Commencement 2014: Chancellor Welcomes Pitt Families, Delivers Keynote Address

University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg will welcome graduating members of the Class of 2014, faculty, trustees, alumni, staff, and invited guests, families, and friends attending Pitt’s 2014 Commencement at 1 p.m. April 27 in the Petersen Events Center.

Chancellor Nordenberg, who also holds the title of Distinguished Service Professor of Law, will deliver the 2014 commencement address. He will step down as chancellor on Aug. 1 after 19 years of service in that role. During his tenure, more than 141,000 students have graduated from the University, and he has led the University through an extended period of exceptional progress. At the ceremony, Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor Patricia E. Beeson, Senior Vice Chancellor for the Health Sciences Arthur S. Levine, and Board of Trustees Chair Stephen R. Tritch will confer upon Nordenberg the degree of Doctor of Humane Letters Honoris Causa. 

Chief University Marshal Michael B. Spring will open the ceremony leading a procession of members of the graduating class, faculty, staff, the Council of Deans, trustees, and administrative officers in full academic regalia; Spring is an associate professor of information sciences and president of the University Senate at Pitt. The University Symphonic Band, under the direction of Bradley G. Townsend, will provide music for the ceremony.

After the commencement address and the awarding of diplomas—presented by Chancellor Nordenberg, Provost Beeson, and the deans of the schools and colleges—Louie Al-Hashimi will speak on behalf of the graduating class. Al-Hashimi, a graduating senior from the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, will receive the Bachelor of Arts degree in economics during the commencement ceremony. He is also one of Pitt’s two 2014 Omicron Delta Kappa Seniors of the Year, an honor given to students who possess and exhibit outstanding leadership qualities in service to the University. Following student remarks, Jane Allred (A&S ’71), president of the Pitt Alumni Association, will welcome the graduates as Pitt’s newest alumni.

In all, Pitt will confer approximately 6,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees this spring at its five campuses; Pitt-Bradford, Pitt-Greensburg, Pitt-Johnstown, and Pitt-Titusville will hold their own commencement ceremonies. Visit the commencement Web site at www.commencement.pitt.edu/index.html for more information.