Duquesne Emphasis on Africa Reflected in Phipps’ Tropical Forest Congo Exhibit

An extension of the Spiritan charism and the University’s strategic plan emphasizing outreach to Africa is reflected in the Duquesne sponsorship of the new Phipps Conservatory exhibit, Tropical Forest Congo.

Ongoing Duquesne outreach to Africa includes partnerships, research, community-engagement opportunities, the presence of African students, faculty and priests on campus, and now a three-year opportunity with Phipps to share these University initiatives and more.

“Phipps and Duquesne share a common interest in sustainability as well as in educating visitors about Africa, its assets and challenges,” said Dean Philip Reeder of the Bayer School, who was instrumental in creating the partnership. “We plan to be active partners over the next three years and, even as the exhibit was unveiled on Feb. 7, Duquesne’s contributions were highly visible, including artifacts on loan for the exhibit.”

Students from the Mary Pappert School of Music staffed a discovery table at the exhibit opening with instruments and performed African drumming and dancing, presenting visitors with the opportunity to learn about indigenous music.

A number of Duquesne centers, schools and divisions will be active in the partnership, including the Center for African Studies, the Bayer School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, the Mylan School of Pharmacy and the Division of Mission and Identity.

At future events, Duquesne speakers are expected to address Africa-related topics, such as:

• Health care issues in Africa
• Spiritan history in Africa and the missionaries’ commitment to education, service, social justice and interreligious understanding on six continents
• Medicinal plants.

Additionally, interns from Duquesne will be working in collaboration with Phipps over the next three years.