Investing in the next generation of Difference Makers, four endowed scholarships are expanding access and opportunity for both undergraduate and graduate students at the School of Business.
- Irene Piatak Dressel Endowed Scholarship
- Joseph A. Dressel Endowed Scholarship
- Stephanie Lynn Garbe Endowed Scholarship Fund
- Vashishta Bhaskar Endowed Scholarship
Mary Jo Dressel (MBA‘86) Establishes Two Endowed Scholarships to Honor Her Parents’ Legacy
Mary Jo Dressel and the School of Business announce the creation of two endowed scholarships to honor the legacy of her parents, Irene Piatak Dressel and Joseph A. Dressel.
Inspired by the values they instilled in their children, a strong work ethic, commitment to education, and deep devotion to faith and family, Dressel hopes these funds will support future generations of business students.
"My parents instilled in me and my siblings the values of the Catholic faith, a strong work ethic, a deep commitment to family, and a belief in the importance of education," shared Dressel.
The Irene Piatak Dressel Endowed Scholarship will support students enrolled in the Master of Business Administration (MBA) program. Named for the matriarch of the Dressel family, the scholarship honors Irene’s devotion to lifelong learning and service. Remembered for her kindness, faith, and deep love of music, Irene expressed her devotion to God by sharing her gift by singing and playing the organ at Mass.
Acts of service were central to how Irene lived her faith. Dressel recalls that “in the second grade, my mom laid down a challenge that shaped the rest of my life: school was to be taken seriously, and I was expected to strive for meaningful achievement.” Irene passed away at 92, having lived a faith-based life defined by purpose, generosity, and community involvement.
The Joseph A. Dressel Endowed Scholarship honors Dressel’s father and Irene’s husband, Joseph A. Dressel, a 1949 graduate of the business school. This undergraduate scholarship will assist students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in business. Joseph’s life was marked by academic excellence, service to the country, and distinguished professional achievement. After serving honorably in the U.S. Army during World War II, he earned his Bachelor of Science in Accounting before embarking on a successful career as a certified public accountant and a respected professional at the U.S. Treasury’s Internal Revenue Service. Known for his sharp mind and passion for history, he remained active in his field well into retirement.
Throughout her decision to create these funds, Dressel emphasized her desire to pass on the values her parents embodied. “The scholarships created in my parents’ honor are my way of encouraging others to pursue excellence in their education while keeping my mom and dad’s memories alive. By supporting future business students, I hope to help them reach their academic goals and perhaps find inspiration in my parents’ stories and the values they lived by.”
These endowed scholarships serve as a lasting tribute to two remarkable individuals whose integrity, service, and dedication to learning continue to inspire all who hear their story.
Prospective MBA students interested in the Irene Piatak Dressel Endowed Scholarship should contact the School of Business graduate admissions team at grad-busFREEDUQUESNE. Undergraduate students interested in applying for the Joseph A. Dressel Endowed Scholarship should contact the Office of Financial Aid via email at faofficeFREEDUQUESNE or by calling (412) 396-6607.
News Information
The School of Business is honored to announce the establishment of the Stephanie Lynn Garbe Endowed Scholarship Fund, created by Tom and Anna Mae Garbe and family in loving memory of their daughter
who passed away suddenly from complications of esophageal cancer in September 2025. The scholarship honors Stephanie’s life, her deep commitment to community service,
and her strong connection to Duquesne as a proud alumna of the business school. "While our family takes great pride in Stephanie’s academic and professional accomplishments,
what we cherish most is the unwavering kindness, compassion, and genuine care for
others that defined her throughout her life. Stephanie deeply believed in making a
difference in others’ lives. This scholarship fund will honor her legacy by providing
financial support to continue the Duquesne mission to serve God by serving students,
so they can, in turn, serve others." Stephanie earned her undergraduate degree with honors from the Palumbo-Donahue School
of Business in May 2004, where she developed the academic foundation that shaped her
successful professional career. Known for her intellect, compassion, and dedication to helping others, Stephanie carried
forward the values of service and leadership well beyond her time on campus. Throughout
her life, she remained deeply committed to strengthening her community and making
a meaningful difference in the lives of those around her. The Stephanie Lynn Garbe Endowed Scholarship will provide scholarship support to students in the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business.
The fund is designed to recruit and retain qualified students who demonstrate academic
promise, a commitment to service, and financial need, with a preference for students
pursuing an accounting major. Scholarship recipients may demonstrate all or some of the following criteria: For more information about the Stephanie Lynn Garbe Endowed Scholarship Fund, contact
the Office of Financial Aid via email at faofficeFREEDUQUESNE or by calling (412) 396-6607. For more than 30 years, finance professor Vashishta Bhaskar shaped the academic journeys
of generations of Duquesne business students. In 2025, he made the incredibly generous
decision to support future students in perpetuity by establishing the Vashishta Bhaskar Endowed Scholarship. Bhaskar retired in 2021 after many years of distinguished service at Duquesne. Known
for his student-centered approach, he emphasized the importance of connecting finance
theory to real-world applications. His Futures and Options course, in particular,
became a cornerstone of the curriculum and served as the genesis for what is now the
Student Managed Investment Fund (SMIF) program. Beyond the classroom, Bhaskar remained
deeply engaged with his former students, cultivating relationships that extended long
after graduation and into their professional lives. “I became a professor by pure luck after reading an ad posting to teach futures and
options in the WSJ Midwest Edition back in 1976 – taking that risk was one of the
most rewarding decisions of my life”, said Bhaskar. “As a professor, I helped my students cultivate their passions, sparked their interest
in the finance field, and inspired them to discover themselves. They came in as naïve
and curious kids and grew into confident young professionals ready to better society.
This scholarship will create generational transformation for those in need.” The Vashishta Bhaskar Endowed Scholarship is designed to recruit and retain talented School of Business students who demonstrate
academic merit and financial need. Preference considerations are given to first-generation
finance majors and/or business students. The scholarship can be renewed for up to
four years for students who maintain good academic standing. This endowment reflects
Bhaskar’s lifelong belief that access to education can be transformative, especially
for those facing financial or socio-economic barriers. Already, alumni whose lives and careers were influenced by Bhaskar have stepped forward
to support the scholarship, viewing it as a meaningful way to honor a professor who
made a lasting impact on their personal and professional development. The Vashishta Bhaskar Endowed Scholarship stands as both a tribute to a legendary educator and a powerful investment in the
next generation of business leaders. Through the collective generosity of alumni,
friends, and former students, the fund will continue to open doors for deserving students—mirroring
the encouragement and opportunity Bhaskar offered so many throughout his career. To learn more about supporting or establishing an endowed scholarship in the School
of Business, please contact a member of our Advancement team. Your generosity can
help create meaningful opportunities for future generations of business leaders.
Tom and Anna Mae Garbe Establish Endowed Scholarship in Memory of Their Daughter
After beginning her career in public accounting, Stephanie returned to campus and
earned her law degree from the Thomas R. Kline School of Law.
Honoring a Teaching Legacy with the Vashishta Bhaskar Endowed Scholarship
Contact
Adam Viers
Amanda McQuillan
