Update To: Members of the University Community From: Mark A
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INSIDE Pitt Board approves 4 new Trustees................6 Pitt AAAC inspires donors............................7 PittNewspaper of the University of PittsburghChronicle Volume XIV • Number 20 • July 2, 2013 University Update To: Members of the University Community From: Mark A. Nordenberg Date: June 28, 2013 Re: Leadership Transition Though it sometimes seems hard to believe, 36 years have passed since my family and I traveled to Pittsburgh, with all of our possessions packed into a midsized rental truck, so that I could begin a nine-month appointment as a visiting assistant professor of law at Pitt. We arrived on a nice summer day, and I still can recall the excitement that many of you also have felt—as we emerged from the Fort Pitt Tunnels into the beauty of the Golden Triangle. We then drove past the Oakland campus, to be warmly welcomed by friendly new neighbors as we moved into what we expected would be our single-year HARRY GIGLIO HARRY Squirrel Hill home. For me, there also was another home, the University itself. The School University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg of Law was an exciting place—with a rapidly expanding faculty, impressive To Leave Position in 2014 but Will Remain at Pitt students, loyal alumni, a brand-new building, and high ambitions. Even in Has led the University through a period of exceptional progress those early days, when my attention was narrowly focused on school- specific responsibilities, I had a sense University of Pittsburgh Chancellor already is one of the most senior presidents In fact, in many respects, the position has of the larger institution as a place in Mark A. Nordenberg has advised the Uni- or chancellors heading a major American been a perfect one for me. It has provided which work of quality and impact was versity’s Board of Trustees of his intention research university and has led Pitt through daily opportunities to make meaningful regularly produced in wide-ranging to leave that position in the summer of 2014. one of the most impressive periods of prog- contributions to an institution to which I disciplines. The announcement was made during the ress in its 226-year history. am fully committed and owe so much and What began as a short-term stint June 28 meeting of the Pitt Board, held on In commenting on his decision, Nor- to team with large numbers of amazingly grew into a career-length stay, and I the University’s Oakland campus. When he denberg stated, “Serving as Chancellor of talented people whose collective efforts never could have envisioned the range steps down as Chancellor, Nordenberg will the University of Pittsburgh has been the of rich opportunities that would be have served 19 years in the position. He greatest privilege of my professional life. Continued on page 5 presented to me by Pitt. From the very start, I was given the chance to teach, the one thing that I still may do best, Pitt Board of Trustees Chair Stephen R. Tritch Explains Search Process for Finding a Successor and to explore areas and issues of scholarly interest to me. Almost as soon (This is a statement from Stephen R. tion to leave his position in the summer of Chancellor Nordenberg frequently has as I had earned tenure and promotion Tritch, chair of the University of Pittsburgh 2014, we must begin the search for a worthy spoken with pride about the Pitt culture, to the rank of full professor, doors to Board of Trustees, regarding the search for successor. This is the single most impor- which he has said is characterized by a positions of academic leadership were a successor to Chancellor Mark A. Norden- tant task that the Board has undertaken opened. berg.) since the election of Chancellor Continued on page 5 I moved into the law school Dean’s The Univer- Nordenberg. We move forward Office, first as an interim appointee, sity of Pittsburgh “…I admire all that with the expectation that the in 1985, and stayed until 1993. When is extremely fortu- strength and momentum that I left that role, I fully expected to take nate to have been Mark Nordenberg characterize the University of my first-ever sabbatical and return to led by Chancellor Pittsburgh today will attract a the life of a law professor—which, Mark Nordenberg has accomplished as pool of highly qualified after all, was the life that attracted me for the last 18 years. candidates. MIKE DRAZDZINSKI/CIDDE here, but those plans were sidetracked During this period, Chancellor…” Though the for what has become a very extended our University has —Stephen R. Tritch Board of Trustees period of time. In 1993-94 and 1994-95, made tremendous ultimately is respon- I twice gave up that leave and deferred progress in almost sible to elect a new my pre-existing plans, first to serve every measurable way. This includes the Chancellor, we look forward as Interim Provost and then to chair a increased size and dramatically improved to working with representa- committee searching for a new senior academic credentials of each successive tives of other important vice chancellor for the health sciences. freshman class, the extraordinary growth groups—including alumni, Not knowing where life would take me in the size and impact of our research pro- faculty, staff, and students— next, I did not realize what a valuable grams, and the enormous contributions that as we move forward with part of my own professional prepara- Pitt has made to the economic strength and the process of attracting and tion those two experiences would prove social vibrancy of its home communities. assessing candidates. to be. Everyone who cares about Pitt always will In the summer of 1995, I accepted be grateful for the contributions he has made yet another short-term administrative to our University. Mark A. Nordenberg (left) assignment, this time as Interim Chan- Now that Chancellor Nordenberg has and Stephen R. Tritch advised the Board of Trustees of his inten- Continued on page 10 2 • Pitt Chronicle • July 2, 2013 Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg: A Career Filled With Accomplishments, Community Involvement Chancellor Mark Nordenberg first came have crafted what is acknowledged to be the to Pitt to join the faculty of its School of Law country’s best relationship between a profes- in 1977. He served as dean of the School of sional sports franchise and an intercollegiate Law from 1985 to 1993 and was elevated to athletic program. the special faculty rank of Distinguished Chancellor Nordenberg and outgoing Service Professor of Law in 1994. He served Carnegie Mellon President Jared Cohon as Interim Provost of the University in 1993- supported a number of highly success- 94 and chaired the search committee for the ful research and educational initiatives senior vice chancellor for the health sciences involving the two universities. They also in 1994-95. He was elected Interim Chancel- served as the founding cochairs of such key lor by the Pitt Board of technology-based eco- Trustees in June of 1995 nomic development and, following a national Chancellor Nordenberg is initiatives as the Pitts- search, was elected Chan- burgh Digital Green- cellor in June of 1996. a past chair of both the house, the Pittsburgh During his time in Pennsylvania Association Life Sciences Green- office, Chancellor Nor- house, the Pittsburgh denberg has been very of Colleges and Universities Robotics Foundry, and active in civic affairs. the Technology Collab- He served as cochair of a and the Pittsburgh Council orative. For their joint special legislative com- efforts, they have been mission charged with on Higher Education and is recognized as the core- studying the problems cipients of a number of facing Pennsylvania’s a member of the executive awards, including Pitts- urban schools, chaired committee of the Associa- burgher of the Year by a working group that Pittsburgh Magazine, developed an action plan tion of American Universi- the Kesher Award from for regional workforce the Edward and Rose development, chaired a ties. Reflecting the leader- Berman Hillel Jewish record-setting United University Center, and Way campaign, chaired a ship that he has provided the Community Impact committee that examined Award from the Pitts- issues of leadership and within the higher education burgh Area Jewish governance in the Pitts- community in Western Committee. burgh Public Schools, Other honors and chaired a citizens’ Pennsylvania, he has been received by Chancel- committee that was lor Nordenberg include appointed by Pittsburgh awarded honorary degrees recognition as a His- Mayor Luke Ravens- tory Maker in Educa- tahl and then-Allegheny by Carnegie Mellon Univer- tion by the Senator County Executive Dan John Heinz History Onorato and that was sity, the Community Col- Center, the Exemplary charged with exploring lege of Allegheny County, Leader Award from the ways to enhance the effi- Johnson Institute for ciency and effectiveness LaRoche College, and Thiel Responsible Leader- of the City and County ship, the Legends in COURTESY ALLEN STUDIOS governments. He also College. Chancellor Norden- Leadership Award from A younger Mark A. Nordenberg in the 1970s served as cochair of the Community College Pennsylvania Governor berg serves on the board of Allegheny County, Tom Corbett’s education the Spirit Award from prised Chancellor Norden- transition team and as a of UPMC, is a member of the Homer S. Brown berg when they announced, member of the Gover- the board and executive Law Association, the on behalf of the Pitt Board, Chancellor Nordenberg and outgoing Carne- nor’s Advisory Commis- Distinguished Alum- the naming of the Mark A. sion on Postsecondary committee of the Allegheny nus Award from Junior Nordenberg residence hall gie Mellon President Jared Cohon supported Higher Education.