ESGR Presents Duquesne with the Seven Seals Award

Duquesne University has received one of the highest honors awarded by a military organization for its support of the military and veterans.

The Seven Seals Award, presented by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), recognizes citizens, businesses or organizations for the support they provide to members of the Guard or Reserves above and beyond employment. The award is presented at both the state and national levels and honors support for service members from all seven Reserve Components—Army Reserve, Navy Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, Air Force Reserve, Coast Guard Reserve, Army National Guard and Air National Guard.

Veteran Rod Dobish, executive director of facilities management, said that the University often does much more than what is required of them in their treatment of military employees. “When I was deployed in 2004, Duquesne helped me in so many ways,” he explained. “They’re a model employer when it comes to reservist employees. They understand that these people have made a commitment to serve, and they help them out in any way they can. They go above and beyond what is required of them as an employer.”

In addition, the Seven Seals award recognizes contributions by employers such as charitable donations made on behalf of military members, raising awareness of the military lifestyle or providing special services for soldiers and their families.

Established in 1972, ESGR is a community outreach program where the military—particularly the National Guard and Reserves—seeks to build relationships with employers whose support is critical to enlisted employees and their families.