Honors Students to Unveil Strategic Plan for DU, Daisy Wilson Artist Community Partnership

Students will unveil a strategic plan they developed for a partnership between the University Honors College and the Daisy Wilson Artist Community on Tuesday, May 1, at noon at the Hill District branch of the Carnegie Library, located at 2177 Centre Ave.

The Daisy Wilson Artist Community is based in the boyhood home of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson on Bedford Ave. in the Hill District. Currently, the building is undergoing physical renovations in preparation for its proposed future as a residence, workshop and performance space for artists, musicians and writers.

Throughout the semester, students in the Community and University Honors Seminar deepened their understanding of August Wilson, the Hill District and the process for developing a strategic plan. Their goal was to create a sustainable plan that addresses the needs of the Daisy Wilson Artist Community, shapes future Honors College courses by providing an educational and service outlet, preserves August Wilson’s legacy and benefits the Hill District community.

Dr. Evan Stoddard, associate dean of the McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts, taught the service-learning course.

“The question students had to answer was, ‘How can the Honors College and Duquesne students best become involved in the development and re-use of August Wilson’s boyhood house?’” Stoddard said. “The strategic plan addresses those issues and questions.”

The plan is part of Duquesne’s ongoing commitment to the Hill District community. The University has a longstanding tradition of programs in the Hill, including pharmacy, health care and educational services. Additionally, outreach to the neighborhood is a focus of the 2010-2015 Strategic Plan.