Michael A. Duzy, 92; once headed Harcum

Michael A. Duzy, 92, of Bryn Mawr, president of Harcum College for 20 years, died last Monday at Lankenau Hospital of complications after hip surgery.

Dr. Duzy served as president from 1963 to 1983 when Klein Hall, Pennswood Hall and the academic center were built on the Harcum campus in Bryn Mawr.

"Dr. Duzy ably led the college through a period of unprecedented change and growth," Jon Jay DeTemple, Harcum president, said in an interview last week.

Born in 1915 in Mahanoy Plane, Schuylkill County, Dr. Duzy graduated from Ridley Park High School in 1931 and entered the order of De La Salle Christian Brothers that same year. He earned a bachelor's degree in 1935, a master's 1939, and a doctorate in 1944 - all in philosophy from Catholic University in Washington.

Dr. Duzy taught philosophy at La Salle College and Scranton University before being named dean in 1946 at La Salle, a position he held for six years. He was named president of La Salle in 1952.

There, he recruited Philadelphia's star forward for the Explorers, Tom Gola. Dr. Duzy also helped organize the 1954 men's NCAA championship basketball team for which Gola was named most outstanding player, said Dr. Duzy's son, Michael. "I know this was one of my father's proudest accomplishments."

Dr. Duzy resigned from the Order of Christian Brothers, married Nancy Curtis in 1957, and was acting president of the University of Texas at Dallas for three years.

In 1963, he became president of Harcum College. He headed building projects and added several new majors, including veterinary technology, dental hygiene and fashion design. After retiring from Harcum in 1983, he taught religion and philosophy at Villanova University until retiring for good in 1992.

Dr. Duzy was a member of Overbrook Golf Club for 40 years. "He had his only hole in one when he was 76," his son said.

In addition to his wife and son, Dr. Duzy is survived by another son, John; daughters Michele Forsythe, Stephanie and Lizanne; seven grandchildren; and a sister.

Services were Saturday. Donations may be sent to the Christian Brothers LaSalle Hall Community, 6001 Ammendale Rd., Beltsville, Md. 20705-1202.