University Traditions, Water Walk Among Heritage Week Highlights

The heritage and traditions of Duquesne’s Spiritan founders will be the focus of a variety of events scheduled as part of the University’s Heritage Week celebration.

Among the highlights from Heritage Week 2016, scheduled from Sunday, Oct. 2, through Thursday, October 6, include:

• A birthday party for Duquesne, complete with cake, games, a photo booth, a dunk tank and a farmer’s market
• An evening of reflection on the University’s military heritage
• A Duquesne-trivia-based scavenger hunt, with prizes for the top teams.

The third annual Pure Thirst Water Walk, which begins at 12:15 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 2, at the Union, will help kick off Heritage Week 2016. The event serves to raise awareness that one in 10 people worldwide lacks access to improved water services. It is held in conjunction with Pure Thirst, a cross-disciplinary student organization that works to enhance understanding of the global water crisis.

“The Water Walk helps to raise awareness around one of our most basic human rights—access to water. We often forget what a massive problem this is as we don’t think twice about turning on the tap for a drink of water,” said Luci-Jo Dimaggio, director of mission animation for the Division of Mission and Identity. “It fits perfectly in Heritage Week as the project in Tanzania is done in collaboration with a Spiritan Mission there.”

Each year, Pure Thirst focuses on a single project to make a tangible difference in one underserved community as the group chips away at this global issue. This year, the group is working with the Olkakola community in the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania to implement and maintain new water services. Pure Thirst is working on the Tanzania water project through a partnership with local Tanzanian Spiritans, several Rotary Clubs, the Division of Mission and Identity and the Center for Community-Engaged Teaching and Research.

Registration for the Water Walk is $5 if participants preregister by this Friday, Sept. 23, and $10 to register on the day of the walk. Pre-registered participants are guaranteed a free event t-shirt. Check-in for the Water Walk begins at 11:45 a.m. outside the Union by the Academic Walk fountain. The walk begins at 12:30 p.m.

Visit the Heritage Week page for a full schedule and details about the week’s events.

For more information on the Water Walk, contact DiMaggio at 412.396.1405.