Awards Honor Graduates Who Personify Duquesne’s Mission

The University’s mission is often summarized in six words: Duquesne serves God by serving students. The entire mission statement, however, includes five pillars, rooted in the Spiritan charism, that describe how this vision is achieved:

  • academic excellence
  • moral and spiritual values
  • ecumenism
  • service
  • world concerns.

The Mind, Heart and Spirit Awards, presented by Duquesne’s Alumni Association and the Office of Alumni Relations, recognize graduates whose lives and works exemplify the five pillars. The fifth class of honorees received awards at a May 6 luncheon on campus. The awardees are:

Sr. Hellen Anthony Bandiho, Ed.D., GE’03

Sr. Hellen Anthony Bandiho

Bandiho, born and raised in Tanzania in east Africa, is a member of the Sisters of St. Therese and is director of Postgraduate Studies and Research at St. Augustine University of Tanzania.

In addition to her teaching and research, Bandiho has been an advocate for young women and girls in her homeland. Recognizing that many students at her university were forced to drop out because of financial difficulties, she rallied support for a scholarship fund that sponsors six female students each year. She also raised funds to build a low-cost residence accommodating 50 students. Bandiho is a board member of an initiative that helps young Tanzanian women finish high school and, with her religious community, supports a program providing vocational training and equipment to help orphaned girls start independent and productive lives.

Glen Cavallo, A’80

Barbara Cavallo, N’80

Glen Cavallo

The Cavallos met as students at Duquesne and have been married for more than 31 years. Glen is president of SolAmor Hospice, one of the nation’s largest hospice providers with 14 locations in eight states. Barbara is school nurse at Immaculate Conception School in Fort Smith, Ark.

Barbara Cavallo

While raising three children and building successful careers, the Cavallos explored unusual and personal ways to address social problems. Glen, for example, established the Thanksgiving Tree Project, which has distributed holiday meals to more than 50,000 needy families since 1985. While traveling for business, he also makes time to present financial planning seminars at local churches, helping families to alleviate the stress caused by debt and budget concerns. Barbara volunteers for a variety of community efforts and advises teens on the consequences of sexual activity and pregnancy from a Catholic perspective. Together, they lead groups that help young married couples overcome relationship challenges to build strong, enduring families.

Jade Leung, S’05, GE’06

Jade Leung

Leung is a physics and biology teacher at Shaler Area High School. She has already won recognition for innovative teaching methods that inspire high school students to appreciate, understand and apply science. Affiliated with the Pittsburgh Tissue Engineering Initiative, she teaches her techniques to fellow educators and has presented workshops in locations from Pittsburgh to Portugal. Leung was also a contributor to a Carnegie Science Center tissue engineering exhibit, If a Starfish Can Regrow an Arm, Why Can’t I?

As a student, Leung was active in Spiritan Campus Ministry, serving as a Mass coordinator, liturgical minister and usher. She continues to volunteer for Campus Ministry initiatives, has served as president of Duquesne’s Young Alumni Council and is a member of the Alumni Board of Governors.

James R. Linder, A’66

James R. Linder

Linder, who passed away in 2011, was honored posthumously for his efforts with the Alpha Epsilon/Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. For more than four decades, Linder facilitated communication among far-flung alumni brothers, spending countless hours on the phone gathering and sharing news. He helped to organize reunions and raised funds for a scholarship in memory of the fraternity’s longtime advisor, the Rev. Joseph Duchene, C.S.Sp., which is now one of the University’s largest endowed funds.

Linder, who resided in Macungie, Pa., frequently returned to campus to mentor new generations of ATO brothers and assist with events. He was active in the Philadelphia chapter of Duquesne’s Alumni Association and other volunteer efforts, including the Boys and Girls Club, Fathers and Sons Organization and Friends of Danang.

To learn more about the Mind, Heart and Spirit Awards and previous recipients, visit http://www.duq.edu/alumni and click on “Alumni Awards.”