What has your life been like since graduating from the University of Pittsburgh?
I have 3 degrees from the University of Pittsburgh. I earned a PhD in Economics/Industrial Relations from the University of Pittsburgh in 1954. After obtaining my degree, I taught in the Industrial Department of Pitt’s School of Business full-time for 10 years, and part-time for 25 years.
In 1957, I joined the staff of Westinghouse along with three of my students. For the next 30 years, I worked in Labor Relations, performing training and development for Westinghouse. During this time I also served as the General Manager of the Westinghouse Learning Corporation and as Executive Director of their Westinghouse Educational Foundation.
A portion of my time with Westinghouse was spent conducting seminars for management personnel. These courses were often overseas, wherever Westinghouse had a presence. I taught seminars in Iran, Japan, Luxembourg, the Philippines, Belgium, the United Kingdom, Venezuela, the Netherlands, Puerto Rico, etc.
During these years, my wife, Helen and I had three children. My older daughter, Dr. Cheryl Finlay earned her PhD from Pitt in 1986 and is now the Director of Career Development Center. My son, Dr. Walter W. Schratz earned his DMD from Pitt in 1986, and is now an Orthodontist, and my youngest daughter, Ms. Caryl Schratz-Goeller is an art-therapist.
What are you doing now?
After retiring from Westinghouse 19 years ago, I was hired by Carnegie Mellon University’s Development Division, where I still work part-time. This year, Helen and I celebrated our 55th wedding anniversary. We have 13 grandchildren and spend our free time traveling. We’ve recently been to Alaska, the Canadian Rockies, Key West, and San Diego. My proudest accomplishment, however, is the fact that next year I will have held Pitt football season tickets for 60 consecutive years. Go Panthers!