Look: Newsmakers

YWCA AWARDEES

Women associated with the University were recognized at the 2008 YWCA Tribute to Women Leadership Awards May 15. Pitt honorees (from left) were Jacqueline Dunbar-Jacob, dean of Pitt’s School of Nursing, who won the award in the science and technology category; Pitt alumnus Beth A. Slagle (LAW ’90), a partner at Meyer, Unkovic and Scott, LLP, who won in the professional services category; and Kathy W. Humphrey, Pitt vice provost and dean of students who won in the education category. In all, eight women were honored at the ceremony for their professional and volunteer work and for helping to advance the goals of the YWCA—empowerment of women and girls and the elimination of racism.

POSTDOC SYMPOSIUM

More than 150 Pitt faculty and postdoctoral fellows attended the third-annual Postdoctoral Data and Dine Symposium May 7 in the William Pitt Union. Pitt Vice Provost for Research George Klinzing (above) delivered the keynote address. The event was hosted by the University of Pittsburgh Postdoctoral Association (UPPDA) and sponsored by the Office of the Provost and the Office of Academic Career Development, Health Sciences. The UPPDA honored Andrew Blair, Pitt vice provost for faculty affairs, with the 2008 Postdoctoral Advocate Award, and Rich Bodnar, Pitt research assistant professor in the Department of Pathology, with the 2008 Postdoctoral Alumni Award. The event featured a poster session and three postdoctoral fellows received travel awards for their poster presentations.

LEADING LITIGATOR

Pitt law professor Jules Lobel testified before a U.S. Congressional subcommittee concerning the War Powers Act, which details the U.S. President’s powers to commit the nation to war. Lobel was one of five witnesses invited to testify April 10 before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs’ Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights, and Oversight. Congressman and committee chair William D. Delahunt from Massachucetts introduced Lobel, calling him “the leading American litigator on war powers.”

BAS AT 40

Carol Moseley Braun (right) was the keynote speaker at an April 16 event commemorating the 40th anniversary of the founding of Pitt’s Black Action Society. In her lecture, Moseley Braun talked about the importance of Black student organizations and the necessity for all students to be involved in an ever-changing political world. To date, Moseley Braun has been the only African American woman elected to the U.S. Senate, representing Illinois from 1993 to 1999. Pictured with Moseley Braun is Deborah Walker, assistant to the dean in Pitt’s Office of Student Affairs.

PITTSBURGH SYMPHONY HONOREE

Manfred Honeck (second from left), music director designate of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, was named an honorary member of the University’s Austrian Nationality Room Committee. The Austrian Room is the 24th of the Nationality Rooms. Located on the third floor of the Cathedral of Learning, it was dedicated in June 1996. On May 6, Honeck toured the room and was the honored guest at a luncheon in the Croghan-Schenley Room. Pictured from left are Helen Semethy, Austrian American Cultural Society; Honeck; E. Maxine Bruhns, director of the Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs; and Jackie and Wilheim Dorfner of the Austrian American Cultural Society.