Corey O’Connor has been sworn in as the 62nd Mayor of the City of Pittsburgh. 

Mayor O’Connor was joined by his family as he took the oath of office this afternoon at a public inauguration ceremony at the Carnegie Music Hall in Oakland. In his inaugural address that reaffirmed his commitment to Pittsburgh and his vision for its future, he reiterated his priority to ensure that Pittsburgh is every family’s first choice by delivering a safe, transparent, responsive, and effective city government. 

Mayor O’Connor laid out a bold vision to drive progress and growth through creativity and collaboration across the entire city, and promised honesty, transparency, and accountability in the challenges the city faces. He will ensure leadership and investment in the public safety bureaus, including support for behavioral health specialists, as well as development in small business districts by redefining the city’s approach to growth:

“For too long, when it comes to growing Pittsburgh, our city has been a culture of ‘we can’t’, ‘we won’t’… a culture of ‘NO.’

Now, it is time to change Pittsburgh’s culture, both how we feel about ourselves and how the world feels about us.  It is time to become a city of hope and optimism, where your dreams can come true. A Pittsburgh where each and every time we can get to ‘YES’.

YES- we can provide support for every would-be entrepreneur to start a new business, encourage existing Pittsburgh-based companies to continue to grow while also reaching out and encouraging other companies to come to Pittsburgh. 

YES- we can make it faster and easier to secure a permit and we can provide shovel-ready sites for your business or home.

YES- we can provide workforce training to get you ready for a new job or a new career and we will provide these tools throughout the City.

YES- we can have affordable housing to own or rent in every neighborhood of Pittsburgh - because we all know that owning a home helps to create generational wealth.

We will seize on the cheerful optimism that infuses this room today to secure a more prosperous City for every resident.”

Mayor O’Connor was joined at the inauguration by Governor Josh Shapiro, Mayor Tom Murphy, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, Mayor Bill Peduto, Mayor Ed Gainey, Pittsburgh City Council, Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato, and other state and local officials and guests from all over the city. 

Congresswoman Summer L. Lee (PA-12) issued the following statement on the White House’s unauthorized, illegal military action in Venezuela: 

“Invading a foreign country without congressional approval and kidnapping its leader is a blatant violation of U.S. and international law.

 “This sets a dangerous precedent that threatens international stability and security, puts Americans further at risk, and infringes on the sovereignty of foreign countries.

“Congress must act and reassert its authority. We must pass a War Powers Resolution and stop this unilateral executive action immediately.”

Congresswoman Summer Lee serves on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform and the Committee on Education and Workforce. Since taking office in January 2023, she has delivered historic levels of federal investment totaling over $2.4 Billion brought back to Western PA, including over $580 million for infrastructure, over $110 million for affordable transit, over $500 million to keep clean energy manufacturing at home in Pennsylvania, and over $55 million on clean energy efforts in and around schools to help keep our kids and communities safe. These investments will help improve Western Pennsylvania’s infrastructure and transit, ensure cleaner air and drinking water, lower housing costs, fund research institutions, fuel clean manufacturing, fund STEM innovation and entrepreneurship, boost workforce development, and create thousands of good paying union jobs.  Lee and her team have also delivered casework and constituent services to over 3,000 constituents with issues ranging from helping our seniors and disabled community access Medicare and social security to helping folks secure housing and helping families with immigration support and passports.

CARNEGIE, PA – Today, Navy and Iraq War veteran Congressman Chris Deluzio (PA-17) released the following statement after the Trump Administration captured the Venezuelan President, launched major strikes across the country, and announced a forthcoming military occupation of Venezuela. 

“Neither the American people nor the United States Congress has authorized an invasion of Venezuela, a war with Venezuela, or a military occupation of Venezuela. 

“We have enough problems here at home in America that President Trump is failing to fix; we do not need a reckless and unconstitutional foreign military occupation that would drain precious American blood and treasure. 

“To the young people of Pennsylvania: Should you die for regime change and an occupation of Venezuela? To Pennsylvanian parents and grandparents: Should your children or grandchildren be sent to risk their lives? 

“More to the point—in a Constitutional Republic such as ours, no President has the power to send American troops into war and occupation like this.

“Our Constitution is clear: the American people through our representatives in Congress have the sole power to declare war and send Americans to topple foreign governments and occupy foreign lands.

“Yet, Donald Trump thinks the American people have no say in any of this and that we should all foot the bill for his unconstitutional actions in Venezuela. 

“Maduro is an illegitimate and brutal dictator who stole an election to cling to power. He is hardly alone across the globe, yet it is not the American people’s responsibility to launch regime change wars against every foreign despot. 

“My generation of veterans knows the heavy costs and long-lasting wounds of unnecessary forever wars fueled by a lust for oil abroad. No more.

“No Americans should bleed and die in an unnecessary war and occupation that the American people have not approved.

“Congress needs to grow a spine and take back authority over war powers.

"My constitutional oath is sacred, and I will do everything in my power to defend our Constitution.”

Three statements of fact regarding our foreign policy as it pertains to Venezuela: 

1. Nicolás Maduro is an illegitimate narco-terror dictator. He terrorized his people, dismantled democratic institutions, and turned the machinery of government into a state-backed criminal enterprise—exporting drugs and cartel violence into the United States, with devastating consequences for hundreds of thousands of American lives. His ouster and prosecution are long overdue. We are thankful for the incredible bravery of the men and women of the U.S. military and our national security professionals.  

2. The only country that the United States of America should be “running” is the United States of America. The United States should join the international community in monitoring and overseeing a free and fair election in Venezuela, allowing the Venezuelan people a pathway to a true democracy. 

3. We must all place paramount importance on lawful process and constitutional responsibility. The Authorized Use of Military Force (AUMF) resolutions have been interpreted by multiple presidents, under multiple scenarios, to cover groups and situations not initially envisioned, leading to debates about the balance of power between the Article I and Article II branches of government. As the Chairman of the CIA Subcommittee on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, we will continue our coordination and collaboration with CIA Director John Ratcliffe. Important information will be shared in forthcoming briefings, and we will continue our active role of proper congressional oversight. What is already clear, however, is this: terrorists, tyrants, dictators, and drug lords must always be met by justice and the rule of law; the extraordinary men and women of our military and intelligence community are the finest in the world; and the future of a free and democratic Venezuela belongs to the Venezuelan people alone.

Permalink: https://fitzpatrick.house.gov/2026/1/fitzpatrick-statement-on-venezuela

On the 53rd anniversary of the Immaculate Reception, the Smithsonian-affiliated Senator John Heinz History Center announced today that the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum will be renamed as the Franco Harris Sports Museum in honor of the late Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Fame running back.

A longtime supporter of the History Center, Franco’s leadership played a pivotal role in the development of the Sports Museum, which opened in 2004 and has grown into one of the nation’s premier attractions for sports fans. His family remains in leadership roles at the History Center, with wife Dana on its Board of Trustees and as a member of the Sports Museum’s Champions Committee, and son Dok as the co-chair of the History Uncorked event committee. 

The Sports Museum renaming celebrates Franco’s enduring legacy and impact, both on and off the field.

“Franco touched and inspired so many of us, not only with his achievements on the gridiron, but with his kindness, generosity, and leadership,” said Andy Masich, president and CEO of the History Center. “His influence has gone well beyond Western Pennsylvania and will continue to inspire future generations. It is altogether fitting that the Sports Museum should bear Franco’s name.”

“Franco exemplified many of the characteristics associated with this region: hard work, integrity, perseverance, and a commitment to his team and the community – all attributes that the Sports Museum amplifies in its exhibitions and programs,” said Sports Museum Director Anne Madarasz. “Franco’s actions always spoke louder than his words. A true man of the people, his generous spirit, his approachability, and his unfailing humility made him one of the city’s most beloved and admired citizens.”

One of the NFL’s most iconic players, Franco is best known for the Immaculate Reception, often considered the greatest play in American football history. 

On Dec. 23, 1972, he helped change the fortunes of a franchise and a city by making the legendary catch and touchdown run to defeat the Oakland Raiders, which secured the Steelers’ first-ever playoff victory and led to four Super Bowl championships during the 1970s.

Off the field, he started a business based in healthy foods and championed children’s health, education, and athletics, using his platform to advocate for social justice and equality. He dedicated himself to this community, earning a nickname that captured his spirit perhaps more than any accolade. As teammate Joe Greene put it, Franco was simply “Mr. Pittsburgh.”

Franco’s work with organizations as varied as the United Way, Easter Seals, Special Olympics of Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Promise, Habitat for Humanity, Penn State University (his alma mater), and numerous youth initiatives exemplified his commitment to service.

“Franco represented decency, charity, kindness, love, and humility. His goal was to make the world a better place for us all,” said Dana. “Our family is honored that the Heinz History Center will continue to share his legacy with future generations.”

The Sports Museum renaming will be implemented in 2026. 

About the Sports Museum

A dynamic two-floor “museum-within-a-museum,” the Sports Museum features 20,000 square feet of interpretive galleries and more than 50 interactive experiences that showcase the unforgettable and almost forgotten stories of athletes who transformed Pittsburgh into the “City of Champions.” Visitors can see rare artifacts from sport legends including Arnold Palmer, Bill Mazeroski, Chip Ganassi, and Suzie McConnell-Serio.

From football to baseball and hockey to golf, the Sports Museum highlights the region’s passion for amateur and professional sports.

The Sports Museum is the “home of the Immaculate Reception,” featuring a lifelike figure of Harris making the catch, his cleats from the play, the Three Rivers Stadium field turf where it happened, and other 1970s Steelers artifacts.

The Sports Museum’s Super Steelers exhibition features a special section dedicated to Franco’s life and career including his championship rings from Super Bowls IX, X, XIII, and XIV, his 1976 Man of the Year Award (now named for Walter Payton), and his “Franco’s Italian Army” helmet.

The Senator John Heinz History Center, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and the largest history museum in Pennsylvania, presents American history with a Western Pennsylvania connection. The History Center was voted as the #1 history museum in America by readers of USA TODAY (2024, 2025) and “Pittsburgh’s Best Museum” by Pittsburgh Magazine (2022, 2023, 2024). The History Center and Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum are located at 1212 Smallman Street in Pittsburgh’s Strip District. The History Center’s family of museums includes the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum; Fort Pitt Museum in historic Point State Park; and Meadowcroft Rockshelter and Historic Village, a National Historic Landmark located in Avella, Pa., in Washington County. The History Center and Fort Pitt Museum are always free for kids, supported by the Kamin “Free for Kids” Initiative. More information is available at heinzhistorycenter.org.

Governor Josh Shapiro joined legislative leaders and local business owners to sign HB 439, also known as the Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair (CROWN) Act, into law. The legislation amends the Pennsylvania Human Relations Act (PHRA) to expand the definition of "race" to include traits historically associated with race, including hair texture, protective hairstyles, and religious creed.

With the signing of this bill, Pennsylvania becomes the 28th state in the nation to prohibit discrimination based on hair texture and protective hairstyles historically associated with race, ensuring that all Pennsylvanians can live and work without fear of racial bias in their hair or appearance. According to a 2022 Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (PHRC) report, 916 complaints were filed that year alone related to racial discrimination involving hair texture and protective hairstyles.

"Real freedom means being respected for who you are - no matter what you look like, where you come from, who you love, or who you pray to," said Governor Shapiro. "For too long, many Pennsylvanians have faced discrimination simply for hairstyles that reflect their identity and culture - that ends today. I'm grateful to Speaker McClinton, Representative Mayes, and the advocates who worked to get this done. We're building a Commonwealth where everyone is welcomed, respected, and protected."

PITTSBURGH, PA (November 17, 2025) Mayor-Elect Corey O’Connor is continuing to assemble an administration that will help deliver the safe, transparent, responsive, and effective city government he promised in his campaign.

Today he announced five individuals with experience in the government, non-profit, community relations, organized labor, and corporate sectors will fill roles in his Administration.

Marita Bradley

Assistant Chief of Staff

Corey Buckner

Manager of Community Affairs

James Hill

Assistant Chief of Staff

Mary McKinney Flaherty

Deputy Director of Economic Development

Matt Singer

Deputy Chief of Staff

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.

“Pissing Contest: a competition between rivals

to determine superiority, predominance, or leadership” (Merriam-Webster)

The former White House Press Secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre began her new book with the following statement, ”Our democracy is in the middle of a five-alarm fire.” (INDEPENDENT: a Look Inside a Broken White House , Outside the Party lines, 2025).  Nowhere has this been better demonstrated than by the 43-day, national, political “pissing contest” that recently ended.  What was especially egregious  was the major harm to so many citizens while Democrats and Republicans blamed each other for the ongoing major adverse impacts.  Consider, for example, the SNAP recipients who were mere pons in the fiddle of the fray.  

For those not sufficiently aware, note that “The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides nutrition assistance to eligible individuals and households with low incomes. SNAP’s stated purpose is to “permit low-income households to obtain a more nutritious diet . . . by increasing their purchasing power” (Food and Nutrition Act of 2008, as amended [FNA]). SNAP is the largest Federal domestic food assistance program and is administered by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). According to FNS administrative records, during fiscal year (FY) 2023, SNAP served an average of 42.2 million people each month, at a total annual cost of $113.2 billion, $107.1 billion of which went to SNAP benefits (USDA FNS, 2024g).” (See, Characteristics of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Households: Fiscal Year 2023)  

While the 2025 Congressional pissing contest droned on ad nauseam, as reported by the Bipartisan Policy Center, “On October 1, the U.S. federal government shut down due to a lapse in appropriations. During this current shutdown:

• At least 670,000 federal employees are furloughed, while roughly 730,000 continue to work without pay.
• 1.3 million active-duty personnel and over 750,000 National Guard and reserve personnel are also required to serve, potentially without pay.
• The first pay date with zero pay for some federal workers occurred on October 24.
• October 31 may be the first time in history that members of all military branches will miss a paycheck due to a government shutdown. The Trump administration reallocated $8 billion to cover active-duty military pay for the October 15 pay date.
• If the shutdown continues through December 1, roughly 4.5 million paychecks will be withheld from federal civilian employees, representing approximately $21 billion in missing wages. (See, Who Is Missing Paychecks in the 2025 Shutdown—When and Where? • Bipartisan Policy Center).

Perhaps the most absurd, self-centered, narcissistic aspect of the recent congressional pissing contest was the fact that members of Congress got paid while they didn’t work, but thousands of federal workers were laid off and thousands of others were forced to work for no pay.  Still worse, the bill that reopened the government did not extend the Affordable Care Act subsidies and, if the subsidies lapses during a subsequent “pissing contest,” then over 45 million people could lose health coverage (See, https://usafacts.org/articles/affordable-care-act-and-data-who-insured-and-who-isnt/).

Given the specter of American democracy in action over the past 43 days, particularly when it came to incumbent Congressional Democrats and Republicans, it might be appropriate to declare “a pox on both of their houses!”  Clearly, there is no safety in being packaged, if not boxed in as a Democrat, a Republican, or a third-party designation.  Regardless of stated intentions via campaign promises and during the most recent congressional pissing contest, the net results lean toward the reinforcement of a race-based, caste-like, patriarchal, homophobic , xenophobic, oligarchy. 

Going forward, a few statements from Karine Jean-Pierre’s above referenced book detailing her declaration of independence might be relevant.  That is, even if one decides to remain active in the current 2-party system, then ”…as we do battle, we must defend our space, time and energy.  We must demand recognition, respect and accountability.  We are in a gravely unusual time, and it calls for the singular focus of a Hamer, a Chisholm, and so many others who  were willing to go against the grain, throw off the status quo, and sometimes stand apart to get what they rightfully deserved…” (P. 11).

Parenthetically, when it comes to who “won” the 2025 Congressional “pissing contest,” the answer is neither side won!  Neither side showed the compassion displayed by Muhammad Ali’s manager when the manager threw in the towel rather than have Larry Holme mercilessly punish Ali.  Rather, the members of Congress found a way to fill their political coffers, a way for most of them to survive another round when they run for office.

Jack L. Daniel

Co-founder, Freed Panther Society

Contributor, Pittsburgh Urban Media

Author, Negotiating a Historically White University While Black

November 13, 2025

Pittsburgh Mayor-Elect Corey O’Connor has begun assembling an administration that will help deliver the safe, transparent, responsive, and effective city government he promised in his campaign. Today he announced that he will appoint Dan Gilman as Chief of Staff and nominate Sheldon Williams as the Director of Public Safety.

Gilman, who currently serves as Chief of Staff to the President at Duquesne University, comes with over 18 years of Pittsburgh city government experience after serving in many roles including City Councilman, mayoral chief of staff, and city council chief of staff. Throughout this time, he has managed complex challenges and built a reputation for community engagement, effective policy, government accountability, responsible fiscal strategy, workforce management, and improvement of city services.

“We need to hit the ground running on day one, so we need leadership that knows the city, knows the residents, and knows how to get things done,” O’Connor said of Gilman. “I’ve known Dan for nearly 20 years and we served on City Council together. I know his commitment to our communities and I know he can guide a seamless transition.”

Williams brings a lifelong commitment to public service and public safety. In addition to serving 18 years in the Army Reserves and Air Force National Guard, he began his career with the City of Pittsburgh as a paramedic, before spending over 13 years with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police (PBP). During his law enforcement career, he was a member of the SWAT team and Bomb Squad as an expert in tactics and explosives, and was one of few officers across the PBP to achieve certifications in all areas of public safety including fire, hazmat, and EMS.

After retiring from PBP in 2011, he was called to ministry and spent over a decade at the Allegheny Center Alliance Church as an Administrative Pastor and Homestead Campus Pastor. In 2022, he became a full-time faculty member at the Emergency Medicine program at the University of Pittsburgh, while also continuing to consult on public safety for government agencies including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Williams is also a Pennsylvania State Fire Academy Certified Instructor.

“With a career in the military, emergency medical services, police, and fire, Sheldon understands what it’s like to be boots on the ground when you respond to a call,” said O’Connor. “As Director, he’ll be able to bring those experiences together with his ministry and teaching to lead the department in community-based public safety.”

A historic new slate of officers will take over leadership of the United Steelworkers (USW) in March following the union’s regular four-year nomination and election process that took place this fall.

Roxanne Brown, currently serving as USW international vice president at large, will be sworn in March 1, 2026, as the union’s next international president. Brown replaces David McCall, who did not seek reelection, having served as USW international president since September 2023.

“Roxanne has devoted her life’s work to advancing the interests of working families, fighting for fair wages, affordable health care, dignified retirements and strong labor rights,” said McCall. “I can think of no one better qualified to lead our union as we navigate this unprecedented era of largely unchecked corporate greed.”

“I am beyond humbled and honored to serve as the USW’s next president,” said Brown. “I’m committed to the work ahead and pledge to live up to the trust our members have shown in me. Together, we will build an economy that works for all of us, a system that rewards workers rather than corporations, and a bright future for generations to come.”

Brown will be the USW’s tenth international president and the first woman to lead the union.

Also reelected to new four-year terms were Myles Sullivan as secretary-treasurer; Emil Ramirez as vice president (administration); Kevin Mapp as vice president (human affairs); Marty Warren as national director for Canada; and Luis Mendoza as vice president, as well as directors for each of the union’s twelve districts.

Amber Miller will take Brown’s role as international vice president at large. Miller for the past six years has directed the USW’s grassroots, nonpartisan Rapid Response network.

“I had the pleasure of working with Amber for a long time, watching her grow from a young activist serving as president of her local in northwest Ohio to an extremely capable leader who will be an essential part of moving our union forward,” said McCall. 

USW National Director for Canada Marty Warren congratulated the new and reelected officers, noting that the union’s long tradition of democracy is what has helped ensure its strong leadership.

“Our union is based on the principle that all workers, regardless of industry, gender, race or any other consideration, deserve a voice. It’s a simple idea and yet one that is constantly under attack. I’m proud to be a part of a union that lives this ideal every day, and I know that under our new leadership, we will continue empowering workers across North America to stand strong in their workplaces and their communities.”

The USW represents 850,000 workers employed in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in health care, public sector, higher education, tech and service occupations.

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

In an online message, Penn President J. Larry Jameson said he informed the U.S. Department of Education that the university “respectfully declines” to sign the compact.

“At Penn, we are committed to merit-based achievement and accountability. The long-standing partnership between American higher education and the federal government has greatly benefited society and our nation. Shared goals and investment in talent and ideas will turn possibility into progress,” he said.

The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus, chaired by state Rep. Napoleon Nelson, D-Montgomery, released the following statement on the University of Pennsylvania’s rejection of President Donald Trump’s “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education.”

“The Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus commends University of Pennsylvania President Larry Jameson on his formal rejection of the Trump administration’s ‘Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education.’ This compact was not about academic excellence. It was a bribe. It was an opportunity for America’s colleges and universities to sell their soul, their mission, the wellness of their student body, and their academic freedoms to the president in exchange for ‘preferential funding.’

“The compact, already rejected by MIT and Brown University, is a dangerous expansion of federal overreach from an administration that has already pledged themselves to shutter the Department of Education, and, even in its rejection, should be remembered for the audacity of its premise. 

“President Jameson, we thank you for heeding the voices of students and faculty on campus as well as the state and city lawmakers who called on you to reject this compact and resist the president’s Faustian bargain. The challenges faced recently are not over. We look forward to more productive and proactive conversations with you and your leadership team to keep Pennsylvania’s students and higher education institutions safe for intellectual exploration, artistic expression and self-discovery.”

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro praised Penn's move in a statement Thursday, saying the university “made the right decision to maintain its full academic independence and integrity.”

“The Trump Administration’s dangerous demands would limit freedom of speech, the freedom to learn, and the freedom to engage in constructive debate and dialogue on campuses across the country,” Shapiro said.

                      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

One year after launching an historic plan to revitalize Downtown Pittsburgh, Governor Josh Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis joined Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato, Mayor Ed Gainey, Pittsburgh Steelers and Pirates leadership, law enforcement, and community leaders on the North Shore outside of Acrisure Stadium to announce significant progress in making the Golden Triangle a cleaner, safer, and more vibrant neighborhood for all.

Over the past year, partners from across Western Pennsylvania in public and private sector have produced measurable results:

Reducing homelessness encampments by 93 percent - All major encampments have been closed, creating safer public spaces and new housing opportunities with supportive services for unhoused residents.

Cleaning streets - The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership power-washed more than 3 million square feet of sidewalks and alleyways, while also providing rent abatements and pop-up storefronts to support small businesses and reduce vacancies.

Improving public safety - With Commonwealth support, the City of Pittsburgh has hired more than 50 new police officers and expanded its public safety presence Downtown. The Steelers and Pirates each contributed $1 million to strengthen co-responder mental health teams, expand youth outreach at the Jordan Miles Youth Center, add patrol officers, and support homelessness outreach.

Reducing crime - To date this year, reported homicides have fallen down 30 percent compared to last year, and are down 55 percent over the same time period in 2022, creating a safer environment for residents and visitors.

Moving forward with residential projects - Seven mixed-use developments are moving forward, creating or preserving nearly 1,000 residential units - almost a third of them affordable for residents with low-to-moderate incomes. Six of these projects are converting unused office space into housing, bringing new vitality to the Golden Triangle.

Last October, Governor Shapiro launched a 10-year strategy that united Pittsburgh's private sector, local government, corporate leaders, and nonprofits behind a plan to build more housing, revitalize public spaces, and improve safety, cleanliness, and affordability Downtown. Since then, the effort has attracted nearly $600 million in public and private investment, including $62.6 million from the Commonwealth, $27.1 million from local government, and $376.9 million in private capital - with additional support from federal funding, foundations, and corporate donors. These investments are expected to generate more than 3,500 construction jobs over the next four years.

"Pittsburgh's success shows what happens when we bring everyone to the table - state, city, county, businesses, nonprofits, and community leaders - and focus on delivering real results," said Governor Shapiro. "Because we came together, Pittsburgh is already cleaner and safer, with more opportunity for all. We're turning old office buildings into new housing, investing in parks and public spaces, and creating opportunities for families and businesses alike. This is only the beginning - these projects will strengthen Downtown for decades to come - and I'm proud to report that Pittsburgh is on the rise."

Speaker List:
Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato
Governor Josh Shapiro
Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis
David Morehouse, Executive Vice President for Strategy, Pittsburgh Steelers
Travis Williams, President, Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey
Commander Timothy Novosel, Pittsburgh Police
Erin Dalton, Director, Allegheny County Department of Human Services
Senator Wayne Fontana, PA's 42nd Senatorial District
Leader Jay Costa, PA's 43rd Senatorial District

• PRESS RELEASE

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.

Today, we celebrate a powerful and joyful win for our city. One that underscores the strength, love, and resilience of our community. The organizations awarded through the Stop the Violence Fund (STV) are not only grantees; they are guardians of our youth, advocates for change, and partners in healing. 

Over the past three years, Pittsburgh has witnessed a steady and meaningful decline in homicides and non-fatal incidents among adults ages 18 and 30 and most notably, among our youth. These numbers tell a story of transformation: 

• Overall Homicides: 

           2022-71 

           2023-52 

           2024-42 

• Black Men: 

           2022-63 

           2023-44 

           2024-39 

• Black Women: 

           2022-8 

           2023-8 

           2024-3 

• Teens Under 18: 

           2022-7 

           2023-7 

           2024-0 

These aren’t just numbers. These are lives saved. Families protected. Communities healing. And at the heart of this progress are the grassroots organizations that kept showing up – in the streets, in schools, in living rooms and parks; providing support, hope and real alternatives, often under-resourced and overworked. The STV grantees have boots on the ground and hearts in their work. 

We honor the community members who stood up. Who advocated, who organized, who showed up not only for funding but this city’s future. Their voice was clear: protect our children, invest in peace and stand with us. 

“As Mayor, I take seriously my responsibility to protect our communities, but it was the community itself that came out and advocated to secure this funding, said Mayor Ed Gainey. “It is your commitment, your presence, and your advocacy that made this possible. This is what shared leadership looks like. This is what joy looks like.” 

This administration understands that lasting change happens when the City and the community work hand in hand. The Stop the Violence Fund embodies that commitment. With a historic award of nearly $1.8 million —the largest single grant investment in the fund’s history—we are doubling down on community-driven solutions to prevent violence and build safer neighborhoods. 

Mayor Gainey also expressed thanks to the organizations funded through STV for continuing to support Pittsburgh’s young people and communities for advocating boldly, and for helping to create safer, more hopeful neighborhoods. Whether mentoring youth, mediating conflict, supporting families, or creating safe spaces, these groups are transforming lives and by extension, transforming the City. 

As the Mayor stated, “We work together to save our children. We stand together to protect our neighborhoods. We rise together with love, purpose, and unity. This is a win for all of us.  I also want to thank our police officers for working hand in hand with community groups to help save lives and build a safer future.” 

Source: City of Pittsburgh

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)

As noted by the University of Pittsburgh, Joan Gabel, the former President and chief executive of the University of Minnesota System and Twin Cities campus, became the University of Pittsburgh’s 19th Chancellor.  As such, Gabel became the first woman to lead the University since its founding in 1787.  On her 100th day of service as Chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh, she concluded her letter to Pitt students, faculty and staff with the following comments: “I’m proud to be part of a community that not only insists on a commitment to compassion, shared humanity, and mutual care and respect, but also humbly recognizes when we fall short and commits to doing more and doing better. It is an honor to walk with you, to support you, and to help ensure for everyone that anything is possible at Pitt.”  After reading the foregoing statements, I hadthrowback moment and said to myself, “Right on” and, in turn, provided Chancellor Gabel with that feedback.  Subsequently, she agreed to the following interview.

 Jack L. Daniel & Pitt Chancellor Joan Gabel One on One:

As noted by the University of Pittsburgh, Joan Gabel, the former President and chief executive of the University of Minnesota System and Twin Cities campus, became the University of Pittsburgh’s 19th Chancellor.  As such, Gabel became the first woman to lead the University since its founding in 1787.  On her 100th day of service as Chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh, she concluded her letter to Pitt students, faculty and staff with the following comments: “I’m proud to be part of a community that not only insists on a commitment to compassion, shared humanity, and mutual care and respect, but also humbly recognizes when we fall short and commits to doing more and doing better. It is an honor to walk with you, to support you, and to help ensure for everyone that anything is possible at Pitt.”  After reading the foregoing statements, I had a 1960s throwback moment and said to myself, “Right on” and, in turn, provided Chancellor Gabel with that feedback.  Subsequently, she agreed to the following interview.

JLD: As you know very well, we live at a moment when domestically and internationally we are desperately in need of the “commitment to compassion, shared humanity, and mutual care and respect.”  Accordingly, I am especially pleased that you agreed to this interview and I begin by asking the following question. As we go forth with you leading our major research University with national and international standing, what examples would you give to exemplify Pitt’s demonstrated commitment to our shared humanity?

CHANCELLOR JOAN GABEL: This demonstrated commitment to our shared humanity begins with our values as a university. We are leaning into these shared values as we refresh the Plan for Pitt, the University’s strategic plan. These values help to serve as guideposts as we work to graduate service-minded citizens poised to change the world for the good. They help to serve our focus on research, cures and therapeutics and in eliminating disparities in areas like health and the arts and sciences. They help to serve as an anchor for our commitment to equity and inclusion, elevating us into the community of belonging we aspire to be. They help to serve us in efforts to be good stewards of resources, ensuring that we do well by all those we serve. And they help to serve us in ensuring that anything is possible at Pitt, from work of the past to discover a polio vaccine, to a shared, future-focused vision to lead the life sciences century. 

JLD: As you know, I refer to the pursuit of equity and social justice as having been a North Star for me when I was employed at Pitt.  In terms of an institutional commitment to doing more and better when it comes to the realization of equity and social justice, how do you define your leadership roles as Chancellor?

CHANCELLOR JOAN GABEL: The University of Pittsburgh has an unwavering commitment to cultivating a community and culture where a sense of belonging is strong, and equity and inclusion are actively promoted. This commitment enhances our individual and shared success and makes for a vibrant educational experience. In this spirit, and my role as chancellor, I’m focused on 1) identifing the most important ways that we need to deliver for our students, 2) setting appropriate and achievable goals in those areas and 3) being transparent and accountable when we measure our performance on those metrics. Many of those metrics are going to be in areas that help define our progress with an equity and social justice lens, from whether our student body is reflective of our broader community, to whether we are adequately supporting students from all socioeconomic levels to graduation and beyond.

JLD: I deeply appreciate the inspirational statement, “anything is possible at Pitt.”  Borrowing from a Pitt Trustee Emeritus’ book title, Making the Impossible Possible by Bill Strickland, would you please specify a key “impossibility” that you would like to see Pitt make possible.

CHANCELLOR JOAN GABEL: The more I’ve learned about the world-class talent here and the work they are doing, the more I’ve found myself repeating the words: “Anything is possible at Pitt.” As we lean into this concept as a key value in our refreshed Plan for Pitt, there are so many possibilities — from delivering new therapies for Alzheimer’s disease to restoring lost vision for the blind. And we will continue to fine-tune these areas and resources so we can continue to deliver on what is possible at Pitt.

JLD:  I commend you for the ways in which you have conscientiously reached out to all of the University’s constituents.  Now then is the time for synergistic relationships to evolve between you and them.  With that in mind, how might a diverse group of alumni best assist you and other members of the Pitt community

CHANCELLOR JOAN GABEL: In our search to strengthen our mutually beneficial long-term relationship with alumni, we connect with them through programming, social events and networking opportunities, both around the world and online. We invest in and augment the value of that Pitt degree long after graduation by keeping them engaged and involved. This requires everybody to be involved, and I am proud to have engaged widely across our alumni community since my arrival, from meetings with individual affinity groups to broader engagement at homecoming. At each turn, we’ve been seeking alumni feedback relating to the strategic direction of the Unviersity, which has been invaluable in shaping what the plan will become. 

 JLD:  Thanks very much for taking time from your demanding schedule during these very demanding times to provide the foregoing information.

Jack L. Daniel

Co-founder, Freed Panther Society

Contributor, Pittsburgh Urban Media

Author, Negotiating a Historically White University While Black

November 17, 2023