The DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY Making a Mark in MAGAZINE Forensic Science is published three page 2 times annually by Duquesne University Public Affairs. Vol. 2 Number 1 Fall 2003 More Than Words EDITOR page 11 David M. Mastovich EDITORIAL BOARD Rev. James P. McCloskey, C.S.Sp. Ralph L. Pearson, Ph.D. Joanie Baumgartner Janie M. Harden Fritz, Ph.D. Audrey Guskey, Ph.D Margaret J. Patterson Spiritan Roots Joseph Francis Rishel, Ph.D. African Routes page 20 WRITING Bridget Fare Lisa V. Mikolajek Richard Tourtellott Bob Woodside DESIGN AND LAYOUT Jeremy Neeley Also in this Issue: The Spirit A Family Tradition ......................................................................... page 8 Who Gives Life Catching Up With Richard Hodos ............................................... page 14 Focus on the Program.................................................................. page 18 Led by the Spirit Exhibit .............................................................. page 25 Gifts That Make a Difference ....................................................... page 26 Homecoming 2003 ..................................................................... page 28 Alumni Updates .......................................................................... page 30 A Catholic University in the Spiritan Tradition Thoughts from the President fter a “lost” summer of rainy days, the fall semester began with beautiful weather for our freshman move-in. Our custom of sophomores meeting each incoming family and handling all the A heavy lifting was once again warmly appreciated by our new parents. They watched with incredulous smiles as a potentially onerous job was accomplished for them in a matter of minutes. This is not just help with a tough physical task. It is a Duquesne tradition, a way of showing our hospitality and care for new students and their families from the very moment they arrive on campus. It demonstrates who we are, so that our freshmen can also become who we are. These new freshmen constitute our second consecutive record setting class. The all-time high number of freshmen reached last year was exceeded this year. It required some patience and some squeezing in our residence halls, but everyone was accommodated. The record SAT average of last fall was also exceeded by an impressive twenty-seven points. So once again we begin a new year with our largest and brightest freshman class ever. These successes are evidence of the value of a Duquesne education and the strong demand for it. This fall is also a return to our special anniversary year, a celebration of 125 years for the University and the College. It is an inspiring juxtaposition to recall the momentous events and personalities of five generations past and at the same time welcome the bright young people who are the University’s future. It is also a powerful reminder of our responsibility to pass on our values to another generation, just as they were passed on to us. Wordsworth comes to mind: “What we have loved, others will love — and we will teach them how.” What we have loved began in Pittsburgh in 1878. It has been loved by generations of Duquesne Spiritans, photo by Will Babin faculty, staff, students, and alumni in an unbroken tradition to this day. Now comes another fall and another occasion for the Spirit to give new life to our campus. The deeper task of moving in has begun: bringing our bright new freshmen into our University — mind, heart, and spirit — so that they will love Duquesne as we do. There may be some heavy lifting, but the job will be done. Next year, these freshmen will be sophomores. Then they will happily move in our next new class, and carry on our Duquesne tradition. Sincerely, Charles J. Dougherty, Ph.D. President 1 2 t’s come a long way — from and the law,” Rago said. “While there were Scheck and Johnnie Cochran. More than fingerprints to DNA. But a few scattered programs, no institution had just impressive names in a brochure, these despite the recent hype about made a full-scale, interdisciplinary commit- renowned experts guide curriculum forensic science and its legal ment to these areas of study.” development and participate as faculty and applications, it’s not really By the fall of 2000, the same season presenters in the Wecht Institute’s aca- new. And according to John in which “CSI” hit the air, Duquesne demic programs and conferences. Rago, it’s nothing less than the announced the formation of the Wecht In just three years, the Wecht Institute eternal search for truth. Institute. has spawned thought-provoking annual Rago, associate dean of the Duquesne conferences, a unique five-year bachelor’s/ University School of Law, directs the A Recognized Brand master’s program, an interdisciplinary University’s Cyril H. Wecht Institute of Duquesne’s programs are built on the certificate program aimed at a wide range Forensic Science and Law. strengths of its schools and on a recog- of professionals, and master’s and certifi- “The emergence of forensic science nized brand name — Wecht. The Allegh- cate programs in forensic nursing. The Law and law is really no emergence at all,” eny County coroner holds degrees in both School has joined a national effort using Rago asserts. “It is a union of thought that law and medicine and is frequently forensic advances in criminal defense. has largely been unexercised.” consulted by investigators, prosecutors, Emphasized in the University’s 2003 – Some observers mark the fall 2000 defense attorneys — and the reporters who 2008 Strategic Plan, a number of other debut of the TV series “CSI” as the spark cover them — in high-profile cases ranging forensics programs are in development, that ignited popular interest in forensics, positioning Duquesne as a national leader but Rago says the issue is timeless and in a growing field. caught the public’s eye several years earlier with the O.J. Simpson case. Bachelor’s/Master’s Program The seeds of Duquesne’s emphasis on Duquesne offers the only program in forensic science and law were planted in America with a seamless progression from 1995, when the Law School held a bachelor’s to master’s degrees and an equal program for state appellate jurists. “It was balance of rigorous science and law right on the heels of O.J.,” Rago recalls. components, according to Dr. Frederick “We were amazed by the reaction of the Fochtman, P ’65, GP ’72, program director. court. They thought it was wonderful; they Fochtman, an associate professor of wanted more of it.” The idea of expanding pharmacology-toxicology in the Mylan the program remained a topic of conversa- from Simpson and JonBenet Ramsey to last School of Pharmacy and director of the tion around the Law School for a few more year’s Laci Peterson murder. Wecht chairs Forensic Laboratory Division for the years until Wecht, an adjunct professor at a 23-member advisory board that includes Allegheny County Coroner’s Office, has a Duquesne since 1962, put the issue on the former Los Angeles Coroner Thomas hit on his hands. “When we first sat down front burner in 1999. Noguchi, noted forensic scientists Henry to plan the program, we looked at the “As I looked around the country, I was Lee and James Starrs, New York State Police possibility of 20 students a year coming amazed that not a single law school was investigator Michael Baden, and Simpson in,” Fochtman remembers. The 2001 doing anything in terms of forensic science defense “Dream Team” members Barry entering class numbered 30 students; 50 3 attend the Institute’s annual conference. Law School and other University faculty members, advisory board members and guest lecturers representing a variety of professions teach courses. The diversity among instructors is reflected in the students as well. “We thought we would start as a small idea appealing to people in law enforce- ment,” Rago said. “But we’ve also enrolled teachers, social workers, businesspeople, scientists, nurses and other health profes- sionals.” These professionals are looking to bring new areas of expertise to their existing careers. The broad participation also mirrors the program’s ultimate goal. “Law, the students followed the next year and 70 Certificate Program natural, applied and social sciences all new students joined the ranks this fall. The Wecht Institute’s 12-credit have forensic applications. But if you The five-year, 158-credit program, certificate program is both a stand-alone study them in a vacuum, they have no administered by the Bayer School of offering and the cornerstone of all current contextual meaning,” Rago said. “The Natural and Environmental Sciences, and future graduate programs in Forensic more disciplines you bring into any demands high standards from freshman Science and Law. The program consists of discourse, the closer you get to finding the applicants, including a high school GPA 168 class hours (including laboratory truth in a more reliable fashion.” of 3.0 or higher, SAT scores of at least sessions) held on Saturdays over a nine- 1100 and a minimum of seven courses in month period. The broad curriculum Forensic Nursing math and sciences. includes an overview of the legal system, The School of Nursing offers a 36- The input of the Wecht Institute’s the functions of the forensic scientist, credit master of science degree with a advisory board helped Duquesne construct criminal law and forensic scientific forensics concentration and an 18-credit a curriculum that meets changing needs in procedures, civil applications of forensic post-master’s certificate, both built around a variety of professions. While the first science, and trial preparation and tactics. the Wecht Institute’s certificate program. wave of master’s students won’t graduate Students also prepare a research paper “Forensic nursing encompasses many until 2005, they will be prepared for a under faculty supervision, take part in clinical areas,” said Dr. L. Kathleen Sekula, variety of job opportunities in settings seminars on research and assistant professor of Nursing.