Duquesne University Liberal Arts

Duquesne University Media Professor Maggie Patterson appeared on Talk Pittsburgh today to discuss receiving the Service to Journalism Award at this year’s Golden Quill Awards, presented by the Press Club of Western Pennsylvania.

She reflected on her longtime career as both a journalist and professor, and when asked why journalism education still matters, she said: “The foundation [of journalism] is still the same. That democracy is based on citizenship … we are the entity that brings the public to being.”

Watch the segment:

Chatting with a Duquesne professor about the future of the news industry Maggie Jones, a Duquesne professor and Golden Quill award winner, joined us to talk about the state of journalism and her take on the future of the news industry.

“I got a job as a legal assistant right after college and discovered that Duquesne had a program in public history,” Amanda Dunyak Gillen, GA’02, told NEXTpittsburgh. “I spent a couple of years getting my master’s in that work and then did internships that turned into my first two museum jobs.”

Amanda, recently named executive director of The Frick Pittsburgh Museums and Gardens, is an alumna of our Department of History’s master’s in public history program, where she also teaches.

Read more about her plans to lead the museum into a people-focused future:

The Frick Pittsburgh's new leader looks ahead to its 'people-focused' future Newly-appointed executive director Amanda Dunyak Gillen has worked at The Frick Pittsburgh Museum and Gardens for 21 years.

Dean Kristine Blair and Theology Department Chair Jim Bailey recently traveled to Nigeria to speak at the commencement ceremony for the Spiritan International School of Theology - SIST, where they awarded M.A. degrees in Theology. They were joined by colleague Fr. Bede Ukwuije, whose family — along with others at SIST — helped guide a visit that included classroom observations, medical facility tours, and meetings with Church leaders.

In her closing remarks, Dean Blair told graduates: “Your vocation has fostered a culture of high academic standards that are not just about intellectual achievement — they're deeply tied to the Church’s mission to form the whole person: minds, hearts, and spirits. You have been challenged to grow intellectually, ethically, and morally, and each of you has profound potential to discover and promote truth through the balance of faith and reason as we promote the integrity of creation."

You’ve crossed the stage, but your journey is just beginning. We’re so proud of you, Class of 2025! Now: Go after those bigger goals. The world is waiting. ❤️💙

If you’ve been on the Bluff these past four years, you’ve likely run into Braden Niles, A’25. A friend, scholar, leader – and this year’s McAnulty College General Excellence Award recipient. He will speak at today’s graduation ceremony.

“I am beyond grateful for receiving this award. I am so proud to represent Liberal Arts on stage,” he said. “I have spent the last four years working to give back to a university that has given me so much.”

A cornerstone of campus life, Braden has served as the VP of Academic Affairs for the Student Government Association, a Liberal Arts Senator, and the VP of Communication for the Residence Hall Association. He was also named homecoming king, recognized as the top political science student, earned an Excellence in Student Leadership Award, and is part of the Honors College.

A triple major in political science, sociology, and Catholic Studies, Braden credits his professors for challenging him throughout his undergraduate career.

“It was truly a pleasure to work with such a talented set of professors and administrators, and I owe so much of my success to them,” he said.

Next year, Braden will continue his journey at Duquesne, attending the Thomas R. Kline School of Law.

“I want to give back, and that’s why I’m pursuing law school to continue to serve those on the margins,” he said. “Duquesne has distilled this spirit of service in me, and I look forward to continuing my education here on the Bluff.”

Students in Dr. Erik Garrett’s integrated marketing and communication class capped off their semester last week by supporting Ryan Shazier Fund for Spinal Rehabilitation's “Night at the Races" fundraiser. As part of a semester-long project, they worked closely with the organization to assist in planning and publicizing the event hosted at Acrisure Stadium.

"Helping promote such a meaningful cause taught me how to communicate with purpose and connect with a community. It was so fulfilling to see what we learned in the classroom actually make a difference in real life," said Leila Doran, A'26.

You may have seen Daymond Kovaly, A’25, around College Hall taking classes in the Sports Information and Media program. But you might not have seen him at many of our sports games. That’s because Daymond had a secret: He was The Duke mascot.

Graduating this week, Daymond will continue his position as the mascot coordinator for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. He began the role as a junior in college, and he credits his time with Duquesne Athletics and the Media Department for setting him up for professional success.

“The Sports Information and Media program gave me a strong foundation in both the technical and creative sides of sports communication. Duquesne helped prepare me for anything, and I felt like I was one step ahead thanks to the classes and experiences I got to be part of during my time here," he said.

His time as the university’s mascot taught him how to connect with fans, collaborate with marketing teams, and understand the importance of a mascot in brand and community outreach.

“The challenge of being The Duke is that you are not allowed to talk at all,” Daymond said. “You are the pride of an entire school without saying a word, cheering the loudest by being the quietest. It taught me how to communicate and connect with fans of all ages differently, but it also gave me a front-row seat to everything that happens behind the scenes to make game day special.”

Throughout his four years at Duquesne, Professor and Sports Information and Media Program Director Robert Healy III pushed him to produce his best work.

“From the start, he held us to a higher standard because he knows what it means to be a Duquesne Duke,” he said.

If there’s any advice Daymond could give to current students, it’s that they should embrace every opportunity, no matter how small.

“Don’t wait for the ‘perfect’ opportunity. Say yes to the small ones, the hard tasks, the volunteer gigs, and the behind-the-scenes roles,” he said. “Be reliable, be creative, and be willing to do a little bit of everything. And never lose sight of your enthusiasm. Passion is contagious, and in the world of sports, energy and attitude go a long way.”

We’re so excited to celebrate our soon-to-be graduates! 🎓

Friday will be here before you know it! Here are links for each of the day's Commencement ceremonies. Tune in if you can't join the graduates in person! 🎓❤️💙

Baccalaureate Mass
8:30 a.m. ET
Duquesne University Spiritan Campus Ministry
https://www.youtube.com/live/1KkOU1zgmP4

Duquesne University Liberal Arts
10:30 a.m. ET
https://www.youtube.com/live/8-iuc1RAv-c

Duquesne University Palumbo-Donahue School of Business
2:00 p.m. ET
https://www.youtube.com/live/qC168tkWr6g

Mary Pappert School of Music
4:00 p.m. ET
https://www.youtube.com/live/4zZjPiNd3Ho

Duquesne University Rangos School of Health Sciences
5:00 p.m. ET
https://www.youtube.com/live/9xpvDXzaSSE

In a farewell column for The Duquesne Duke, Spencer Thomas, A’25, recounts his four years covering Duquesne Athletics (GoDuquesne) – time he describes as “the best four years of my life so far.”

He joined the paper as a freshman with a love of sports and a willingness to learn. That decision brought him to postgame pressers, courtside at UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse, and the heart of the Bluff. Eventually, he became editor-in-chief, overseeing coverage while continuing to report on the teams and players who shaped his undergraduate experience.

“I can’t wrap my head around how much this paper and school have changed me,” he writes. “Recalling my own memories made before I started here feels like I’m interacting with a whole other person. Every experience in the newsroom taught me something.”

Spencer credits Luke Henne, A’23, his predecessor at The Duke, a fellow Pittsburgh Penguins intern alum, and now a communication manager for the Pittsburgh Pirates, as a key mentor.

“He taught me the ropes, and everything I know now about sports media comes from a foundation he built. That means a lot to me,” he writes.

Student journalism, Spencer suggests, is more than a training ground. It’s a community, a source of growth, and, sometimes, the defining experience of a college career.

“It feels like I spent 18 years looking for a community to love that embraced me back […] I came to realize that the newsroom was that place,” he writes. “It was a world where I knew that what I contributed was important, and that I was good at it.”

Read the full farewell column:

The best four years of my life… so far - The Duquesne Duke Spencer Thomas | editor-in-chief The first weekend of college, I said hello to an editor for The Duquesne Duke. The first week I was on campus, I wrote my very first story. Now, four years and 124 articles later, I have to say goodbye. I can’t wrap my head around how much this paper and school hav...

"The Ocean – Five Years" brought the Duquesne community together for a moving exploration of grief, love, and healing through music.

Directed by alumna Jennifer Schlieper, A'96, of Flying Scooter Productions, the award-winning documentary sparked meaningful and emotional conversation during a panel with Brett McCutcheon and Terese LaVallee, who are featured in the film.

Caroline Denholm, A’25, who graduates next month, and her mother, Kristine Meldrum Denholm, A’88, share a passion for storytelling that started on the Bluff.

Kristine, who studied journalism, recently published her first novel “Yesterday’s Song” to great acclaim, including a write-up from Kirkus Reviews that described it as “a heartfelt story of a separated family and a love letter to the classic rock era.”

Liberal Arts made the generational difference, shaping both Kristine and Caroline’s paths. While Kristine built her career as a writer and journalist, Caroline is forging her own in public relations, advertising, and marketing.

At Duquesne, Caroline has gained hands-on experience as a multimedia and marketing intern at KTA-Tator, Inc. and through her involvement in the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), where she currently serves as social media chair.

“I came to Duquesne because I fell in love with the beautiful campus and knew that I would have immense personal and professional growth here,” she said. “Duquesne gave me the foundation to grow as a communicator, and my experiences have prepared me to take the next step in my career.”

Here’s to bunny ears, community, and a season of renewal. Happy Easter from the McAnulty College and Graduate School of Liberal Arts.