INSIDE Joint education, history degree created.............. 2 Pitt cardiologists find heart-attack gene...........4 PittNewspaper of the University of PittsburghChronicle Volume VIII • Number 34 • December 3, 2007 Giuliani, Thornburgh Help Dedicate Waldman Room A Pittsburgh native and alumnus of Taylor Allderdice High School in the city’s Squirrel Hill neighborhood, Waldman, who died in 2003 at the age of 58, was a gradu- ate of Yale University and the University of Pennsylvania Law School. In 1971, he served as assistant U.S. attorney under Thornburgh, then followed him to a post at the U.S. Justice Department in Washington, D.C., under President Ford. After managing Thornburgh’s success- ful Pennsylvania gubernatorial campaign in 1978, Waldman went to Harrisburg as one of the new governor’s “Five Musketeers”—his inner circle of close advisers. As executive assistant and general counsel to Thornburgh, Waldman became famous for his willingness to take the heat when the governor made difficult politi- cal decisions. The Philadelphia Evening Bulletin called him “the power behind the throne,” while the Philadelphia Inquirer Friends of the late U.S. District Judge Jay C. Waldman join Pitt Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg at the ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday for a new seminar room in Hillman Library. From left called him Pennsylvania’s “shadow gov- are Nordenberg; Ed Weiss, chief counsel at Time Warner Inc.; Dan Shapira, a Pittsburgh attorney; Shanin Specter, a Philadelphia attorney; Pitt trustee and former Pennsylvania Governor ernor.” Dick Thornburgh; Roberta Waldman, wife of the late jurist; former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani; U.S. Senator Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania; Paul Critchlow, vice chair of Merrill In 1988, Waldman was appointed a U.S. Lynch & Co.; and Michael Smerconish, Philadelphia author and talk-show host. district court judge and began serving on the federal bench in Philadelphia. He was By Jason Togyer nominated by President George W. Bush to the Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in With laughter and a few tears, friends (LAW ’57), and dozens of other dignitaries Thornburgh, who Nordenberg called a 2003, but died of lung cancer while waiting and family of the late U.S. District Judge to officially open the new Judge Jay C. “source of inspiration to Pitt students and to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. Jay C. Waldman remembered his life during Waldman Seminar Room. faculty,” is a Pitt trustee and former U.S. Waldman lived his life “at the intersec- the dedication Tuesday of a new Hillman Located on Hillman’s first floor, the Attorney for the Western District of Penn- tion of law, politics, and intellectualism,” Library seminar room named in Waldman’s wood-paneled study area will be used for sylvania who also served as U.S. Attorney Specter said. “What a fitting tribute that honor. seminars by faculty and students. Shelves General in the Reagan and George H.W. he should be honored with a seminar room The intentionally low-key ceremony and walls display a selection of artifacts Bush administrations. The University has where people can think about those things was a surprise to Pitt students using the from Waldman’s career, including photos, been the official repository for Thorn- and try to emulate his achievements.” library, who got the unexpected chance to newspaper clippings, and his law school burgh’s papers since 1998 and has hosted Giuliani said he met Waldman in 1975, mingle with Republican presidential candi- textbooks, many of which are annotated in the Thornburgh Family Lecture Series on when both were federal prosecutors—one date Rudolph Giuliani. The former mayor of his own hand. Disability Law and Policy since 2003. in New York, the other in Pittsburgh. The New York City interrupted his campaign to The seminar room adjoins the library’s Waldman “had the capacity and plan- two bonded over their common love of the participate in the Waldman tribute. Dick Thornburgh Room—an appropriate ning ability to prepare for political and law—and cigars, he said. In later years, A close friend of Waldman, Giuliani place, Nordenberg said, because Waldman governmental challenges that no one else Giuliani came to depend on Waldman’s joined Pitt Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg, served as one of Thornburgh’s most trusted anticipated,” Thornburgh said. “He devel- reliable, no-nonsense personal and profes- U.S. Senator Arlen Specter, former Penn- advisors for more than 30 years, and they oped what I called the ability to see around sylvania Governor Richard L. Thornburgh often had adjoining offices. corners.” Continued on Page 6 Pederson Returns to Lead University’s Athletic Department By E.J. Borghetti Together they orchestrated a major the stunning transformation of our athletic as the past has been at Pitt, the future is even revitalization of Pitt athletics that resulted facilities. But this also was a period in which brighter. I am thrilled to be able to work in nationally ranked programs and state-of- our teams competed at dramatically higher with Pitt’s great coaches and staff, and I’m the-art facilities. levels, national atten- anxious to get to know That team re-formed Friday when Pitt tion was reignited, fan “ I am grateful to Chancellor our student-athletes. My Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg announced interest and attendance wife, Tami, and I are also the return of Steve Pederson as the Univer- soared, programs for Nordenberg for the oppor- excited to renew acquain- sity’s athletic director. the overall development tances with our great Pitt Nordenberg originally tapped Peder- of our student-athletes tunity to again be part of fans and welcome many son to head Pitt’s athletic department in were strengthened, and new fans to the Panther October 1996. During the next six years, uncompromising stan- this great University, city, family.” the Panthers’ athletic fortunes elevated dards of institutional “ St e ve w a s t h e dramatically, on and off the field, prompt- integrity were main- and region.” person who originally ing a Pittsburgh newspaper to dub Pitt tained. In my judgment, —Steve Pederson convinced me to come to “Comeback U.” and this assessment the University of Pitts- Pederson departed Pitt in December is shared by countless burgh back in 1999,” Pitt 2002 to become athletic director at his others, Steve Pederson is one of this coun- men’s basketball coach Jamie Dixon said. alma mater, the University of Nebraska. try’s most talented and accomplished ath- “He has continued to be a tremendous friend Steve Pederson He returns to Pittsburgh nearly 11 years to letic directors, and I am very pleased that and a person I have regularly sought out for the day of his initial Pitt appointment by he is returning to Pitt.” advice and direction over the years. I am Nordenberg. “I am grateful to Chancellor Norden- incredibly excited that Steve and his family Year honorees (football, men’s and women’s “For six exciting years, Steve Pederson berg for the opportunity to again be part are returning to our University. Everyone basketball, baseball, track and field, and led the University of Pittsburgh through a of this great University, city, and region,” in our department is going to benefit from volleyball), an unprecedented achievement period of unprecedented progress in inter- Pederson said. “Leaving here five years ago his leadership.” by a Big East athletic director. collegiate athletics,” Nordenberg said. “For was the hardest professional decision of my During his initial Pitt tenure, Pederson many, the most visible development was life. Coming back was the easiest. As great hired six Big East Conference Coach-of-the- Continued on Page 3 2 • Pitt Chronicle • December 3, 2007 Education, History Dept. Team Up for Joint Degree New master’s combines graduate study in history with certification in secondary education to changing curricular demands, and remain engaged in their profession. The history department and education’s BrieflyNoted Social Studies Education Program devel- oped the new degree program. “As envisioned, the MAHE offers future teachers the opportunity to conduct gradu- ate study in history to learn the craft of the historian, and to develop professional rela- Pitt to Offer individuals for effective and ethical leadership in the public tions with faculty and peers,” said William Holiday Dinner arena. It has operations in Los Angeles, San Chase, Pitt professor of history. “Graduates To Needy and Francisco, New York, St. Louis, Kansas City, not only earn their certification, but also get Homeless Dec. 25 and Cleveland. By Patricia Lomando White to experience the rigors of demanding dis- For more information about today’s ciplinary training.” The two-year program Pitt’s Marketplace will host lecture, call 412-624-7382. Pitt’s School of Education and the requires students to take graduate-level Department of History in the School of Arts history courses during the first year and the Second Annual Salvation Army —Sharon S. Blake and Sciences have joined to offer the Master courses in the School of Education’s Master Christmas Dinner for the homeless and of Arts in History Education (MAHE) of Arts in Teaching and Professional Year needy on Dec. 25. Director of degree, a new degree that combines graduate programs in the second year. The event marks the second Smart-Growth study in history with professional training Program graduates will acquire the year that the Pitt Volunteer Pool and Partnership and certification in secondary social studies history expertise required for the Master the Salvation Army have organized At UPG Elected education. of Arts in history. They will also earn the the free dinner. About 400 adults President of Pa. According to David Berman, educa- Instruction I certification in secondary and children are expected this year, Planning Association tion professor and coordinator of the Social social studies education that is required to said Gwen Watkins, a special events Studies Education Program in the School teach history and social studies in Pennsyl- coordinator with the University’s Office Alexander J.