Richard E. McDowell, president of the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford since 1973, has announced that he will step down from that position, effective June 30, 2002. He intends to remain at the campus, to teach and conduct research.

Richard E. McDowell

“President McDowell and I have been good friends and close colleagues for more than 15 years. His outstanding professional abilities and warm human touch have made him one of the most respected and best- liked people in the entire University,” said Nordenberg.

“His contributions to the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford are immeasurable,” the chancellor continued. “Under his leadership, Pitt-Bradford grew from a small, two-year program to a four-year college offering a broad range of courses in a state-of-the-art learning environment on a very attractive campus. Perhaps President McDowell’s greatest triumph, though, has been the development of a strong, enthusiastic, and energetic faculty, staff, and advisory board who have worked in creative and committed ways to move the campus and its home community forward.”

During McDowell’s tenure as president, Pitt-Bradford tripled its enrollment to 1,200 students and expanded and enhanced its facilities to accommodate this growth. Its division of outreach services offers noncredit certificate and credit programs, and cooperates in operating three off-campus centers in northwestern Pennsylvania. The college has started two centers in recent years, the Allegheny Institute of Natural History and the Allegheny Research and Development Center.

“Dr. McDowell’s contributions to the University of Pittsburgh are inestimable,” said Pitt Provost James V. Maher. “His efforts have helped Pitt-Bradford expand its academic offerings while enhancing their quality. Several buildings on campus have undergone major renovations and improvements during his tenure, and expansion of administration and academic facilities will continue.”

Recently, Pitt-Bradford unveiled its “Complete the Campus” initiative, which will add several buildings—more than 139,500 square feet of new space—to campus. Pitt-Bradford completed a new facilities management building in 2000. The new Sports Center at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, which will help to improve and expand both academic and athletic programs and offer more activities for students and the community, will be ready for use by Fall 2002. Soon to come are new residence halls and a communications, art, and technology building.

“We are grateful for Dr. McDowell’s leadership, and are pleased he has decided to continue at the campus, where he will teach in the biology department and help advance the programs of the Allegheny Institute of Natural History,” said Maher.

McDowell received the Bachelor of Science degree in biology from High Point College in High Point, N. C., and the Master of Science and Ph.D. degrees in biology from St. Louis University. Before joining the faculty and administration of the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford in 1970, McDowell was a research associate at the Argonne National Laboratory.

A search committee will be formed in the near future, with the goal of identifying McDowell’s successor by Summer 2002.