About Pitt:
The University of Pittsburgh was founded in 1887, and is the oldest school of higher education west of the Alleghenies. It's
main feature is the
Cathedral of Learning, a historic landmark, is the second-tallest education building in the world—42 stories and 535 feet tall. Begun by Chancellor John Bowman in 1926 and dedicated in 1937, the building was realized with the help of contributions from men, women, and children throughout the region and the world. During the peak of the Depression, when funding for the project became especially challenging, school children were encouraged to contribute a dime to "buy a brick." In addition to the magnificent three-story "Commons Room" at ground level, the Cathedral of Learning also contains classrooms
(including the internationally renowned Nationality Classrooms), the University's administrative offices, libraries, a computer center, a restaurant, and offices and classrooms for many liberal arts departments.
Trivia tidbits:
-The Cathedral of Learning has 2,529 windows.
-Many people think that the Cathedral was built from the top down, which is a fallacy. The builders had to put the 42-story superstructure up, with the top six floors used for electrical work for the elevators, etc.
-Chancellor Bowman wasn't promised the full money for the Cathedral, so he and Margaret Crawford came up with a plan to ask the different ethnic groups of Pittsburgh to pay for and decorate a room - which became the Nationality Classrooms. As a former tour hostess, I think more people
outside of the USA have heard of them than here! Some of the artifacts in the rooms (which ARE used as classrooms!) are well over a thousand years old!
-The last Dean of Women (there were only three!) was Savina Skewis, who reigned over the 12th floor. There was a LOT of controversy in the late 60's over whether of not the office should exist, and the joke at the time was "Do you think Pitt should get rid of the Dean of Women position, or are you Pro-Miss Skewis?" I must have heard that a million times while a tour hostess!
William Pitt Union The Student Union
Built in 1898, the Union was acquired by the University of Pittsburgh in 1956 and today is the hub of over 300 student activities and organizations. Prior to 1956, it was the Schenley Hotel, a well-known hotel visited by the likes of Woodrow Wilson, Katherine Hepburn, and Spencer Tracy (and some opera singer whose name escapes me).
The first Public Television Station (PBS) in the world was founded on Pitt's campus, now Music Hall.
The Home Plate of Forbes Field is embedded in glass in Wesley Posvar Hall. Behind it is the Brick Wall over which a home run was hit to win the 1960 World Series. People come from around the world on October 13th to join the throng listening to that play!
Dr. Jonas Salk developed the Polio vaccine at Pitt's teaching hospital, UPMC. Dr. Richard Starzl likewise pioneered and perfected organ transplant there.
And for fun:
Amos Hall, where all but 2 sororities are housed. I'm sure others will add their comments, but Alpha Delta Pi is on the top floor. From L-R, the 7th window from the left was my tiny single for my senior year!