Campus to Celebrate Its Spiritan Roots during Heritage Week

The campus community is gearing up for the annual Heritage Week celebration, a series of events sponsored by the Division of Mission and Identity to enhance the connections between the University and its founders.

“Heritage Week gives all of us the occasion to celebrate being a part of the Duquesne community,” said Luci-Jo DiMaggio, director of mission animation. “With the birthday of the University and the feast day of Claude Poullart Des Places in one week, it’s the perfect time to celebrate our identity as a Catholic, Spiritan University.”

Events will kick off this Sunday, Sept. 27, at noon, with the annual Walk for Water starting on Academic Walk. The fundraiser, which includes a pizza lunch, is sponsored in collaboration with the Center for Engaged Teaching and Research. The event will benefit a global water project sponsored by Pure Thirst.

Another fundraiser supporting Pure Thirst’s efforts to bring clean water to a community in Tanzania will be Wine into Water, on Thursday, Oct. 1, from 4:30 to 7 p.m. in the Africa Room. Tickets are $25 for University faculty and staff, and $35 for others. Attendees are asked to RSVP.

Additional activities include:

• Tradition Project monument dedication, Thursday, Oct. 1, 10 to 11 a.m., at the monument on Academic Walk West, adjacent to the Administration Building
• Duquesne Birthday Celebration, Thursday, Oct. 1, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Academic Walk, including cake.
• Founder’s Day Mass, Friday, Oct. 2, at noon in the chapel, followed by lunch in the Africa Room on the feast day of Des Places. Alumnus Alex Brennsteiner will share reflections on Living a Legacy: The Challenging Example of the Spiritan Heritage. Attendees should RSVP for the lunch.
• Rita’s Italian Ice giveaway, Oct. 2, 1:30 to 3 p.m., Academic Walk. Des Places’ Feast Day turns colorful with red and blue ices in honor of the Spiritan founder.

For the full schedule, including events planned for students, visit the Heritage Week website.