Duquesne President Ken Gormley announced on April 20 that the University would honor and support the people of Ukraine by awarding an honorary degree to the Ukrainian people through the person of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

To recognize the valor, courage and integrity of the people of Ukraine whom she represents, Honorary Consul of Ukraine Iryna Mazur, Esq., will receive the honorary degree at the McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts commencement ceremony on Friday, May 13, at 11 a.m. in the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse.

In his statement last week, President Gormley noted the profound connections the University has long had with the Ukrainian people:

"Duquesne has deep historic ties to many eastern European immigrant populations, including those from Ukraine. Dating back to the 1890s, and again beginning in the 1920s following WWI, Ukrainians were part of the influx of families coming to Pittsburgh and enrolling at Duquesne. The University had been established during that era to assist recent immigrants and their families working in the steel mills and factories so that they could advance themselves through education.

"Thus, many families of Ukrainian descent became part of the fabric of Duquesne and our local communities. Indeed, Pittsburgh has enjoyed an enduring presence of Ukrainian Catholic churches and communities with which our University has interacted for generations. These roots and connections run deep."

Duquesne University

Founded in 1878, Duquesne is consistently ranked among the nation's top Catholic universities for its award-winning faculty and horizon-expanding education. A campus of nearly 8,000 graduate and undergraduate students, Duquesne prepares students by having them work alongside faculty to discover and reach their goals. The University's academic programs, community service and commitment to equity and opportunity in the Pittsburgh region have earned national acclaim.

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Published

April 27, 2022