Murphy 's accomplishments included the 1887 establishment of an Association of Past Students , which became the predecessor to the Duquesne University Alumni Association . Another shrewd decision was made when the South Fork Hunting and Fishing Club 's dam broke on the Conemaugh River in 1889 , causing the Johnstown Flood . As a result , Pittsburgh 's drinking water became even more undrinkable than usual . Murphy had a well dug behind the Administration Building in response , and the pump became a gathering place for students until it was capped in 1938
Johnstown Flood
Johnstown Flood
John Tuohill Murphy