he humble beginning of Pittsburgh Catholic College of the Holy Ghost is a memorable part of Duquesne University’s legacy. With no money, no land and no buildings, Spiritan Fr. Joseph Strub, C.S.Sp., established the college in

1878 with leased space atop a bakery in the Hill District.

Equally fascinating, but perhaps lesser known, is the history of the Administration Building. Constructed in 1885 on a bluff overlooking the Monongahela River, this five-story structure became the foundation of Duquesne University, both literally and figuratively.

In its early days, the multipurpose building hosted a variety of services and activities for the growing college—including a gymnasium in the basement and a combination chapel/auditorium on the fifth floor. It has endured more than a century of restorations, eluded demolition and even survived a lightning strike.

Known today as “Old Main,” the building remains an integral part of University life, housing administrative offices that serve students, faculty, staff and alumni alike.

Old Main

TYet Old Main is much more than a campus landmark. It is a revered symbol of the faith that the Congregation of the Holy Spirit—Duquesne’s founders and continuing sponsors—had in their mission of evangelization through education.

The Spiritans pioneered educational opportunities for the children of Pittsburgh immigrants to liberate them from poverty, injustice and discrimination. In “serving God by serving students,” they transformed generations of students by providing an education for the mind, heart and spirit. One hundred twenty-five years later, Old Main continues to unite and inspire all members of Duquesne University to live out the Spiritan mission of providing a faith-filled educational experience to all who seek it.

In celebration of this milestone 125th anniversary, this booklet highlights interesting facts and folklore about Old Main culled from Duquesne’s definitive history book, The Spirit that Gives Life, by Dr. Joseph F. Rishel, the University Archives and the Office of Facilities Management.

To learn more, visit www.duq.edu/old-main-125.

Building Faith for 125 Years:A Commemoration of

1885-2010

Old Main

1946: Alumnus and famed “labor priest” Charles Owen Rice gave the May Crowning Address.

1950: Actress and singer Rosemary Clooney performed on WDUQ radio’s popular variety show, Fiddle Faddle. 1967: Dr. Timothy Leary, former Harvard psychologist and counterculture guru, addressed the Student Forum.

1973: Political activists Jane Fonda and Tom Hayden spoke about the Vietnam War, which had ended a year earlier.

1975: Italian operatic tenor Luciano Pavarotti served as a guest judge for a vocal scholarship contest.

1978: Princess Grace of Monaco participated in the annual International Poetry Forum and received an honorary degree.

1978: David Susskind, broadcast pioneer and TV talk-show host, delivered the Commencement address.

1981: Vice-President George H. Bush received an honorary doctor of law degree.

1988: Vatican prefect Achille Cardinal Silvestrini, emissary to Pope John Paul II, spoke on world recognition of religious freedom.

1988: Gerry Adams, Sinn Fein leader, discussed the Good Friday Peace Agreement between Irish Protestants and Catholics.

1992: Nicaraguan President Violeta Chamorro was the commencement speaker for the School of Education.

2003: Famed forensic pathologist Dr. Henry C. Lee was among the distinguished panel of medical and legal experts convened at Duquesne to discuss the JFK assassination.

2010: Dr. Cornel West, philosopher, author, activist and Princeton University professor, was the keynote speaker for the annual Unity Banquet that recognizes student leaders in diversity issues.

Legendary Visitors Duquesne’s stature as an institution of academic excellence made it a frequent destination for famous, and sometimes infamous, guests. These included:

Rosemary Clooney Princess Grace Cornel West Cover art: Original painting by W. Pfahl.

Creating a CollegeThe surprising success of the fledgling Pittsburgh Catholic College was a catalyst for growth and, by 1882, the Spiritans were searching for a permanent location. They secured a former private hospital and adjacent property owned by Dr. A.G. Walter on Boyd’s Hill, a bluff overlooking the Monongahela River.

Local architect William Kaufman designed the college’s new “main building,” using a distinctive Victorian Medievalist style that featured horizontal bands of stone. Excavation of the site required stone and clay to be blasted away; the clay was used for bricks that were handmade by Spiritan brothers at the college-owned brickyard.

The cornerstone of the Administration Building was laid at the archway entrance facing Bluff Street in April 1884, and the building dedication followed on May 3, 1885. The final cost of the five-story building—$150,000—was financed by the Knights of Columbus and the American Province of the Holy Ghost Fathers. Distinctive arched gateways, installed in 1994 at the Bluff Street and Forbes Avenue entrances to campus, continue to welcome students and visitors to Duquesne. In its early days, the school offered education options for grammar school, high school and collegiate students. By the early 20th century, the college was reorganized into the Preparatory School—the largest Catholic high school in the diocese—and the College Division, the genesis of Duquesne University.

Strengthening a University The school was granted university status on March 30, 1911, becoming the first Catholic university in the Commonwealth, and was renamed Duquesne University of the Holy Ghost on May 27, 1911. Embracing the Spiritan vision that education is the key to liberation, the University was the first Catholic institution to succeed in educating the children of Pittsburgh’s immigrants and also was one of the first universities to admit women and minorities. For more than five generations, Duquesne has continued this legacy of welcoming all and excluding none.

Keen to support efforts during the Great War, Duquesne established a unit of the Student Army Training Corps, a forerunner of the ROTC, in 1918. The troops were housed in the campus theater beneath the chapel and conducted military drills in the playing fields behind Old Main. More women joined the student body in the 1930’s but were quickly outnumbered in 1946 when 3,000 World War II vets enrolled at Duquesne, no doubt encouraged by the University’s ranking as a “preferred school” by the Veterans Administration.

Increasing enrollment and Pittsburgh’s urban renewal effort in the 1950’s paved the way for major campus expansion. An ambitious master plan was launched in the 1960’s that called for the demolition of Old Main in order to make way for a student union. University president, Fr. Henry McAnulty, C.S.Sp., quietly

Sustaining the Spirit Old Main is a powerful reminder of the values and vision of Spiritan co-founders, Claude Poullart des Places and Francis Libermann. They were guided by the Spirit to respond to the most pressing needs of the people they served, empowering them to improve their own lives as well as their communities and the world through education. Like Old Main itself, this singular mission has been upheld and enhanced throughout the years by a continued dedication to the Holy Spirit by Duquesne’s religious and lay leaders.

Pittsburgh’s first Catholic college is now the largest one in the Commonwealth and the only Spiritan university in the world. Duquesne continues to welcome students from every socio-economic background, faith and culture. Spiritan values of peace, justice, respect for diversity and service comprise the Core Curriculum. A tradition of academic excellence has propelled Duquesne to the ranks of America’s top-tier universities, and our institution-wide commitment

to service, particularly among the underserved and disadvantaged, has garnered national recognition.

A striking physical symbol of history and heritage, Old Main represents the “Spirit Who Gives Life” to Duquesne University’s achievements and aspirations. This dedication to the Holy Spirit has shaped the lives of generations of students and continues to lead and inspire all those united by the mission of providing a Catholic education in the Spiritan tradition.

got the word out about the proposal, and Duquesne alumni reacted quickly. With their help, the University raised $700,000 for Old Main’s restoration.

Renovations included replacing stairwells, installing new windows and sandblasting the exterior stone. Classroom use of the facility was discontinued.

The installation of an elevator in 1964 enabled the offices of the president and other administrators to move from the first floor to the fifth floor, where they still reside today. In 1975, Old Main was hit by a bolt of lightning and fire destroyed the fifth floor. Amazingly, no students or faculty were injured and Fr. McAnulty’s Irish prayer book was unharmed. Determined to maintain this important icon, the University rebuilt and, just three years later, hosted a centennial celebration from the top floors of Old Main. That same year, Duquesne was designated a historic landmark by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

At the dawn of the 21st century, Duquesne was poised to enter the first ranks of American Catholic education. An innovative Campus Master Plan ushered in an era of growth and prosperity and an inaugural Strategic Plan focused University-wide efforts on emphasizing Duquesne’s Spiritan identity and mission, enhancing the quality of the students’ experience and developing a national reputation for academic excellence.

Vital Statistics about Old Main & the Chapel

Amount of dirt excAvAted for foundAtion:11,520 cubic yards

HeigHt: 116 feet

SquAre footAge inSide:57,488 gross square feet

number of windowS:Old Main: 315, Chapel: 60

HeigHt of cHApel ceiling:44 feet

Amount of fAcebrick:40,000 square feet

cHApel cHimeS:Play four hymns daily at 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.