Spencer Thomas | editor-in-chief

Duquesne University President Ken Gormley announced that he will be stepping down from his position at the end of the 2025-26 school year Saturday evening.

“After much reflection and discussion with my wife, Laura, I’ve informed the Board of Directors at its meeting yesterday of my decision to step down as President of Duquesne University at the end of next academic year,” he said in an email sent to university students and faculty.

Gormley has spent over three decades on the Bluff. He joined Duquesne’s faculty in 1994 before going on to serve over seven years as the dean of the now Thomas R. Kline School of Law. 

In his announcement, Gormley referenced his impending 70th birthday, but said he will stay on the Bluff as the university’s chancellor, something that several former presidents have done. The role is non-permanent, and currently unoccupied.

He said he still feels full of energy, but is taking the opportunity to usher in a younger leader.

“I still believe it’s best for the university to plan a seamless transition to make room for the next generation of leadership,” he said.

Gormley’s retirement, made effective July 1, 2026, will mark exactly 10 years at the university’s helm. The hiring process for Duquesne’s 14th president will begin immediately, he said. The search will be handled by an outside firm.