Yochum recieved a proclamation from Allegheny County Council, honoring his 33 years teaching at Duquesne.
Yochum recieved a proclamation from Allegheny County Council, honoring his 33 years teaching at Duquesne.
Brandon Addeo and Hallie Lauer | The Duquesne Duke
A longtime Duquesne law professor has been publicly recognized by Allegheny County for 33 years of service to Duquesne’s law school.
Mark Yochum, who announced his retirement in the fall, received a proclamation from the Allegheny County Council Jan. 17 which honored his tenure at Duquesne as well as his contributions to local theater. The proclamation was sponsored by District 3 Councilman Edward Kress, who Yochum said was a former student of his.
“The Council of Allegheny County do hereby congratulate Professor Mark D. Yochum upon the occasion of his retirement after 33 years of dedicated service to Duquesne University School of Law, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors,” the proclamation read.
However, Yochum said he is not leaving the campus just yet.
“Technically, I’m slowly retiring,” he said. “I’m teaching a course this semester and, perhaps, one in the fall.”
Yochum said he’s currently teaching a federal income tax class in the law school.
The proclamation also lauded Yochum’s writings and lectures on bankruptcy law, which have featured at national conferences, and recognized his 20 years of experience of acting in regional theater.
Duquesne President Ken Gormley, a former colleague of Yochum’s in the law school, considers Yochum “an accomplished actor.” Yochum played the role of Willy Loman in the Red Masquers’ 2016 production of “Death of a Salesman,” which Gormley said was “as good as anything on Broadway.”
“[Yochum is] really the best example of someone who was born to be a speaker and a showman,” Gormley said.
Yochum said he enjoys all kinds of acting roles.
“I do everything … cheap comedy, heavy drama. Have script, will perform,” he said.
Gormley offered congratulations on Yochum’s proclamation.
“I think [the proclamation] is a fitting recognition of someone who has played a major role not only at Duquesne University but in the whole region of western Pennsylvania,” Gormley said.
He said Yochum’s style of teaching is one of his best traits.
“[Yochum] is widely regarded as one of the most engaging and captivating professors here at Duquesne. The students love him,” Gormley said. “They learn a lot in courses usually deemed dry and boring.”
Yochum said his classes have been the most memorable part of his 33 years at Duquesne.
“Nothing is greater than seeing our students succeed as lawyers and people,” he said.
