Susan H. Silvestri, who attended the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford in the early 1970s and has been an active and loyal supporter of her alma mater, will receive the Presidential Medal of Distinction, the university’s highest honor.

Rick Esch, Pitt-Bradford’s president, will present the medal to Silvestri at Pitt-Bradford’s commencement ceremony at 2 p.m. Sunday, May 4.

“Sue has been instrumental in shaping and strengthening our campus community,” Esch said. “Through her exemplary volunteer service, financial support and invaluable expertise, she has demonstrated an unwavering dedication to Pitt-Bradford’s growth and success over many years.

“Her significant contributions have not only enriched the campus community but served as a shining example of the impact that engaged and passionate alumni can have on their alma maters. We are profoundly grateful for the legacy Sue continues to build.” 

Silvestri said, “It is a great honor to receive the Presidential Medal of Distinction. It has been a privilege to work with so many talented alumni, faculty, staff and students. It has always been my goal to help the university connect with the community, establish scholarships and engage alumni in volunteer activities that benefit students.”   

Silvestri, who attended Pitt-Bradford from 1972 to 1974, has a long history of supporting her alma mater, which has taken many forms over the years.

She is a longstanding member of the Executive Committee of the Advisory Board and is chair of the Advisory Board’s Athletics Council. Silvestri also was a founding member of the Pitt-Bradford Alumni Association and has served in many capacities on the PBAA, including as its president and as chair of the PBAA Scholarship Committee.

Silvestri received the PBAA Distinguished Volunteer Award in 2000, the second person to receive it after the award was created to recognize a Pitt-Bradford graduate who has enriched the life of the university and the Alumni Association through volunteer efforts.

She and her husband, Greg 1973-’75, established the PBAA/Gregory and Susan Silvestri Scholarship to benefit students majoring in several academic programs, including criminal justice, human relations, sociology, and psychology. Since the fund was established in 1996, 50 students have received scholarships. 

Over the years, Silvestri and her husband have traveled from their home in Greensburg to regularly attend many campus events each year, including Alumni and Family Weekend, Commencement and the Evening of Gratitude. Silvestri also has represented Pitt-Bradford at college fairs in Westmoreland County.

She and her husband also are members of Pitt-Bradford’s Founders’ Society, which is composed of alumni, faculty, staff and friends who have made Pitt-Bradford a part of their estate planning.

When Silvestri attended Pitt-Bradford in the early 1970s, the campus did not offer four-year degrees, so she completed her undergraduate studies in political science at the university’s campus in Pittsburgh. She earned a master’s degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1992.  

Before retiring in 2019, Silvestri was the aging care management supervisor at the Westmoreland County Area Agency on Aging.