Pitt's Building Our Future Together Capital Campaign Exceeds $1.5
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INSIDE Pitt garners praise in Princeton Review............ 2 Arts & Culture section........................ 3-11 PittNewspaper of the University of PittsburghChronicle Volume XI • Number 24 • September 13, 2010 Pitt’s Building Our Future Together Capital Campaign Exceeds $1.5 Billion By John Harvith “The impact of the extraordinary The University of Pittsburgh’s Building difference those dollars have made—in Our Future Together capital campaign— the lives of hardworking Pitt students generosity of Pitt’s supporters already the largest and whose achievements are most successful fundrais- a source of great hope for extends well beyond the total ing campaign in the his- the future; in the work of tory of Western Penn- Pitt’s outstanding faculty number of actual dollars raised. sylvania—has exceeded $2 BILLION whose pioneering research a record-breaking $1.5 impacts the ways in which What is more important is the billion in gifts and pledges we live and contributes enormous difference those dol- and remains on track to to the greater good; in hit its $2 billion goal as dramatic enhancements lars have made—in the lives of Ernest Sosa scheduled, Pitt Chancellor $1.5 BILLION to the learning and work- Mark A. Nordenberg said. ing environment, through hardworking Pitt students whose The campaign, whose transformational facili- initial goal of $500 million ties projects on all five of achievements are a source of Ernest Sosa Is Inaugural was doubled to $1 billion our campuses; and in the great hope for the future...” in June 2002 and doubled $1 BILLION quality and impact of Pitt Recipient of Pitt’s yet again in June 2006 programs that are changing —Mark A. Nordenberg to $2 billion, continues and improving individual to provide the Univer- lives on a daily basis and Prestigious Rescher Prize sity with growing levels that also add vibrancy to When the Pitt Board voted to raise of endowed scholarship, $500 MILLION our home communities.” the campaign goal to $2 billion, it stated By Patricia Lomando White fellowship, and faculty P i t t ’s B o a r d o f that “for the past decade, the University support as well as other Trustees has noted that of Pittsburgh has made unprecedented The University of Pittsburgh has named key investments in Pitt’s the campaign has thus far academic progress, as is reflected by such Ernest Sosa as the inaugural recipient of its people, programs, and “added substantially to measures as the significant increase in the recently established Nicholas Rescher Prize facilities, which are criti- the academic growth and number of applicants seeking admission to its for Contributions to Systematic Philosophy. cal in these times of eco- stature of the University programs, the much stronger qualifications Named in honor of Distinguished University nomic challenge. by providing support for of enrolled students, dramatically elevated Professor of Philosophy Nicholas Rescher, “The impact of the talented and deserving levels of research funding, and the special who has been on Pitt’s faculty since 1961, extraordinary generos- students, committed and forms of recognition earned by its faculty, the prize consists of a gold medal together ity of Pitt’s supporters high-achieving faculty students, and alumni,” all fueled by the with a cash award of $25,000. extends well beyond the total number of members, programs of quality and impact, Board’s 1996 public commitment to secure “Through this prize, the University actual dollars raised,” Nordenberg said. and facilities that are essential to the for the University an adequate resource base of Pittsburgh not only is honoring the “What is more important is the enormous achievement of our institutional goals.” by “dramatically improving efforts to attract still-growing legacy of Professor Rescher, private funding to an institution whose but also, by honoring the life’s work and programs clearly are worthy of generous important contributions of other major support.” philosophers, hopes to bring to philosophy The Board also has stated that the the same recognition afforded to leaders Pitt Receives $9.8 Million From National Institute campaign funds are “to be used to support in other disciplines through well known the people and programs of the University of and widely respected awards,” said Pitt On Aging to Study Insomnia in the Elderly Pittsburgh in ways that further enhance its Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg. “We impact and add to its already proud legacy” have long been the direct beneficiaries of By Megan Grote Quatrini and that it “remains firmly committed all that Professor Rescher—a giant in the to its statement of aspiration” adopted in world of philosophy and one of the most The University of Pittsburgh has our AgeWise study.” February 2002: “By aggressively supporting committed, respected, and beloved mem- received a $9.8 million grant from the Monk stressed the need for this the advancement of Pitt’s academic mission, bers of our faculty—has done to elevate National Institute on Aging to study research in older adults because of the we will clearly and consistently demonstrate the University through the excellence and insomnia in older adults. Insomnia affects prevalence of insomnia in this population, that this is one of the finest and most impact of his work. Our shared hope now nearly 25 percent of seniors and, in more age-related changes in physiology and brain productive universities in the world.” is to elevate the public’s appreciation of severe forms, can lead to reduced quality structure that are relevant to sleep-wake To date, Pitt’s campaign has enjoyed philosophy through this award that bears of life, impaired function, higher health processes, and the many comorbidities that widespread support, attracting its current his name.” care costs, and increased risk often accompany advancing total of more than $1.5 billion from 158,003 Born in Cuba in 1940, Sosa earned of other medical conditions. age. He points to a societal donors. Of those donors, nearly 50 percent his PhD at the University of Pittsburgh in The goal of the five-year imperative, too, as the baby- are non-alumni. Another important mea- 1964. From that time until 2007, he taught AgeWise study is to better boom generation reaches its sure of the success of any campaign is the at Brown University. He then joined the understand the biological seventh decade of life. number of donors who have made commit- Department of Philosophy at Rutgers Uni- causes of insomnia in seniors. The AgeWise researchers ments of $1 million or more, and here the versity, which he had visited as a distin- “The strength of this are seeking people who are total of 275 such gifts is noteworthy. guished professor for a decade prior to his research project is that we older than 60 and who have The Building Our Future Together appointment. At Rutgers he is now Board of simultaneously can attack difficulty falling asleep or stay- campaign has made a lasting impact on Governors Professor of Philosophy. the problem on several dif- ing asleep, or who feel poorly the lives of numerous students and faculty “It is an unexpected but most fortunate ferent fronts,” said Timothy rested despite having adequate through the creation of 1,273 new endowed development that the inaugural realization H. Monk, the project’s lead opportunity for sleep. Those funds: of this internationally oriented award should research investigator and a who are eligible for the study • 458 new endowed scholarship funds strike so close to home,” said Rescher, “for will be given a detailed health when Pitt’s doctoral program in philosophy professor of psychiatry in Timothy H. Monk for a total of 875, an increase of 109 percent the University of Pittsburgh screening, which will include a in the number of such funds; was reorganized in the early 1960s, Ernie School of Medicine and direc- sleep evaluation. Before and after • 34 new endowed fellowships for a was one of its very first products. His dis- tor of the Human Chronobiology Research insomnia therapy, they will participate in total of 92, an increase of 58 percent in the tinguished career has long been a source Program at the Western Psychiatric Institute one of three different detailed laboratory & Clinic (WPIC) of UPMC. “Insomnia in evaluations lasting several days. Continued on page 2 Continued on page 2 seniors can result from biological clock Compensation will be provided for problems, sleep-intensity problems, stress completing the study. Those interested and arousal issues, the functional anatomy should contact the AgeWise toll-free of the patient’s brain, and particular issues number 1-866-647-8283. Some healthy Pages 3-11 of her or his genetic makeup. All of these seniors without sleep problems also will different research issues will be covered in be recruited. 2 • Pitt Chronicle • September 13, 2010 Pitt’s Capital Campaign Pitt Scores in Latest Princeton Exceeds $1.5 Billion Review College Guide Continued from page 1 number of such funds; billion and continuing on our path to our • 109 new endowed faculty chairs or $2 billion goal, this campaign is helping to professorships for a total of 183, an increase propel the University forward, giving the of 147 percent in the number of such funds; institution the resources it needs to solidify and its role among the world’s most respected • 672 new named student and faculty universities,” added fellow Pitt alumnus, resource endowments used to support such trustee, and campaign cochair Eva Tansky activities and programs as research projects, Blum (A&S ’70, LAW ’73). research travel, book purchases, and student “The supporters of this campaign can academic projects for a total of 1,012, an take pride in knowing that their investments increase of 197 percent.