The area housing the nursing program at Pitt–Greensburg’s new Life Science Building will be named for former President Sharon Smith, at the request of the Katherine Mabis McKenna Foundation, which helped fund the building.
In addition, the newly relocated and expanded Microscopy Digital Imaging Lab has been named in recognition of the Eberly Foundation and its support of Pitt-Greensburg’s programs
Sharon P. Smith Nursing & Health Sciences Wing
With the completion of the Life Sciences Building in January, Pitt–Greensburg’s bachelor’s of science degree in nursing program found a new home with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities — predominantly located on the building’s first floor.
A grant awarded to the nursing program by the McKenna Foundation in 2018 contributed to making this space a reality. In recognition of the effort put forth by Sharon Smith, president of Pitt–Greensburg from 2007-2019, the McKenna Foundation recommended that this nursing area be named the Sharon P. Smith Nursing & Health Sciences Wing.
In a letter to Robert Gregerson, president of the campus, Linda McKenna Boxx, chairman and CEO of the McKenna Foundation, wrote, “It would be our great pleasure to suggest that the name of the wing honor Dr. Sharon P. Smith. During her tenure, she did so much to advance (Pitt–Greensburg), and, in particular, to work to create the nursing program.”
A special naming ceremony was held Oct. 17. In addition to faculty offices, student study spaces, and conference spaces, the wing includes the Nursing Skills Lab, Bud and Ellen Smail Simulation Suite (made up of two simulation rooms and a control room), the Lawrence and Jacqualine Helkowski Tele-Health room, and the anatomy and physiology lab.
The McKenna Foundation has a long relationship with Pitt–Greensburg that started in 1975. Over the years, the foundation has helped to fund the expansion of the campus by contributing to building funds and the President’s Discretionary Fund. Their generosity has assisted in building the Student Center (now Chambers Hall), McKenna Hall, Frank A. Cassell Hall, and the Life Sciences Building.
Microscopy Digital Imaging Lab
In a small ceremony Oct. 13, the newly relocated and expanded Microscopy Digital Imaging Lab was named in recognition of the Eberly Foundation and its support of Pitt-Greensburg’s programs.
In 2015, the foundation funded a grant that established the digital imaging lab in Smith Hall with six work stations. In 2022, the foundation’s second grant enabled Pitt–Greensburg to expand the lab into a larger, newly renovated space, also in Smith Hall, and increase the workstations to 12.
“Incorporating digital imaging technology into microscopy modernizes the learning process and equips students with skills and experiences that are highly relevant in today's scientific and technological landscape,” said Olivia Long, associate professor of biochemistry and biology. “It prepares them for future careers where digital literacy and proficiency with advanced tools are increasingly essential.”
Since 1963, the Eberly Foundation’s support of higher education has been widely recognized in Western Pennsylvania. For more than a decade, its ongoing support of Pitt-Greensburg’s Summer Science and Math Experience has enabled the campus to bring rising ninth graders from Fayette County to campus for a weeklong science, technology, engineering and math camp where they interact with other students from the region.
During the height of the pandemic, the Eberly Foundation also supported the Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association Student Emergency Fund, which allowed the campus to assist students experiencing a temporary, yet immediate, financial emergency.