Historic Partnership Advances Life’s Work of DU Cancer Researcher ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: • Risen Christ Sculpture • Lessons in Navigating Healthcare • Deadly Deception at Sobibor DUQUESNE Risen Christ Sculpture UNIVERSITY Dedicated MAGAZINE is published three page 9 times annually by Duquesne University’s Office of Public Affairs Vol. 12, Number 2 A Lifetime of Cancer Research, Winter 2014 A Historic Patent Deal Editor page 10 Bridget Fare Associate Editor Megan Tressler Editorial Board Deadly Deception at Timothy R. Austin, Ph.D. Sobibor John Plante Paul-James Cukanna page 13 Debra DiBiasi Rev. Raymond French, C.S.Sp. Maryellen Kelly, Ph.D. Sarah Sperry Olga M. Welch, Ed.D. Also in this issue: Writing U.S. News Rankings .........................................................................................................2 Michelle Boehm Karen Ferrick-Roman Catching Up With Dr. Guillermo Baralt .............................................................................4 Christine Hudson Did You Know? .................................................................................................................5 David Jakielo DU Dedicates New Center for Clinical Legal Education ..................................................6 Susan McCue Following Her Heart ..........................................................................................................8 Lia Morrison Research Update ............................................................................................................14 Rose Ravasio Duquesne in Dublin .........................................................................................................16 Richard Tourtellott Snapshots .......................................................................................................................17 Bob Woodside What’s New at DU ...........................................................................................................18 Patti McVey Zappa Catching Up With Emily Scott ........................................................................................20 A Legacy of Love at DU’s Italian Campus ......................................................................21 Design Connie Gartland Lessons in Navigating Health Care ................................................................................22 Doug Miller Duquesne Endows $1 Million Cumberland Posey Fund................................................24 Jeremy Neeley One Heart, One Spirit: Living the Mission ......................................................................25 Taylor Tobias Leaders Primed for Second Forum About Social Justice, Public Education ................25 Homecoming & Reunion Weekend ................................................................................26 Duquesne University Magazine Students in Action ...........................................................................................................28 Office of Public Affairs Lasting Memories ...........................................................................................................29 406 Koren Building Four New Members Join Century Club ..........................................................................30 600 Forbes Ave. Tamburitzans Perform for Croatian President ................................................................32 Pittsburgh, PA 15282 Psi Chapter Anniversary .................................................................................................33 Tel: 412.396.6050 Fax: 412.396.5779 On the Road ....................................................................................................................34 Email: [email protected] Awards Honor Young Alumni Who Personify Duquesne’s Mission ...............................35 Our Bluff in Brief ..............................................................................................................36 New Grants .....................................................................................................................38 Athletics Update .............................................................................................................40 Alumni Updates ..............................................................................................................42 Join the conversation: Calendar ..........................................................................................................................48 #dumag 2 DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE Winter ‘14 FROM THE PRESIDENT Thoughts from the President t the heart of Duquesne’s mission is serving God by serving others. Whether we are offering students a transformative educational experience or helping our neighbors with social justice issues in their communities, we are living the mission of service set forth by our Spiritan sponsors. A Our teacher-scholars maintain a strong focus on helping others through their research. Dr. Aleem Gangjee, for example, has been exploring the devastating mysteries of cancer for more than three decades. Through his research, Gangjee has excited the scientific community with his cutting-edge scholarship on cancer drugs. As our cover story shows, the licensing of more than 50 of his patents—by a company headed by a Duquesne graduate—marks a milestone in our ascent to leadership in biotechnology. More importantly, it offers greater hope to patients who may benefit from Gangjee’s research in the years to come. Also in this issue, we report on the latest rankings from U.S. News & World Report. For the sixth consecutive year, we are among the top tier of national doctoral universities and the top 12 Catholic institutions. We place highly on U.S. News lists ranking affordability, reputation among guidance counselors, quality of specific academic programs, services provided to veterans, and other key measures. These are, of course, important benchmarks. We are appropriately proud of the recognition and we understand the impact it has on Duquesne’s reputation. But behind the rankings and ratings are people—thousands of students, faculty, and alumni who do remarkable things every day. Two blocks from Academic Walk, law students hone their skills while serving clients who cannot otherwise afford representation, aided by a new building. Four thousand miles away, a young alumna pursues her passion for teaching at a school for native children in rural Alaska. As you read these pages, please take a moment to reflect on how each person and every achievement here contributes to our special Spiritan mission. And you might recall your own days on our Bluff and how that mission has influenced you and those whose lives you have touched. Sincerely, Charles J. Dougherty, Ph.D. Duquesne University President www.duq.edu 1 NEW RANKINGS One of the nation’s universities with the best value, considering cost and academic quality, U.S. News: Duquesne continues to be ranked by U.S. News & World Report in its top tier of national universities. Duquesne a Top Tier In the 2014 U.S. News Best College ranking, Duquesne remained among the top schools—and the top Catholic institutions—in the nation. School, Plus a Best Ranked No. 45 as a Great School at a Great Price, Duquesne is one of six Catholic institutions in the top 50 considered as great Value for Students values for students, based upon academic quality and the cost for a student receiving an average level of need-based aid. Of the Catholic schools included as a great value, Duquesne’s tuition “Students have access cost was one of the lowest. “We are proud to create a quality academic learning to topflight researchers environment at a rate affordable to so many students,” says President Charles J. Dougherty. “Students have access to topflight and facilities—even as researchers and facilities—even as undergraduates—and the personal mentoring that comes with the smaller classroom sizes undergraduates—and the typical on our campus. All of these factors can be important to success in the classroom—and ultimately, in the job market.” personal mentoring that Small classroom sizes and a high freshman retention rate were noted in Duquesne’s national ranking at No. 121 with Clarkson, comes with the smaller Colorado State, DePaul and Temple universities, Catholic University of America and the University of Utah. classroom sizes typical Of these schools, Duquesne had the highest 2012 graduation rate (74 percent). Additionally, 43 percent of its classes had on our campus.” less than 20 students and 87 percent of the freshman students continued their studies on campus. The University stood out as one of the top schools on the High School Counselor Rankings, which were selected by guidance counselors on U.S. News’ Best High Schools list, at No. 127. By peer assessment, the undergraduate business school was ranked as having one of the country’s best business programs among the credentialed Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business institutions. Duquesne also is considered an A-Plus School for B Students, where U.S. News says “non-superstars have a decent shot at being accepted and thriving.” This category, the rankings note, may be the sign of schools seeking “a broad, engaged student body.” 2 DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE Winter ‘14 NEW RANKINGS U.S. News Ranks DU Nursing School No. 6 Among Best Online Programs The Duquesne University “I am pleased that the School of Nursing continues to be a leader in “We constantly strive School of Nursing has been online nursing education as we were ranked No. 6 in the nation among the