"Light of Learning" to be passed to 400 Women During Pitt's Traditional Lantern Night Ceremony Aug. 27

PITTSBURGH—University of Pittsburgh alumnae "flame-bearers" will give the "light of learning" to approximately 400 incoming freshman and first-year transfer women during the 86th annual Lantern Night Ceremony at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 27 in Heinz Memorial Chapel, Fifth and Bellefield avenues, Oakland.

The women will gather at 7 p.m. in the Cathedral of Learning Commons Room to receive a lantern and prepare for the procession to the chapel.

At 7:20 p.m., the women will process with unlit lanterns to the 7:30 p.m. ceremony at the chapel. During the event, Pitt alumnae flame-bearers, including several mothers and grandmothers of incoming students, will light the lanterns. Carrying the burning lanterns, the new students will process back to the Commons Room for a reception.

Chancellor Mark A. Nordenberg will give the University welcome and Kathy Humphrey, Pitt vice provost and dean of students, will deliver the Freshman Address.

Other participants include Brian Generalovich (CAS '66, DEN '68), Pitt Alumni Association president, who will give the alumni welcome; Emily Guzan, Panhellenic Association president, who will deliver the student welcome; and Kristi Riccio (GSPH '02) and Trish Orangis (GSPIA '01), who will represent the Alumnae Council as its president and Lantern Night chair, respectively.

The ceremony is one of the University's oldest traditions. The Alumnae Council of the Pitt Alumni Association and Pitt's Division of Student Affairs cosponsor Lantern Night. An endowed Lantern Night fund has been established under the auspices of the Pitt Alumni Association to maintain this tradition for many years to come.

For more information, call 412-624-8229 or 1-800-258-7488.

###

08/18/06/scl