University Times

So far, Pitt's fundraising campaign has raised more than $510 million in gifts and pledges.

That includes:

* 166 new named endowed scholarship funds (ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 each) for a total of 594 — an increase of 39 percent in the number of such funds since five years ago, when the campaign began with its so-called "quiet phase" prior to the public kickoff.

* 29 new named endowed chairs ($1.5 million to $2.5 million each) for a total of 71 — a 69 percent increase since five years ago.

* 13 new named endowed fellowship funds ($250,000 to $1 million each) for a total of 67 — a 24 percent, five-year increase.

* Nine new named endowed professorships ($750,000 to $1 million each) for a total of 44 — a 26 percent increase over the last five years.

* 186 new named miscellaneous faculty and student resource endowments ($10,000 to $500,000 each) to support activities and programs such as research projects, research travel, book purchases and student academic projects, for a total of 530 of these endowments — a 54 percent, five-year increase.

Of the total raised during the campaign so far, $332 million (62 percent) has come primarily from corporations and foundations for program support; $127 million (25 percent) has come primarily from individuals for academic endowments; and $51 million (10 percent) has come primarily from individuals for facilities improvements.

Some 99 donors have each contributed $1 million or more. Chancellor Mark Nordenberg cited two such gifts at the June 20 Board of Trustees meeting:

* A $1 million-plus bequest from Harbaugh Miller, a Pitt alumnus and trustee who died recently at age 97. Miller's gift will benefit the Katz Graduate School of Business, the law school and the athletics department. Departmental offices in the new Petersen Events Center will be named the Harbaugh Miller Center for Athletic Administration.

* A multi-million-dollar gift from local car dealer and Pitt alumnus Bill Baierl. "Because he is a person who never has sought the spotlight, Bill has asked that I not describe the gift in specific dollar terms," Nordenberg said. "However, I am authorized to say that the University recently has received one of the most generous gifts in its history from Bill Baierl."

In recognition of the gift, the Petersen Center's recreation center will be named the Bill Baierl Student Recreation Center, and the Petersen Center's basketball practice facility will be named the Bill Baierl Basketball Center.

— Bruce Steele