FORMER PITT STUDENT MAKES MAJOR FINANCIAL GIFT TO PITT'S COLLEGE OF GENERAL STUDIES

PITTSBURGH, Jan. 24 -- A successful Sewickley businessman who graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in the 1970s is "giving back" to Pitt with a gift of $650,000 to Pitt's College of General Studies (CGS), which provides education for adult non-traditional students. It is the largest financial gift ever made to CGS.

James McCarl carried a full load of credits through CGS while he was married and working full time at his father's plumbing and heating company. Now president and CEO of that company, McCarl wanted to donate money to CGS that would "help make a difference."

The gift will be used to fund the new McCarl Center for Nontraditional Student Success, to be located at the CGS main reception area, on the 4th floor of Pitt's Cathedral of Learning. The Center will provide a physical home for services CGS offers to its students, including: orientation seminars for adults who have been out of school for many years; academic survival skills seminars; success seminars, offering strategies for balancing the demands of family, work and college; career counseling seminars, as well as mentoring workshops, financial aid workshops, an internship site, student lounge; and a tech station, where CGS students can access the Internet or check their e-mail.

"Jim's gift will affect the lives of CGS students for years to come, by improving the quality of their surroundings, and the environment in which students, faculty, and staff come together," said CGS Dean Susan Kinsey.

In addition, McCarl is donating $150,000 toward the construction of a new Hall of Fame that will be part of the John M. and Gertrude E. Petersen Events Center, scheduled to open in early 2002.

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