Dukes from the Last Decade

The Duquesne University Young Alumni Network and presenting sponsor Herff Jones proudly present the 5th Annual Dukes from the Last Decade Awards!

The selection is made from nominees who are DU graduates from the last ten years and have demonstrated one or more of the following: outstanding professional excellence, commitment and service to their community, and dedication to Duquesne University. Most importantly, the selected award recipients are young alumni who exemplify the Mission of the University in their daily lives.

Congratulations to our 2025 Awardees:

Allison Williams, S’16
Brendan Gebler, A’17
Dominic Bigi, HS’18
Talia Kirkland, A’14, GA’15
Christopher Profeta, B’15
Piper O’Neal, GN’ 21
Luke Gormley, GP’15
Kylie McCracken, A’16
Katherine Sulkowski, GP’15

Meet the 2025 Dukes from the Last Decade Winners

Allison Williams, S’16

"Being a Duquesne grad means setting yourself up for success. Duquesne has the resources and connections to get you to whatever you want to do with your life."

Brendan Gebler, A’17

"Certainly my drive to succeed is grounded in what I believe is a calling; to work in a field that allows me to have a deeply personal impact on the people that I am able to work for."

Piper O’Neal, GN’21

"Being a graduate of Duquesne University means embodying servant leadership and a deep commitment to service, especially to the poor and marginalized."

Christopher Profeta, B’15

"Duquesne gave me a launchpad. It wasn’t just about earning a degree—it was about learning how to think, how to lead, and how to build something bigger than myself."

Dominic Bigi, HS’18

"Being a graduate of Duquesne University means you have extremely high standards for the values of excellence, service and ethics."

Learn more about Dominic

Katherine Sulkowski, GP’15

"One of the most rewards aspects of my job is the opportunity to positively impact the lives of those who struggle with mental illness."

Kylie McCracken, A’16

"Being a graduate of Duquesne University means being part of something bigger than myself."

Luke Gormley, GP’15

"Being a graduate of Duquesne is a life-long bond amongst other graduates that is unmatched."

Talia Kirkland, A’14, GA’15

"I take great pride in informing and empowering the communities I serve with the information they need to thrive."

About the Beneficiary

Proceeds from the Dukes from the Last Decade Awards benefit programs of Duquesne University’s Young Alumni Network. The Young Alumni Network (YAN) is a leadership organization advocating for Duquesne’s diverse young alumni population with social, educational, professional, and service-based programming. The word “alumni” comes from the Latin root “alere” meaning “to nourish.” The YAN aims to nourish the lives of graduating students and alumni of the last decade in a way that promotes diversity and inclusion, professional excellence, service to their communities, and a commitment to ethical and spiritual values.

Sponsorship Packages

Presenting Sponsorship (one available): Herff Jones $5,000

Gold Sponsorship $2,500

Six (6) tickets to the awards reception*
Access to the private VIP pre-reception for up to six (6) of your company representatives
Recognition on Office of Alumni Engagement’s social media accounts
Verbal recognition during program remarks
Company logo displayed on printed signage and on electronic screens at the event**
Company logo with link featured on Awards webpage**
A one-time company spotlight in the Senior Scoop, a bi-weekly newsletter sent to all graduating students (mutually agreed upon content and release date)
Access to one of our senior programs during the 2024-2025 academic year, including but not limited to marketing opportunities, in-person attendance and tabling, and logo display (select from 100 Days til Graduation Celebration, Kickoff to Graduation Fair, or Spring Becoming the Tradition; more details about each event can be provided, if needed)

*If you are unable to use all of your tickets, we will gladly find deserving Duquesne University senior students to attend.

**Your company logo must satisfy the required specifications:

JPEG or PDF format, 300-dpi resolution

Complete your commitment by May 8, 2025

For more information, please contact Olivia Glosner, Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement, at glosnero@duq.edu or (412) 396-6121.

Red Sponsorship $1,000

Four (4) tickets to the awards reception*
Access to the private VIP pre-reception for up to four (4) of your company representatives
A one-time company spotlight in the Senior Scoop, a bi-weekly newsletter sent to all graduating students (mutually agreed upon content and release date)
Verbal recognition during program remarks
Company logo displayed on printed signage and on electronic screens at the event**
Company logo with link featured on Awards webpage**

*If you are unable to use all of your tickets, we will gladly find deserving Duquesne University senior students to attend.

**Your company logo must satisfy the required specifications:

JPEG or PDF format, 300-dpi resolution

Complete your commitment by May 8, 2025

For more information, please contact Olivia Glosner, Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement, at glosnero@duq.edu or (412) 396-6121.

Blue Sponsorship $500

Two (2) tickets to the awards reception*
Company name on reception signage
Company logo featured on Awards webpage**
Company logo featured on electronic displays at the event**
Verbal recognition during program remarks

*If you are unable to use all of your tickets, we will gladly find deserving Duquesne University senior students to attend.

**Your company logo must satisfy the required specifications:

JPEG or PDF format, 300-dpi resolution

Complete your commitment by May 8, 2025

For more information, please contact Olivia Glosner, Assistant Director of Alumni Engagement, at glosnero@duq.edu or (412) 396-6121.

Previous Dukes from the Last Decade Winners

2021

Cameron Barnett, A'11
Jason Bertocchi, A'11
Alex Brennsteiner, HS'12
John Foster, A'16
Kayla Frattini, B'10
Carter Henderson, B'18
Ann Johnson, P'12
Alyssa Pietropaolo, A'13, L'16
Eric Sinagra, S'11
Joseph Vitti, A'11
Marybeth Wargo, N'10
Michael Warren, E'17, M'18

2022

Armani Davis, A'14
Jamie Drennen, B'15, L'18
Jamilah (Seabrook) Ducar, A'13
Gina Govojdean, B'12
Michelle Mikus, P'13
Robin Rectenwald, A'12
Michael Robertson, B'13
Alydia Thomas, E'14
Jordan VerPlank, S'11
Devin Walker, E'14
Amy (DiPietro) Woods, P'12, A'19

2023

Allison Broaddrick, M'16
Brianna Dzuricsko, B'19
Daniel Ferrere, Jr, B'14
Britnee (Nwokeji) Harvey, E'16
Kenya (Coleman) Johns, E'21
Emily Kinley, N'16
Carly Koza, S'17, M'17, GM'18
Sara Makin, E'15
Derrick Maultsby, Jr, L'20
Joanne (Kinney) Niemkiewicz, HS'16, HS'17
Sara (Katrancha) Sarnoski, S'13
Chelsea Zahn, B'14

2024

Rachel Beckstrom, A'18
Jenna Bender, A'16
Dr. Shanea Clancy, GN'18, GN'21
Catherine Hull, B'17
Luke Macios, A'17, GA'19
Eric Rousell, HS'20, GHS'21
Abigail Ruppel, HS'16, GHS'18
Ashley Tannous, A'15
Michael Tompkins, GB'18