President Ken Gormley Announces Fundraising Campaign Surpasses Goal

Gormley first shared the success with the University’s Board of Directors at their February meeting on Friday; he followed up with an email to the campus community late Saturday, celebrating the news that total giving exceeded the third-of-a-billion-dollar goal and announcing that the campaign was still moving forward with full force. 

The IGNITE campaign, launched in its quiet phase when Gormley took office in 2016 and kept aflame through the pandemic, has broken every fundraising record in the history of Duquesne, a fact that Gormley attributed to the inspirational success and momentum the University has experienced over the past several years. 

“The vision of our alumni, the success of our students, the commitment and innovation of our faculty—all working toward bigger goals—have inspired people like no other campaign has done since our founding,” Gormley said. “So many of our alumni gave to the IGNITE campaign, and their gifts helped move Duquesne forward in numerous path-breaking initiatives. It’s proof—once again—that bold ideas and dedicated partners produce amazing results.  

“And we aren’t done yet,” said Gormley. “We still have big initiatives to benefit our students and the University that are in need of crucial support. We plan to push forward until the final day on June 30 and prove that there is no stopping our incredible momentum.”  

“The collective achievement of the Duquesne community is monumental,” said Diane Hupp, chair of the Duquesne University Board of Directors. “President Gormley set a vision and a strategic plan and everyone worked together to achieve it. I am especially thankful for the generous support of our board members. I’m equally proud that, on every front, an army of our alumni have helped Duquesne make record-breaking progress. They showed that with collective intent and a strong vision, Duquesne alumni deliver.” 

“We still have nearly a half-year to go until the IGNITE campaign officially concludes in on June 30, and I’m confident this history-making announcement will inspire more who want to be a part of the campaign’s incredible success,” said Jim Miller, senior vice president for University advancement and an alumnus himself who has worked at Duquesne for more than 35 years. “We’re continuing to march forward and we intend to shatter the records we’ve already set. We anticipate a huge celebration at our homecoming and family weekend in the fall.” 

University Provost David Dausey said, “The IGNITE campaign is aptly named. Once the flame started burning, it cast a light into all corners of the University. You can see its impact everywhere, creating more and more opportunity for our students and for the region we call home.”  

Gormley underscored that the IGNITE campaign will continue at full speed until the June 30 end date, in order to advance a host of initiatives that will bolster opportunities for students and graduates.  

“Our work is continuing because it’s producing remarkable outcomes for our students and our institution. Duquesne University’s stature continues to rise because of these unparalleled success stories. The rest of the world is taking notice.”  

Highlights of the IGNITE campaign include a string of historic achievements:

A strong commitment to student success

A record number of nearly 23,000 alumni and friends supported Duquesne’s bedrock commitment to serve students by giving to increase funding for scholarships and financial aid, providing more than $63 million to date, some of which has resulted in establishing more than 200 new endowed scholarship funds. Each year, Duquesne provides millions of dollars in financial aid to students. And the generosity of those supporting the IGNITE campaign has inspired an outpouring of gratitude. 

“A hallmark of Duquesne is that its students graduate feeling prepared for anything, and alumni and friends are helping to make that happen in a big way,” Gormley said.

A vision 100 years in the making: the College of Osteopathic Medicine 

Duquesne alumni, its board of directors, and leading local foundations collectively gave more than $57 million to help establish and open the University’s College of Osteopathic Medicine. In addition to 100% participation from the Board of Directors, major support was provided by the Hillman Foundation, Richard King Mellon Foundation, the Eden Hall Foundation, the Edith Trees Foundation, the Dietrich Foundation, and others.

The largest gift in Duquesne’s history 

A transformational commitment of $50 million from attorney and alumnus Thomas R. Kline provided a new breadth of support for the Law School, including scholarships, faculty grants, bar preparation and new clinical programs, plus additional support for building renovations and a first-of-its-kind Center for Judicial Education. To honor Mr. Kline for his incredible gift, President Gormley and the Board of Directors renamed the School the Thomas R. Kline School of Law of Duquesne University. 

A new home for athletics 

Early in the IGNITE campaign, a combination of alumni and corporate sponsorship support provided more than $40 million in private support for the UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse renovations. In addition to serving as home court for basketball and volleyball and the site of major University events, the facility is a hub of academic support, physical training, wellness and leadership development for more than 400 student-athletes. The award-winning space provided a home and inspiration for students and athletic teams, among whom were the 2024 Atlantic 10 Men’s Basketball champions and 2023 NEC Football and Women’s Bowling champs.

Renovations to support students learning together 

Alumni, foundations and corporations collectively gave more than $31 million to support improvements to learning spaces. Palumbo-Donahue School of Business students enjoy collaborative classrooms and workspaces, a comprehensive Euguene P. Beard Center for Student Success, the Mallet Entrepreneurial Studio and other simulation spaces. School of Nursing students will soon learn in the new $3.8 million Joanne Conway Simulation Laboratory, part of more than $7.2 million in support from William L. Conway and his late wife, Joanne Conway. The School of Education is now home to the Bob and Joan Peirce Center for Dyslexia Education and Support, created by largest gift ever made in Pennsylvania by individuals to prepare teachers to help those with dyslexia, and among the largest gifts of such a focus ever made in the United States. 

The IGNITE campaign is structured around four strategic imperatives:

• Invest in the Future: Access and Affordability encompasses new funding for scholarships and financial aid, with $67.2 million raised to date.
• Illuminate the Mind: Academic Facilities and Initiatives has garnered $76.5 million in new funding for classroom spaces, innovative degree programs, endowed faculty positions and research.
• Inspire the Soul: A Student-Centered Experience: More than $36.6 million has been raised for student activities, physical and mental wellbeing initiatives, career development and athletics.
• Integrate Health Care: A Medical School and More accounts for more than $74.1 million. In addition to the College of Medicine, this encompasses the Rangos School of Health Science, the School of Nursing, School of Pharmacy, the Center for Integrative Health, and interdisciplinary and community-based programs.

Roughly $20 million supported capital improvements not included in the other pillars, unrestricted and endowment contributions totaled roughly $51 million, and other assorted contributions totaled just over $8.4 million.  

The leadership phase of IGNITE began on the first day of Gormley’s presidency, July 1, 2016; the public announcement took place on Oct. 8, 2022. At the time of public launch, IGNITE was already the most successful campaign in University history, having raised $234.9 million, nearly double Duquesne’s previous campaign record of just over $164 million, set during “Advancing Our Legacy” between 2005-2012.

The current IGNITE campaign is on track to shatter all previous records and, in the process, to complete innovative and transformational programs that will benefit students and graduates presently, and for many generations to come.

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.

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