Carnegie Mellon University
November 23, 2020

A Legacy of Learning

Casey family celebrates 111 years of Tartan pride — and counting

By Sarah Burke

When Dennis “Dan” Casey graduated from Carnegie Technical Schools in 1909, he had no idea that three generations of his descendants would follow in his footsteps.

Today, Tartan pride continues to be a hallmark of the Casey family. Three of Dan’s children, one daughter-in-law, one son-in-law and two of his grandchildren are Carnegie Mellon University alumni.

Two great-grandsons are current students, carrying Dan’s legacy into the 21st century.

“Daddy instilled in us that, because of his education, we his children had so many advantages,” said Dan’s daughter, Barbara McCrudden. “He was always loyal to Tech and was generous in his support of scholarships for students in need.”

Casey Family Tree

“Daddy instilled in us that, because of his education, we his children had so many advantages. He was always loyal to Tech and was generous in his support of scholarships for students in need.”

Barbara McCrudden, dan's daughter & 1956 alumna

Dan Casey founded Duquesne Electric article

After graduation, Dan worked in engineering and sales at Westinghouse Electric Corporation and eventually started his own business, Duquesne Electric Manufacturing Company.

Duquesne Electric boiler plate

10 Tartans across 4 Generations

8 CMU Graduates

  • 3 Margaret Morrison Carnegie College
  • 3 Tepper School of Business
  • 2 College of Engineering
2 Current Students
  • 1 Mellon College of Science
  • 1 Tepper School of Business

Earliest Graduation Year:
1909

Latest Expected Graduation Year:
2024

Commemorative Chair
(left) Dan Casey received this commemorative chair in the 1950s to honor the earliest graduates of Carnegie Tech.

Dan Casey's yearbook picture

Dan Casey’s yearbook page from Carnegie Tech

“CMU has such strong programs in business, engineering, science, the arts — any area I’d like to study. I’ve had so many opportunities here, from conducting research to serving as a Highland Ambassador. The faculty and staff always have our best interest at heart.”

Connor Leemhuis, Dan's great-grandson & a junior in Computational finance

Dan's granddaughter, great-grandson, and daughter-in-law

Dan's granddaughter, great-grandson and daughter-in-law: Carrie Casey, an alumna; Connor Leemhuis, a current student; and Gloria Casey, an alumna

Dan's grandson

Dan's grandson, Kurt Casey, an alumnus

Dan's son-in-law and daugher, Jerry and Marilyn Bracken, both alumni

Dan's son-in-law and daugher, Jerry and Marilyn Bracken, both alumni

Dan's daughter, Barbara McCrudden, an alumna

Dan's daughter, Barbara McCrudden, an alumna

“CMU is an important part of our lives. My training as a chemist was a crucial part of my success in my career. The importance placed on science as a part of a modern society and interdisciplinary world, that included music and art, benefited us immensely at CMU and afterwards.”

Marilyn Bracken, dan's daughter & 1957 alumna

Dan Casey's three children, Marilyn (left), Don, Barbara, all alumni

Dan Casey's three children, Marilyn (left), Don, Barbara, all alumni

Dan's great-grandson, Connor Leemhuis, a junior in the computational finance program

Dan's great-grandson, Connor Leemhuis, a junior in the computational finance program

Don Casey, an alumnus, poses with his father Dan's commemorative chair

Don Casey, an alumnus, poses with his father Dan's commemorative chair

Dan's great-grandson, Cam Casey, a first-year student in the Tepper School of Business

Dan's great-grandson, Cam Casey, a first-year student in the Tepper School of Business