PITTSBURGH, PA

Duquesne University opened the 2016-17 academic year with its traditional Mass of the Holy Spirit on Sunday, August 21, 2016, which was attended by nearly 3,000 Duquesne University students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends. Pittsburgh Bishop David Zubik; the Very Rev. Jeffrey Duaime, provincial superior for the U.S. Congregation of the Holy Spirit; and several Spiritan and diocesan priests concelebrated the Mass, which seeks the continued guidance of the Holy Spirit for the university and its mission. 

Classes began at Duquesne on Monday, August 22, including for more than 1,550 incoming freshmen, one of the largest freshmen classes in school history. Nearly a quarter of Duquesne’s new Class of 2020 have a Duquesne University graduate in their family.

Bishop Zubik (R) and President Gormley

As part of welcoming the incoming freshmen students, Duquesne’s  Office of Alumni Relations hosted these legacy families at a special breakfast, during which the freshmen placed their thumbprints on a canvas of branches while their family members placed theirs on the roots to make a special “family tree” for the new incoming class of Duquesne students.

Move-In Day on August 16 for freshmen marked the start of Duquesne’s award-winning, student-organized Orientation program, which selected It’s Time to be You as its theme this year. Orientation, ran through Sunday, Aug. 21, offering a variety of activities for new students and their parents to help with the transition to college. Among the scheduled events are an ice cream social, matriculation ceremony, a parent breakfast and various information sessions.

New Duquesne University President Ken Gormley and his wife, Laura, welcomed students at various activities throughout the week, including Move-In Day, even helping students and their families unpack cars and move belongings into their rooms.

President Gormley (far left) and wife Laura (far right) help on Move-In Day