From the classroom to the boardroom: How Scot Duncan ‘03 forged his unique path at Allegheny College

When Scotland (Scot) Duncan '03 arrived on campus in the fall of 1999, he probably didn't realize how influential Allegheny College would be in his life, both professionally and personally.

Initially he was leaning toward a pre-med major, but after taking Professor Don Goldstein's microeconomics course, he knew he found his calling. "I had never taken an economics class and frankly didn't know what it was. But I thought it was absolutely fantastic and pursued it as my major," Duncan said. He chose piano as his minor, which for him was a natural fit. "I played piano as a child and still play today," he said. "When you think about it, musical theory is really a combination of math and art, which was a great combination for me."

Two leaders at Allegheny College recognized Duncan's potential and helped jumpstart his career path. During his junior year, then-department chair Earl Adams recommended him for a highly coveted summer internship at Cornerstone Research, a consulting firm that provides economic analysis for expert testimony. The firm's founder was alum Chris Scott Nelson '73, who is also an Allegheny College trustee emeritus.

Duncan was competing for the internship with his roommate, and Allegheny Men's Soccer teammate, Matt Armstrong '03 and the two persuaded Nelson to hire them both. Armstrong is still there twenty-plus years later. "We both knew it was a great opportunity, so we told Chris we would each take 50% of the pay if she would hire both of us. Chris liked our creative solution, and graciously countered at 75%, which we accepted on the spot. Matt and I owe a debt of gratitude to Chris for taking a chance on us," Duncan recalls.

The experience gave Duncan his first exposure to the law, which led to law school at the University of Pittsburgh after working for Cornerstone for three years. His first job out of law school was as an associate at the global law firm Jones Day, where Duncan handled mergers and acquisitions. After six years at Jones Day, he joined U. S. Steel as corporate counsel. Today, more than 10 years later, he serves as the steel giant's senior vice president, general counsel and secretary.

Allegheny College also played a major role in Duncan's personal life. A fateful encounter during freshman orientation proved to be life changing.

"On Orientation Day, I met my future wife, Sarah Joseph, now Sarah Duncan," he recalled. "Sarah and I started dating during the fall of 1999 and we've been together ever since." She also graduated in 2003 with a degree in English, then earned her master's degree at Boston College while Scot worked at Cornerstone. The Duncans now call Pittsburgh home, where Sarah teaches pre-school, and the couple is raising three beautiful daughters ages 12, 14, and 16.

Now the dad of a 16-year-old starting to plan her own college journey, Duncan looked back on his years at Allegheny College and how it shaped his life.

"For any prospective student, the most important thing is to find the right fit," he advised. "Obviously getting a degree is important, but choosing a school like Allegheny College allows you to explore different avenues, find what you really enjoy, and gives you the space to try different things. My wife, my kids, and some of my best friends came as a direct result of my four years at Allegheny, and from my perspective that's invaluable."

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