A Brief History
Duquesne University, the world’s only Spiritan university, is one of America’s leading Catholic universities, with a worldwide reputation of excellence in liberal and professional education. At its founding, Duquesne brought higher education to the children of struggling immigrant workers, and was one of the first universities to admit women and minorities.
Duquesne was founded on Oct. 1, 1878, by the Rev. Joseph Strub and the Congregation of the Holy Ghost (the Spiritans). They opened as the Pittsburgh Catholic College with 40 students and six faculty members. Students attended classes in rented space above a bakery on Wylie Avenue in downtown Pittsburgh.- Duquesne expanded to its current campus on the Bluff and built the original “Old Main” building in 1885. This five-story red brick landmark was, for years, the highest point on the Pittsburgh skyline. It is still actively used as the administrative building on campus.
- On May 27, 1911, the name was changed to Duquesne University of the Holy Ghost.
- Rockwell Hall was constructed in the 1950’s to house the schools of business and law.
- Assumption Hall opened in 1950 as the first student dormitory.
Between 1959 and 1980, the University redeveloped College Hall, the music school and the library, also building a new Student Union and Mellon Hall, along with four dormitories, including the 17-story, 1,200 student Towers residence hall.- During the 1980’s the law school expansion was completed and construction began on the Palumbo Sports Center.
- Between 1988 - 2001, the University opened its first new schools in 50 years, including the Rangos School of Health Sciences and the Bayer School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, created new spaces for classrooms, offices and residential halls, as well as parking garages, and the Art Rooney Football Field.
In January 2008 Duquesne dedicated the Power Center on Forbes Avenue. This new five-story building provides student fitness facilities to meet increasing interest in health and wellness. The Power Center features banquet facilities, retail shops, restaurants and a Barnes and Noble bookstore.
For more on the history of Duquesne University, please pick up a copy of The Spirit That Gives Life: The History of Duquesne University, 1878-1996, by Joseph F. Rishel, available at our bookstore.
