BRADFORD, Pa. — Surrounded by alumni, friends and community members last Friday, The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford celebrated both its past and its bright future with the launch of a new $30 million fundraising campaign. The event, which was part of the university’s annual Alumni and Family Weekend festivities, provided key details on plans for the future of campus and efforts to elevate student success, research and scholarship, and economic and community growth in our region and beyond.

                A component of Proving Possible: The Campaign for the University of Pittsburgh, the comprehensive fundraising initiative for the Bradford campus is being driven by a transformative, $8 million gift provided by Dr. Richard E. and Ruth McDowell. Dr. McDowell, president emeritus of Pitt-Bradford, and his wife, Ruth, are longtime supporters of the university and the broader Bradford community. Their donation will support a wide variety of institutional priorities including expanding undergraduate research, strengthening intercollegiate athletics, and increasing academic and community discourse.

“Pitt-Bradford just celebrated its 63^rd birthday and we are incredibly honored to have been a key anchor institution in this region for well over a half century,” said Richard Esch, president of Pitt-Bradford. “The campaign we are launching today will take our institution to the next level, providing the resources, facilities and talent necessary to support the evolving needs of our students, regional businesses and the broader community.”

Esch added, “I want to particularly thank my longtime friends, Dick and Ruth McDowell, for their incredible generosity and ongoing commitment to this university and the region we serve.”

Richard McDowell said, “Looking back over a lifetime of decisions and investments, I can say without hesitation that investing in Pitt-Bradford has been among the best economic decisions we have ever made.

“The return extends far beyond dollars. It can be seen in generations of graduates, stronger communities, new opportunities, and a university that continues to transform lives. I would also like to thank all of the organizations and individuals who are joining with Ruth and me to support this campaign and helping to ensure a positive future for Pitt-Bradford and our entire region.”

The campaign’s priorities include advancing academic excellence, powering Panther athletics, providing transformative student experiences, driving regional impact and sustaining future growth. To accomplish these goals, university leaders have worked with students, faculty, staff, alumni and community leaders to identify key areas of action that can have an immediate impact. This includes enhancing scholarship support for those students who need it the most, augmenting student success initiatives, improving athletic facilities, creating dedicated endowments for faculty and athletic coaches and better connecting educational programming with the needs of local industry.

Among the signature activities being developed is the current renovation of the Hanley Library that will create a new Student Success Center. The state-of-the-art facility will provide advanced tutoring, coaching and mentoring services for students who need additional support, while helping to develop and disseminate advanced educational practices that can improve retention and graduation rates across the board. A naming and dedication ceremony for the center is planned for the spring semester.

                To learn more about how you can support the Campaign for Pitt-Bradford visit the campaign website or contact Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement directly at ctyler@pitt.edu or (814) 362-5091.