Duquesne University President Ken Gormley and his wife, Laura, were honored today when the University unveiled the new name of its Student Union as the Ken and Laura Gormley Student Union.
The surprise announcement honors the Gormleys’ lasting impact on students at every stage of their Duquesne journey and on the life of the University. Gormley will step down July 1 after 10 years as president and assume the role of Chancellor.
Students, faculty and staff, alumni, members of the University’s Board of Directors and community supporters attended the festive event that reflected Duquesne’s mission as a place where students learn together, pursue bigger goals and are supported within a close-knit campus community.
“Standing here today is emotional because this is where my inauguration as Duquesne
University president took place 10 years ago. I remember the procession coming down
Academic Walk right here, and students filling this space, wearing Gormley 2016 t‑shirts,
high‑fiving and celebrating with me,” Gormley said. “In that moment, I knew this was
going to be the best job in the world and that students would be the polestar of everything
we do here. I have tried to live by that every day, and I never could have imagined
an honor like this for me or for my family.”
Jack McGinley, chair emeritus of the University’s Board of Directors and alum of Duquesne’s Thomas R. Kline School of Law, announced the naming of the Union. “Knowing Ken and Laura would soon be moving on from the role of President and First Lady, many of us on the Board of Directors wanted to do something especially moving to honor them and that would also support all of our students,” he said.
McGinley praised the Gormleys for their consistent and visible presence at student events, athletic contests, concerts and campus celebrations, reflecting a deep commitment to students and campus life. McGinley also announced that supporters raised more than $3.8 million in honor of the Gormleys, establishing the Ken and Laura Gormley Endowment for Student Success, which will support scholarships, wellbeing initiatives, study abroad opportunities, leadership development and other student priorities.
“This honor means even more because it includes my wife, Laura. We are going to celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary in June, and from the very beginning, we have done everything as a team,” Gormley shared. “There is no way I could have served as Duquesne University president without her by my side, and I am grateful beyond words for her partnership, support and love throughout this journey.”
The Student Union was a natural choice for the naming, reflecting Gormley’s hands-on
approach to student life and the many initiatives centered there during his presidency.
Students at the unveiling wore t-shirts with the slogan Dukes Gather Here, referencing
the building and its role as a hub of student connection and activity.
“When we learned about this project, it just made sense,” said Mwango Kasuba, president of Duquesne’s Student Government Association. “Of course, the Union is a place where President Gormley and Laura’s legacy here will be most visible. On behalf of all of the student body, thank you to those who made this happen, and thank you to Ken and Laura Gormley for all you have done for Duquesne students.”
Long a central gathering place, the Union serves as the heart of campus life where students socialize, study together, develop leadership skills and take part in shared traditions. Now bearing the Gormleys’ names, the building stands as a symbol of a community that prepares students for anything by pairing academic opportunity with belonging, support and engagement beyond the classroom.
“Our work with President Gormley has helped to create so much opportunity for students,” added student Sabrina Paules, executive director of the Duquesne Program Council. “It’s been great to have a president who you can stop on A-Walk to talk with or take a picture, and who you see out at our events or supporting our teams and clubs.”
Since becoming Duquesne’s 13th president in 2016, Gormley led the University through a period of significant growth and transformation, including new academic programs, expanded student support resources and continued investment in campus life. He also guided the University through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining a focus on student success and progress toward students’ educational and career goals.
“This is incredibly special for our family. We have four children, three of whom earned their degrees at Duquesne, and our kids truly grew up on this campus,” said Gormley, who first joined the University a law school faculty member. “My greatest hope is that one day our grandchildren will be lucky enough to come here and sit in this Student Union as Duquesne students. That is how deeply this honor resonates with us, and we are profoundly thankful to everyone who made this possible.”
The Ken and Laura Gormley Student Union now stands as a lasting tribute to a presidency defined by student-centered leadership, shared purpose and a belief in education’s power to broaden horizons and shape lives.
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 more than
8,200 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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