Kaitlyn Hughes & Josh Imhof | editor-in-chief & news editor

Duquesne President David Dausey has a goal for his presidency, which revolves around one thing: inclusivity.

“I have big plans for our future,” Dausey told The Duke Friday. “All of these plans start with inclusivity.”

Dausey assumed the role of university president on Wednesday, filling the shoes of now Chancellor Ken Gormley, who held the position for 10 years. Dausey was tapped as the 14th president by the Duquesne University Board of Directors in November.

He began his first day of presidency in Washington, D.C., meeting with fellow university presidents and brainstorming ideas on how to combat challenges facing higher education today. He specifically mentioned issues with federal funding, demographic changes and uncertainties with artificial intelligence. 

“There is always this sense of pessimism with education right now, but I left with a sense of optimism because I know where we are at Duquesne that we are positioned to take on these challenges,” Dausey said. 

To live up to his goals of inclusivity, Dausey has met with students representing different groups on campus, is holding a leadership retreat at the end of July and plans to conduct state of the university addresses to collaborate with faculty and staff. 

Gormley said that he is confident Dausey is equipped for the role. 

During his time as president, Gormley launched the IGNITE fundraising campaign, which brought in more than $300 million for the university. He also oversaw the creation of the Center for Career Development and the expansion of Duquesne’s health sciences programs, most notably the opening of the Nasuti College of Osteopathic Medicine in January 2024.  

“The rest of the world now is seeing how special Duquesne University is,” the former university president said. “When I walked out of the door and turned out the lights on Tuesday … I felt a great sense of satisfaction that David is strongly positioned to keep all of the great momentum going.”

Gormley said that despite the accomplishments during his tenure, he felt strongly that planning succession was crucial.

“My motto when I was mayor of Forest Hills was ‘get out while they still love you,’” he said. 

Gormley will now step into the role of chancellor in 2027 after taking a sabbatical during the fall semester. In his new position, he said he will maintain relationships with alumni, donors, foundation leaders and elected officials, while also continuing to serve in an advisory capacity to Dausey. 

“I’m not going anywhere … I’m not ready to retire. I turned 70 last year, but I feel like I’m 32,” Gormley said. “There’s a million things that will be coming at David and his cabinet early on, so I will be available to help with anything.”

‘I’m always available’

Dausey said he will always be prepared to bump into students and have informal conversations about their concerns and goals for the university. He said his staff is prepared if he goes to Starbucks for a coffee and doesn’t return to Old Main for another hour because he is talking to students. 

“I wake up every day thinking about our students,” he said. “I’m always available, and I always have extra time.”

Kaitlyn Hughes can be reached at hughesk10@duq.edu. Josh Imhof can be reached at imhofj@duq.edu