RENOWNED PITT ALUMNI RETURN TO CAMPUS FOR A WEEK OF MEETINGS WITH STUDENTS

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 18 -- Some of the University of Pittsburgh's most accomplished graduates will return to campus during the week of October 23 to share their experiences, accomplishments, and advice with current students. The group of 33 alumni are the inaugural class of Legacy Laureates, a new program developed to recognize alumni for their personal and career achievements, while at the same time providing them with an opportunity to contribute to the success of today's students.

Members of the group represent a broad array of disciplines, including business, medicine, journalism, law, government, sports, social services, education, and the arts. While on campus, the laureates will meet with groups of students who are interested in their fields of endeavor.

Pitt Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg noted that the program is based on the belief that there can be no better role models for students than alumni who have been successful in their chosen fields.

"The inaugural class of Legacy Laureates consists of individuals who have achieved exceptional success in pursuit of their life goals and who continue to inspire us by their example. One of the most important lessons we can share with our students involves the importance of setting and striving to achieve personal goals. These laureates can serve as living examples to our students of the potential for excellence that exists within our University community," Nordenberg said.

A formal induction ceremony will be held for the laureates at 3 p.m., Friday, October 27, in the seventh floor auditorium of the Masonic Temple on Pitt's Oakland campus. The ceremony is part of Discovery Weekend at Pitt, a two-day event that will highlight the University's achievements and its future directions. More than 1,300 alumni and friends of the University are expected to participate in the event, which will culminate Saturday evening with the launch of the Campaign for the University of Pittsburgh.

The Legacy Laureates program is being established as an annual activity, with new members inducted each year.

"We will build on the foundation of achievement represented by our inaugural members in recognizing future Legacy Laureates and in continuing to foster a culture of success for all those who receive an education at the University of Pittsburgh," Nordenberg said.

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NOTE: A complete list of Legacy Laureates is attached. To arrange an interview with any of the laureates, or to attend the sessions they will be conducting with students, contact Ken Service (412-624-4238) or Ron Cichowicz (412-624-4007) in the University's Office of News & Information.

UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH LEGACY LAUREATES

Stanley J. Behrman, DDS (DENT '45), founder of the field of dental implantology.

David F. Bellet (CAS '67), chairman and founder of Crown Advisors International.

Betsy Benson (CGS '86), editor of the Pittsburgh Business Times.

*Ralph J. Cappy (LAW '68, CAS '65), associate justice on the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

James L. Craig, MD (GSPH '63), leader in the field of occupational medicine.

Pat Croce (SHRP '77), president of the Philadelphia 76ers.

*George A. Davidson, Jr. (ENG '61), retired chairman of the board of Dominion Resources, Inc.

Catherine D. DeAngelis, MD (MED '69), editor of The Journal of the American Medical Association.

Mike Ditka (CAS '61), Pitt gridiron legend, CBS sports analyst.

*Herbert P. Douglas, Jr. (EDU '48, '50), bronze medal winner, 1948 Olympics, and founder of the Jesse Owens Global Award.

*Helen S. Faison (EDU '46, '55, '75), director of the Pittsburgh Teachers Institute and former acting superintendent of the Pittsburgh Board of Education.

Norman R. Farnsworth (PHARM '59), a leading expert on herbal remedies and medical botany.

*Milton Fine (CAS '49, LAW '50), one of the founders and retired chairman of the board of Interstate Hotels Corporation.

Bernard Fisher, MD (CAS '40, MED '43), distinguished service professor at the University of Pittsburgh and leading expert in tumor biology and breast cancer therapy.

Maryann F. Fralic (NUR '73, GSPH '82), author and practitioner in nursing administration.

Bobbie Gaunt (EDU '72), president and CEO of Ford Motor Company of Canada, Ltd.

Frances Hesselbein (UPJ), 1998 recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and chair of the board of governors of the Peter F. Drucker Foundation for Nonprofit Management.

*K. Leroy Irvis (LAW '54), former speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and the first African American to have served as speaker of a state house of representatives.

*Paul E. Lego (ENG '56, '58), retired chairman of Westinghouse Electric Corporation.

*John C. Marous (ENG '49, '53), retired chairman of Westinghouse Electric Corporation.

*Thomas Marshall (KGSB '57), retired chairman and chief executive officer of Aristech Chemical Corporation.

*Samuel A. McCullough (KGSB '60), Pennsylvania's secretary of community and economic development.

Valerie A. McDonald (SHRP '77, FAS '79), the first African-American woman elected to Pittsburgh's City Council.

Margaret K. McElderry (SLIS '34), children's book editor and author.

Gerald E. McGinnis (ENG '60), founder and chairman of Respironics, Inc.

Tom W. Olofson (KGSB '63), chairman and CEO of Kansas City-based EPIQ Systems, Inc.

John M. Petersen (KGSB '51), retired president and chief executive officer of the Erie Insurance Group.

*Albert T. Primo (CAS '58), creator and author of the Eyewitness News format.

Sheila Wells Rathke (CGS '76), former senior vice president for corporate development, Young and Rubicam, Inc.

*William E. Strickland, Jr. (CAS '70), president and CEO of Manchester Craftsmen's Guild.

Burt Tansky (CAS '61), Neiman Marcus Group's president and chief operating officer.

*Richard Thornburgh (LAW '57), former governor of Pennsylvania, attorney general of the United States, and under-secretary-general of the United Nations.

*Thomas J. Usher (ENG '65, '66, '71), chairman and chief executive officer of USX Corporation.

*denotes current or former trustee of the University of Pittsburgh

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