JOHNSTOWN —The University of Pittsburgh’s largest financial aid restructuring and the most diverse class on record were among the updates from Chancellor Patrick Gallagher during Friday’s board of trustees meeting.
At the meeting held at the Pitt-Johnstown campus, Gallagher presented the university’s 2018-19 annual report, including this past year’s accomplishments related to access and affordability, academic excellence, innovation and community impact.
“The University of Pittsburgh’s upward trajectory continues to be defined by evolution, innovation and a willingness to grapple with some of society’s most intractable issues,” Gallagher said. “The consequence of this work is clear: We are making a powerful and positive difference — on our campuses, in our communities and across the globe.”
The university has expanded its total investment in students with financial need across all campuses to $130 million. More than 4,500 students are benefitting this year from the Pitt Success Pell Match, which matches the federal Pell Grant dollar for dollar for all qualified students. In addition, the new $4.5 million Pitt Success Grant program provided an average of $5,500 each to over 800 first-year undergraduates with significant unmet need to support their ability to complete their studies. In subsequent years, the university will add support to each first-year class until all eligible students are covered.
Gallagher highlighted the accomplishments of students and alumni, including the eighth Rhodes Scholar in Pitt’s history, Lia Petrose (A&S ’17), Goldwater, Schwarzman and Beinecke honorees, plus nine graduate fellowships awarded by the National Science Foundation.
“These accomplishments tell the story of an innovative, top-quality public university that repeatedly delivers on its promise to propel students to success,” Gallagher said.
He also discussed the university’s improvements in attracting a more diverse student body. With a record number of first-year applications, the Class of 2023 appears to be Pitt’s most racially and ethnically diverse first-year class on record. Nearly one-third of the class identifies as African American, Asian or LatinX.
Pitt is “among elite company in its ability to attract federal research and development funding,” he said. The University ranks 10thnationally in federal research and development funding, attracting on average roughly $800 million annually and was among the top five in National Institutes of Health funding. The focus on discovery translating to economic activity is one aspect of Pitt’s economic impact, including over 70 new companies spun out over the last five years.
The university’s $4.2 billion annual economic impact extends beyond education and research into deep investments in community engagement, health and well-being, from the urban neighborhood of the Pittsburgh campus to the rural communities surrounding the regional campuses.
