Pitt Launches New Society for Planned-Giving Donors of $1 Million or More

PITTSBURGH—The University of Pittsburgh launched its newly established Brackenridge Circle—comprising individuals whose planned gifts, pledges, and other contributions to the University total $1 million or more—with a Nov. 3 awards ceremony for the inaugural class of Brackenridge Circle donors in the Hall of Sculpture at the Carnegie Museum of Art. 

Planned gifts are made by individuals who have included the University in their estate plans through bequest pledges, by naming the University as a beneficiary in a life insurance policy, or by establishing charitable trusts and gift annuities. Seventeen members of the Brackenridge Circle were in attendance for the inaugural celebration. Once realized, the gifts of the more than 65 living donors who qualify for inclusion in the Brackenridge Circle will total more than $88 million for the University. 

The Brackenridge Circle was named for Pitt founder Hugh Henry Brackenridge, who envisioned a great seat of learning west of the Alleghenies and secured Commonwealth financial support for the establishment of the Pittsburgh Academy, the progenitor of today’s University of Pittsburgh. 

Welcoming remarks for the evening were given by Pitt trustee Sam Zacharias (A&S ‘64), chair of the Institutional Advancement Committee of the University’s Board of Trustees, which oversees Pitt’s $2 billion Building Our Future Together fundraising campaign. 

“So much of what we do at the University of Pittsburgh is made possible by the generosity of our alumni and friends who make charitable contributions to Pitt,” Zacharias said. “Private support from people like you, at all levels, is making a difference and is helping to continue Pitt’s legacy of excellence in education and research.” 

Pitt Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement Albert J. Novak Jr. said to the inductees, “Your generosity inspires all who live, work, and study here—past, present and future.” 

During the event, each inductee was honored separately and presented with a gift symbolic of the University’s gratitude. 

In his closing remarks, Clyde B. Jones III, Pitt vice chancellor for health sciences development, said, “I am moved knowing that you believe in what we are doing and are investing in the future of the University of Pittsburgh and in the futures of everyone it serves. On behalf of the University of Pittsburgh, you have our deepest respect and gratitude–and our pledge to be good stewards of your gifts.” 

For more information on planned giving at Pitt, or to make a gift, visit www.giveto.pitt.edu or call 1-800-817-8943. 

Following is a list of the inductees who were honored at the event. 

Carole A. Baierl and the late William R. Baierl (EDUC ’51)

Rita M. Bean (EDUC ’67G, ’74G), Pitt Professor Emeritus of Education, and R. Tony Eichelberger, Pitt Professor Emeritus of Education

E. Maxine Bruhns, Director of Pitt’s Nationality Rooms, and the late Fred C. Bruhns (GSPIA ’69), Professor Emeritus of Comparative Public Administration in Pitt’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs

James J. Duratz and the late Helene Barco Duratz

Hilda Pang Fu (SIS ’76G) and Freddie H.K. Fu (MED ’77), Distinguished Service Professor and Chair of the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery in the Pitt School of Medicine

Carol Tsu Ho (SIS ’68G) and Monto Ho, Emeritus Professor and Chair of the Department of Infectious Diseases in the Pitt School of Medicine

Lucine O’Brien Marous (A&S ’84) and John Charles Marous Jr. (ENGR ’49, ’53G), Pitt Trustee

Marlin H. Mickle (ENGR ’61, ’63G, ’67G), Nickolas A. DeCecco Professor and Executive Director of the RFID Center of Excellence in Pitt’s Swanson School of Engineering

Virginia S. Nicklas (BUS ’51G)

Jeanette Studley and Wesley C. Pickard (ENGR ’61)

Fred F. Weingruber (ENGR ’49)

Debi and Harold W. Wheeler III

Anonymous donor

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11/29/10/tmw/lks/jdh