Katherine Repasky | assistant editor

Duquesne University has changed significantly since its founding 148 years ago.

However, one aspect has always remained unchanged: students’ giving back, while celebrating the university that uplifts them.

On Wednesday, the campus community celebrated Duquesne’s founding on Academic Walk with carnival games and food stands led by campus’ Greek Life organizations. As a part of Heritage week, all donations acquired during the annual birthday party went toward Tengeru Secondary Boys School in Northern Tanzania.

This integration of mission alongside amusement allowed another opportunity for all students to support the same school that benefited from the Run for Tengeru 5K earlier in Heritage Week.

Emily Weaver, a senior forensic science major and member of Gamma Phi Beta, could be seen Wednesday afternoon with a big smile, helping run a cornhole game where students could win candy prizes.

Weaver recalled watching Heritage Week become a large part of her experience during her four years at Duquesne. She said the birthday celebration has become a tradition that always brings students from different organizations on campus together.

“I love seeing people kind of mingling and smiling and reaching out and saying ‘Hi,’” Weaver said. “It’s just such a big tradition that’s been going on since I’ve been here and will continue to go on after I leave.”

The event showcased the connections across all Greek Life organizations. Instead of each organization working toward its own philanthropic goals, the birthday celebration gave them an opportunity to contribute to the same cause.

“I love the family aspect that is involved in Greek Life. Not only within my sisters in Gamma Phi Beta, but between all the sororities and fraternities through philanthropy in general,” Weaver said. “It is a really nice experience of being able to reach out and collaborate, while also working toward a greater common good.”

Many fraternity members had similar motivations for their involvement within Duquesne’s larger mission and traditions.

For Matthew Seapker, a junior international security studies major and member of Alpha Delta Fraternity, service has been a major part of his experience in Greek Life.

“It’s always fun to give back to the community, always fun to give back to the university that actually cares for you,” Seapker said. “They make me feel valued.”

While Greek organizations played a large role in the fundraiser, students did not have to be involved in Greek Life to participate. The birthday celebration was conveniently located in the middle of campus, and open to anyone who wanted to stop by between classes to quickly play a game, spend time with friends or sing happy birthday to the university.

Administrators and employees involved within the Division of Mission and Identity said this accessibility is a large part of what makes events during Heritage Week so inviting for students.

“I think it is great because the kids love it,” Michele Ellis, a staff member in the Division of Mission and Identity said. “It is a good time for everyone to get together, eat some food and hang out.”

Ellis added that Heritage Week also gives students a chance to learn about Duquesne’s Spiritan identity, regardless of their religious background.

“I like that there is a sense of telling everybody about the Spiritan mission,” Ellis said. “Even if you’re not Catholic, it is still nice to learn about from a mission perspective.”

Similarly thrilled by the community created between staff and students, Renee Johnson, an assistant in the Student Life and Residence Life office who has worked at Duquesne for 55 years, said she always looks forward to the event. She added that the Spiritan aspect is one of the things she enjoys most about the event.

“I think it’s just that everyone comes to talk and walk around. They can come after class or before class and can really build those special connections with everyone they see,” Johnson said.

Katherine Repasky can be reached at repaskyk@duq.edu