Center for African Studies

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 named acting 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 Caribbean, 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 own 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."