Duquesne University President Charles Dougherty today announced a $2 million gift from the Richard King Mellon Foundation, one of the largest independent foundations in the United States and the largest foundation in Pittsburgh.
The Foundation commitment, which will help further Duquesne’s academic programs, is the latest in a series of funding announcements over the last 12 months, including: a $2 million gift from late alumnus Dr. Bernard J. Ransil to endow a chair in the integration of science, philosophy, theology and law; a $1.5 million gift from alumnus Bob Gussin and his wife, Pat, for the university’s Spiritan Division of Academic Programs; a $1.5 million gift from alumnus Ed Fritzky to endow a chair in biotechnology; and a $1 million gift from John Rangos, benefactor of Duquesne’s John G. Rangos Sr. School of Health Sciences, to endow a chair in health sciences and ethics.
The university is experiencing strong support through charitable giving, with a 47 percent increase in alumni support; a 27 percent increase in corporate and foundation gifts; a 17 percent increase in faculty and staff giving; and an 11 percent increase in the number of alumni donors.
“This strong support tells us that members of the Duquesne family – alumni, faculty and staff – and the community are excited about where Duquesne is now and our plans for the future,” said President Dougherty.
About the Richard King Mellon Foundation
The Richard King Mellon Foundation is among the largest independent foundations in the United States, with funding priorities focusing on regional economic development; educational support for universities, parochial, independent and charter schools; families, youth and child development; and land preservation and wildlife conservation. For more than 50 years, the foundation’s trustees have shown a preference for supporting established organizations with specific objectives.
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