Duquesne University President Ken Gormley today announced the appointment of Michael S. LaFrankie as its new Senior Vice President for University Advancement, effective August 18, 2025. LaFrankie brings more than three decades of distinguished experience in fundraising, executive leadership, and strategic advancement, with a particular emphasis on higher education philanthropy.

LaFrankie currently serves as Vice Chancellor for Health Sciences Individual Giving and Alumni Relations at the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC Health System. In this role, he has led transformative fundraising efforts, including securing the largest individual gift in UPMC’s history—$65 million in unrestricted support for capital projects—and a $45 million gift to establish a new musculoskeletal research center at Pitt’s School of Medicine.

Read the complete announcement on the Duquesne University website here.