Fall 2020

Against the Odds

High achievers must often overcome significant obstacles on their way to success, no matter the field. But Pitt alumna Elayne Arrington—like other Black women in STEM before her—encountered more than her fair share. But in the fight to meet her potential, she found the right formula for staying determined and opening doors for those rising up behind her.

2020-10-09 00:00:00

illustration of blue butterflies among green leaves

Commons Room

Back, Together

five pink hot air balloons rising into dusk

Commons Room

Solidarity Rising

illustration of indigo, orange and purple patchwork quilt stitched with many needles

Commons Room

Where You Belong

illustration of three orange, multi-sided dice dispersing into a pixelated, digital world

Commons Room

The Show Must Go On(line)

Todd Hiser, Zigmunt Walkiewicz Jr., Pam Hiser, and Megan Hiser stand in front of deciduous trees.

Web Exclusive

Close to the Heart

A December graduate finds a way to carry the past into the future.

Leah wears her hair naturally curly, a multi-colored jacket, long gold necklace, white t-shirt and jeans, and stands against a purple backdrop.

Web Exclusive

Finding Her Song

A Pitt alumna turns a pause in her career into a new world of possibilities—and a featured appearance on NBC’s “The Today Show.”

Lee Gutkind, in short-sleeved black t-shirt and jeans, stands in hallway of house, framed images and table lamp visible in background

Web Exclusive

The Age of Reflection

After a lifetime spent writing about others, a Pitt alumnus hones in on his toughest subject yet: himself.

People view Native American visor as artifact in museum.

Web Exclusive

Curating Connections

As the first-ever curator of Native American art at an Omaha, Nebraska, museum, alumna Annika Johnson connects communities to their heritage.

Patrick Gallagher wears a Pitt script mask in his Cathedral of Learning office

Pitt Proud

Mission Critical

Chancellor Gallagher on prioritizing safety and success in “a strange new world.”

Jesse Rosenfeld and Caroline Westrick in the Art of Making studio, with backpack monkeys, electronics, fabric, spools of thread spread out on a table

Sketchbook

Designed to Make a Difference

Compassion is the key to good design in this engineering class.

Felipe Suntaxi, holding a 3D model of vertebrae, watercolor illustration that plays with light and sketching

Feature Story

The Helpers

The coronavirus pandemic has created hardships well beyond essential health care. But, near and far, Pitt’s alumni—as illustrated in these five stories—are doing all they can to make a difference in distinct and inspiring ways.

members of the Emigrants hold protest on the sidewalk, with signs in English and Arabic

Extra Credit

Countering Extremism

How else can governments combat fringe terrorist networks?

Bookshelf

Lift Every Voice

In examining her ancestry, a poet finds the voices history has silenced.

Avocet Greenwell, wearing a yellow coat, plaid shirt, a backpack, dangle earrings and jeans, stands on Schenley Bridge with her bike

Feature Story

Into the Unknown

Nothing could have prepared Pitt’s Class of 2020 for what was about to happen just as its members neared graduation. So, what do you do when a pandemic brings job searches, not to mention the world, to a halt? The University has some ideas—and a whole lot of resources.