of Multicultural Affairs’ seventh annual Unity Banquet and Scholarship Benefit on Friday, April 12 in the Power Center Ballroom. The event began with a reception at 5 p.m. followed by dinner at 6 p.m. Continue reading
8th Annual Ring Blessing
Study Break, April 2013
- Gumberg Library thanks the 2012-2013 Student Government Association Library Committee for their support, especially Zachary Zeigler, president, and Shannon Smith, vice president of academic affairs. SGA hosts a final exams study break in the library each semester.
- The Office of Residence Life Study Break from this past December.
On Friday, April 26 Duquesne University faculty and staff have the opportunity to live the Mission of “Serving God by Serving Students” at the second annual “Original Study Break” from 9 p.m. – midnight. Continue reading
Gumberg Library Reminder
International Week 2013
- Traditional Holi Dancing
- Joseph Snyder, DJ for Holi, showcasing the powdered colors of Holi festival
- Angelica Rodriguez (left) and Natalia Diaz (right) during ISO Night
- Shreya Vaishnav, a member of the Duquesne Indian Student Association
- African Drumming during UAS Showcase Afrique
During this year’s International Week, the International Students Organization was able to collaborate with many student organizations such as the Union of African Students (UAS), Duquesne Indian Student Association (DISHA) and the Caribbean Student Association (CSA). Together, these organizations showcased international culture to Duquesne students, faculty and staff. Continue reading
Cross Cultural Mission Experiences 2013
2013 Valentine’s Charity Ball
- APD Brothers at V-Ball
- APD Alums and Campus Advisor Brigitte Szivos
- Fr. Hogan presents APD president Eric Formato with APD crest
Greek Leadership Retreat
Greek Life Dinner with the Dukes and Women’s Basketball Game
Orientation 2013
At the weekend retreat in January, the Orientation Directors and Chairs developed the 2013 Orientation theme. The new theme is “Branch Out!” The team is very excited to begin developing the weeklong Orientation program based on their new theme. The Directors and Chairs held their annual “Launch Event” in February where they announced the new theme to their 200 Team Leaders. Planning for Orientation 2013 will continue through the summer until Orientation begins with Move-In Day on Tuesday, August 20 through Sunday, August 25.
As a student-run program, developed for students by students, Orientation at Duquesne is uniquely positioned to welcome the newest members of the University to the Duquesne family.
Room Selection Update
Thank you to all of the students who participated in our Room Selection process. It was extremely successful this year with a fantastic number of residents choosing to reside on campus next academic year. Continue reading
Residence Hall Association’s Campus-Wide Easter Egg Hunt
- Vice President of Finance Philip Formica showing off an Easter egg containing a $5.00 gift card to Subway
- The Easter Bunny accidentally dropped his eggs on Academic Walk!
- Easter Egg Hunt at Night
Class Councils – Spring 2013
Spotlight Musical Theater Company
Spotlight Musical Theater Company performed the musical “9 to 5” for two weekends in March.
The student organization is also proud to announce its new Board of Directors for the 2013-2014 academic year:
President – Felicia Freger
Vice President – Brian Bost
Secretary – Andrew Havranek
Treasurer – Courtney Harkins
Historian – Dyllan Becker
Public Relations – Elizabeth Jeffries
Take a break during finals week – help build a paper forest in the Gumberg Library!
Gumberg Library invites the Duquesne community to Take Back the Forest! As a fun and interactive way to support responsible resource use and recycling, the library is partnering with SGA, Sigma Kappa, and Evergreen to create a recycled forest on the fourth floor of Gumberg. Starting Wednesday, April 17, and running through Tuesday, April 30, students can drop in and add to this growing paperscape with decorated items taken from books, magazines, newspapers and recycled paper. There will be a brief Earth Day celebration at 1pm on April 22, with snacks and a chance to WIN part of the decorated forest and other prizes.
BOGO* Spring Book Sale
April 15 – April 19
PNC Atrium Student Union
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. (4 p.m. on Friday)
Benefits the Maureen Sullivan Curriculum Center
*Our mission is to promote and support literacy, both at home and in our communities. Each customer is asked to donate a book of their choice to support PreK-Grade 8 summer reading programs in the local community. BOGO discount applied with donation. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Danielle at buck@duq.edu.
Career Services Calendar
Night of Lights Thank You
Night of Lights was a wonderful event for Duquesne students, faculty and staff as well as our guests from Autism Speaks. We celebrated an engagement of two Duquesne alumni, enjoyed Christmas dinner together and raised over $1,600 for our charity. Thank you to all who donated and attended the event.
SPIRIT Emerging Leaders Program
Now in its eighth year, the SPIRIT Emerging Leaders Program is designed to encourage student development and provide participants with a foundation for future leadership roles on campus and in the professional workshop.
Throughout the semester, various workshops will be presented by University Staff and Peer Educators, which will consist of a variety of topics, including: Ethical Leadership, Managing your Personal Finances, Event Planning, Investing your Money, Etiquette Dinner, Community Engagement, Inclusive Excellence and more!
Students involved with the SPIRIT Program are required to attend seven workshops and complete a reflection paper. Nearly 200 students were nominated by University Departments, Administration and Student Organizations.
Tip-Off Tailgate
Greek Life Recruitment
Greek Leadership Retreat and Greek 101
On Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013, several members of the Duquesne Greek Community will be attending a Leadership retreat here on campus. This retreat is catered to up-and-coming leaders and brand new chapter executive board members. The topics covered will be: leadership style, team building and leading teams, diversity and inclusive leadership, and leading with integrity/ethical leadership. The retreat is sure to be fantastic and educational! Continue reading
Delta Chi – “I Got Snagged for Jimmy V”
On Feb. 16, 2013, starting at 9 a.m. in the Auxiliary Gym of the Palumbo Center, Circle K and the Duquesne Chapter of the Delta Chi Fraternity are hosting, “I got Snagged for Jimmy V.” This event consists of a special Mini-Golf course that is great fun! All of the proceeds from this event will be sent to the V Foundation to help fund grants for doctors to find new ways to fight and cure cancer. Please come out and help support the fight against cancer!
Alpha Gamma Delta Water Wars
Phi Kappa Theta – “Monte Carlo Night”
Every year, the brothers of Phi Kappa Theta present their annual Monte Carlo Night, a Vegas-like casino event for persons attending Duquesne, family members, friends, relatives and any who care to join. The evening includes live jazz bands and performers, realistic casino games including black jack, Texas Hold’em and poker tables, slot machines, etc. If it can be found in a casino it can be found at Monte Carlo Night. Our 2013 event will be held Feb. 2 at 8 p.m. in the Union Ballroom. All proceeds go to the Children’s Miracle Network and to help support our late brother Jeff Mudryk and his family. Last year, the brothers of Phi Kappa Theta raised over $4,000, and plan to increase the donated amount every year. This is a great event for a great cause. We hope to see you there!
Greeks Support Athletics Night
On Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013, the Greek Community will be attending the women’s basketball game against Saint Joseph’s. Greek Life is thrilled to show their support for our basketball team and invites all Greeks, parents and alumni to attend the game with us as we cheer on our Dukes! Current Greek Life members will also have the opportunity to earn points towards Greek Week for their chapter!
Irish Night
Duquesne Athletics, in partnership with The Pittsburgh Irish Festival, is hosting its first ever Irish Night on Wednesday, March 6, 2013, at 7 p.m. in the A.J. Palumbo Center. There will be Irish entertainment at half time as well as Irish food and fun for all! To purchase tickets to the game, click here.
Orientation Retreat
On the weekend of Jan. 18-20, 2013, the Orientation Directors and Chairs went away on their annual retreat to Oglebay in West Virginia to decide the theme for Orientation 2013. The retreat was successful and a theme was decided upon. The theme will be revealed on March 13. The staff is excited to begin work with the theme and to welcome the incoming class of 2013.
Class Council Happenings
Freshman: The Freshman Class Council (FCC) has led and sponsored many social and service events throughout the first semester, and plan to do so for the remainder of the year. By participating in events such as Autumnfest and Family Weekend, the FCC has interacted with many other student groups who perform service projects. They have also volunteered time and fundraised for groups such as Up ‘Til Dawn and Circle K. While service and volunteerism are an important aspect to FCC, Continue reading
Pursuing Purpose Retreat Helps Students Discover Vocation
Students are invited to attend Be Bold, Be You, a one-day vocational retreat to help students reflect on ways to have successful careers while also creating meaning and purpose in their lives, at the Newman Institute on Saturday, Feb. 9 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Continue reading
Human Rights Film Series Underway
Repressions and Resilience, the sixth annual Human Rights Film Series, presented by the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, will feature seven award-winning films focusing on some of the most critical human rights issues of our times.
The series kicked off on Wednesday, Jan. 16, with a screening of The Last Mountain, a documentary that explores the impacts of mountaintop-removal coal mining in Appalachia. Continue reading
Thanksgiving at the Rome Campus
- (left to right): Sierra Lilac, Megan Micco, Kate Hancock, Nicole Cline, Stephanie Laux, Sarah Rhodes and Shreya Vaishnav .
- (left to right): top: Zac Duffy, Steven Sofocleous, Alex Barber, Jason Tannenbaum, August DiGiacobbe, Dave Gangewere, Joey Giovannelli bottom: Peter Samson, Phillip Formica.
- (left to right) (photo contest winners): Jenny Palumbo, Kate Hancock, Elise Carter, Kylie McCracken and Sarah Rhodes
- Zach Zeigler and Cheryl Knoch at Rome Campus
An Italian Thanksgiving Feast
When one thinks of Italy, the American tradition of Thanksgiving is not the first this that comes to mind. However, if you find yourself at the Duquesne University Italian Campus during the Fall semester that is exactly what you will find- only a Thanksgiving alla Romana. Continue reading
City Game Tailgate
- Rachel Clites, Grace Hindes, Jessica Shivetts, Cristina Perrotta, Mary Wattick, and Emily Saporetti — with THE DUKE!
Aramark Dining Services was very gracious and served plenty of tailgate food, such as corn on the cob, chicken wings, hot sausage, pierogies, buffalo chicken pizza and much more!
Students were able to sign up for free raffles to get various Duquesne gear such as hats, a scarf, water bottle, banner and hoodie. Along with the free raffles, members gave out red and blue beads, pride tattoos and offered face painting to the students.
The amount of students that attended the tailgate in the dining hall was approximately 1200!
Duquesne Students Experience the Career Services Etiquette Dinner
Career Carnival
Alpha Delta Fundraiser
- Joey Coiro, and T.J. Rice
- Back: Trevor Hileman, John Harbin, Terry Despotakis, Joey Coiro, Byran Lupp; Front: Joe Synder and Andy Goehring.
- Joe Synder, Kevin Merhar, Chris Coufal, Kris Bartow and Joey Coiro.
Phi Delta Chi’s “Movember”
Order of Omega
The Order of Omega, a leadership honor society for members of Greek organizations, welcomed 13 new members at an Induction Ceremony on November 28, 2012. The following people were recognized for their outstanding leadership, service and academic achievement: Continue reading
Spotlight Musical Theater Performs Seussical: The Musical
Spotlight Musical Theater Company performed Seussical: The Musical November 8-10 and November 15–16. Spotlight Musical Theater Company is a student run organization.
Spotlight’s next performance is 9 to 5. Six performances will begin at 8 p.m. March 14-16 and March 21-23, 2013 in the Peter Mills Theater in Rockwell Hall. For more information email spotlight.tix@gmail.com.
Freshman Mothers’ Luncheon
The Freshman Mothers’ Luncheon was held on Sunday, September 23, 2012.

























































