Staff
Dr. Gerald M. Boodoo
In alignment with the University’s strategic goal to place “a new emphasis on Africa and the African diaspora,” Gerald M. Boodoo, associate professor of theology, has been name director of the Center for African Studies.
“The Center for African Studies will be a unique, University-wide program to benefit students from all schools in terms of their career possibilities,” Boodoo said.
Initially, Boodoo’s work will be to develop a minor in African studies that consists primarily of courses already offered at Duquesne. Originally from Trinidad and with a research focus on the Carib
bean, part of the African diaspora, Boodoo is a good fit to lay the foundation for the new center.
Work to establish the Center for African Studies has been underway for a number of years. Rev. Casimir Nyaki, C.S.Sp., visiting assistant professor of philosophy, has completed significant background work on the program, developing the initial proposal and meeting with more than 30 faculty and administrators to build interest and support.
“The uniqueness is that this is an academic program, but at Duquesne, it is also concerned with studying for the betterment of the people in Africa and also of African-Americans in our neighborhood in Pittsburgh,” Rev. Nyaki explained.
The Center for African Studies will be an important embodiment of the Spiritan tradition at the core of the University.
“One of our founding fathers, Fr. Libermann, had his whole heart focused on Africa,” Rev. Nyaki reflected. “He had a revolutionary commitment to helping the African people.”
Advisory Board
- Dr. Roberta Aronson, Executive Director of International Programs
- Mr. Ted Bergfelt, Reference and Instruction Librarian, University Library
- Dr. Anne Marie Hansen, Occupational Therapy, Rangos School of Health Sciences
- Dr. Susan Hascall, School of Law
- Dr. Rodney Hopson, Foundations and Leadership, School of Education
- Dr. Stanley Kabala, Center for Environmental Research and Education, Bayer School of Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Dr. Khalid Kamal, Clinical, Social and Administrative Sciences, Mylan School of Pharmacy
- Dr. Lisa Lopez Levers, Counseling, Psychology and Special Education, School of Education
- Fr. Jim McCloskey, C.S.Sp., Ph.D, Vice President for Mission and Identity
- Dr. Emad Mirmotahari, English, McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts
- Sr. Marie Agatha Ozah, Ph.D, Ethnomusicology, Mary Pappert School of Music Dr. Ralph Pearson, Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs, ex officio
- Dr. Brady Porter, Biological Sciences, Bayer School of Natural and Environmental Sciences
- Dr. Matt Ryan, Economics, Palumbo Donahue School of Business
- Dr. James Wolford-Ulrich, School of Leadership and Professional Advancement
- Fr. Elochukwu Uzukwu, C.S.Sp., Ph.D, Theology, McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts
- Dr. George Worgul, Jr., University Coordinator of African Academic Programs
- Dr. Rick Zoucha, Transcultural/International Nursing Post-Masters Certificate, School of Nursing