Sairah Aslam | Staff Writer
12/13/17
Oftentimes, students hope to leave a mark at their alma mater. With the Mission Forward Mosaic, they can do just that.
The mosaic is a project sponsored by the Student Government Association (SGA) and the Duquesne University Scholar Association (DUSA). Students, faculty, staff, alumni and others can, with an accompanying $35 donation, submit a photo to be incorporated in the mosaic, which will be located on the third floor of the Union upon completion. The mosaic will be accompanied by a computer through which participants can search for and pull up their own submission on the screen.
The project formally launched in November. SGA and DUSA hope for six thousand photo submissions to the Mission Forward Mosaic by the end of the spring semester next year.
The two groups will split the donations produced by the fundraiser. The mosaic was proposed by the Associate Vice President of the Center for Student Involvement Cheryl Knoch and was inspired by the mosaic of Mario Lemieux in PPG Paints Arena, proceeds of which benefited his foundation.
Olivia Erickson, president of SGA, said that the raised money will go to a couple different projects.
“Proceeds from this project will benefit the Student Government Association’s Book Loan Program and a new Mission Forward grant initiative,” she said.
The Book Loan Program allows students to check out textbooks from the collection available at the Gumberg Library Circulation Desk for two hours, after which the book must be returned.
Rev. Sean Hogan, president and founder of DUSA, said he interacted with students “who couldn’t continue or complete education without help.” Hogan founded scholarships and funds to assist struggling students.
Some of the contributions from the Mission Forward Mosaic will be used by DUSA to fund some of these endowed scholarships.
The mosaic was suggested about two years ago, according to Erickson, but a great deal of effort went into executing the idea before it became ready for submissions.
Bernadette Krueger, development coordinator of DUSA, said the integrity of “the programming, paying for [photos], technological concerns,” all had to be ensured before the donation portal opened.
Erickson said that SGA, the only student organization involved in the project, collaborated with numerous university departments such as CTS, the Controller’s Office, Marketing and Communications and Facilities Management to get the project running.
Students should donate so that they can leave a lasting memory on campus, Krueger explained.
“It’s a chance to get your name and face out there permanently,” Krueger said. “You can come back years later, look up your photo or your friend’s, and … that part of you will always be at Duquesne.”
Erickson echoed Krueger’s hopes, saying, “This is an opportunity to not only physically leave your mark at Duquesne, but to help students now and in the future by contributing to endowed funds that will be given for scholarship and Mission-centered student projects.”
