Pitt Inducts 16 New Members Into Its Brackenridge Circle

Brackenridge Circle dinner in Carnegie Museum of Art's Hall of Sculpture

The University of Pittsburgh welcomed 16 new members to the Brackenridge Circle—a giving society comprising individuals and couples whose planned gifts and pledges to the University total $1 million or more—during a Nov. 16 awards ceremony in the Hall of Sculpture at the Carnegie Museum of Art.

The new inductees joined the 2010 inaugural group of 112 living and deceased donors who qualified for inclusion in the Brackenridge Circle. With the addition of this year’s honorees, the combined planned gift commitments of the 75 living members of the Brackenridge Circle will total more than $99 million for the University.

Planned gifts are made by individuals who have included the University in their estate plans through bequests, by naming the University as a beneficiary in a life insurance policy, or by establishing charitable trusts and gift annuities.

Sam Zacharias (A&S ’64), a University trustee and chair of the board’s Institutional Advancement Committee, told the group, “Private support from people like you, at all levels, is changing lives and is certainly helping to continue Pitt’s legacy of excellence in education and research.”

The Brackenridge Circle was named for Pitt founder Hugh Henry Brackenridge, who secured Commonwealth financial support for the establishment of the Pittsburgh Academy, which became the University of Pittsburgh.

The new Brackenridge Circle inductees were honored individually during the evening and were each given a mantle clock symbolizing the perpetuity of their extraordinary contributions to Pitt.

Clyde B. Jones III, Pitt vice chancellor for health sciences development, and Albert J. Novak Jr., Pitt vice chancellor for institutional advancement, expressed their gratitude to the inductees for all that they have done for the University.

In his closing remarks, Novak said, “This recognition dinner is a way for us to express our thanks to you. Your generosity will ensure there will be financial support for our students and their everyday needs; research dollars to encourage breakthroughs in science and technology; and funding available to recruit and retain outstanding faculty.”

The following inductees were honored at the event.

• Paul R. Bridges (A&S ’58, ENGR ’59) and Ann T. Bridges

• James T. Cain (ENGR ’65, ’67G & ’70G), Pitt professor emeritus in the Swanson School of Engineering, and Jacquelyn S. Cain (SIS ‘75G)

• The late William S. Dietrich II (A&S  ’80G, ’84G)

• Deborah Jeanne Gillotti (A&S ’77) and Joseph P. Gillotti

• Richard S. Johnson

• Joseph C. Lang, Jr. (KGSB ’45, A&S ’49G, ’51G) and the late Martha P. Lang (KGSB ’45, SIS ’67G)

• The late Edgar L. Levenson (A&S ’43)

The following individuals who were unable to attend the event, as well as two anonymous donors, also were inducted into the Brackenridge Circle: Kevin Corcoran (SOC WK ’80G, ’80G) and Frank and Daphna Lederman.

For more information on planned giving at Pitt, or to make a gift, visit www.giveto.pitt.edu or call 1-800-817-8943.