Newsmakers

PITT TURKISH NATIONALITY ROOM JOINS THE FOLD

The University of Pittsburgh’s Turkish Nationality Room was officially dedicated on March 4.

The room, designed to represent the main room in a traditional Turkish house with seating along the walls, is the newest addition to Pitt’s 27 existing Nationality Rooms, all but two of which serve as functioning classrooms for Pitt students. Planning for the room began in 2001.

Omer Akin, the room’s architect of record and a professor in Carnegie Mellon’s School of Architecture, answers questions about the room’s design.

Namık Tan, the Turkish ambassador to the United States, cuts the room’s ribbon. To his left stands Turkish Room Chair Malik Tunador.

NEW BIOCONTAINMENT FACILITY

Langley Hall’s new biocontainment facility is designed to provide a safe enclosure for researchers studying dangerous viruses and bacteria. The facility also includes state-of-the-art security measures and the latest infrastructure systems to provide researchers with fresh air without endangering occupants outside of the containment area. Additionally, there is a well-controlled system for showering before exiting this facility, complete with appropriate double locks and interlocks to protect the enclosed environment and researchers’ safety. Seen just outside the facility are, from left, Paula Grabowski, professor and chair in the Department of Biological Sciences; Graham Hatfull, Eberly Family Professor of Biotechnology, HHMI Professor, Department of Biological Sciences; Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor Patricia E. Beeson; and, N. John Cooper, Bettye J. and Ralph E. Bailey Dean of the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences.

UPG BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Carol Mohamed, director of Pitt’s Office of Affirmative Action, Diversity, and Inclusion, delivered the keynote address for the closing event of the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg’s (UPG’s) celebration of Black History Month. The Feb. 28 address was presented in the UPG Mary Lou Campana Chapel and Lecture Center.

The Power to Define

Jack L. Daniel (left), Pitt Distinguished Service Professor of Communication and former vice provost for undergraduate studies and dean of students at Pitt, delivered a March 13 Pitt Provost’s Inaugural Lecture titled “The Power to Define: Who Is an African/Black American?” in Posvar Hall. The Provost’s Inaugural Lectures are given by recently appointed distinguished professors and named/endowed chairs. As is tradition, Pitt Provost and Senior Vice Chancellor Patricia E. Beeson (right) presented Daniel with a medallion especially struck for the occasion.