Duquesne University Alumni Visit Croatian Embassy

NSA Director and DU alumnus General Michael Hayden (left) and Ambassador Jurica

Washington, D.C., April 14, 2005 – The Croatian Embassy hosted a reception for alumni of Duquesne University from Pittsburgh. Several dozen former students and other guests were welcomed by Croatia's Ambassador to the United States, Neven Jurica, and Duquesne University President Charles Dougherty, who recalled the cultural contribution of the Croat community to Pittsburgh and Duquesne University.

The delegation of Duquesne University alumni included a senior U.S. military official, General Michael Hayden, Director of the National Security Agency, an intelligence service of the Department of Defense. General Hayden will soon become the second most senior person in the U.S. intelligence community after the Senate confirms his nomination as Deputy to the Director of National Intelligence, John Negroponte.

The Croatian Embassy and Duquesne University have good relations, which has resulted in several students from Croatia studying at the University. Several more students are expected to be granted scholarships for Duquesne University soon. Pittsburgh has a large Croatian community and many members of that community have studied at Duquesne and contributed to its development.

In September last year, Croatian Prime Minister Ivo Sanader visited the University, where he received a presidential citation in recognition of Croatia's efforts towards pursuing Euro-Atlantic integration and internal reforms.