University Times

A local businessperson who is a graduate of the College of General Studies (CGS) has given Pitt's school for nontraditional students a gift of $650,000 to fund a new student center. It is the largest financial gift ever made to CGS.

James McCarl, president and CEO of McCarl's Inc., a Sewickley plumbing and heating company, said he wanted to donate money to CGS that would "help make a difference."

The gift will be used to fund the new McCarl Center for Nontraditional Student Success, to be located on the 4th floor of Cathedral of Learning.

The center will provide a home for services CGS offers to its students, including orientation seminars for adults who have been out of school for a number of years; academic survival skills seminars; success seminars, offering strategies for balancing the demands of family, work and college; career counseling seminars; mentoring workshops; financial aid workshops; an internship site; a student lounge, and a tech station, where CGS students can access the Internet or check their e-mail.

The student center is expected to open next fall.

"Jim's gift will affect the lives of CGS students for years to come, by improving the quality of their surroundings, and the environment in which students, faculty and staff come together," said CGS Dean Susan Kinsey.

In addition, McCarl is donating $150,000 toward the construction of a new Pitt Hall of Fame that will be part of the John M. and Gertrude E. Petersen Events Center, scheduled to open in early 2002.

The McCarl gifts are part of Pitt's capital campaign. The University is hoping to raise $500 million by July 2003 to support its academic mission and research programs and facilities needs.