The gift creates the Rees-Chancellor’s Scholars Program at the University of Pittsburgh’s David C. Frederick Honors College.

The University of Pittsburgh celebrates a $30 million gift from Michael Rees (ENGR ’97, A&S ’97, FHC ’97) and family to create a program within its highly ranked honors college to attract outstanding first-year students and support them over the course of their undergraduate degree.

The gift creates an endowed fund that will expand the number of Frederick Honors College (FHC) students receiving full room, board, and tuition scholarships through the existing Chancellor’s Scholars program. The cohort of 64 students at a time, now known as Rees-Chancellor’s Scholars, will each receive an annual, funded enrichment opportunity to cover the cost of experiential learning opportunities, providing them financial support to pursue their passions and develop their leadership.

“Michael Rees exemplifies the possibilities of a Pitt education,” said Chancellor Joan Gabel. “His transformational gift not only ensures that the best and brightest continue to choose and be served by Pitt, but that our honors college continues its incredible momentum.” 

In addition to providing generous scholarship support and funding for research, internships, career development, networking and other enrichment experiences, the gift will add additional staff members to the Honors College, creating a team dedicated to supporting the cohort. This gift will create one of the most holistic scholarship programs and robust honors college education in the country through an individualized educational and co-curricular program supported by dedicated advisors. The new team members will establish a recruitment pipeline to attract the best candidates and will work with each student to personalize their Frederick Honors experience, receiving targeted guidance in applying and preparing for international scholarships such as Rhodes and Fulbright. 

“My time at Pitt laid the foundation for my career, and my honors program experiences are what really shaped me into the person I am today,” said Rees, an Upper St. Clair native who earned bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering and political science from the University of Pittsburgh. “I’m excited to see the next generation of students enjoy even greater benefits and to help this program reach new heights.”

Throughout his undergraduate career, Rees was an active participant in the University Honors College, received a Chancellor’s Scholarship, and won the prestigious Goldwater Scholarship. He received the Department of Defense Research Fellowship and earned graduate degrees in mechanical engineering and technology policy from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He later founded Dyal Capital, which is a predecessor firm to Blue Owl Capital Inc., where Rees is co-president and a member of the board of directors. 

Beyond full tuition and housing support, Rees-Chancellor’s Scholars will experience funded enrichment opportunities such as research, study abroad, and specialized retreats—including experiences involving FHC partner University College, Oxford—that will give students the freedom to explore their passions in preparation for post-graduate success. 

The first cohort of students supported by this gift will matriculate in the 2027-2028 academic year. Comprehensive nationwide recruitment efforts funded through the gift will identify the most qualified students competing for spots in top college programs for this and subsequent classes. The Rees-Chancellor’s Scholars program will continue in perpetuity, adding 16 new incoming students each year, developing our next generation of leaders and scholarly change makers. Under the leadership of Dean Nicola Foote, who arrived at Pitt in 2021, the University has increased the breadth of programming in the college, attracting new applicants from around the globe and leading to a number 11 ranking on College Transitions’ 50 Best Honors Colleges list. 

This innovative program aims to reinvent the way honors students are identified, recruited, and supported throughout their academic career, in a model similar to student athletes. Rees attributes this cohort model, and the connections he made during his time in the Honors College, with many of the personal and professional relationships he has maintained since his time at Pitt.

“Adding these experiential learning and development opportunities to the Rees-Chancellor’s Scholars’ experiences will cultivate student success and propel innovation,” Foote said. “This will ensure that students know early on that the University of Pittsburgh is excited about their potential and that we have made a commitment to their education.”

About the David C. Frederick Honors College

The University of Pittsburgh established the University Honors College in 1986, building upon the achievements of the University Honors Program, which was started in 1978. In 2022, Pitt’s first Rhodes Scholar, David C. Frederick, made a transformative gift to the Honors College and the University recognized this philanthropy through the naming of the David C. Frederick Honors College. The mission of the Frederick Honors College is to meet the academic and extracurricular needs of the University of Pittsburgh’s most able, ambitious, and inquisitive undergraduate students by providing intellectual challenges, inspiring individual effort, encouraging independent thinking and self-discovery, and fostering a nurturing community. 

The Frederick Honors College is ranked eleventh in the nation by College Transition, a higher education admissions consultancy company providing guidance to high school students. FHC received 10,016 applications for the fall 2025 semester, which was an 18 percent increase over the previous year. The eventual incoming class had an average GPA of 4.46, an SAT score of 1457, and an ACT score of 33.

Governor Shapiro Signs Budget into Law that Cuts Taxes for Working Families, Addresses Critical Workforce Needs, Makes Historic Investments in Education, and Delivers for Pennsylvanians

Today, Governor Josh Shapiro signed into law a FY2025-26 budget that delivers real results for the people of Pennsylvania — building on two years of progress, tackling Pennsylvania’s most pressing challenges, and continuing to fuel the Commonwealth’s rise. The Governor’s remarks as prepared for the 2025-26 budget signing ceremony can be found here.

Throughout months of negotiations, Governor Shapiro stood up for Pennsylvanians and stayed at the table to secure a budget that solves problems facing our Commonwealth and delivers results. The $50.1 billion budget is balanced, cuts taxes, and maintains nearly $8 billion in the Rainy Day Fund at the end of this fiscal year. The budget also builds on two years of progress under the Shapiro Administration — making historic reforms to address long-standing challenges and make Pennsylvania more competitive for workers and businesses.

“Pennsylvania is on the rise, and this budget continues our progress, solving problems that Harrisburg has ignored for years, creating more opportunity for our students, workers, and businesses, and putting the Commonwealth on a path to sustained growth,” said Governor Shapiro. “In a divided legislature, we proved once again that Democrats and Republicans can come together to get stuff done for the good people of Pennsylvania — cutting taxes, investing in education and workforce development, supporting law enforcement and reducing crime, and keeping our economy growing. Since my first day in office, I’ve been focused on solving the most pressing problems we face by bringing people together and getting stuff done — this budget continues that progress and will speed our rise.”

Delivering a Historic Budget that Solves Decades-Old Problems & Delivers for Pennsylvanians

The $50.1 billion budget delivers for working families, schools, and businesses by:

• INVESTING IN EDUCATION: Providing an overall increase in education funding totaling more than $900 million, including a $565 million increase in public school adequacy funding, $105 million for Basic Education Funding, and a $40 millionincrease for Special Education Funding. It also includes a $125 million investment in school infrastructure, a Pre-K rate increase for teachers, and $175 million in savings to public schools through historic cyber charter reform.
• CUTTING TAXES FOR WORKING FAMILIES: Creating the Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit — an earned income tax credit for working families that will deliver $193 million in tax relief for working families equal to 10 percent of the federal credit — putting more money back in Pennsylvanians’ pockets.
• STRENGTHENING THE WORKFORCE: Funding a $25 million child care recruitment and retention initiative and raising wages for direct care workers with a $21 millioninvestment in their work.
• SUPPORTING SENIORS AND VULNERABLE POPULATIONS: Investing $10 million more in services for older Pennsylvanians through local Area Agencies on Aging and an $11 million boost for food assistance programs.
• DRIVING INNOVATION AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: Advancing permitting reform and making strategic investments in small businesses and Pennsylvania’s workforce to create economic growth across the Commonwealth.
• MAINTAINING FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY: This budget will leave Pennsylvania with a healthy surplus – nearly $8 billion – by the end of FY 2025-26.
  With this budget, Governor Shapiro and bipartisan leaders are sending a clear message: Pennsylvania is on the rise — and by working together, we will keep building a stronger, fairer, and more competitive Commonwealth for all.
  Building on this momentum, the 2025-26 bipartisan budgetdelivers targeted investments and solutions across every corner of the Commonwealth — from education and workforce development to public safety, economic growth, and cost relief for families.

"This budget is a product of compromise and common sense, delivering crucial resources for public safety, education, and economic development,” said Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis.“We're investing in afterschool programs that keep kids safe and give them opportunities to grow, supporting community-based violence prevention that’s driving down gun violence, and helping working families with funding for child care, pre-K teachers, and a new state earned income tax credit. Negotiating this budget took time, but the result builds on two years of progress and creates real opportunity for our fellow Pennsylvanians."

Here’s a closer look at what this budget accomplishes for Pennsylvanians:

Delivering Historic Funding for K-12 Education and Investing in All Pathways to Success — Ensuring Pennsylvania Students Have the Freedom to Chart Their Own Course

Governor Shapiro has made historic investments to give every Pennsylvania student the freedom to chart their own course — ensuring schools have the resources to help students succeed, teachers have the support they deserve, and families have access to affordable early learning opportunities.

Building on last year’s record-setting K–12 funding, the 2025–26 budget delivers more than $900 million in additional funding for pre-K–12 public education – and includes historic reforms to Pennsylvania’s cyber charter reimbursement
system, saving public schools an additional $175 million. Taken together, under Governor Shapiro’s leadership, Pennsylvania has increased funding for our schools by nearly $3 billion since the Governor took office. The investments in this year’s budget include:

• $565 million in new adequacy funding to expand support to all school districts across the Commonwealth and a $105 million increase for Basic Education Funding. The adequacy funding formula was expanded to drive out more money to schools.
• $40 million increase for Special Education Funding, continuing the Governor’s commitment to equitable education for all students.
• $175 million in estimated savings for school districts through historic Cyber Charter Reform. Comprehensive changes to Pennsylvania’s cyber charter school law align tuition payments with the actual cost of providing an online education, add new allowable deductions for costs not incurred by cyber charters, and close loopholes that inflated payments — saving public schools $175 million statewide.
• $125 million for school infrastructure improvements to create safe, healthy learning environments — including $25 million for the Solar for
  Schools program to lower energy costs and promote sustainability.
• $10 million increase for the Student Teacher Stipend Program, helping address educator shortages and make teaching a more accessible and rewarding career path – raising the annual amount available for the initiative to $30 million.
• $7.5 million to increase Pre-K rates, supporting early learners and stabilizing the child care workforce.
• $7.5 million for the Grow PA Scholarship Program, helping students pursue in-demand careers and strengthen Pennsylvania’s workforce pipeline.
• $11.9 million increase to PHEAA to maintain the maximum state grant amount and help more students afford college, plus $500,000 each for the Act 101 program and the Cheyney University Honors Academy.
• $5 million increase for public libraries and $433,000 for library services for the visually impaired, strengthening lifelong learning and access to information in communities across the Commonwealth.
• $100 million in annual mental health and school safety funding for K–12 schools, ensuring every student has access to the resources and support they need to thrive, continuing the Shapiro Administration’s strong commitment to expanding access to mental health care and support across the Commonwealth.
• Expanded access to school meals, providing universal free breakfast for more than 1.7 million students and free lunch for 22,000 eligible
  students, with nearly 93 million breakfasts served during the 2024–25 school year — a 13.8 percent increase over two years — including over 70 million meals for students at risk of hunger or from low-income families.
  Together, these investments continue Governor Shapiro’s historic work to create opportunity for young Pennsylvanians— ensuring that students, educators, and families have the freedom to chart their own course and succeed in a Commonwealth that invests in their future.
  Cutting Taxes to Help Working Families and Businesses Succeed
  The budget Governor Shapiro signed creates a new Working Pennsylvanians Tax Credit – a state-level Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) – that will provide $193 million in tax relief for working families in its first year. Nearly one million Pennsylvanians will qualify.

• Modeled after the federal Earned Income Tax Credit, the state credit equals 10 percent of the federal credit, putting more money back in Pennsylvanians’ pockets. Anyone who qualifies for the federal credit will now automatically receive both credits — reducing taxes owed and increasing refunds for those who need it most.

• Pennsylvanians qualify based on their income and the number of
dependents – working families with dependents may receive up to $805 back in a tax cut.

Since taking office, Governor Shapiro has cut taxes seven timesfor families, seniors, and small businesses — expanding the Property Tax/Rent Rebate program for the first time in nearly two decades, creating the Employer Child Care Contribution Tax Credit, allowing Pennsylvanians to save money by deducting their student loan payments on their taxes, expanding the Child and Dependent Care tax credit for working families, saving businesses more than $1.5 billion by lowering the Corporate Net Income Tax (CNIT) rate, and increasing net operating loss deductions for small businesses. This budget cuts the CNIT another half percent.

Investing in Pennsylvania’s Families and Strengthening the Child Care Workforce

Governor Shapiro is tackling Pennsylvania’s child care crisis — helping parents stay in the workforce and ensuring children have access to quality care. There are 3,000 unfilled child care jobs in Pennsylvania. This budget includes targeted investments to make child care more affordable and strengthen the workforce:

• $25 million for a new Child Care Staff Retention and Recruitment Program, providing roughly $450 per employee annually to licensed Child Care Works providers.
• $7.5 million increase for Pre-K Counts rates to help providers raise wages and stabilize the early educator workforce.
• Continued support for the Employer Child Care Contribution Tax Credit, enabling businesses to help employees cover child care costs and the Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit for working families.
  These investments make child care more accessible, affordable, and sustainable — helping families, supporting providers, and strengthening Pennsylvania’s workforce.
  Supporting the Direct Care Workforce who Care for Pennsylvania’s Older Adults and the Intellectual Disability and Autism Community
  From day one, the Governor has made older adults and Pennsylvanians with intellectual disabilities and autism (ID/A) — and the direct support professionals (DSPs) who care for them — a top priority.
  The 2025-26 budget includes a $21 million investment to increase DSP wages for those who provide services to adults with physical disabilities and seniors.

• This investment includes a wage increase, paid time off, and increases access to affordable insurance for approximately 8,500 workers.

Supporting Pennsylvania’s Older Adults and Seniors — And Investing in Research into Neurodegenerative Diseases

Pennsylvania’s older adults are valuable members of every community, and meeting their needs starts with supporting services where they live and protecting them from neglect and abuse. With 3.4 million Pennsylvanians over age 60, this support is more critical than ever.

• This budget strengthens community-based care by providing a $10 million increase for Pennsylvania’s 52 Area Agencies on Aging to help deliver essential services such as meals, social activities, and transportation, among others.
• Last year, the Commonwealth created the first Alzheimer’s Disease Division at the Department of Aging. This budget builds on that progress with a $5 million investment for grants to qualifying institutions doing research on neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s, ALS, and Parkinson’s. Pennsylvania is home to some of the top research institutions in the world – this investment will fund groundbreaking research and make Pennsylvania a leader in this fight.
  Continuing Pennsylvania’s Legacy as a National Leader in Agriculture — Supporting Farmers and Strengthening the Commonwealth’s Charitable Food System
  Governor Shapiro knows Pennsylvania’s farms are the backbone of our economy — supporting over 600,000 jobs and generating $132 billion statewide. This budget strengthens both agriculture and food security, helping farmers, families, and communities thrive.
  This month, Governor Shapiro and his Administration took swift action to protect food access for Pennsylvanians impacted by the federal government shutdown
  — signing a disaster declaration, directing $5 million in state funding to Feeding Pennsylvania’s network of food banks to support the nearly two million residents who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and launching the SNAP Emergency Relief Fund, which has already raised more than $2 million in private donations to strengthen the Commonwealth’s charitable food network.
  This budget includes an $11 million increase for food security, including:
• $3 million for the State Food Purchase Program and $1 million for the
  Pennsylvania Agricultural Surplus System (PASS).
• $2 million for a new State Food Bucks program to supplement SNAP.
• $5 million in new funding to Pennsylvania food banks.
  The budget also continues to support Pennsylvania’s agricultural sector by assisting poultry farmers affected by high-path avian influenza (HPAI) with testing and flock

losses; investing in agricultural innovation, energy, and conservation projects to modernize the industry and attract new agricultural businesses; and support of a new state laboratory in Western Pennsylvania. These investments ensure Pennsylvania continues to lead the nation in agriculture, strengthen the charitable food system, and build the future of farming across the Commonwealth.

Growing Pennsylvania’s Economy by Speeding Up Permitting & Supporting Small Businesses

Under Governor Shapiro's leadership, Pennsylvania’s economy remains one of the strongest in the nation — and the only state in the Northeast with a growing economy, according to Moody’s.

Since taking office, Governor Shapiro has made Pennsylvania more competitive — cutting red tape, streamlining permitting and licensing, and attracting nearly $31.6 billion in private-sector investment that has created more than 16,000 good-paying jobsacross the Commonwealth. That includes the largest private-sector investment in Pennsylvania history — Amazon’s initial $20 billion investment to build new AI and cloud computing campuses, creating thousands of high-tech and construction jobs.

Governor Shapiro has made economic competitiveness and government efficiency top priorities, launching Pennsylvania’s first comprehensive economic development strategy in nearly two decades, cutting permit backlogs — including eliminating the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)’s backlog of 2,400 permits — and investing $550 million to prepare more sites for business expansion, strengthen main streets, and support small businesses and entrepreneurs.

This budget continues to make historic progress on permitting reform, funds key staff at agencies responsible for processing permits, licenses, and certifications, and invests in Pennsylvania’s main streets.

• Expands DEP’s Streamlining Permits for Economic Expansion and Development (SPEED) program – which was created in last year’s budget – to expedite permitting decisions from three to six key construction permits. SPEED allows qualified professionals to review certain permits to speed up the decision- making process.
• Creates a public tracker and database of the permits involved in the SPEED program.
• Accelerates the time frames for DEP to complete its review of two types of permit applications.
• $15.8 million increase to hire staff to support these reforms at DEP. This year alone, DEP has reviewed and acted on more than 30,000 permit applications and conducted 88,799 inspections of regulated facilities to ensure compliance with environmental laws.

• $20 million for main streets and small businesses through Main Street Matters to strengthen commercial corridors that are the heart of Pennsylvania’s communities.
• $20 million in state funding for small minority-owned businesses across the Commonwealth through the Historically Disadvantaged Business Program.
  The Shapiro Administration will also continue to push out $500 million in site development funding secured in the 2024-25 budget to attract major companies, create jobs, and grow the economy. Already, the Administration has granted over $113 million to create shovel-ready sites across the Commonwealth — including sites that are being turned into major job-creating projects like in Bedford and in Mayfield.
  Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday with Epic Events
  On July 4, 2026, America will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia, the birthplace of the nation. Just as Pennsylvania played a critical role in 1776, the Commonwealth is primed to once again be in the spotlight in 2026 with major events throughout the Commonwealth.
  The semiquincentennial commemoration will include elaborate, exciting celebrations the week of July 4th, world-class sporting events throughout the year, and major milestone anniversaries in Pennsylvania’s cities, towns, museums, and monuments.
  The City of Philadelphia will host the NCAA’s March Madness men’s basketball tournament, the FIFA World Cup, the MLB All-Star Game, and other high-profile events in 2026. The City of Pittsburgh, home to the six-time Super Bowl champion Steelers, will be the host city for the 2026 NFL Draft.
  These events will be huge tourism and economic development opportunities for the Commonwealth, as millions of people will visit Pennsylvania.
  Governor Shapiro’s budget invests $50 million to ensure the Commonwealth is ready to host millions of Pennsylvanians in 2026 — including $10 million to support the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, building on the Shapiro Administration’s plan to revitalize downtown Pittsburgh and turn the neighborhood into a thriving center for economic growth, culture, and industry.
  Supporting Law Enforcement, Reducing Crime, and Making Our Communities Safer
  Governor Shapiro believes Pennsylvanians deserve to be safe and feel safe in their communities — that means living in a community free from the violence that too many experience and having a criminal justice system that enforces the laws in a fair and consistent manner.

Violent crime is down across much of Pennsylvania. Since Governor Shapiro took office, gun violence is down 42 percentand gun deaths by firearm are down 38 percent across Pennsylvania. Law enforcement is one part of that success, and the other is that the Shapiro Administration has made meaningful investments in violence prevention efforts – programs that are proven to work.

This budget continues the Governor’s work to create safer communities and includes new initiatives that will make Pennsylvania’s communities safer and ensure our state police, first responders, and our firefighters have the tools and personnel they need to succeed.

• Funding for four additional Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) cadet classes.
• Increasing state support for the City of Harrisburg Fire Department by an additional $2 million each year, bringing the total state funding to $7 million per year.
• 10 percent increase – or $5.56 million – for the successful Violence Intervention and Prevention (VIP) program at the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD), reducing community violence by relying on community groups that are most in tune with specific local needs. Over the past two years, PCCD has awarded $85 million in VIP funding to reduce gun violence and make Pennsylvania communities safer.
• Doubling the amount of money available – from $20 millionto $40
  million – for the Commonwealth to respond to disasters through PEMA’s Disaster Emergency Fund. Pennsylvania has been hit hard in recent years by flooding and other natural disasters in places like Tioga County and Bucks County, and as the federal government walks away and shirks its responsibility, Pennsylvania is working together to increase state support to respond to future disasters.
  Pennsylvania is building on a strong foundation of fiscal responsibility, economic growth, and historic investments. From investing in education, cutting taxes, and strengthening the workforce, this budget reflects Governor Shapiro’s commitment to delivering results and solving problems — ensuring Pennsylvania remains on a path of sustained growth, stronger communities, and greater opportunity for all Pennsylvanians.
  Today, Governor Shapiro signed the following bills into law, in this order: HB 416, HB 749, SB 315, and SB 160.

Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor will be Pittsburgh’s 62nd mayor. He easily defeated Republican candidate Tony Moreno on Tuesday and will take office in January.

O’Connor lives in Point Breeze, served a decade on City Council before becoming controller, and is the son of the late Bob O’Connor, the city’s 58th mayor.

He will replace Mayor Ed Gainey, who made history in 2021 as the city’s first Black mayor and lost to O’Connor in the Democratic primary this year by a narrow margin.

Corey O’Connor — the county controller, former city councilor, graduate of Central Catholic High School and Duquesne University, former high school golf coach and the son of Pittsburgh’s 58th mayor — will be the city’s 62nd mayor. 

He won the general election Tuesday, easily overcoming Republican rival Tony Moreno. He will succeed Mayor Ed Gainey, who O’Connor toppled in the Democratic primary in May. 

The Associated Press called the race at 8:26 p.m. based on the Democrat’s 11-to-1 margin in mail-in ballots.

Becoming mayor is a political career capstone for anyone, but it carries added meaning in the O’Connor family. His father, Bob O’Connor, won the office in 2005 after a decadeslong political career, but died of brain cancer less than a year later. Corey was 23 at the time, and five years later, he embarked on a journey that will soon bring the family name back to the mayor’s office.

His win, in some respects, marks a return to Pittsburgh’s political norm. He unseated the only non-white mayor in the city’s history, and the city’s list of former mayors is full of East End residents, political families and men who spent years on City Council before running for mayor. O’Connor checks all those boxes.

Gainey’s election in 2021 reflected the national mood at the time as a restless electorate, fresh off a year of racial justice protest that stirred the nation, issued a rare rebuke to a sitting Pittsburgh mayor and gave the city its first Black chief executive. Gainey campaigned that year on police reform, social justice and equity issues.

O’Connor spent much of the 2025 campaign focused on tried-and-true economic and fiscal issues, running on bolstering the city’s bottom line and boosting economic development.

But O’Connor brings new perspectives, too. Born in 1984, he is the first millennial mayor. He came of age well after the collapse of the region’s steel industry and began his career as the city’s ‘eds and meds’ economy began to flourish in the 2000s. He matured just as Pittsburgh went through a fiscal meltdown, which led to state oversight and major layoffs.

Topping the list of problems awaiting O’Connor in January is the city’s financial position. While Gainey has maintained a balanced operating budget on paper, transfers into housing and anti-violence funds and infrastructure investments have meant that the city’s rainy day fund has shrunk consistently since 2021. Gainey’s latest five-year projection shows it shrinking to the legal minimum by 2030.

The financial headwinds have been chiefly caused by a decrease in the city’s property tax revenue. Prior to 2020, the city could count on an annual increase in property value and tax payments, enabling spending to at least keep up with inflation. But two simultaneous shocks — the pandemic’s shakeup of commercial real estate value and a lawsuit changing how property tax bills are calculated — resulted in stagnant and sometimes shrinking property tax revenue. 

The new reality in the nation’s capital brings uncertainty in a host of other areas for the new mayor. Federal budget cuts and the ongoing shutdown are placing more stress on county and nonprofit programs that feed and house low-income families. Cuts to science and medical research are straining the universities and hospitals that fuel much of Pittsburgh’s modern economy. And President Donald Trump seeks to end a grant program that awards more than $10 million a year to the city for infrastructure projects in economically distressed neighborhoods.

Housing affordability, development and neighborhood renewal will also test O’Connor on some of his key promises from the primary campaign. Nonpartisan researchers have found Pittsburgh is well short of the number of affordable housing units it needs, and O’Connor and Gainey sparred throughout the spring over how to address the issue. 

O’Connor favored a more free-market approach, opposing Gainey’s plan to extend affordability mandates to large developments across the city and garnering campaign donations from many development and construction companies. Large apartment buildings are just a part of the Pittsburgh housing equation, though; the city has thousands of decrepit, abandoned homes that need to be demolished, with many whole neighborhoods weighed down by high vacancy rates. The Pittsburgh Land Bank, created a decade ago to address this very issue, sputtered to life under Gainey but will need more investment to make a big dent in the city’s needs.

O’Connor will also be tasked with selecting a new police chief next year after years of instability at the position. Gainey’s first pick for the post departed after less than two years to pursue a career as a college basketball referee, and Gainey was unable to secure a permanent replacement as political pressure mounted ahead of this year’s campaign. O’Connor made hiring a “full-time” police chief a key campaign promise, jabbing at former Chief Larry Scirotto’s short-lived attempt to ref basketball on the side while remaining chief.

Bob O’Connor became a City Council member when Corey was 7, became mayor when his son was 22 and died of brain cancer the following year.

O’Connor rarely spoke of his father on the campaign trail this year, but he has undoubtedly followed his example for decades. He sought work in the public sector just after college in the office of former U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle, then used his late father’s leftover campaign funds to launch his successful run for the same council seat.

He occupied that seat for a decade before being appointed Allegheny County controller in 2022, and soon turned his attention back down Grant Street to the mayor’s office.

His political foes debate how much he truly accomplished as a member of council, but he was doubtlessly present for significant moments in Pittsburgh’s history. He served alongside the mayor who succeeded his father (Luke Ravenstahl), through eight years of Peduto’s tenure and the progressive shift that brought Gainey into City Hall. Neighborhoods like Lawrenceville and the Strip District were transformed, and unfathomable tragedy came to Pittsburgh with the Tree of Life shooting.

O’Connor responded to the mass shooting with landmark gun legislation which did not hold up in court. Another of his signature legislative initiatives, a paid sick leave requirement, fared better.

The city was finding its footing as a medical and educational hub when O’Connor entered public life, and exited financial distress in 2018 while he was on council. Today, the local economy is still calibrating to post-pandemic reality and Trump administration budgeting presents challenges for numerous institutions, including City Hall.

Source: Charlie Wolfson is the local government reporter for Pittsburgh’s Public Source. He can be reached at charlie@publicsource.org.

Due to Federal Government Shutdown, Opening of the 2025-26 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Season Delayed to December: https://bit.ly/474wRMV

Due to the federal government shutdown, Pennsylvania must delay the opening of the 2025-26 Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) season by one month, until December 3, 2025, because the Department of Human Services (DHS) has not yet received its federal allocation for 2025-2026 LIHEAP funds. Without action from the White House or the Republican-controlled Congress to reopen the federal government or release LIHEAP funding to states, DHS will be unable to open the LIHEAP season as previously scheduled on November 3, 2025.

LIHEAP is a federally funded program administered by DHS where benefits are distributed directly to a household’s utility company or home heating fuel provider on behalf of qualified Pennsylvanians who need help paying their home heating bills during winter months. On average, Pennsylvania receives more than $215 million every year for LIHEAP – in 2023, the Commonwealth received $216 million and in 2024, $229 million. Pennsylvania cannot backfill these costs.

“The LIHEAP Program helps more than 300,000 Pennsylvania families heat their homes during the colder months – and is especially critical for older adults and low-income families. Inaction from the Republican-controlled Congress now threatens access to this assistance,” said Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh. “I urge Congress and the White House to recognize the serious consequences that limiting heating assistance will have on the health and safety of people in Pennsylvania. Congress must come together for a solution that protects people most at risk.” 

For immediate needs during the shutdown, Pennsylvanians can use PA Navigate at pa-navigate.org to help find resources. Local help is also available by calling 211 or visiting pa211.org.

From Public Source

Omnibus anti-Trump rallies again enlivened public spaces from McCandless to Downtown to Mt. Lebanon and throughout the Pittsburgh region.

A large No Kings protest in downtown Pittsburgh brought strong condemnations of President Donald Trump’s administration Saturday, but little disorder as rallies in Southwestern Pennsylvania and nationwide occurred largely peacefully.

Democratic officials and civil liberties activists took the microphone in front of the City-County Building, on Grant Street, where a crowd of thousands cheered.

U.S. Rep. Summer Lee drew deafening cheers when she declared that “the time to build a better world is now.”

Lee, D-Swissvale, warned that powerful forces were trying to divide the country. 

U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, D-Swissvale, speaks during the No Kings protest in the portico of the City-County Building on Oct. 18, in Downtown. (Photo by Quinn Glabicki/Pittsburgh’s Public Source)

“Authoritarianism needs silence, a people who don’t know their power,” she said, predicting that “things are going to get ugly” before an authoritarianism trend is reversed.

“The country you all have known maybe doesn’t exist anymore,” she said. “But the country in your hearts is what we’re fighting for.”

Nationwide, the No Kings movement said it was organizing 2,500 Saturday events nationwide. Besides the marquee event Downtown, local affiliates announced events in Allegheny Center, Point Breeze, Mt. Lebanon, McCandless, Coraopolis, Sewickley, Robinson and the county seats of most of Allegheny County’s neighbors.

The Downtown event was organized by Indivisible Pittsburgh with Indivisible Black Neighborhoods United, the Black Political Empowerment Project, 1Hood Power, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers, Casa San Jose, Progress PA, Stand Up For Science, the League of Women Voters, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the Coalition of Labor Union Women.

Public safety workers estimated that a No Kings gathering near Allegheny Center drew around 3,000 people, and the Downtown event appeared to be several times larger.

Attendee Maria Eshelman, of Allison Park, said she joined the protest because she “doesn’t like what’s going on.” She said she didn’t vote for Trump in any election but that his second administration “is even more alarming.” 

She said she had family members who fought in World War II against fascism and that she and the others are also fighting fascism now.

“I have children and grandchildren and I want them to live in a free democracy.” 

She noted the administration’s anti-immigrant rhetoric and actions, taking place in a country built on immigration. “It’s hypocritical to kick immigrants out of this country.”

Republicans have sought to associate the No Kings events with the ongoing government shutdown and tie it to extremism.

House Speaker Mike Johnson this week dubbed the event the “Hate America rally” at a news conference on Wednesday. Some state leaders, including Texas’ Republican Gov. Greg Abbott, have decided to activate the National Guard ahead of the protests.

Reaction from the right appeared to be muted by late afternoon. Trump was reported to be staying at home at Mar-a-Lago, Florida.

U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Aspinwall, summarized the day’s big takeaway, saying, “peaceful protest is an American thing,” and “we don’t mess around with kings.”

An SEIU leader’s mention of U.S. Sen John Fetterman brought boos. The leader accused him of failing to show backbone in the Democrats’ fight to protect healthcare benefits. Fetterman, a Democrat from Braddock, has occasionally voted with Republicans including in relation to ending the ongoing federal government shutdown. Fetterman did not appear to be in attendance.

For the most part, speakers focused on countering Trump, both broadly and in specific policy areas.

Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato told the crowd, “we are keeping the National Guard off these streets” through legal action against the administration. Pennsylvania has joined a multistate lawsuit aiming to keep Trump from further domestic deployments of the Guard.

“We found the money to keep refugees and immigrants in Allegheny County,” Innamorato added, referring to county efforts to fill gaps in funding for programs defunded by Trump.

ACLU Legal Director Vic Walczak took to a stage accompanied by a Trump puppet. He told the crowd that the president’s domestic actions constituted an invasion of America.

“Democracy only works if we can criticize our government,” he said. He told the crowd to study resistance movements to oppressive government across the world and emphasized the importance of keeping resistance nonviolent, but “loud, proud and persistent.”

Deluzio called for the elimination of Super PACs which funnel unlimited funds into political races and called on the administration to “release the Epstein files.”

Soon after, protesters moved through Downtown toward Mellon Square, chanting, “No ICE, no KKK, no fascist USA.”

Source: Public Source, For more coverage click here

                      HAIL TO THE POSSIBLE: The Enhancement of Pitt Students’ Agency  

                     “The best things about any school are not what is said about it,

                      but what is lived out by its alumni.”

                                          - Fr. Peter-Hans Kolvenbach, 2002- 

The University of Pittsburgh is the top public university in Pennsylvania.  Nationally, as well as internationally, its excellence has been externally verified.  As noted by the March 31, 2025 Pittwire, “Business leaders look to Pitt as a highly selective source of talented graduates, according to a new list by Forbes that named the University a “New Ivy.”  …The list, in its second year, notes highly selective universities whose students are ‘outpacing most Ivy Leaguers in the eyes of employers,’ chosen by executives who subscribe to Forbes newsletters.  Pitt is a new addition to this year’s list, making it the only Pennsylvania university to be named as a public ‘New Ivy.’  The distinction joins other recent accolades by the University, including as a best college for future leaders according to Time Magazine, among the top 50 universities powering global innovation per Clarivate, and the No. 8 U.S. public university according to the U.S. News and World Report.”

Given its externally verified successes, the University of Pittsburgh appropriately expresses itself  in the following terms:  [1] “Hail to the possible!” and [2] “With a demonstrated spirit of tackling the unachievable for over 230 years, Pitt is making the most innovative future imaginable today.”  The University of Pittsburgh has more than 350,000 alumni.  Given the importance of alumni as the embodiment of institutional reputations, Chancellor Joan Gabel was asked how the University of Pittsburgh contributes to its students’ sense of agency.  

Personal agency is used herein to refer to people having a sense of as well as the ability to make significant choices and take related actions regarding key aspects of their lives.  The lack of agency includes a sense of helplessness; a feeling of being a victim of circumstances; and a general inability to influence your life circumstances.  Agency is also used herein in reference to how University of Pittsburgh graduates view their abilities to not only advance their personal goals, but also influence regional, national and international circumstances in ways that advance our Constitutional ideals.

Regarding the University of Pittsburgh’s contributions to its student’s sense of agency, Chancellor Gabel indicated the following: “Cultivating student success represents the first pillar of our strategic plan, the Plan for Pitt 2028. We also recognize that student success goes far beyond the classroom and must include agency to define one’s path and trust that one can turn possibility into achievement. We have approached this area of student success from multiple perspectives: academic; professional; social; economic; wellness; civic engagement; and through free speech and civil discourse.

The As a founding member of the Institute for Citizens & Scholars (C&S) Campus Call for Free Expression, Pitt deepens our focus on civic preparedness through this partnership. Through C&S’ programs, students refine their skills — speaking with confidence, listening with care, reflecting deeply and building common ground. The video “Real Talk: Across Campus, Across Divides” captures how students practice these habits, preparing them to engage responsibly in a society that depends on dialogue, resilience and shared purpose.

The Year of Discourse and Dialogue, for example, placed students at the center of projects advancing civil conversation. Initiatives such as Public Art as a Dialogue Generator, the First Amendment Rights Teach-in, and Writing Gen Q: Creating Intergenerational Dialogue through Creative Writing invited students to lead dialogue across difference. In Writing Gen Q, students bridged generational divides through storytelling, showing that agency at Pitt means more than self-expression: It is the power to shape understanding and build lasting connections.

Long-standing traditions further reinforce student voice and leadership. The William Pitt Debating Union, one of the nation’s oldest, prepares students through the discipline of reasoned argument. Programs like Pitt Votes and the Student Government Board give students a direct role in shaping campus culture, while the Community Engagement Centers extend these lessons outward as students work with neighborhoods across the region.

This commitment to agency extends beyond civic dialogue into the realm of discovery. The University underscores intellectual agency by encouraging students to be creators of knowledge rather than passive recipients. Across schools and majors, undergraduates conduct research with faculty mentors, complete capstone projects and pursue discovery-driven courses. These opportunities invite students to frame questions, generate insights and contribute to innovation at a university recognized among the world’s top institutions powering global progress.

Through civil discourse, leadership, service, and discovery, Pitt is preparing our students to elevate the communities where they live, work and serve. In this spirit, we are proud that our students are being nationally recognized for this important work, including through the naming of Pitt’s 14th Truman scholar (first since 2020). We look forward to supporting our students toward even greater impact, while also continuing the University’s important momentum in the years ahead and through the Plan for Pitt 2028.”

Pitt administrators, staff, faculty and staff are to be commended for having the cultivation of student success as the first pillar of their strategic plan for 2028. Most importantly, Pitt is to be commended for producing graduates with demonstrable agency.  For example, please consider the following accounts of distinguished Pitt Alumni.

(1)  Blue, Gold and Black 2004 (See, https://www.chancellor-emeritus.pitt.edu/sites/default/pdfs/BlueGoldBlack2004.pdf)

(2)  “Notable Pitt Women you should know this women’s History Month,” a list that includes a Nobel Laurate (See,  Notable Pitt women you should know this Women’s History Month | University of Pittsburgh);

(3)  the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Fellows (See, University of Pittsburgh Philanthropic & Alumni Engagement - Alumni Recognition) and 

(4)   the 2025 Alumni Honorees (See, University of Pittsburgh Philanthropic & Alumni Engagement - Announcing Pitt’s 2025 Alumni Awards Honorees).  

Truly, as evidenced by the above examples, Pitt alumni have in many ways made the impossible possible!  As a final bit of advice regarding the realization of agency by Pitt alumni, consider the following advice from Pitt alum,  MacArthur Genius Award winner, William Strickland (Make the Impossible Possible: One Man’s Crusade to Inspire Others to Dream Bigger and Achieve the Extraordinary), “Trust your passion, identify your dreams, and find the courage to share them with others, no matter how many times they call you a fool.”

Jack L. Daniel

Co-founder, Freed Panther Society

Contributor, Pittsburgh Urvan Meida

Author, Negotiating a Historically White University While Black

October 9, 2025

On September 23, 2025, the Urban League of Greater Pittsburgh convened civic, judicial, health, and academic leaders for its annual State of Black Pittsburgh forum. The event brought together more than 200 attendees for an evening of honest conversation, reflection, and a shared call to collective action.

A Forum of Expertise and Urgency
The program opened with remarks from Bryan Iams, Board Chair of the Urban League, and Esther L. Bush, Interim President & CEO, before presenting a range of powerful perspectives.

Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis, appearing virtually, framed his keynote around the “Complex and Evolving State of Black PA.” He emphasized that while progress has been made, structural inequities persist across health, education, and economic access, and affirmed that Black leadership is essential in building solutions.

Mayor Ed Gainey underscored the urgent need for African American participation in construction and contracting, noting that the city has secured three major deals with Black contractors. He challenged organizations to commit 10–15% of their contracts to Black businesses and called for greater collaboration across sectors to expand economic opportunity.

Judge Kim Berkeley Clark delivered her original poem, “The Silence Is Deafening,” which spoke to centuries of marginalization and the ongoing struggle for dignity and justice. She also reminded the audience of the critical role of voter participation in ensuring equitable representation and policy outcomes.

Dr. Margaret Larkins-Pettigrew, Chief Clinical Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer at Allegheny Health Network, drew attention to devastating racial disparities in maternal and infant health. She cited data showing that Black infants in Pittsburgh die two to three times more often than White infants, while Black mothers face mortality rates three to four times higher. She emphasized that “health is wealth,” urging health equity as central to community growth.

Dr. Joe Trotter, Jr., Professor of History at Carnegie Mellon University, called for a reparative agenda in his talk, “A New History of Black Pittsburgh: Towards a Reparation Framework.” He noted the national debate on reparations and argued that structural transformation in Pittsburgh requires both historical reckoning and forward-looking commitments.

Community Engagement and Closing Reflections
The panel was followed by an audience Q&A, where community members pressed leaders on accountability, inclusion, and next steps. Esther Bush closed the evening by emphasizing the importance of collaboration over credit, while Iams urged shared ownership of change.

A Catalyst for Change
The 2025 State of Black Pittsburgh was not just a forum but a space for reckoning, where leaders and community members alike affirmed that the fight for justice, equity, and opportunity must be collective and sustained.

Highly accomplished and nationally respected college athletics administrator Allen Greene has been appointed director of athletics at the University of Pittsburgh, Chancellor Joan Gabel announced today. He will begin his role at Pitt on Nov. 1, dividing his time between Pittsburgh and Knoxville as he fulfills any outstanding responsibilities at the University of Tennessee.

“Pitt Athletics is the front porch of the University of Pittsburgh, serving as a crucial access point for so many across our campus, our region, our nation and the world,” said Chancellor Joan Gabel. “In Allen Greene, we have a proven national leader who exemplifies the Pitt way, and who has all of the experience and intangibles to elevate our athletics program in competition and in the classroom. In my conversations with Allen and with many others who know him well, it is clear that he will lead us successfully into the new world of intercollegiate athletics.”

“Chancellor Gabel and the advisory committee deserve great credit for identifying and appointing such an experienced and visionary leader like Allen Greene for our athletics department,” said Board of Trustees Chairperson John Verbanac.

“I am tremendously grateful and honored to receive the opportunity from Chancellor Gabel to join the University of Pittsburgh, an institution and athletic tradition I’ve long admired,” said Greene. “It was apparent from my very first conversation with Chancellor Gabel that Pitt has the highest of aspirations in every endeavor it undertakes. That’s tremendously energizing to me and a challenge I fully embrace. I am inspired by the storied history of Pitt Athletics and am fully dedicated to helping our Panthers reach even greater heights in the future. I am looking forward to meeting and working on behalf of Pitt’s student-athletes, coaches, staff and campus leaders. The Greene family is incredibly thankful and excited to proudly wear Pitt’s blue and gold.”

“On behalf of Pitt Athletics, I would like to welcome Allen Greene and his family to the University of Pittsburgh,” said Jeff Capel, head coach of Pitt men’s basketball, who served on the advisory committee. “I also want to thank and congratulate Chancellor Gabel on an excellent search process. Allen brings to Pitt an outstanding reputation as an innovative leader who is personally invested in the student-athletes and staff under his watch. His impressive administrative experience will be a tremendous asset not only for our athletics department but also the entire University. We greatly look forward to his arrival on campus.”

Greene has been a lead figure in the management of name, image and likeness (NIL) programs at three separate Southeastern Conference (SEC) institutions, including most recently at the University of Tennessee, where he has served as senior deputy athletics director since December 2023. He has played an integral role in the athletics department’s over 30% increase in annual revenue. Prior to his tenure with the Volunteers, he served a year at the University of Mississippi as senior deputy athletics director for external relations and business development.

From 2018 and 2022, Greene served as director of athletics at Auburn University, where his record of success included eight SEC championships and 47 programs achieving Top 25 finishes in national rankings.

In 2021-22 alone, six Auburn athletic programs finished in the nation’s Top 10. During his tenure, the Auburn men’s basketball team earned the first No. 1 national ranking in program history and advanced to its first Final Four; the baseball team returned to the College World Series for the first time in 22 years; the equestrian team won two national championships; and student-athlete grade-point averages rose to a combined 3.25. Auburn Athletics also welcomed its four largest individual donations ever, and the Woltosz Football Performance Center—a $92 million football facility that stands as the largest athletics project in Auburn history—was constructed.

Prior to Auburn, Greene served the University at Buffalo as director of athletics from 2015 to 2018. His tenure was distinguished by historic success athletically and academically. In the competitive arena, four Buffalo teams advanced to their respective NCAA championships in a two-year span. The men’s and women’s basketball teams both won Mid-American Conference (MAC) championships in 2016—the first time that dual feat was achieved in the MAC since 2002—and earned automatic NCAA Tournament berths. The 2017-18 men’s basketball team went 27-9 and won its first-ever NCAA Tournament game by upsetting Pac-12 champion Arizona, 89-68.

Under Greene’s watch, Buffalo student-athletes earned grade-point averages of 3.0 or better for 11 consecutive semesters, with the football team earning its highest team GPA in program history.

Greene was instrumental in significantly enhancing donor and corporate support for Buffalo Athletics. He also negotiated the department’s first multimedia rights agreement.

Greene was a three-year starter for the Irish baseball team at the University of Notre Dame, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in finance in 2000. He was a ninth-round selection in the 1998 Major League Baseball draft by the New York Yankees and played three years in the organization’s minor league system. He later earned a Master of Business Administration at Indiana University’s South Bend campus.

He is highly regarded by his peers, having served on the executive committee of the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA) and LEAD1 as 1st vice-chair.

He and his wife, Christy, have three children: daughters Rian and Seneca and son Samuel.

NATIONAL PRAISE FOR ALLEN GREENE

“Congratulations to the University of Pittsburgh and Chancellor Gabel on a home run hire! Allen is one of the most innovative, genuine and competitive leaders we have in college athletics. We are sad to lose Allen and his family on Rocky Top, but look forward to seeing their transformative impact at Pitt!”

—Danny White, Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

“Allen has added so much to our campus while in his leadership role in our Athletics Department, and I look forward to seeing the exceptional leadership he will provide the University of Pittsburgh. We are all aware of the uncertain state of college athletics right now, and I know Allen will also be a leader in that national conversation.”

—Donde Plowman, Chancellor, University of Tennessee, Knoxville

“Allen Greene is an outstanding leader; man of great character; and one of the most caring, genuine people that I’ve worked with in college athletics. He is an excellent listener and will create alignment with coaches, staff, alumni and donors on the direction of the athletics department. Allen is an outstanding hire and will prove to be a great leader for the University of Pittsburgh.”

—Lance Leipold, Head Football Coach, University of Kansas

“We look forward to welcoming Allen Greene to the ACC and having him join our outstanding group of athletic directors. As a former student-athlete at one of our league institutions, Allen will be a tremendous advocate for Pitt and the ACC. To be certain, I applaud Chancellor Joan Gabel’s leadership, and Allen’s experience and skill set will be a tremendous addition to our conference. Collectively, they will continue the strong momentum surrounding the University of Pittsburgh.”

—Jim Phillips, Atlantic Coast Conference Commissioner

“Hail to Pitt—Allen Greene is a fantastic hire for the University of Pittsburgh. He is a leader with the utmost integrity. He is a champion for student-athletes. He is a role model to many, and he has a wealth of experience in intercollegiate athletics that will benefit the entire Pitt community. H2P.”

—Bubba Cunningham, Director of Athletics, University of North Carolina

Source: Pitt

The Science Center, one of the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, will be renamed in honor of the Kamins to recognize their history-making gift.

 Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh announced it has received an historic $65 million gift from longtime patrons Daniel and Carole Kamin in support of Carnegie Science Center. In recognition of the transformational gift, which includes an initial contribution to the museum’s endowment as well as a bequest, the Science Center will be renamed the Daniel G. and Carole L. Kamin Science Center.

“This is the largest monetary gift in the history of Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh—the largest, that is, since the original contribution of our founder Andrew Carnegie,” said Steven Knapp, President and CEO of Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh. “Dan and Carole have been generous supporters of our museums for many years, and with this unprecedented gift they are further establishing their legacy as true leaders in Pittsburgh’s philanthropic community. Their forward- looking generosity will establish a firm foundation for the Science Center as it expands its capacity to inform and inspire its audiences within and beyond our region.”

Daniel Kamin, a Pittsburgh-based commercial real estate entrepreneur, traces his personal dedication to science to childhood visits to Buhl Planetarium and Institute of Popular Science, the precursor to Carnegie Science Center. The Buhl Planetarium was renamed Carnegie Science Center and opened to the public in its current location in 1991.

“I vividly recall crafting my own telescope during many inspired visits to The Buhl, so I have a great appreciation for the role the Science Center plays in educating and inspiring our young people,” Daniel Kamin said. “The Science Center is a vital contributor to the economic vitality of the Pittsburgh region and a great partner to our schools and science-based businesses. Carole and I were inspired by the future vision presented by the Science Center’s leadership, and we felt compelled to support it in a meaningful way.”

Daniel and Carole Kamin have been patrons of Carnegie Museums for decades, and in 2017 were inaugurated into the Carnegie Nobel Quartet Society, which recognizes lifetime giving to Carnegie Museums that exceeds $1 million. Carole Kamin is an emeritus member of the

Carnegie Museum of Natural History advisory board and a longtime member of Carnegie Museum of Art’s Women’s Committee. She also previously worked as a buyer/manager for both the Carnegie Museum of Art and Natural History gift shops. In 2016, a $5 million commitment from the Kamins permanently endowed the Carnegie Museum of Natural History’s director position, now held by Gretchen Baker, who is the Daniel G. and Carole L. Kamin Director of
the museum.

“This gift tells a great story—a young boy from Pittsburgh is inspired by his time spent exploring the region’s beloved science museum and, decades later, now makes a history-making gift to that very organization to inspire future generations in the same way he was,” said Jason Brown, Henry Buhl, Jr., Director of the Science Center and Vice President of Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh. “It’s the embodiment of our mission and shows how someone can come full circle from being the inspired young person to helping to provide the same opportunities for the

next generation.

“With this gift to our endowment, over the coming years we can advance our vision of an organization that prioritizes investments in new exhibitions and programs, is dedicated to innovation, and can transform our beautiful riverfront campus to further establish the Daniel G. and Carole L. Kamin Science Center as a centerpiece of science education and meaningful community engagement.”

About the Daniel G. and Carole L. Kamin Science Center

The Kamin Science Center is dedicated to inspiring learning and curiosity by connecting science and technology with everyday life. By making science both relevant and fun, the Science Center’s goal is to increase science literacy in the region and motivate young people to seek careers in science and technology. One of the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, the Daniel G. and Carole L. Kamin Science Center is Pittsburgh’s premier science exploration destination, reaching more than 700,000 people annually through its hands-on exhibits, camps, classes, and off-site education programs.

Pictured: (L-to-R) Dan Kamin (donor), Jason Brown (Director, Kamin Science Center), Dr. Steven Knapp (President & CEO, Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh), and Carole Kamin (donor)