Business of Difference Making Quarterly® Summer 2024 Edition

BDMQ Summer cover
Discover the latest insights and achievements from the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business with the Business of Difference Making Quarterly® (BDMQ). 

  • Unveiling a new Strategic Plan
  • Curriculum updates
  • Student success stories
  • Faculty achievements
  • Alumni spotlights
  • Events and academic competitions

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Highlights from the Spring Edition

Left to right: Claudio Siminone, Dr. Dean McFarlin, Jack Glover, Aaron Reed, President Ken Gormley

May 2024 Commencement

On Friday, May 10, 2024, 269 students graduated from the Palumbo-Donahue School of Business. The ceremony was presided over by President Ken Gormley, Provost David Dausey, and Dr. Dean McFarlin. Speakers included Jack Glover (B’88) and Aaron Reed (B’16).

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Three smiling students walk out of Rockwell Hall.

Five-year Strategic Plan Approved

The School’s five-year strategic plan, “Palumbo-Donahue 2030: Enhancing Distinctive Excellence (PD 2030),” was approved in July 2024.

Enhancing Distinctive Excellence
Volunteer accounting students

Business Students Excel in Community Service

Accounting undergraduate students volunteered more than 800 hours and prepared over 400 tax returns for Pittsburgh’s VITA Coalition.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Coalition
Rico Francani, Dee Francani, Dean McFarlin, Laurie McFarlin, and Jim Miller at Oceans 234, a restaurant in Deerfield Beach, Florida

Building Lasting Relationships

Road trip across Florida builds relationships for the School of Business.

Deeper connections with Alumni
Nolan's first day of classes from first year to senior year

Nolan Sulpizio (B’24)

Read Nolan's first hand account about how Duquesne shaped his future from first year to full time job and beyond!

The Beauty of Growth

One-Year MBA Global Business Study Abroad

By Sydney Moran (MBA’24) One-Year MBA cohort embarked on a 10-day international study trip, visiting Italy, Slovenia, and Croatia.

Cultural Experiences Focused on Sustainability

5th Annual Duquesne New Venture Challenge

Congratulations to this year's winner Aquatonomy.

Setting Records

Browse More Magazine Highlights

Jeff and Christine Coury in the ISI in front of The Jeff & Christine Coury Family Foundation and The Coury Firm dedicated wall on the 6th Floor of Rockwell Hall

Alumni Spotlight

Featuring the Coury Family Gift to the School’s Investment Strategy Institute , Jared Hoff (B’00), Andy Rebholz (B’87), and Daniela Osio (B’15)

Image of Jason Garland (left) with team Yarn at Techstars Startup Weekend

Events

The Palumbo-Donahue School of Business hosts and participants in multiple events that expose our students to real-world opportunities and allow them to network with industry leaders. Read about Techstars Weekend, our Negotiating Job Offers event, and more.

FMA Winning Team Left to right: Ryan Garvey, Matthew Fediaczko, Cary VanNewkirk, Ashley Kennedy, Marin Laffey, Bennett Thrash, and Nicholas Kopy

External-Facing Competitions

Our students have access to experiential learning opportunities that encompass classroom instruction and participation in local, regional, and national external competitions—giving them real-world opportunities to compete with their peers and showcase their difference-making education.

Two smiling students working on a laptop

Curriculum Updates

The School of Business is excited to announce two vital curriculum updates during the 2023-2024 academic year: BUAD 111: Business Math and Master of Science in Entrepreneurial Leadership.

Faculty and Staff Updates

Welcome to new department chairs, faculty, and staff and thank you to recent retirees.