Browse our collection of messages for the Class of 2024: videos from the Pitt Alumni Association and Pitt senior leadership, as well as welcome notes from alumnae. Read the memories that alumnae shared from their own Lantern Nights, as they celebrate with us the 100th passing of the Light of Learning.
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Kirsten Beck (CBA ’20)
Although my lantern night got rained out and we did not get to light our lanterns outside Heinz Chapel, we still got to light them inside the Cathedral of Learning. It was such an incredible experience having one Pitt woman pass on the light of learning to me. I felt bonded to her and all the women in the room with me. It was extra special having my mom there. She is the person I look up to most so sharing that with her made me feel even more excited about my journey at Pitt and my future career. But most importantly, spending that night with my best friend. We had been friends since fifth grade and ultimately ended up being college roommates. We’ve done so much together from middle school to high school graduation to college. It was special to know I would have her with me and even more so now knowing we stayed friends and roommates all throughout.
Relda Kelly (NURS ’62)
I am sure that my memory of Lantern Night is very different than most that you will receive. I entered the University of Pittsburgh as a freshman at Johnstown College (now UPJ) beginning in the fall of 1959. As I recall, we had about 20 women students and 70 men students who attended classes in an old grade school building in Johnstown. We did have a Lantern Night and I do not know if the University sponsored this or whether it was organized by our female instructors at Johnstown College so we would have this experience. I do not remember anything about the ceremony, but I do know that we each received a small wrought iron candleholder with a white candle instead of a lantern. I attended Johnstown College for three trimesters and then entered the School of Nursing in the fall of 1960. It was there that those of us from Johnstown College realized that the women on campus received actual lanterns instead of our sad little candle holders. I must admit, I have always felt as if we were somewhat cheated by the University. Coincidentally, I was recently sorting through things to discard and found my little candleholder. I told my tale of woe to my husband and a few days later saw your request for my story in my email! Please understand that I have always been proud to have graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing. Johnstown College has now grown into an impressive campus and I am proud to have been a student there. The Lantern Night story is just a sidelight in my education at Pitt!
Donna DeMarino Sanft (EDUC ’74)
My Lantern Night was in 1970, fifty years ago! It makes me think back to my first time on campus, Freshman Orientation, the day I fell in love with Pitt. My Dad dropped me off in the Quad. There I was, alone in the Quad, suitcase in hand, and it hit me….I love this place. I belong here. This is my University. At the time, I don’t think I knew why I felt that way. After all, falling in love is a mysterious thing. But I realize now that somehow, in that minute, it all came together: the sense of history and connection, and at the same time a sense of the future and opportunity. And with all of that swirling around in my head, I knew this: It was now up to me….my life and my future were in my hands….and how lucky was I that I landed in a place where it seemed anything was possible! I knew I had a place in the world, and I had no idea what it would be, but Pitt would help me find it. So, my journey at Pitt began. And I did find my place. I wish you, the women of the 2020 freshman class all the best in your new adventures! It is now up to you to find your place in the world, and Pitt will help you find it! Hail to Pitt!
Byron Allen (CBA ’02)
Lantern Night has always been the spark of a new year of opportunities. I don't have a specific word to describe what I'd witnessed that first time. It was more of an emotional experience. At that point in time, I did not know what was happening or the history behind it. What I did know is that there was a large and powerful support system gathering before my very eyes. I did not attend, but I was happy to have witnessed it. It made me want to be a part of something similar. I hope all our students can be inspired by the history of this celebration and strive for excellence through collaboration. Always remember, you are our Pitt family.
Rebecca Wain (LAW ’85)
I remember getting the invitation to Lantern Night. I didn't know what to expect. But the Cathedral of Learning and the march to Heinz Chapel (where I eventually got married 6 years later) filled me with awe and peace and anticipation that whatever was ahead, I had other women who came before me encouraging me to strive to do my best and to pass the light of knowledge on to future women.
Linda Carroll (A&S ’66)
I remember Lantern Night as a beautiful initiation ritual in which the light of learning was passed from one generation to the next. The music "While Ye Have Light" (I think that was the title) was composed by our own Don Colton, Prof. of Music and Director of the Heinz Chapel Choir. The ethereal harmonies drifted down from the balcony. The words invited us to "Believe in the Light". Reflections from the lantern's flames danced on the Commons Room limestone walls. I felt that I was joining a community of learners.
Mara Sullivan (A&S ’92)
Coming to Pitt for my orientation week the summer of 1987 was my first time away from home on my own. It was exciting, terrifying and the most wonderful experience for me. The evening before classes started, I went to my lantern ceremony and being there with all my fellow students and the Alumni passing the Light of Learning on to us was a beautiful night that I still remember fondly. I came with one path in mind. I went on to learn about myself, the world, and what other opportunities there were in biology.
Madalene Spezialetti (A&S ’83)
As a commuter, I almost didn't go to lantern night. But then I did. It was held in the Cathedral of Learning. It was beautiful and I might have missed it. I had no way of knowing, nor could I have ever imagined that 10 years later I would graduate from Pitt with a PhD in Computer Science.
Irene Epstein Bolts (LAW ’77)
I was a freshman at Pitt in 1970. Lantern Night was in its 50th year, and it was very meaningful, a night when the women could take their place of importance on Pitt's campus. In fact, it meant so much that I still have my lantern, even though I completed my undergraduate education at another university. I returned to Pitt for professional school (LAW ’77), bringing my lantern with me, and I have kept it ever since. It is made of brown metal and still has the original candle in it. Lantern Night was held in the Commons Room of the Cathedral of Learning, with the glow of the candles reflecting off the Gothic arches all around us. I appreciate seeing the photos of the event every year, and it's wonderful to see family members light the candles of their incoming students. It is a beautiful tradition, and one that I hope will continue forever.
Harriet Gross (EDUC ’54)
I entered Pitt at the midterm (1951 - probably the last class to do so!) so I missed the Lantern Night experience altogether. However, with prior arrangement assistance from staff, I attended Lantern Night in person myself last year and was able to meet those in charge for dinner at the nearby hotel (where I stayed) the evening before. A lantern - because I never had one before - was sent to me after I returned to my home in Dallas. It was a very important occasion for me as a proud graduate and active participant in all Dallas alumni events. I was truly astounded by the number and diversity of the young women taking part, and in tears with the singing of the Alma Mater at the end!
Gayle E. Davis (SOC WK ’77)
As a student at Olney High School in Philadelphia, PA, I was concerned about the type of university I could attend. Dr. Chenits Pettigrew visited my school with the hope of igniting an interest in fellow students matriculating at Pitt. I distinctly remembered inquiring about the atmosphere relative to African American students and was comforted with his response. When my dear friends Condessa, Andre, now both very accomplished professionals, and I arrived on the premises, it was phenomenal. With the spacious, beautiful campus featuring the remarkable Cathedral of Learning, happy, energized students and faculty, and great living quarters, I was delighted. On the evening in 1972, when I participated in the Lantern Night ceremony, I was amazed by the stillness, respectability and beauty of it all. The profundity of the impact it had then, remains indelibly imprinted on my soul bringing a rush of tears as I think about the glory in that tradition. My "light of learning" continues with me making that Pitt experience my monumental university fire starter. Thank you Dr. Pettigrew!
Jean Patterson (A&S ’76)
The night seemed magical imagining those early women moving through darkness to expand their possibilities. The air seemed charged with excitement for the night and the semester. I felt as though all the women who came before were encouraging me. Pitt gave me knowledge that enabled me to have and do more than I ever imagined.
Ellie Cook (A&S ’23) & Lee Brun Johnson (A&S ’58, SOC WK ’77)
“I definitely felt like I was part of something bigger” at Lantern Night, said Ellie, a fourth generation Pitt student studying history and psychology with an Africana Studies minor. “Just being able to bond with my suitemates but also with the other girls who were legacies and their relatives, and learn about their stories when they went to Pitt, and learn about the advice that they had to give us, was something that was really special because I was only there for a week, but I felt like I was already part of a community.” Read more about Ellie and her family’s story on Pittwire.
Diane Neiser (A&S ’79)
I was a freshman in 1973 with much anticipation for what college would be for me. Whether just too timid or naive, I did not attend my Lantern Night ceremony. I regretted not doing that so much, as my college years for my bachelors and master's degrees at Pitt were so full of accomplishment and growing not only in knowledge, but maturing, as well. Many years later when our daughter was starting her freshman year at Pitt, I was able to participate and light her candle as well as the other women's candles who were starting with her. It was a great joy for me to make that symbolic memory for them. Hail to Pitt!
Kathryn Rerko (A&S ’22)
Lantern Night is one of the first memories I have as a Pitt student and was one of the first true bonding moments I had with my freshman roommate that is still my best friend to this day. My lantern still sits on my desk to remind me of that night.
Colleen McLaughlin (A&S ‘99)
I remember heading to the Lantern Night ceremony in 1995 with the new friends I met within the first week of arriving at Pitt. These same young women would become my roommates, sorority sisters, and lifelong friends and are people I am grateful to have shared 4 years at Pitt with.
Frances Caplan (SCI ‘73)
As a three-time graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Lantern Night remains one of my fondest memories of the many years I spent studying at this world-class institution. For me, Lantern Night was a beautiful ceremony. Watching the lights weave in and out of the majestic commons area was just magical. It's a lovely tradition that I hope will continue for centuries to come. Needless to say, I still have my Lantern. It is not quite as pristine as the night I received it, but it has been at my side for the past forty-seven years and proudly overlooks the Cathedral of Learning from my back deck. Lantern Night is never far away.
Melissa Baran (A&S ’00)
Lantern Night was amazing and special. It made me feel even more excited than I already was for my four amazing years at Pitt.
Erin Walsh (A&S ’96)
This is my daughter (Pitt sophomore) and me (A&S ’96) at her Lantern Night in 2019.
Jessica Fanning (A&S ’14)
Lantern Night is one of my fondest memories of my time at Pitt and classes hadn't even started yet! In 2010, my grandmother was one of the incredible women who passed their light of learning down to us. She had only graduated a few years prior - after starting school back in her youth, she put a pause on her education to raise her family, and after a long hiatus, took classes (often bringing me along) to complete her degree. I was so proud to follow in her footsteps; it meant the world to me to share this moment with her. I keep the lantern in my China cabinet, so I never forget her legacy or the legacy of the women who came before us. One day, I hope to inspire another generation of women to pursue their education (preferably at Pitt!) as my grandmother inspired me. Hail to Pitt!
Sheena Hancock (CGS ’04)
Twenty years ago, as my lantern was being lit, an alumnae member said, “Good journey”. I carry the comment with me throughout my life's journey. Pitt sparked the Light of Learning in me by giving me the tools to conduct research personally and professionally.
Morgan Parrett (CBA ’18)
I attended my Lantern Night Ceremony with a few of my new friends. I had come from a small school and Pitt seemed so daunting! We met Chancellor Gallagher, which was a cool bonus! Those girls are still close friends and helped me find a community within campus and bloom!
Kimberly Mellott (A&S ‘19)
I remember my lantern night in 1998 so well. The lanterns looked so beautiful as we were walking from the cathedral to the chapel. I was so proud to be a part of the University of Pittsburgh!
Susan Helene Gottfried (A&S, ’91)
I was a transfer, and so I missed out on my own Lantern Night. It is the one experience that I regret not being able to have. It wasn't even something I thought of until my son enrolled at Pitt, but I remember encouraging him to be an advocate for the tradition. To support his female classmates as they followed in the footsteps of so many Panther women. To this day, almost thirty years later, this is my one singular regret about my time at Pitt. My Pitt years were special nonetheless. My dad was on faculty and during my senior year, we would meet at the Burger King on Forbes for dinner before class. We'd eat, we'd talk, and then we'd go to our respective classes. Me to learn, him to teach. Yeah, I deserved more than fast food, but it fit the time we had. It became our thing. I'd go to class with a smile every single week. I was an English Writing major. I got to study with the great Christopher Rawson, and the famed Chuck Kinder and Buddy Nordan, and even managed to take a class with Reginald McKnight. My classmates took me out to dinner on the night of my twenty-first birthday so I could have my first legal beer. We made up half the enrolled students, and we walked in late to class that night. Mike Taube wasn't amused, but we were. And I was one of the campus' heavy metal queens, running the heavy metal department at WPTS-FM. The adventures I had there absolutely defined my Pitt experience. So I didn't get a Lantern Night, and to this day, I regret that. But I also didn't let it stop me. Find your own spark on this campus, chase it, hold it, let it go and chase the next. As I said to my son when I left him on the third floor of Holland Hall, all those years after I'd last lived on that same hallway, and as I said to my daughter when I dropped her off at a different university just this week, so I say to you: Own this place. Hail to Pitt.
Elizabeth Hassett (A&S ’20)
I was immediately drawn to Lantern Night when I learned of its long history, and that my mom (also a Pitt grad) and I could celebrate this tradition together. However, just like this year, Lantern Night looked a bit different 4 years ago, when it was completely rained out for one of the only times in its 100-year history. Instead of letting the rain get to us, we ran through it together, moved the entire event into the Cathedral, and made it happen - just like all of you are doing this year. And that is exactly what I love about Pitt: we come together as a community to make things happen, despite the circumstances. Hail to Pitt!
Kaitlin Healy (A&S ’21)
I attended my Lantern Night ceremony with my Freshman roommate who I had met just days prior. We came from totally different states, had different majors, and came from different cultural backgrounds. We’re still roommates today and she’ll be stuck with me for many years to come!
Sara (Winter) Troutman (A&S ’16)
I remember feeling cocooned in the warmth of new friendships against the backdrop of such an old tradition. I remember how the delicate flickering light of our candles starkly contrasted with the sturdiness of the Cathedral. Most importantly, I remember feeling very vulnerable. I was away from my family for the first time. I was a woman in science, a Latina, and a first-generation college student. Yet despite all the things that made me vulnerable, I remember feeling totally protected by the community of women who had come before me. I felt like I belonged at Pitt. That sense of belonging is what gave me courage, and still gives me courage, to keep pushing for my dreams. My lantern sat on my desk all throughout my time at Pitt, reminding me of the strength of Pitt Women. I brought it with me as I transitioned to graduate school and it still sits in my office today. This year, I will become a doctor. Whatever dreams come next for me, no matter how difficult, my lantern, and the strength of Pitt women which my lantern represents, will stay with me.
Roslyn Munsch (A&S ’80)
Just hearing the words, Lantern Night, fills me with so much pride and emotion.
I didn’t have a clue as to what was about to happen when I crowded into Heinz Chapel with the other girls from floor 17 of Tower A on September 12, 1976. Listening to the various speakers was encouraging but receiving the ‘Light of Learning’ from a Pitt alumna made me feel like I was a truly a part of the University of Pittsburgh. Every year, I reflect on how special it was to have my mom and her best friend - two women who could not attend college - watch the ceremony from the Heinz Chapel balcony.
Since 1976, I have volunteered for Lantern Night in many capacities, as both the chairperson and featured speaker. My favorite role, however, was serving as a flame bearer for my daughters. In August 2010, I passed the “Light of Learning” to my oldest daughter, Maria. Six years later, in August 2016, I was a flame bearer again, lighting the lantern of my youngest daughter, Regina.
Standing in the Cathedral of Learning with our three lanterns lit, we symbolized the true meaning of Lantern Night: Pitt women supporting and cheering for one another. This is what makes Lantern Night my favorite Pitt tradition – and it is why I Hail to Pitt!
Angela Huberty (EDUC ’87)
On Lantern Night, I remember being a bit overwhelmed and surprisingly teary. I was the first in my family to go to college. All my high school friends just assumed college was their next step because their parents went to college and so did their aunts, uncles, and older sisters and brothers. I didn't really feel the weight and responsibility of being the first until I sat alone, with my little lantern in that beautiful, quiet space in the middle of a new city hundreds of miles away from home. The possibilities seemed endless and it all seemed so important.
Lisa Cramer (SHRS ’97)
I hold dearly the lantern night ceremony in 1993! The magic of the Cathedral and Pitt is real. I can still see the night in my head even now! My thoughts and prayers are with all of you freshmen as you embark in this unknown territory during this terrible pandemic. I am so proud of all of you for attending Pitt in person and not letting it stop you! Best of luck during the years to come!!!
Janine Petit Greenwood (A&S ’71)
I started at Pitt in 1968, a year as memorable for protests as 2020. There were many other gatherings on the Cathedral lawn that year but Lantern Night was a special introduction to the Pitt community. And I still have my lantern!
Angela Arlia (CGS ’90)
As a Freshman in 1986, I remember getting an invitation to attend "Lantern Night" and so my new Holland Hall friends and I decided to go together to enjoy the evening event. We all got dressed up and walked over to the Cathedral of Learning where the ceremony was being held. My friends did not know how appreciative I was to start college, let alone the significance of my Lantern Night. This was a new beginning for my family because my parents never went to college and I knew how hard they worked to save their money through the years so that I could further my education after high school. For me, Lantern Night embarked how I could further my knowledge and grow as an adult. Fast forward to 2018, I was blessed to be a flame bearer and light my candle with my oldest daughter's candle as she started her college education at Pitt. Now she is starting Pitt's Pharmacy School too. Let the "Light of Learning" continue for her and all the students, especially for this year. May the students be proud of their scholastic achievements and remain resilient during these unprecedented times. H2P!
Erin Rodgers (A&S ’93)
The Chapel is very special to me. I was sad to miss my own Lantern Night in 1989, but I served as a Lantern Night Flame Bearer last year for my daughter, Caroline, who is in the Class of 2023. I tried really hard to keep the mom crying to a minimum, but it was tough. It is exciting and wonderful and terrifying all at the same time to see your kid grow up and start this adventure. Parents are feeling a lot of the things that you are feeling this week. Text your parents, they love to hear from you! I was also lucky to be a Heinz Chapel bride. My husband Chad (Pitt Law ’97) and I celebrated our 20th anniversary by getting a paver in the Heinz Chapel garden. Go check out the pavers on a social distancing walk, those names belong to real people and now you kind of know some of us!
Halee Porter (EDUC ’20)
My Lantern Night was one of the most memorable experiences of my whole college career. I remember showing up to the Cathedral early with some new friends and just being amazed by the beauty of the lanterns. It started storming and the ceremony had to quickly be moved as we could no longer walk to Heinz Chapel. We had such a wonderful evening in the Cathedral and it truly made me feel like I had a home on campus. I was surrounded by a group of people who wanted to see me thrive and succeed. Running home with our lanterns in the rain cemented some of my early college friendships. This night was the beginning of Pitt sparking the “light of learning” for me.
Amy Wetmore (A&S ’96)
In my first days at Pitt, I was overwhelmed by the size and scope of the city of Pittsburgh, having come from a small town outside Erie, PA. After about a month of school, I called home in tears- ready to give up and go back. My mom's words have stayed with me for always. “Give it the year. If at the end of this year, you are still unhappy, you come home.” I gave it the year, and I still live outside of Pittsburgh and commute to campus every day! Pitt has been an integral part of who I became as an adult and I am so thankful for that first year. I made amazing friends, learned things I will never forget – both in the classroom and out – and I found myself. H2P.
Carly Cardello (UPG ’17)
When I first started as a Freshman at Pitt, some of my first memories include the welcoming upperclassmen, staff, and faculty that made Pitt feel like a home. But I also remember making some of my life-long friends that I got to share and experience all of college with and beyond, including an upcoming wedding that I am a bridesmaid in. Through these years in college at Pitt, I have been inspired by everyone around me to follow my dreams and they have encouraged me to do so. The people around me encouraged me to get involved in the Student Activities Board, Student Government, and even a Peer Leader! Now that I am following my dreams as a Cancer Researcher at Pitt, I still feel that warm, welcoming feeling that I discovered my first weeks on campus.
Kelsey Hake (PHARM ’19)
When I was a freshman at Pitt in 2013, I was thrilled to have my mother present my lantern to me. She is a graduate from the Pitt School of Nursing Class of '89 and participated in Lantern Light when she was a freshman, too! It was amazing to have that connection with her and see things come full circle.
Monica Monroe (ENGR ’11)
My roommate was the one who convinced me to go Lantern Night. The night was a wonderful moment of unity between Pitt students past and present. I keep my lantern on my mantle of my home as a wonderful reminder of my Pitt experience.
Maggie McMahon (A&S ’17)
What made my Lantern Night ceremony so special was sharing it with my mom! Both of my parents are Pitt graduates, but getting to share the beginning of this new chapter with my mom was so important to both of us. Hail to Pitt!
Suzanne Mannino (A&S ’83)
My memories are so vivid as a student at Pitt! I am an alum of the Pitt Marching Band and met so many great friends! As a commuter student the band truly made me feel connected to Pitt! I traveled with the band to several away games and went to several football bowl games...to name a few the Sugar and Cotton Bowls! I had such a positive Pitt experience and my education experience is one I truly value. After graduating I worked in the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid for 18 years recruiting students to Pitt which I loved! It gave me another opportunity to share with high school students how great Pitt really is. I now work in the School of Pharmacy and truly enjoy working with Pitt students and still sparking the light of learning. I participated in the 2019 Lantern Night with my daughter and look forward again participating this year with my second daughter who is a freshman! H2P!!
Jessica Van Natten (A&S ’13)
One of the most nerve-racking experiences of your first year has got to be meeting your roommate - and I'll never forget meeting mine. I was walking up to Towers with my mom and my roommate and I recognized each other right on Forbes. Our parents were so confused, they couldn't believe it! Thanks to Facebook we were already aware of what the other looked like. To this, she is one of my closest friends and I feel incredibly lucky to have met her. She changed my life. We participated in Lantern Night together and I still have the lantern. The tradition of the Lantern Night is a wonderful memory that reminds me of the friendship I share with my roommate and the start of my adventure at Pitt.
Tania Iwanowski (EDUC ’60)
I remember Lantern Night very well. It was wonderful, especially when it was held in the Commons Room, it was a wonderful introduction to university life, and I hope the new students will benefit from it. I still have my lantern.
Patricia Serotkin (A&S ’72)
My first fall at Pitt in 1968 was a long time ago, but one of my favorite memories is of Lantern Night. Although I don't recall all of the details of the ceremony, I do remember the awesome sight of the procession of lights throughout the great room of the Cathedral of Learning. I was equally awed by being able to participate in this tradition. It made me feel connected to hundreds of other women students who had come before me. I kept my lantern for many years afterward.
Virginia Cook (A&S ’72)
I still have my lantern and my book about the Nationality classrooms, with the program from Lantern Night. My advice? Look around the campus. The people you are meeting will be going places. Work hard; keep up with them; keep them in your friendship. 51 years from now you will realize how blessed you have been to have known them and to have competed with them.
Marilyn Burke (EDUC ’67)
Lantern Night was always very special to me. I still have my lantern displayed on a bookshelf in my family room. My lantern of 1963 had my name imprinted on it. We wore white or pastel-colored dresses for our ceremony. As a past president of the Pitt Alumnae Council, the organization that co-sponsors Lantern Night and that gives the lanterns, I have enjoyed passing on the Light of Learning to incoming freshman women. The most special year, in addition to my own, was in 1995 when I was a flame bearer who lit the candle for my daughter, Lindsay Burke Deegan. A photo of us was in the edition of Pitt Magazine that year.
Jane Love (EDUC ’56)
I have my lantern in my study to this day – and each time I look at it I remember the lovely time in the Commons Room when I received it and the splendid years that I spent at Pitt. You are at the start of a wonderful journey – enjoy every minute.
Rebecca Wytiaz (PHARM ’18)
My absolute favorite memory from my six years at Pitt is receiving my lantern from my mother during my own Lantern Night. My mom graduated from the School of Pharmacy in 1979, and she has instilled a strong sense of Pitt pride in me and my siblings from a young age. As my family members had attended Pitt, I knew I wanted to follow in their footsteps, so I was elated to be starting at Pitt. What was even more special is that I was planning on attending pharmacy school like my mom! My lantern night was extremely special, as I was able to receive the Light of Learning from my very own Pitt alumna mother, who paved such an excellent path for me both professionally and personally. This set the school year (and the next 6 years!) off to a great start, as I knew that my mom and all the strong, intelligent, passionate, and caring women before me had sparked this Light of Learning in me. I still hold this tradition very near and dear to my heart, and I proudly have displayed my lantern in every apartment and house I have lived in since 2012. I hope to someday once again follow in my mom's footsteps and share this special, meaningful, Pitt proud memory with my own daughter!
Diane Persin (A&S ’70)
I will never forget processing into the dimly-lit Cathedral of Learning on Lantern Night, 1967. Earlier that day, all the freshman women had a formal meeting with Dean Savina Skewis on the Cathedral lawn. I had fun picking out my pink suit and white gloves for this formal introduction to our Dean of Women. That evening, while holding my lantern and walking into the Cathedral, I wondered about the road ahead with a lot of excitement mixed with a little bit of anxiety. It was a solemn ceremony made to instill a seriousness of intent. Little did I know that only one year later, my pink suit would be replaced by bell-bottomed jeans and a colorful headband! Flower Power had taken over my generation and things were radically different in all ways. In spite of the ensuing turmoil, I kept my lantern in my dorm room and still have it today. Thank you for this wonderful tradition. Good luck new students
Maria Palombo (SHRS ’20)
It’s such a great opportunity to make friends and bond with all the other nervous freshman girls! It was so funny to get dressed up and get photos (especially fun to look back on now that I’m an alumna). I really felt like I was a part of something larger than myself after Lantern Night!
Karen Kadilak (A&S ’79)
My father hung the lantern over the bar in our basement. It's still there, years after my father died, reflecting the light from a window. I think of him and Pitt when I see it. It will go with me when the house is sold.
Kara Wilson (A&S ’88)
Everything was very new and exciting. I remember just being so happy to be at Pitt and being in awe of the Cathedral of Learning. If at any time I felt homesick, I would look at the beauty of campus and the Cathedral and be reminded of why I was there. Still feel that way every time I come to campus!! Hail to Pitt!!
Phyllis Sigal (A&S ’80)
One of the highlights of my life was passing the lantern to my daughter as she started her freshman year at Pitt. I graduated in 1980, and she graduated in 2008.
Karin Stragand (A&S ’87)
My first days at Pitt were filled with nerves and excitement. I have such fond memories of my time on campus. I met some of my closest friends and my husband at Pitt. I was a commuter my first two years at Pitt and, regrettably, I was not able to attend my Lantern Night ceremony - so it meant so much to be a part of the 2017 ceremony as a flame bearer when my daughter was a freshman. Knowing she is at a University that will provide her with an amazing education and the added benefit of reliving the excitement on campus every year with her is a gift.
Carrie Rodzwicz (A&S ’05)
My sister attended Pitt before I did. She highly recommended attending Lantern Night. It was truly a magical evening, before classes began, welcoming women to the University to light our lanterns. We celebrated women Panthers who came before us and women Panthers still to come. We celebrated the strides our society has made toward gender equality and equity, walked the Cathedral grounds at sundown and absorbed the sights and sounds of Heinz Chapel. I walked back to Towers with my candle still burning. I didn't want to extinguish it, ever. Nineteen years later, I still have my lantern on display to remind me always to continue learning and continue supporting both the University and all women, Panthers and otherwise. Go light your Light of Learning!
Lindsey Zwerko (NURS ’11)
My best friend from high school, Akua, and I attended Pitt and Lantern Night together. To this day, we are still best friends, and we frequently talk about our days at Pitt. We had the best memories in Oakland. Lantern Night was the start of our college journey, and it was such a beautiful ceremony. It made us so excited for the upcoming 4 years. The energy was palpable in the room. Take it all in freshmen!
Leigh McLinden (CBA ’20)
I was oddly homesick my first days of moving into Pitt, despite being from a suburb 30 minutes from Oakland. My mom was a Pitt alumna and was able to come to Lantern Night to stand by my side. It ended up raining and we were forced to move into the Cathedral, but my mom helped ease my homesickness by introducing me to any student she could find. She also led by example, participating fully in the ceremony and singing quite passionately (which gave me a laugh). I remember leaving that night with a new perspective on the journey I was about to begin. I felt connected to all the other students there who were in the same position as me, starting a new chapter. I was also in awe of all the alumni present, who – like my mother – excited (inspired) me to anticipate all that my life could become. I just moved to Philadelphia to attend law school and my lantern sits on one of the shelves on my TV stand here. I look at this lantern and am reminded how my uneasiness in those first days as a Pitt student transformed into gratitude for the wonderful memories that I made throughout the next four years at Pitt.
Meghan Claar (A&S ’19)
I attended the 95th Annual Lantern Night. I registered for the event at the last minute without knowing anyone else. When I arrived at the Cathedral, a girl that lived on my floor asked to tag along with my roommate and me. She became my best friend! Had I not registered for Lantern Night, we might not have ever met. I’m so grateful for Pitt and this event for introducing me to a lifelong friend!
Ellie Cadden (A&S ’20)
It rained sooo much during Orientation Week, and on Lantern Night! The ceremony was moved indoors, and it was one of the first special memories I made with the girls on my floor. Packing into the Cathedral of Learning while it poured outside definitely made us closer and prepared us for the Pittsburgh rain! I remember my friend's mother being the alumna who lit my lantern. It was a special evening and empowered me throughout my 4 years at Pitt. I still keep my lantern on my bookshelf as a reminder to be a light to those around me.
Phyllis Timbario (EDUC ‘75)
As a freshman matriculating in the fall of 1971 I can remember thinking how big PITT was! I had been to summer orientation but that was not quite the same as how the campus was filled with people when the fall classes began. I had read about "Lantern Night" and a friend and I decided to go. It was one of the most wonderful experiences I had while at PITT. To be part of this great tradition it almost felt "sacred." I had many happy times at the University and still go back for homecoming. I also am proud to say that after all these years I still have my lantern. H2P 💙💛
Corey Hemphill (A&S ‘20)
Our Lantern Night Ceremony was a unique one as it did not take place in Heinz Chapel, but rather in the Cathedral. It was raining so much that night that they did not want to make us all walk from the Cathedral to the Chapel and get wet for the ceremony! It was still a great night and I met some of my closest friends to this day at the ceremony.
Debbie Whitfield (CGS ‘06)
I came to Pitt later in life. After starting to work at Pitt I knew my time had come to finish what I had started. Like many of you I started school right out of high school. And then life got in the way. For me, my education was always a piece of unfinished business. I got a first-rate education from a wonderful university. I also found that I was part of something so much bigger. I found I was part of the Pitt family. So many people open their hearts to you here. From the chancellor to the cleaning staff you will have the support you need to be successful. To the first-year students, I want to say welcome to the family! I wish you all great success on your academic journey. Hail to Pitt!
Brandi Leverknight (NURS ’20)
Pitt was my dream school. Being there for orientation week, which ended with Lantern Night, seemed too good to be true. It was such a special experience to have the symbolic light of learning passed on to me from previous generations of Pitt alumnae, knowing that someday I would be an alumna myself. Pitt provided me with countless opportunities and challenges that allowed me to grow and learn each and every day, especially in my first year. My experiences at Pitt only added to my inherent love of learning. I've completed two Pitt degrees so far and I intend to return for a third!
(Mary) Elaine Devlin (CBA ’08)
As a Pitt alumna, it was a great honor to be a flame bearer and pass the light onto of my daughter, Hannah Devlin, Anthropology '16 and the more than 400 incoming freshman women who attended the 92nd annual Lantern Night Ceremony.
As I reflect back on the evening, I realize that I was among many women who would go on to fulfill many achievements. These memories and the meaning of the evening still bring tears to my eyes and warmth to my heart.
I was proud to be part of this annual tradition and honored to shine the light on women's education. This was a significant bond between my daughter and me and it became a memory that I will forever hold in my heart. Thank you, Pitt, for carrying on this tradition.
Joyce Carson (CGS ’70)
I was so amazed at my Lantern Night! I had gone to a very small, all-female, high school and now I was at this huge university with men and women, from all over the world, with a campus that covered so much area! Then I was invited to partake in a ceremony for just us women. And we were all together, in the Commons Room, having our lanterns lit. I was so happy and felt so welcomed. I still have my lantern.
Messages from the Pitt Alumni Association
Messages from Pitt Leadership
Alumni Messages to Students
Jean Patterson (A&S ’76)
Your unusual circumstances will not rob you of your education or plans but will make you uniquely adaptable, a trait that will serve you well as you meet the challenges of life.
Jennifer Harris Tepe (A&S ’92)
This ceremony is symbolic and represents how we can lift one another to be empowered to accomplish amazing goals in our community. As you journey through your academics, social and family life, the next couple of years, look to our Woman leaders in our Pitt community. Reach out and take time to connect and learn from so many powerful women at Pitt. Welcome and H2P.
Kirsten Beck (CBA ’20)
I’m sure it’s a weird feeling for the Class of 2024 women at Pitt to be starting college in such uncertain times. While I didn’t start college in a pandemic, I did end it during one and can fully say, you guys have it the hardest. You may not have gotten your senior prom or your high school graduation or a list of other things that our society took as a given and maybe even for granted, and for that I am truly sorry. But I want you to know, you made the right choice. This university was so incredibly good to me and so hard to say goodbye to. I have faith in that every staff member wants to give you the most of your experience and they will do their best in doing so. My parting advice: you get out of college (and in life) what you’re willing to put in. Show up for classes, for your family, for your clubs/sports/organizations, and for your friends. Everything changes when you look at the world not from an “I have to” mentality but from an “I get to” mentality. You get to spend approximately four years learning, living, and growing at this university, and trust me it goes by so fast.
Tricia Underwood (A&S ’97)
When I started attending Pitt in Oakland, it was a big change from the rural setting where I grew up. It was a little scary driving into the "big city" every day – all the traffic, buses, tons of people... I parked down in Panther Hollow every day and trekked up Joncaire Street with 30 pounds of books on my back. The first few weeks I couldn't make it all the way up without stopping for a break! Each week, I got a little stronger and walked a little faster and further! At one point I started taking the steps up the hill to what was called Forbes Quad. The steps were a killer but again, over time, my legs grew stronger and it was easier to climb! Being at college isn't just about the academic success, it's about all of the little successes along the way (maybe for you it's being away from home for the first time, maybe it’s learning to quickly parallel park on 5th Avenue with a bus speeding towards you, maybe it’s navigating traffic as you sprint across campus to your next class, or maybe it's making a new friend in the dorms... ) Pitt was responsible for making me a stronger person – physically and mentally! I know it will do the same for you!
Donna DeMarino Sanft (EDUC ’74)
Pitt as community is reaching out to you on Lantern Night, and every day, Pitt opens its doors to you and invites you to not only be a student at Pitt, but an active member of the Pitt community. Reach back! Get involved! Stay connected! Who knows where your life will take you? Who knows all the places you will live, all the adventures you will have? Wonderful opportunities are ahead for each one of you. Remember that home is where the heart is, and I hope wherever your life’s journey takes you, you will always consider Pitt one of the places you call home. Hail to Pitt!
Rebecca Wain (LAW ’85)
Pitt was my home for many years. I received both an undergraduate and graduate degree here. While you won't be in the "hallowed halls" of the Cathedral of Learning or Heinz Chapel, you are there in spirit. It is an honor and a privilege to pass the light of knowledge to you as you begin your academic journey at Pitt. With perseverance and hard work, you will achieve your goals. Always know that the women who have come before you are there in spirit to inspire you. Don't let the incidences that are surrounding you now make this moment feel any less special.
Linda Carroll (A&S ’66)
My heart goes out to those of you who are engaging in your university journey at this strange and difficult time. I encourage you to maintain a sense of community in any way you can. The faculty are here to help you, guide you, and inspire you. Reach out to them. We alumnae are here for you. I wish you health and safety, flexibility and courage. May the flame of your lantern, always in your heart, illuminate your path!
Mara Sullivan (A&S ’92)
Welcome class of 2024 to Pitt! You’re taking your first steps of an amazing journey of exploration. Learning about yourself, your interests, and all the things that you can do will be the greatest of adventures. Remember that it is okay if you are not yet sure what you want to do or change your mind along the way. Also, remember that there is more to your college experience than just classes. There are many opportunities to get involved at Pitt. Wishing you good luck on your journey and many happy memories during your time here. Go Panthers! Hail to Pitt!
Irene Epstein Bolts (LAW ’77)
My wish for you is that you will take the Light of Learning into your heart from every window in which it appears and keep it with you throughout your life.
Harriet Gross (EDUC ’54)
I'm sure you will each get a lantern, although not in the solemn but joyous way in which they're usually received. But please, imagine yourself holding that lantern, standing still as it receives its flame, and remember the words that belong to it: "How far that little candle throws its beam!" May that lantern flame of your very own light your way to your years of education, participation and inspiration at the University of Pittsburgh!
Gayle E. Davis (SOC WK ’77)
Although the traditional Lantern Night ceremony will not be the same, it will be as illuminating as you can imagine. Standing alongside classmates holding lanterns under a starry skyline represents the strength of your conviction to inhale the majesty of the heavens alongside the endless possibility of your potential to soar. No tradition can outperform your ability to bring love, light and hope to this universe through the mastering of your skillsets in your chosen field with components of compassion, kindness and integrity in your personality. May God Bless You!
Sara (Winter) Troutman (A&S ’16)
The world is uncertain, chaotic, and quite frankly, dangerous right now. With everything going on, your Pitt experience is poised to be unlike any other. And while that is undoubtedly scary, I am here to tell you to lean into the fear because you are not alone. The scary is where you grow; the community is what gives you strength. That is what lantern night is all about. We will care for your light because someone helped care for ours.
Diane Neiser (A&S ’79)
Welcome to Pitt! Your days ahead, regardless of the obstacles, will be some of the best days of your life. Take every opportunity to participate in what is available to you and develop your talents and dreams for what lies ahead. Best wishes! Hail to Pitt!
Colleen McLaughlin (A&S ’99)
The friendships and learning gained at Pitt are lifelong. May the Class of 2024 and all the classes before and to come share in this light! Have fun, study hard, and grow in each amazing experience you’ll have. #H2P
Melissa Baran (A&S ’00)
Welcome to a unique group of determined and intelligent women! Hail to Pitt!
Erin Walsh (A&S ‘96)
Welcome to the Pitt community! I know you will create many wonderful memories during your time at Pitt. H2P!
Morgan Parrett (CBA ’18)
You are strong. You are wise. You can move mountains! Hail to Pitt!
Jessica Fanning (A&S ’14)
You are starting the next phase of your life in strange and unprecedented times. The beginning of this path is always hard, but you have extra adversity to overcome. Do not get discouraged! You are intelligent, you are strong, you are brave. You can do this. Stay focused, keep obtainable goals, take care of your whole self. Handle it one day at a time. You will succeed. We are all here cheering you on.
Pamela Wolfe (CGS ’20)
Enjoy the journey, take time to have fun, enjoy the city where you will be living for the next few years. Be open to making friends with some of the professors after your studies are completed – I did, and it is nice. Pitt is a wonderful university to attend and belong, good luck in your future.
Sheena Hancock (CGS ‘04)
Good luck on your journey, and may your light guide you throughout your life!
Kimberly Mellott (A&S ’19)
Welcome to Pitt!! I hope that you let your lights shine on this world that sometimes seems so dark.
Kaitlin Healy (A&S ‘21)
Being online doesn’t mean you’re in this alone. You have the support of thousands of Panthers around the world!
Angela Huberty (EDUC ’87)
I wish for you the ability to see all the possibilities and that you take advantage of the wonderful opportunities the University has to offer and reach beyond Oakland and learn all you can and then, share that spirit with the world! Go be Great!
Lisa Cramer (SHRS ’97)
My daughter Haley has arrived, and I was very much looking forward as an alumnus in being a part of this tradition. I truly hope once things return to normalcy, this freshman class will get to have some special different memories they can be present at physically at some point during their Pitt journey. I wish all of these beautiful intelligent young ladies the best in their journey at Pitt! I hold it forever in my heart and it has been one of the biggest accomplishments in my life! Hail to Pitt forever!
Janine Petit Greenwod (A&S ‘71)
Stay safe, stay well and look forward to all the great years you have before you.
Debra Thompson, Ph.D (NURS ’77, ’81, ’10)
Welcome to Pitt! Your circumstances are unique, yet you will thrive. Enjoy every moment, get involved, commit to learning something new every day while passing on the joy and light of learning.
Halee Porter (EDUC ‘20)
Welcome, Panthers! You are joining our family during incredibly unusual and trying times. While I wish I could be there to light your lanterns in person, I hope this night of virtual celebration helps you to see how important you are to our Pitt community and how much support you have in the alumni. I hope that your experiences mirror mine in the fact that my light and love for learning only continued to shine brighter throughout my time at Pitt. Sending you all the love and support in the world!!
Angela Arlia (CGS ’90)
Welcome to the University of Pittsburgh! Continue to be flexible and resilient on your academic journey. Wishing you good times ahead! H2P! Pitt is a wonderful university to attend and belong, good luck in your future.
Erin Rodgers (A&S ’93)
Welcome Class of 2024. I am so excited for each of you as you begin this journey. I came to Pitt in 1989 and despite getting so many mosquito bites at orientation that I had my first trip to Student Health before classes started, it was a great year! I remember my first days there wondering how I would fit in and what the future had in store. Some of you may be having those same feelings. Find the people and activities that bring you joy. There is so much to choose from and so many ways to have a wonderful student experience. Your path will be different from someone else’s path, but equally wonderful. Treasure it all, the good parts and the not so good parts. You will celebrate the former and learn from the later.
(Mary) Elaine Devlin (CBA ’08)
Pitt Women class of 2024, I know we are living in unique times due to the pandemic, the focus on equality, and volatile economic times. However, this long and honorable Pitt tradition symbolizes that you will carry the light to accomplish whatever you set your sights on. You symbolize the journey that women have taken throughout the centuries and in history to accomplish many great achievements. While we may not be able to come together as was done in the past, know that the many women Pitt alumnae are thinking of you and wishing you continued success in not just your educational goals but in your life goals. H2P!!
Joyce Carson (CGS ’70)
Welcome to Pitt!! This is the start of a wonderful journey. Pitt is an amazing place and I hope you embrace everything that comes your way. I, myself, was a member of Quo Vadis and gave tours of the Nationality Rooms. But there is so much more at the school, besides the learning. I hope this is just the beginning of a lifetime of learning and living. Hail To Pitt!
Brandi Leverknight (NURS ’20)
I am sure that the current circumstances are not anything like you imagined they would be when you pictured embarking on your college education. However, the Pitt community is full of leaders who have your best interests in mind and are working to provide you with the best college experience and highest quality of education possible despite the challenges. I just completed my second Pitt degree, with the last semester and a half of it online. Sure, there were numerous adaptations that had to be made and challenges to overcome, but we did it! I have the utmost confidence that the Pitt leadership and faculty will do everything in their power to enable you to succeed. There is also a vast network of alumni here to cheer you on and support you in any way we can! You will receive a world-class education no matter the circumstances. Stay safe and Hail to Pitt!
Amy Wetmore (A&S ’96)
As you begin your journey at the University of Pittsburgh, remember to keep an open mind and an open heart. Celebrate the diversity and culture around you, get involved and leave things a little better than you found them. And, as your beginning looks so different than most, remember it is a temporary inconvenience for a permanent improvement! Stay strong and grow!
Carly Cardello (UPG ’17)
Starting college is one of the most exciting, terrifying, and thrilling things you will experience, but it's worth every second of it! Everyone is in the same boat as you, so that really helps to have people to lean on while you're struggling but those same people will also become your cheerleaders through your glorious moments. College is also a time when you really get to figure out who you are, what your interests are, and have fun doing it. So, to the incoming freshmen, enjoy every second you can, learn as much as you can, and remember to expect the unexpected!
Maggie McMahon (A&S ’17)
Your four years at Pitt goes by in the blink of an eye, make the most of it!
Monica Monroe (ENGR ’11)
Embrace all the opportunities that your time at Pitt has to offer. Instead of asking “why” endeavor to respond, “why not?”
Suzanne Mannino (A&S ’83)
Welcome first year students! Even though we are not celebrating the 100th Annual Lantern Night in person, it will still be special and something you will always remember. This year has been challenging and you all are on a new Panther Path and will have new wonderful memories! Wishing all the wonderful Pitt women the best of luck! Hail to Pitt!
Tania Iwanowski (EDUC ’60)
I hope you have fulfilling years at Pitt; it is a wonderful university and I consider it one of my best experiences. I know that you will have beautiful time at Pitt, study hard but also enjoy all the other events offered by the University. Here’s to your success!
Maria Palombo (SHRS ’20)
This will be a crazy year, and I feel for all of you missing out on the normal freshman traditions. Keep a positive outlook and remember you have four whole years to make friends and make up for lost time! Don’t compare yourself to other people and don’t think you have to make your best friends the first day. You will love it!
Patricia Serotkin (A&S ’72)
Although you will not be able to participate in Lantern Night and some other traditions as you begin your studies at Pitt, your first year will nevertheless be a year like no other. This is not only because of the restrictions imposed by the pandemic, but also because you will be embarking upon a journey of self-discovery and knowledge. I wish you all the best as you begin this adventure of a lifetime!
Virginia Cook (A&S ’72)
You may have arrived not knowing what you want to study and fall madly in love with something you never even thought you might want to study. Don't be afraid to search the new vistas that will open to you – follow them and enjoy the happiness, and professional fulfillment, to which they will lead you – not to mention wonderful friendships along the way.
Diane Persin (A&S ’70)
My late father always told me that the pendulum of life swings out to both sides and eventually settles in the middle, change is inevitable...situations are fluid..and times never stay the same.
Our world is very different than it was only six months ago. It is important during these times, that we keep a focus of what really matters, shore up our values and embark on a journey that allows us to discover who we really are. We owe that to our family, ourselves, our country and our God. Good luck to all.
Mary Bartlett Espinosa (NURS ’69)
I wish for you new horizons of following your curiosity. Don’t let COVID-19 shrivel your reaching out for what intrigues you.
Marilyn Burke (EDUC ’67)
Welcome to Pitt! Make the University your own! Study hard, but also have fun. Participate. Explore. Take in all that Pitt has to offer you. I pass on to you the Light of Learning and Pitt's inner light of truth. Hail to Pitt!
Nadine Rosenbaum Tolvin (EDUC ’70)
Enjoy whatever your situation is because you will spend the rest of your life reliving it. Share your experiences during these times, write them down and read them to your grandchildren. You are making history, although you would rather not. We will all get through this and, hopefully, come out better for it. Find what you love to learn and just do it!
Ellen Sandidge (SOC WRK ’79)
Welcome to the University of Pittsburgh. I hope that you will have a wonderful experience at Pitt. Hail to Pitt!
Phyllis Sigal (A&S ’80)
Best of luck in the coming years at Pitt!
Charmaine Sample (SCI ’84)
Welcome incoming freshmen to the University of Pittsburgh! Your time at Pitt will likely pass quickly. You will build many memories and learn so many lessons that will serve you well in your future. As you take this first step, know that you are not alone and all of us are excited for you as you begin your journey.
Karin Stragand (A&S ’87)
You are all experiencing a very different end of your high school years and start to your college experience than any of us alumnae can relate to. I would encourage you to take advantage of all the wonderful opportunities available to you at the University and to make your next few years at Pitt as memorable as possible because they go fast! This too shall pass, and you will be stronger as a result. Please stay safe and healthy and do your part to protect yourself and others. H2P!
Leigh McLinden (CBA ’20)
This start to your journey at Pitt may not be the one you expected, but I urge you to remember the words Bob Moawad once said: “Expectation is everything. Every day can be your day, if you expect it to be.”
Kara Wilson (A&S ’88)
Welcome to the Pitt Family - so glad you are here! I am lucky to be an alumna and a Proud Pitt Mom, twice. One of my kids is starting their freshman year as part of the Class of 2024. This too shall pass and each of you will play a part in the process simply by being here and starting your journey. Stay strong and be well. H2P!
Jessica Van Natten (A&S ’13)
Welcome to Pitt!! One of the best parts of Pitt is all the opportunities it creates for its students. Access to concerts and museums (Pitt Arts) and a diverse collection of students and educators! Take advantage of everything! Meet people, study hard and push your boundaries. Enjoy all that you can, even if it is virtual! You never know who you are going to meet or what will spark joy for you. I'm very happy to see that the Lantern Night Tradition lives on. H2P!
Ellie Cadden (A&S ’20)
You are not joining the Pitt community alone. You're now a part of a huge community of people who are rooting for you every step of the way! By enduring these circumstances, you will be stronger than ever. Find community wherever you can, and cherish your friendships, classmates, teachers, and helpers. Welcome to Pitt! H2P
Lindsey Zwerko (NURS ’11)
First year students, get ready for a wonderful ride! Once COVID subsides, take in all Oakland, Shadyside, Squirrel Hill, the Waterfront, and South Side have to offer. Get out an explore! Take advantage of the campus activities too even if you’re scared to put yourself out there. Until then, make friends with your classmates and roommates and make memories with each other! H2P!
Rebecca Wytiaz (PHARM ’18)
Welcome to the finest university of all time - we are so happy and lucky to have you. While your Lantern Night will look a bit different from those in years past, this one is special. You are entering Pitt as the 100th class to celebrate this long-standing, powerful, meaningful tradition - what an honor! You are now amongst countless strong, successful, passionate, and loving Pitt alumnae who have paved an excellent path for your future. We are excited to have you join our community, and we cannot wait to see what you accomplish during your time as a Panther and beyond. Spark that Light of Learning in your hearts, and please share the light with all those around you, no matter where your path takes you.
Corey Hemphill (A&S ‘20)
As you go through your education just remember what Beyoncé taught you: girls run the world.
Phyllis Wytiaz (PHARM ‘79)
Hail to Pitt! You have made a wise decision in choosing Pitt to further your academic career. Take advantage of the opportunities presented by both the university and the amazing city that is now your home!
Debbie Whitfield (CGS ‘06)
To the first-year students, I want to say welcome to the family! So many people open their hearts to you here. From the chancellor to the cleaning staff you will have the support you need to be successful. I wish you all great success on your academic journey. Hail to Pitt!