Pittsburgh native and nationally recognized epidemiologist outlines vision as University approaches 150th anniversary
PITTSBURGH , Sept. 17, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — With record interest from prospective students, expanding academic programs and its 150th anniversary on the horizon, Duquesne University entered a new era today as Dr. David J. Dausey was officially inaugurated as its 14th president.
Nearly 1,000 students, faculty, staff, alumni and guests gathered at UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse for the ceremony, guided by the theme Enduring Mission. Emerging Pathways.
The ceremony began outside on campus with a nearly 300-person academic procession to UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse, as Duquesne students and staff lined the route to cheer and celebrate. Led by Provost Dr. Sarah Ewing with bagpipers in tow, the procession included more than 30 delegates from other colleges and universities, along with Duquesne faculty, leaders, board members and Dausey.
Greetings during the ceremony came from representatives of Duquesne’s students, faculty and Spiritan community, along with Pittsburgh-area civic and community leaders, including Pittsburgh Bishop Mark A. Eckman, D.D., and Pittsburgh Mayor Corey O’Connor.
Duquesne Board of Directors Chair Diane Hupp formally invested Dausey with presidential authority, presenting him with the University’s historic presidential medallion that was first commissioned for Duquesne’s first full-scale presidential inauguration in 1931.
“About ten months ago, I had the privilege of announcing the Board had chosen Dr. David J. Dausey as the 14th president of Duquesne University. In the months since, I and other board members, leaders, faculty and students have worked with President Dausey on a presidential transition built on listening, collaboration and imagining—to keep moving Duquesne forward,” said Hupp. “Today’s speakers have shared a picture of a leader we can admire collectively, yes, but also one who will work alongside us, develop relationships that serve our students and our region, and who will lead—always—with the understanding that our enduring mission enables us to navigate paths ahead.”
Dausey is the first Duquesne president to wear the medallion on a new chain of office designed to carry the names of future presidents while preserving the historic medallion passed down through generations of University leadership.
During his inaugural address, Dausey reflected on the mission that has guided Duquesne throughout its history and outlined his vision for expanding opportunities for students and increasing the University’s impact in Pittsburgh and beyond.
“I believe one of my most important jobs as president is to make sure that everyone at Duquesne feels like they have their own seat of honor. That every faculty member knows that their scholarship and teaching are the most consequential things we do,” he explained. “That every staff member knows that their contributions are critical to our success and deeply valued. That every student knows that their presence here is not accidental. That they belong.”
A Pittsburgh native who grew up in Jefferson Hills and a first-generation college student, Dausey began his higher education journey at the Community College of Allegheny County before continuing his studies at Mercyhurst University and Yale University. That experience has helped shape his commitment to expanding educational opportunity and preparing students to make a meaningful impact in their professions and communities.
After being named president in November 2025, Dausey launched a University-wide Listening Tour that drew strong participation from students, faculty and staff and helped inform his priorities for Duquesne’s future.
“One of the things I heard most often during my listening tour was that Duquesne is at its best when every person on this campus feels genuinely heard, seen and valued,” he said in his remarks. “That is the culture I want to build here.
“Together, we will not simply sustain our beloved Duquesne,” Dausey added. “We will propel it into the future with such speed, such purpose and such agility that people will wonder how we did it. But we will know. We did it together.”
The Inauguration Ceremony culminated a series of inaugural events highlighting scholarship, service, the arts and Duquesne University’s Spiritan heritage. Student musicians from the Mary Pappert School of Music, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year, were featured throughout the ceremony.
The celebration concluded with an all-campus reception on Academic Walk. The inauguration marks a new chapter for Duquesne as the University looks toward its 150th anniversary in 2028 and the opportunities ahead.
Dausey became Duquesne’s president July 1 after serving eight years as executive vice president and provost. During his tenure as provost, he helped lead a period of significant academic growth, including the creation of the Nasuti College of Osteopathic Medicine, one of the most significant academic initiatives in Duquesne’s history, the launch of Duquesne’s first engineering programs and other innovative initiatives across the University.
An internationally recognized epidemiologist, Dausey earned master’s and doctoral degrees in epidemiology from Yale University and a second doctoral degree in higher education management from the University of Pennsylvania. His global health work has spanned more than 20 countries and included collaboration with senior health officials and experts from the World Health Organization and United Nations.
Duquesne University is grateful to premier sponsor PNC Bank, whose financial support helped make the inaugural events possible. PNC joined more than 25 additional organizations that provided support for the events and festivities.
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 nearly 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.
It’s time for bigger goals. Follow Duquesne University on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram and LinkedIn.
www.duq.edu
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