Mission Matters: The Spiritan Heritage in Greek Life

Heritage Week provides a great opportunity to take the time to see how the Spiritans are involved on campus in ways that we may not even realize.

For example, the Spiritans have a long history with Duquesne’s Greek life community, serving as fraternity advisors as well as sorority and fraternity chaplains over the years. They have been so loved and respected that the Office of Greek Life created two awards in honor of Spiritans. The Rev. Joseph Duchene Most Improved Chapter of the Year Award and the Rev. Salvatore Federici Outstanding Fraternity Recruitment and New Member Program Award are presented annually.

“We have a great tradition of Spiritans being heavily involved and supportive of Greek life here at Duquesne, which is why we have these awards named after them,” said Rebecca Mickler, director of Greek life, honor societies and professional organizations. “They have set great examples for current Greek advisors, both ordained and lay.”

Duchene first came to Duquesne in 1953 as treasurer and director of the physical plant (facilities management). He left the University for a short time to fill roles in the Eastern USA Province of the Spiritans, but returned in 1977 as director of the physical plant, and served in finance and management roles until his retirement in 1993.

Duchene was a brother and chapter advisor of Alpha Epsilon for 40 years. Affectionately called “The Duker” in his days as an advisor, Duchene often kept in touch with the students after graduation, celebrating their weddings and connecting with them on Homecoming weekends.

The Greek community recognized Duchene’s dedication as a leader and an advocate for the American fraternity movement by naming the Chapter of the Year award in his honor. In addition, a memorial plaque in Duchene’s honor is located in the Rose Garden near his former home of Trinity Hall.

The Greek life award that recognizes the chapter with the best recruitment and new member program was named for Federici because of the great success that his fraternity, Alpha Phi Delta (APD), had in recruitment under his guidance. Mickler pointed out that APD is the oldest chapter of a national fraternity on campus largely because of Federici’s efforts with the student members in growing the organization in the 1940s, 50s and 60s.

Federici or “Fr. Fed” was initiated as a brother of APD at Duquesne in 1933, even before he was ordained a Spiritan. He served as chapter advisor and as national chaplain of APD from 1950 until his death in 1968. A memorial plaque recognizing Federici hangs outside of College Hall.

“We have been and continue to be blessed to have Spiritans who are so dedicated to the growth of the whole person beyond the classroom at Duquesne,” added Mickler.

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