Celebrating Faculty Excellence, New Endowed Chairs

“Thank you for continuing to walk alongside our students,” Gormley told the faculty during the Sept. 3 event. “You make the difference—for each of them. On top of your dedication as teachers and mentors, I know that you also continue to conduct world-class research and innovative work within our community.

“Your dedication reflects the work of those early Spiritans priests who founded this University, who collectively played a significant role in building this city and region, as we know it today,” Gormley added.

In addition, three faculty members were presented with the prestigious President’s Awards for Faculty Excellence at the gathering.

Dr. James Purdy, professor of English in the McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts and director of the University Writing Center, received the President’s Award for Excellence in Service to the Mission.

“Dr. Purdy’s work in the Writing Center has transformed the education experience of countless Duquesne studentsm,” said Provost Dr. David Dausey. “And his creation of the Community Writing Center, which extends the writing center’s services to underserved communities beyond the bluff, embodies our mission in action.”

The President’s Award for Excellence in Scholarship was presented to Dr. Greg Barnhisel, professor of English in the McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts.

“Dr. Barnhisel is a nationally recognized scholar whose research, editorial leadership, and public engagement have made a significant impact in the field of American literary studies,” Dausey explained. “He has published countless textbooks, collections, journal articles and single-author books that have advanced his field and brought recognition to himself and the University.” 

Dr. Marc Harrold, professor of medicinal chemistry in the School of Pharmacy, was honored with the President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, his third time winning this award.

“That’s over 30 years of sustained teaching excellence, and it really speaks to the impact Marc has had on Duquesne University,” Dausey explained. “For decades, Marc has served as vital mentor for both students and new faculty members of the pharmacy school. He continues to find ways to innovate and improve his teaching methods, especially in online education, where his approach has earned praise from both students and colleagues.”

Newly endowed chair holders installed during the event’s reception were:

• Dr. Benjamin Kivlan, the Noble J. Dick Endowed Chair in Academic Leadership
• Dr. Rebecca Kronk, the Noble J. Dick Endowed Chair in Community Outreach
• Dr. Aimee Kane, the Donahue Chair in Management
• Charles Stegeman, the Martin Hehir, C.S.Sp., Endowed Chair in Scholarly Excellence
• Dr. Fatiha Benmokhtar, the Joseph A. Lauritis, C.S.Sp., Endowed Chair in Teaching and Technology
• Dr. Rachel Miller Nielan, the Adrian Van Kaam C.S.Sp., Endowed Chair in Scholarly Excellence.

Faculty at Duquesne are genuinely passionate about teaching, and the following faculty were recognized for serving the University by helping students pursue their bigger goals for 25 years:

• Dr. Jeffrey Evanseck, the School of Science and Engineering
• Dr. Lewis Irwin, the McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts
• Dr. John Kern, the School of Science and Engineering
• Dr. Edward Kocher, the Mary Pappert School of Music
• Dr. Leswin Laubscher, the McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts
• Cynthia Lennox, Global English Institute
• Dr. Lanei Rodemeyer, the McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts
• Dr. William Spangler, the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business
• Dr. Nancy Trun, the School of Science and Engineering
• James Vota, the McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts.

Congratulations to all of these University faculty whose excellence drives Duquesne’s mission of horizon-expanding education.