As remembered by Past President Margaret Mary Coleman
On Oct. 5, 1953, a small group of women met and formed the Duquesne University Advisory
Board. Mrs. John T. Ryan, Jr. was the first president. They were women of diversified
interests, but they were bound together by a common bond of faith in the high quality
of education offered at Duquesne. They were organized to assist in the plans of the
University's most eminent president, Fr. Vernon Gallagher. Since their contributions
were in the social and cultural field, they had both a spiritual and material nature;
the latter being best exemplified in the Scholarship Found established for the School
of Music.
In the first year of the our existence, we hosted the following events:
* Dedication of Assumption Hall, a dormitory for women
* St. Joan of Arc at the Stake presentation
* Faust was presented by a Vocal Workshop
* Schools of Business and Law ground breaking ceremony
* Verdi's Il Trovatore production
As time went on, the members hosted many formal and informal affairs at the request
of the President, Fr. Vernon Gallagher. For several years, members held a welcome
tea for freshman girls. At the same time, periodicals, magazines, subscriptions, and
out-of-town papers were purchased and placed in the libraries of Assumption and St.
Ann Halls. Later, a memorial committee was formed. Many excellent and valuable volumes
in the main library, are gifts of the Women's Advisory Board in memory of loved ones.
However, the day arrived when young women were no longer interested in teas, and also
abandoned dormitory libraries in favor of the main University Library. The Board then
offered other activities such as boat rides on the three rivers, champagne receptions
for the freshmen and their escorts, and a fashion show where models were taught the
art of applying makeup.
During all these years, the highlight of the Board's calendar was a Ball held in the
late fall, which become synonymous with red roses. All the tables were lavish with
two dozen American Beauties spilling over the pristine white cloth.
Duquesne University Women's Advisory Board added another highlight to its calendar--the
President's Commencement Dinner. At this event, Fr. McAnulty, president of Duquesne
University, hosted recipients of honorary degrees, the Executive Board, the Board
of Directors, and the Holy Ghost Fathers.
Many women of brilliant and exciting memory are still spoken of with soft and fond
recall: Mrs. Dominic Navarro, Mrs. Thomas M. Jones III, Miss Josephine T. O'Neill,
Mrs. Andrea Iversen, Mrs. Christine Rocereta, and Mrs. William Seifert to name a few.
Today, the members of the Women's Advisory Board continues to fundraise and support
the intellectual and spiritual growth of the Duquesne University community. We continue
the tradition to provide scholarships for deserving students and supporting the mission
of Duquesne University. In particular, the Board hosts an annual fall wine tasting
fundraiser and in the spring award a scholarship to the winner of the Mary Pappert
School of Music competition. Today, we turn our attention to another important initiative
that will support future generations of the Duquesne community-growing our membership
and expanding our presence on campus. Consider joining us and making a difference
in the lives of deserving students.
History of Music Scholarship
In January 1991, it was suggested that a senior be the recipient of the WAB scholarship
and that a WAB member be on the "selection board and share in the scholarship decision."
It was recommended that the University would assume the responsibilities of the President's
luncheon so the Advisory Board could use all their funds for the senior scholarship.
A new scholarship format was discussed on February 18, 1991 and the following guidelines
defining the senior scholarship were drafting:
- The Scholarship shall be awarded for excellence in Music.
- The Scholarship shall be awarded to an incoming Senior who has completed his/her sophomore
and junior year at DU.
- The Scholarship shall be awarded to a student chosen by an outside jury of three impartial
judges with no affiliation to DU. The judges are to be suggested by the Dean of the
School of Music with the assistance and approval of the WAB.
- The Dean of the School of Music and the President of WAB or a designated member shall
be present at the competition.
Publicity is to be promoted before the awarding of the Scholarship and afterwards.
- The students for the Scholarship Competition are to be chosen by the Dean of the School
of Music and his Scholarship Selection Committee.
Philanthropy
Remaining monies will be distributed to other campus philanthropic acts in accordance
with our mission.
ByLaws
As APPROVED at the May 20, 2014 Meeting
BY-LAWS OF THE DUQUESNE UNIVERSITY WOMEN'S ADVISORY BOARD
ARTICLE I - Name
The name of this organization shall be The Duquesne University Women's Advisory Board,
hereinafter referred to as the "WAB."
ARTICLE II - Nature
The WAB shall be a service organization within Duquesne University, a non-profit institution.
ARTICLE III - Purpose
The purpose of this organization shall be:
1. To raise funds for scholarships for deserving students in both the undergraduate
and graduate schools.
2. To raise funds to support activities and programs involving students which are
consistent with the Spiritan and Catholic mission and purpose of Duquesne University.
ARTICLE IV - Dissolution
In the event of the dissolution of the WAB, all monies and other property shall be
paid over to Duquesne University to fund the WAB Endowed Scholarship.
ARTICLE V - Membership
Section 1. There shall be two classes of membership: Active and Sustaining.
Section 2. It is the responsibility of all Active members to attend the monthly meetings
and to participate and support the Special Events sponsored by the WAB.
Section 3. Sustaining members shall be those Active members, who because of illness,
absenteeism or any other reason, are unable to serve as Active members but who wish
to be associated with the WAB. It is the responsibility of all Sustaining members
to support the Special Events sponsored by the Board. They shall not vote or hold
office. If at any time a Sustaining member should wish to resume her Active membership
and fulfill the obligations of that membership, she may do so, with the approval of
the Executive Board.
Section 4. New Members of the WAB shall be admitted and approved in accordance with
Article IX, Section 3.
ARTICLE VI - Dues
Section 1. The dues of the Active members shall be determined by the Executive Board
annually.
Section 2. The dues of the Sustaining members shall be determined by the Executive
Board annually.
Section 3. All annual dues shall be submitted to the Treasurer no later than April
15th.
ARTICLE VII - Officers
Section 1. The Officers of this organization shall be: President, Vice-President,
Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and Treasurer.
Section 2. The Officers and committee chairs shall form the Executive Board. The immediate
Past-President shall be an ex-officio member of the Executive Board.
Section 3. Vacancies occurring in the Executive Board during the term of office shall
be filled by the President with the approval of the Executive Board.
Section 4. Elected officers shall hold office for two years.
Section 5. No officer shall be eligible to serve more than four (4) consecutive years
in the same office.
Section 6. The Standing Committee chairs shall be appointed by the President, with
the approval of the Executive Board.
ARTICLE VIII - Duties of the Officers
Section 1. It shall be the duty of the President to preside at all meetings of the
organization and the Executive Board. She shall be a member ex-officio of all committees
except the Nominating Committee.
Section 2. It shall be the duty of the Vice-President to perform the duties of the
President in her absence or inability to serve.
Section 3. It shall be the duty of the Recording Secretary to keep a correct record
of all meetings of the WAB and the Executive Board.
Section 4. It shall be the duty of the Corresponding Secretary to send out all notices
and attend to any correspondence under the direction of the Executive Board.
Section 5. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to be the accounting officer of the
WAB. She shall be responsible for the proper recording of all accounts and the collection
and depositing of funds pursuant to University guidelines. All disbursements shall
require the approval of the Executive Board and shall be in accordance with University
policies. The Treasurer shall present a full report in writing at the Annual Meeting
and such other reports as may be requested by the Executive Board.
ARTICLE IX - Standing Committees
Section 1. The Standing Committees shall be as follows: Publicity, Membership, Nominating,
Events, and Historian.
Section 2. It shall be the duty of the Publicity Committee to raise awareness of the
Mission and activities of the WAB.
Section 3. It shall be the duty of the Membership Committee and individual Active
members to tender to the WAB President names of prospective members. After due consideration
by the Executive Board, the name of the prospective member shall be presented to the
WAB membership. Upon their approval, an invitation shall be extended to the one proposed.
Section 4. It shall be the duty of the Nominating Committee to nominate a candidate
for each office and to be filled at the Annual Meeting. Membership on the Nominating
Committee shall not preclude any acceptance of nomination for any office.
Section 5. It shall be the duty of the Events Committee to coordinate fundraising
efforts as agreed upon by the WAB.
Section 6. It shall be the duty of the Historian to gather and maintain records of
all WAB activities and events, for the regular submission to the University Archivist.
ARTICLE X - Election of Officers
Section 1. The fiscal year shall be from the first day of January until the last day
of December of the same year.
Section 2. The Nominating Committee for Officers of the WAB shall consist of three
(3) Active members. The Corresponding Secretary shall send a report of nominations
to the membership with the call for the Annual Meeting thirty (30) days prior to the
Annual Meeting.
Section 3. Voting for new officers will take place at the Annual Meeting in December
of every fiscal year.
Section 4. Newly elected officers shall assume their responsibilities in January of
the new fiscal year.
ARTICLE XI - Meetings
Section 1. The regular meeting of the WAB shall be held on the third Tuesday of the
month. The time and place shall be determined by the Executive Board. A notice of
the meeting shall be sent to all members at least two weeks in advance of the meeting.
Section 2. Special meetings of the WAB may be called by the President provided five
(5) days' notice is given.
Section 3. Meetings of the Executive Board may be called by a majority of the Executive
Board or by the President provided five (5) days' notice is given.
Section 4. The Annual Meeting shall be held in December of every fiscal year.
ARTICLE XII - Quorum
Section 1. Twenty percent of Active members shall be necessary to make a quorum at
any regularly called meeting of the WAB.
Section 2. Fifty percent of members of the Executive Board shall be necessary to make
a quorum for an Executive Board meeting.
ARTICLE XIII - Parliamentary Authority
The rules contained in Roberts' RULES OF ORDER REVISED shall govern the organization
in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with
these By-Laws.
ARTICLE XIV - Amendments
These By-Laws may be amended by two-thirds vote of the membership at any meeting of
the WAB provided that the amendment has been proposed by the Executive Board or by
a By-Laws Committee, authorized by the organization and that a copy of the proposed
amendment has been sent to each member thirty (30) days prior to the call for the
meeting.
ARTICLE XV
The Duquesne University Women's Advisory Board has adopted these By-Laws as their
organizing document.
Duly Amended on May 20, 2014.
