On Friday, May 9, the Mary Pappert School of Music celebrated the graduation of 64 students, representing all music degree programs. Provost David Dausey presided over the ceremony, which was held in the Student Union Ballroom.
During the ceremony, Dr. Rachel Whitcomb presented the 2025 Distinguished Alumni Award to Dr. Ryan Joseph Ogrodny, who graduated from Duquesne in 2006 with a Bachelor of Science in Music Education and later received a master’s degree from Belmont University and a doctorate from Liberty University. Known professionally as Ryan Joseph, he is currently in his thirteenth year of touring with country music legend Alan Jackson, playing fiddle. He has also performed, toured, or recorded with an impressive list of artists including Billy Ray Cyrus, Jimmy Buffett, Laura Bell Bundy, Jimmy Fortune, Craig Morgan, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Bonnie Raitt, Lee Ann Womack, Martina McBride, Zac Brown, Dierks Bentley, Kacey Musgraves, Brad Paisley, Jeannie Seely, Marty Stuart, Chris Stapleton, and Carrie Underwood. In addition to his performing and recording credits, Ryan serves as Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Strings at the Belmont University School of Music and regularly returns to Duquesne to present master classes to our students and perform alongside Whitcomb in her annual faculty recital.
Congratulations to Dr. Joseph and the class of 2025!
News Information