Panel Offers Retrospective in the Year of Father Mac

The Rev. Henry J. McAnulty, C.S.Sp., the charismatic, longest-serving president in the history of Duquesne University (1959-1980), will be remembered during the academic year that would have marked his 100^th birthday (April 2015).

The celebration of the life and legacy of this leader-priest will begin during this Homecoming Weekend. His namesake College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts will host a reception at 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4, in the Towers Multipurpose Room, followed by a panel discussion at 10 a.m. Participants in Remembering the Life of Father McAnulty: The Teacher, Friend, and Mentor will recount how their lives were influenced by “Father Mac.” The panelists include: The Rev. Sean M. Hogan, C.S.Sp., executive vice president for student life; Dr. Constance Ramirez, former dean of the College, alumni Rita and Patrick Joyce, and McAnulty’s niece, Jane King. The event will be available in the future on YouTube.

“The McAnulty College is fortunate to have our name derived from someone whom so many people at Duquesne knew and revered,” said Dean James Swindal. “Fr. McAnulty oversaw the development of so many of the innovations that sustain us today in the College. We are happy to join with so many alumni and students in honoring his legacy this year.”

McAnulty grew up in Shadyside, earned degrees in philosophy and English from Duquesne and a bachelor of divinity at Holy Ghost Seminary in Norwalk, Conn. He was ordained in 1940 and served as a chaplain in the Army Air Corps, achieving note as the country’s first Catholic Brigadier General. McAnulty returned to Duquesne in 1958, successfully leading the University through growing pains. After serving for a year as assistant to the president, he became the highly visible leader of a University that was in the midst of massive fundraising to support campus expansion.

As Duquesne grew from primarily a commuter school to a resident institution, the University’s debt also grew. At the same time, the University of Pittsburgh garnered state support, which allowed its tuition to drop, and other institutions were charging competitive tuitions. In 1969, McAnulty asked students themselves about accepting a $400 tuition increase or closing the University doors. Students responded with the infamous and successful “Third Alternative,” raising money to keep the University solvent.

After retiring as president in 1979 McAnulty was elected chancellor by the board of directors. What once was Colbert Street was renamed McAnulty Drive in honor of the 50^th anniversary of his ordination.

McAnulty passed away after celebrating a wedding Mass in the University chapel on June 10, 1995.