INSIDE Center for Simulation and Modeling.................... 3 Pitt holiday concerts............................. 7 PittNewspaper of the University of PittsburghChronicle Volume XI • Number 34 • November 29, 2010 Ezra T. Newman Receives 2011 Einstein Prize Pitt Launches New Society For Contributions to Understanding, Reshaping For Planned-Giving Donors Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity Of $1 Million or More By Susan Zavage Grivnow The University of Pittsburgh launched “So much of what we do at the Univer- its newly established Brackenridge Circle— sity of Pittsburgh is made possible by the comprising individuals whose planned generosity of our alumni and friends who gifts, pledges, and other contributions to the make charitable contributions to Pitt,” Zach- University total $1 million or more—with a arias said. “Private support from people like Nov. 3 awards ceremony for the inaugural you, at all levels, is making a difference and class of Brackenridge Circle donors in the is helping to continue Pitt’s legacy of excel- Hall of Sculpture at lence in education and the Carnegie Museum research.” of Art. The Brackenridge Circle was Pitt Vice Chan- Planned gifts are cellor for Institutional made by individuals named for Pitt founder Hugh Advancement Albert who have included J. Novak Jr. said to the University in their Henry Brackenridge, who the inductees, “Your estate plans through generosity inspires bequest pledges, by envisioned a great seat of all who live, work, naming the University learning west of the and study here, past, as a beneficiary in a present, and future.” life insurance policy, Alleghenies and secured D u r i n g t h e or by establishing event, each inductee charitable trusts and Commonwealth financial was honored sepa- gift annuities. Seven- rately and presented teen members of the support for the establishment with a gift symbolic Brackenridge Circle of the University’s were in attendance for of the Pittsburgh Academy, gratitude. the inaugural celebra- the progenitor of today’s In his closing tion. Once realized, the remarks, Clyde B. gifts of the more than University of Pittsburgh. Jones III, Pitt vice R. SCHULTE-LADBECK 65 living donors who chancellor for health Ezra T. Newman qualify for inclusion in sciences develop- the Brackenridge Circle will total more than ment, said, “I am moved knowing that By Morgan Kelly $88 million for the University. you believe in what we are doing and are The Brackenridge Circle was named investing in the future of the University of During his 60 years in general relativ- work at the forefront of general relativity, for Pitt founder Hugh Henry Brackenridge, Pittsburgh and in the futures of everyone ity, the field of physics established by Albert the American Physical Society has awarded who envisioned a great seat of learning west it serves. On behalf of the University of Einstein, University of Pittsburgh professor him the 2011 Einstein Prize for his part in of the Alleghenies and secured Common- Pittsburgh, you have our deepest respect emeritus of physics and astronomy Ezra T. devising the renowned Newman-Penrose wealth financial support for the establish- and gratitude—and our pledge to be good Newman not only worked alongside some formalism—an extension of Einstein’s ment of the Pittsburgh Academy, the pro- stewards of your gifts.” of Einstein’s closest colleagues to revital- theory of general relativity—as well as genitor of today’s University of Pittsburgh. For more information on planned ize the theory of general relativity, he also for composing a variety of solutions to Welcoming remarks for the evening giving at Pitt, or to make a gift, visit www. helped to reshape it by working out one of Einstein’s equations, particularly the Kerr- were given by Pitt trustee Sam Zacha- giveto.pitt.edu or call 1-800-817-8943. the most influential reformulations of the Newman black hole. The prize also com- rias (A&S ‘64), chair of the Institutional Following is a list of the inductees who revered scientist’s original theory, among mends Newman’s ongoing work to explain Advancement Committee of the Universi- were honored at the event. other lasting solutions to and insights con- the significance of far-flung light energy. ty’s Board of Trustees, which oversees Pitt’s • Carole A. Baierl and the late William cerning the Einstein equations. $2 billion Building Our Future Together To recognize Newman’s lifetime of Continued on page 2 fundraising campaign. Continued on page 2 Pitt Alumnus Terrance Hayes Wins National Book Award for Poetry By Patricia Lomando White University of Pittsburgh alumnus that the strength of the MFA program is involved in a social and very rigorous Terrance Hayes has been named a 2010 being recognized again through this well- community of poets and instructors while National Book Award winner for Lighthead deserved acknowledgement of Terrance at Pitt. He was instrumental in bringing (Penguin, 2010), his fourth collection of Hayes’ work.” students together with other poets in the poetry. A professor of English at Carnegie city. He also served as Derricotte’s graduate A description of the book on the Mellon University, Hayes earned a BA from assistant and the first staff person for Cave National Book Foundation Web site reads, Coker College in Hartsville, S.C., and an Canem, a nationwide fellowship founded in “In his fourth collection, Terrance Hayes MFA in writing from Pitt in 1987. 1996 by Derricotte and poet Cornelius Eady investigates how we construct experi- “It’s so wonderful for him, the Univer- that cultivates the artistic and professional ence. With one foot firmly grounded in sity, and the city. It’s a national recognition growth of African American poets. the everyday and the other hovering in the that says a lot about Pitt’s MFA program,” Hayes’ other books of poetry are Wind air, his poems braid dream and reality into said poet Toi Derricotte, Pitt award-winning in a Box (Penguin, 2006), which was named a poetry that is both dark and buoyant. ... professor of English who served on Hayes’ one of the best 100 books of 2006 by Pub- This innovative collection presents the light- MFA committee. “He has always been lishers Weekly; Hip Logic (Penguin, 2002), headedness of a mind trying to pull against a person determined to be a really great winner of the 2001 National Poetry Series gravity and time. Fueled by an imagination writer, and our MFA program is a place Open Competition and a finalist for the Los that enlightens, delights, and ignites, Light- Terrance Hayes where you can learn to do that. We have a Angeles Times Book Award; and Muscular head leaves us illuminated and scorched.” diverse group of professors, which enables Music (Tia Chucha, 1999), winner of the Patricia E. Beeson, Pitt provost and are known for a long tradition of innova- writers like Terrance to try different kinds Kate Tufts Discovery Award. senior vice chancellor, said “The Uni- tive leadership in their respective areas, of work. He is a poet who takes risks.” versity’s graduate programs in English including creative writing. I am delighted According to Derricotte, Hayes was Continued on page 2 2 • Pitt Chronicle • November 29, 2010 Pitt Alumnus Terrance Hayes Wins BrieflyNoted National Book Award for Poetry Continued from page 1 at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 5 p.m. Sundays. Among Hayes’ many honors are the and has been featured on the PBS NewsHour. There will be one school matinee at 10 a.m. Dec. 10. Pushcart Prize, a Whiting Writers Award, At Carnegie Mellon, Hayes developed Tickets are $20 general admission and $10 for senior three Best American Poetry selections, and Out Poetry, a readings-in-poetry course that citizens, students, and children. They can be purchased fellowships from the National Endowment explores the intersections of poetry and the for the Arts and the Guggenheim Founda- public sphere. He has conducted workshops at the door or reserved by calling 412-648-2276. tion. His work has appeared in American in prisons and high schools and at colleges —By Sharon S. Blake Poetry Review, Poetry, and The New Yorker and universities throughout the country. Nationality Rooms Holiday Open House to Be Held Dec. 5 Newman Receives Einstein Prize The University of Pittsburgh’s 27 Nationality Rooms committees will host their annual open house Continued from page 1 from noon to 4 p.m. Dec. 5. The rooms, located on the Cathedral of Learning’s first and third floors, will Newman joins a select roster of physi- dation grant application for a project to find be decorated in holiday splendor, displaying holiday cists who have received the biennial $10,000 “Heaven.” Newman got the grant anyway.] customs from around the world. The rooms remain prize since its 2003 inception, includ- Newman’s outpouring of research and Pitt’s Shona Sharif African decorated until Jan. 14, and both taped and guided ing noted Einstein collaborators John many collaborations characterize the spirit Dance and Drum Ensemble tours are available. On Saturdays—Dec. 4, 11, and A. Wheeler of Princeton University and of the golden age of general relativity that Presents Nativity: Syracuse University (SU) physicist Peter fell approximately between 1955 and 1975, 18—taped tours will be available from 9 a.m. to 2:30 Bergmann, Newman’s mentor when he he said. A Christmas Gift p.m. On Sundays—Dec. 12 and 19—taped tours will pursued his PhD degree at SU, which he Contemporary audiences may struggle be available from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. earned in 1956. to imagine a time when Einstein’s theo- The Shona Sharif African Dance and Drum Guided tours will be offered Dec.