Trips to Africa Celebrate DU Involvement, Engender Additional Ties

January 9, 2013

Three Duquesne emissaries recently traveled to Africa, celebrating ties between the University and the Spiritan International School of Theology (SIST) while looking to forge new connections in West Africa.

The Rev. Elochukwu Uzukwu, C.S.Sp., the Pierre Schouver Endowed Chair; Dr. Gerald Boodoo, director of the Center for African Studies; and Dr. George Worgul, University coordinator for academic programs in Africa, made their trips in December. Uzukwu and Worgul delivered keynotes at a conference celebrating the 25^th anniversary of SIST. Uzukwu was the founding rector and Worgul served as chair of theology when the affiliation began in 1989.

Additionally, Worgul undertook preliminary visits to the Spiritan University College in Ejisu, Ghana, and the Spiritan University in Nneochi, Nigeria. Boodoo investigated study abroad possibilities in Ghana, seeking partners for study abroad courses in Africa, starting in the summer of 2014. These core classes would be open to all undergraduates, geared especially to those opting for a minor in African Studies. The efforts seek to further realize Duquesne’s strategic plan calling for greater involvement with Africa.

For Uzukwu, SIST’s anniversary provided a chance to reflect on the seminary’s unique contributions. “SIST emphasizes the international faces of Africa in all aspects of life,” he said. “SIST has made major differences in the apostolate. With the intercultural mix, seminaries can transition with ease in other situations; seminarians are as far flung as the Philippines, Taiwan, East Africa and Paraguay.”

Worgul, who has undertaken five visits to SIST in the last eight years, hopes that others will make the connection between Africa and the Bluff. “Now we are poised to expand our efforts in East and West Africa in academic projects that can engage the entire Duquesne academic community,” he said.

Worgul met with the Rev. Peter Laast, C.S.Sp., Spiritan Provincial of Ghana, as well as with the Rev. Alphonsus Beni, C.S.Sp., registrar, and the Rev. Anthony Anomah, C.S.Sp., dean and finance officer at the Spiritan University College in Ejisu, where the Spiritans opened a university, as well as with the faculty, staff and board. In Nigeria, the Rev. Peter Ogbanome, C.S.Sp., Spiritan Provincial of Nigeria South East, showed Worgul the future site of the third Spiritan University in Nneochi, about an hour from Enugu and SIST. Its doors are expected to open within 18 months.

“Every Spiritan I spoke with saw their efforts in tertiary education as a way to serve the poor and marginalized and transform society for the good of all,” he noted, imagining the day when an international consortium of Spiritan colleges and universities would share resources, experience, faculty, students and vision.

“What they want to do is make a real difference in their countries,” Worgul said. “When you are around the Spiritans, you feel this energy that they will succeed. The work of the Spirit will not be thwarted.”