President Gormley Bestows Presidential Award at Spiritan Chapter Dinner

More than 100 members of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit were in attendance at a dinner hosted by President Ken Gormley on June 20 to witness retired Duquesne President Rev. Donald Nesti, C.S.Sp., receive a Presidential Award. The dinner was held as part of the Spiritan third chapter meeting of the United States Province.

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More than 100 members of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit—Duquesne’s founding congregation—traveled to campus from as far as Nigeria, Haiti and Vietnam as part of the provincial chapter meeting of the U.S. Province.
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Gormley presented Nesti with a replica of the official presidential medal in appreciation of his dedication and commitment to the University, and for his tireless service to others.

Nesti became the University’s 10th president in 1980, a position he held through 1988. During his tenure, he established the undergraduate core curriculum and founded both the Small Business Development Center and the doctoral program in theology. Under his leadership, the “Strategies for a Second Century” capital campaign was the first in University history to surpass its goal, setting a precedent that would be followed by the next three capital campaigns.

Gormley applauded Nesti’s strength in navigating Duquesne through difficult economic times and for his many campus contributions, which included initiating the construction of the A.J. Palumbo Center, Hanley Hall and the Forbes Avenue Garage. He thanked Nesti for his service to Duquesne. “Nesti devoted his life to serving God by serving our students—through his deep commitment to academic excellence, profound concern for moral and spiritual values, and his advocacy for diversity and global concerns,” Gormley said.

Nesti accepted the award in honor of his grandparents who came to this country as poor immigrants and for his parents who taught him the importance of church and family. Family and friends, including two of Nesti’s first campus hires, were also in attendance.

The weeklong provincial chapter meeting concluded on Friday, June 22, with a Mass attended by Rev. John Fogarty, C.S.Sp., superior general of the Spiritan Congregation, and Rev. Maurice Shorthall, general assistant, and others.