Enduring Mission. Emerging Pathways.

The investiture of David J. Dausey will serve as a signature moment in a multi-day celebration inviting the 91ÖÆÆ¬³§ community to honor our scholarship, history, and the distinctive value of the 91ÖÆÆ¬³§ experience. 

Distinctive events will include:

  • Inaugural Mass: Sunday, September 13, 11 a.m., 91ÖÆÆ¬³§ Chapel, Old Main
  • Visual Voices, sponsored by 91ÖÆÆ¬³§ Center for Integrative Health: Monday, September 14, 12-3 p.m., Gormley Student Union Ballroom. Lunch and arts-based discussion with community health partners and civic organizations to shape future initiatives.
  • Spiritan Room Dedication at Libermann Luncheon: Tuesday, September 15, 12 p.m., Spiritan Room, Gormley Student Union. By invitation; space is limited.
  • Student Conversation with President Dausey: Wednesday, September 16, 4 p.m., Genesius Theatre. By invitation; space is limited.
  • Faculty Conversation with President Dausey: Thursday, September 17, 10 a.m., Gormley Student Union Ballroom. All faculty will be invited. RSVP will be requested.
  • Delegate Brunch: Thursday, September 17, 11 a.m.-12:45 p.m., Gormley Student Union Ballroom. All external university delegates participating in the Investiture Ceremony invited. RSVP Requested.
  • Investiture Ceremony: Thursday, September 17, 1 p.m., UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse. .
  • All-Campus Reception: Thursday, September 17, immediately following the Investiture Ceremony, Academic Walk
  • Exhibits of Student and Faculty Research and Creative Work: Presented throughout the day on Thursday, September 17, in Mellon Hall lobby.
  • Staff Reception with President Dausey: Tuesday, September 22, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Spiritan Room, Gormley Student Union. All staff members will be invited. RSVP will be requested.

Inauguration Week Details

Information for Delegates

The inauguration of a university president is a celebration not only of that institution but of the entire academic community. Dressed in the academic regalia of their respective institutions, delegates march in the inauguration processional in order of the founding date of each institution.

Academic Dress
Delegates participating in the academic procession may bring their own academic dress or may rent regalia from the 91ÖÆÆ¬³§ bookstore.

Rental information
To rent academic dress for the investiture ceremony, call (412) 314-0286 or email DUBookstoreFREEDUQUESNE by Friday, August 28, 2026, to provide sizing and contact information and to arrange for payment. Rental regalia will be available for pickup in the Spiritan Room, located on the third floor of the Gormley Student Union.

Campus Map

Parking

Event parking is available in the Forbes Avenue Parking Garage (#41 on the campus map). The entrance is off Forbes Avenue, on the right-hand side just past the Power Center and directly across from McGinley Hall. GPS Address:

Accommodations

We have and exclusive offers for 91ÖÆÆ¬³§ visitors at the following hotels:

What Our Community is Saying

Dr. Dausey’s values and experience uniquely align with our vision for an exciting future of service to our students, our region and the world. We have great confidence that Dr. Dausey is the right leader for this key moment in the life of 91ÖÆÆ¬³§.

Diane Hupp Chair of the 91ÖÆÆ¬³§ Board of Directors

Students talk about administration a lot, and I’ve only ever heard positive things about Dr. Dausey. So us already having a relationship with him as student government, him being the provost here already… we’re going to be ready to get right to work.

Nick Miller President of 91ÖÆÆ¬³§â€™s Student Government Association
Father John Fogarty headshot

The Spiritan Congregation knows and admires Dr. Dausey for his leadership on many fronts at 91ÖÆÆ¬³§. He has done much to keep Spiritan character at the heart of 91ÖÆÆ¬³§â€™s academic enterprise.

Fr. John Fogarty Provincial of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit Province of the U.S. and Chair of the 91ÖÆÆ¬³§ Corporation
President Ken Gormley

Provost Dausey has earned the trust and respect of faculty and staff across the University. David has exhibited creativity and leadership not only when it comes to 91ÖÆÆ¬³§â€™s faculty research and teaching but also in shaping a vision for the University.

Ken Gormley 13th President of 91ÖÆÆ¬³§