Pitt Progress Tells This Story

UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH FROM THE PUBLISHER Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg, the 17th chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh, is the first CEO for whom I have worked who was born after I was. When he was selected and elected in 1996 by Pitt’s Board of Trustees to lead the University, his youthful exuberance kicked into high gear. Without question, the chancellor’s high- octane actions have driven the astounding accomplishments of an aspirational Pitt. Chancellor and Publisher His enthusiasm has asserted itself upon TABLE OF CONTENTS the spectrum of metrics—from record- breaking levels of research support and fundraising success to new highs in the number of student applications and the unprecedented quality of entering student classes—that define 1From the Publisher the modern university. Chancellor Nordenberg’s partnership with trustees, staff, faculty, students, alumni, and donors has fueled, in less than a decade, the momentum that has propelled the 2The Beginnings of Progress— University forward from a place occupied by pretty good institutions to the ranks of the A Limitless Future world class. 4 Aggressively Pursuing Excellence in Undergraduate Education This publication we call Pitt Progress tells this story. From flourishing academic programs spanning an astonishingly diverse array of disciplines to groundbreaking research, community 34 Climbing through the Ranks collaborations, and elevated athletic stature, Pitt’s progress not only is fueling Pennsylvania’s of Excellence and economy, but is also advancing and improving the human condition. Educational Innovation We have compiled this publication primarily from articles that have appeared in Pitt 58 Maintaining Excellence in Research publications, including Pitt Chronicle, Pitt Magazine, Pitt Med, and school and organization publications and Web sites. And some articles were written especially for Pitt Progress. 90 Partnering in Community Development Whatever the source, one thing is certain: for every department, discovery, invention, achievement, and partnership that is presented here, countless others abound within the 108 An Economic Engine: Regional Impact Pitt community. They are all driven by a quest to better the present—and the prospects of the future—for humankind. And just as the Cathedral of Learning physically represents the 114 Ensuring Operational potency and urgency of this ambitious University of Pittsburgh, the now-famous Effectiveness and Efficiency Nordenberg zeal symbolizes its heart, mind, wisdom, and soul. 118 Securing an Adequate Resource Base Robert Hill 126 Timeline—A Sampling Publisher of Recent Pitt Progress Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs April 2004 1 UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH THE BEGINNINGS OF PROGRESS —A LIMITLESS FUTURE The story of the University of And, indeed, hundreds of years later, Ever since, Pitt has actively and aggres- Pittsburgh’s progress began more than that “lite” now burns as a beacon—of sively pursued the realization of each 200 years ago, at a time when pioneers knowledge, of excellence, of community of these important goals—with world- sought pristine lands upon which to and regional strength. class results. build—and to realize their dreams. One such “pioneer,” Hugh Henry That continuous path of progress was Pitt Progress reflects upon just some of Brackenridge, the founder of the substantially enhanced when, in 1996, the rich accomplishments and contributions University of Pitts- Pitt’s Board of Trustees and chancellor that define the University of Pittsburgh. burgh, set out adopted a series of priority statements. from Philadelphia This new chapter in Pitt’s progress in the 1700s, trav- called for: eling across the Brackenridge had twin visions for the Aggressively Pursuing Excellence Allegheny Moun- area that would grow to become in Undergraduate Education tains to Pitts- Pittsburgh. He said that Pittsburgh burgh. It was “must be a place of great manufactory Hugh Henry Brackenridge Maintaining Excellence in Research Brackenridge who, … the greatest on the continent or in upon seeing Pittsburgh, realized its the world.” He further asserted that “the Partnering in Community tremendous potential. As Chancellor situation in the town of Pittsburgh is Development Mark A. Nordenberg of the University of greatly to be chosen for a seat of Pittsburgh has observed, “In all that he higher learning.” Ensuring Operational Efficiency did Mr. Brackenridge was a champion of and Effectiveness what we would today call civic improve- Interestingly, it was Brackenridge who ment. When he first viewed the first saw the link between education Securing an Adequate Resource Base settlement at the confluence of the and economic development, wisely Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers, he observing that, “The strength of a state saw not just what was, but what could greatly consists in the superior mental be. And his was an extraordinarily powers of its inhabitants.” To that end, accurate vision of the future.” the University of Pittsburgh was born— a simple log cabin, rather lyrically described by its creator as “a lite in the forested wilderness.” 2 3 UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AGGRESSIVELY PURSUING EXCELLENCE IN UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION The preamble to the Act of 1787, University must be doing something QUICK TURNAROUND Making note of Pitt’s past development University accomplishments and strengths a collaborative academic style within which chartered the Pittsburgh right—because both the demand for of “a range of distinguished graduate include: the University, with “marked coopera- Academy—Hugh Henry Brackenridge’s admission to academic programs What a difference a few years can make. and professional programs,” the report tion among faculty of different aca- academy—declared that “the educa- and the credentials of Pitt’s students goes on to praise the University for “a widespread support and admiration demic units”; In 1996, James L. Fisher, former presi- tion of youth ought to be the primary are rising at dramatic rates. As this new culture of openness,” which, it says, for the University’s senior leadership; dent of the Council for Advancement “well-organized” and “well-delivered” object with every government.” chapter of Pitt Progress illustrates, “clearly emanates from the top—from the chancellor-provost “solid team,” and Support of Education (CASE), student services; Meeting the educational needs of coming to Pitt means accessing a Chancellor Nordenberg and from setting an “enviable” “tone of cooper- issued a report on the University of those currently enrolled as our stu- top-notch education, enjoying a Provost Maher—and has been success- ation” among University leaders; Pittsburgh that revealed more weak- dents remains Pitt’s most funda- dynamic array of on-campus activi- fully instilled, in the view of the various nesses than strengths. The Fisher a “healthy” financial position in the midst mental responsibility. And the ties (including the outstanding constituencies, in the other senior admin- Report was overwhelmingly negative in of the current fundraising performances of istrators, and in the academic leadership. its evaluation of Pitt and minced no campaign and “strong” Pitt’s winning ath- words in attacking significant weak- financial management; letic teams), and “The importance of these improvements nesses within the University. joining a community cannot be overstated, for it is clear that “sound” integrated fiscal many of the difficult, but essential, thoroughly dedicated The results of that early report, commis- and academic planning; to achieving excellence choices and decisions that have been sioned by the University’s Board of a focus on undergraduate edu- in all of its pursuits. made over this period could not have Trustees, stand in stark contrast to the cation that the University com- been accomplished in an academic glowing 2002 evaluation team report of munity believes “enhances the environment without the skill of, and the Middle States Commission on reputation of the institution as a open processes created by, the chan- Higher Education that concluded, “The whole and benefits all units”; cellor and the provost.” leadership, faculty, staff, trustees, and undergraduate programs that alumni of the University are to be warmly According to the 2002 Middle States “are impressive in their variety, applauded for their accomplishments.” report, “It is generally appreciated that strength, and fundamental [the University of] Pittsburgh has made According to the Middle States team soundness”; significant progress in the last five report, “The institution’s efforts over the years,” and then goes on to set out in enhanced academic advising; last several years had resulted in detail literally dozens of positive achieve- an innovative and dedicated extraordinary accomplishments, particu- ments its authors have observed. “teaching ethos” in the larly in the areas of improving the School of Arts and Sciences; undergraduate student body quality, enhancing undergraduate campus life “dramatic evidence of the and support, integrating academic and extraordinary contribu- budgetary planning, and strengthening tion” that can be made by city and commonwealth relationships.” “imaginative faculty leadership” in the University Honors College; 5 AGGRESSIVELY PURSUING EXCELLENCE IN UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION A HISTORY OF CHANGING THE WORLD Discovering Gaping Holes of Nothingness—and Other Things Far, Far Away Black holes are everywhere in space—and everywhere in the sci-fi pop culture. (It’s hard to imagine Star Trek scripts

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