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April 15, 2016

In this issue:

Clutter for a Cause
Farmer's Market
Late-Night Dean's Hour
Pitt Dance Maraton Recap
Boxes and Walls
Stress Free Week
Outside the Classroom Curriculum Induction Ceremony
Shadow In Your City
Interfaith Baccalaureate
Lavender Graduation
Earth Day Party
SERU Survey
Hesselbein Global Academy Applications
Upcoming Events

Donate & Dine: April 21

The Farmer's Market Returns and Swap Household Items for PIZZA!

11:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Farmer's Markets are back! Swing by the William Pitt Union driveway to scoop up some fresh produce and snacks from local farmers and foodies. Meet locals who enjoy food as much as you. Panther Funds, Dining Dollars, cash, and credit are accepted.

1:30-3:30 p.m.

Overlapping with the Farmer's Market is the Clutter for a Cause Pizza Swap! Bring your unwanted items (clothing, shoes, appliances, household items) to the Bigelow Lawn and Patio to exchange for pizza. The more you donate, the more slices you get to eat!

During finals week, the Office of the Dean is providing students with an unconventional study break; a late-night Dean's Hour. On April 27 from 10 p.m.-midnight, WPU porch and driveway, Vice Provost and Dean of Students, Kenyon Bonner, will host an outdoor meet-and-greet featuring food trucks, live music, and more! Take a break from finals week stress to mingle with other students and Dean Bonner before the semester is over!

A Discussion Enhancing Cultural Awareness

In an effort to promote empathy, kindness, and acceptance among an increasingly diverse campus community, Student Affairs will facilitate the “Boxes and Walls” program on April 18 – 19, 2016 in the O’Hara Student Center at 8 p.m. Open to students, faculty, and staff, Boxes and Walls engages participants in an interactive tour that is designed to simulate the experiences of historically oppressed and marginalized groups. The title of the program is derived from the “boxes” people place others in based on perceived differences, and the “walls” that are built between groups as a result.

Pitt Dance Marathon Makes Waves

Pitt Dance Marathon Topped $200,000 in Proceeds for Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC

By Joelle Smith

The main level of the William Pitt Union was the site of a 16-hour celebration this weekend. Nearly two thousand students hit the dancefloor at the 11th annual Pitt Dance Marathon (PDM) and raised $200,016.11 for the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC (CHP). Although students came from dozens of organizations across campus—their favorite dance partner was not from Pitt.

Last year, Maggie McMahon missed meeting the child from CHP that she helped sponsor through her service sorority, Gamma Sigma Sigma. So this weekend, when McMahon spotted the six-year-old they were sponsoring, clinging to her father’s leg, she immediately asked her to dance. “She is a dancing machine,” McMahon said. “I told the little girl’s dad, ‘She will probably sleep well tonight.’ And he laughed, shook his head and said, ‘She won't stop until the music stops and that’s never gonna happen.’ I thought that was really sweet.” McMahon and her sponsor were not the only dancers getting caught up in the Marathon's infectious energy.

Even though Katie Piscopio, a sister of Delta Phi Epsilon, had already attended the Marathon twice before, she was still swept away by the kaleidoscopic atmosphere and dancers’ can-do mantra—especially during the hours leading up to the unveiling. “Everyone is dancing like crazy!” Piscopio said. “You’re feet are hurting— everything's hurting—but you can’t stop. The energy is like a concert.” As a senior, Piscopio is thrilled to watch the event come into its own during her Pitt career. “PDM unites students. It’s the one event where we can get together and raise money for a charity that’s in our backyard.”

From choreographed routines of Beyonce’s “Crazy in Love” to a photo booth with bubbles, the Marathon had dozens of activities in store for both students and families in attendance. Some student organizations were even able to meet the child they sponsored a few weeks before the Marathon. They were given the opportunity to connect at a fashion show on campus, where each child modeled an outfit designed by the student organization that sponsored them.

Jake Fishbein, PDM Vice President of Donations was responsible for organizing sponsors at the event. He was thrilled to be able to see the direct effects of his team’s fundraising efforts. “Never have I felt so proud of contributing to a cause,” Fishbein said. “I helped organize fundraisers for other events, but I’ve never seen firsthand how it affects the beneficiary as clearly as with PDM.”

Victoria Bianco, co-president of PDM, was floored by all the support she and her board received from the Pitt community and CHP. “I've never been more proud to be a student at this University.” Next year's co-president of PDM, Danielle Marzella, cannot wait to help carry the growing Pitt tradition. “I truly believe in dances today for chances tomorrow,” said Marzella. “After all, we are here for the kids.”

We don't need to remind you that finals week is just around the corner. Be sure to de-stress with free workshops and classes the week before finals. Visit the Stress Free Zone on the 3rd floor of the William Pitt Union or their social media accounts for a full schedule listing. Email the Stress Free Zone with any questions. Last year's de-stress activities looked like a blast. Find out what's in store this year!

Outside of the Classroom Curriculum (OCC) Induction & Open House

RSVP to Induction Ceremony TODAY

Each year, the OCC Honorary Society hosts an Induction Ceremony to welcome new members into the distinguished community. At the ceremony, students will be recognized for their accomplishment of completing the OCC. Spring induction is on Wednesday, April 20th, from 5-7 p.m. in the William Pitt Union Ballroom. Be sure to RSVP for the Induction by tomorrow. For more information, check out last year's Induction.

Haven't finished the Curriculum yet?
The final open house to learn how to self-report your progress in the OCC program is tomorrow! Pizza is provided and all questions about the OCC will be answered!

Participate in an exclusive job shadow for Pitt students during the first week of May! There is limited space for these opportunities in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, so register now through FutureLinks > Events > Workshops. Students must provide their own transportation to and from the event.

Philadelphia

QVC
May 3 | 8:45-11:45 a.m.

Philadelphia Phillies
May 4 | 9:45 a.m.-1 p.m.

Vanguard
May 6 | 10:45 a.m.-2:15 p.m.

Washington, D.C.

FBI Headquarters
May 2 | 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
May 3 | 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
U.S. Agency for International Development
May 3 | Noon-5 p.m.
National Institute of Health
May 4 | 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Deloitte

May 5 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Smithsonian

May 6 | 8:30-11 a.m.

New York City

Siemens
May 5 | 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
(Tarrytown, NY)

Macy's and
Penguin Random House
Week of May 2-6
Date and Times TBA

Join the Division of Student Affairs, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Pitt Alumni Association, Pitt African American Alumni Council, and University of Pittsburgh Association of Chaplaincies as we celebrate our graduating students with an Interfaith Baccalaureate service. Dr. Kathy Humphrey, Senior Vice Chancellor, University of Pittsburgh, will serve as the keynote speaker.

The ceremony will take place on Friday, April 29 at 4 p.m. Seating is limited and is first come, first serve.

RSVP to the Interfaith Baccalaureate

Lavender Graduation

Rainbow Alliance presents an inaugural ceremony on April 21 in the O'Hara Dining Room to honor LGBTQIA+ students who are graduating this spring semester or an upcoming summer or fall semesters. After the ceremony, there will be food and refreshments. This events is free and open to the public.

Earth Day Towers Patio Party

On Friday, April 22 from 11-3 p.m. take a break and celebrate Earth Day on Towers Patio. With WPTS providing the tunes, a raffle to win a brand new Roadmaster bike, iced drinks sponsored by Starbucks, and summer employment opportunities from The Student Conservation Association and PennEnvironment, you'll be thrilled you went. Be sure to bring old clothes, electronics, and non-perishable foods to donate to Clutter for a Cause!

Upcoming Events

Fitness Classic
April 17 | 9 a.m.-noon |
Baierl Rec Center
Test your strength and endurance through multiple events including: vertical jump, speed ladder, burpee challenge and more! Register here.

Coffee and Career Chats
April 20 | 12:30-1:30 p.m. |
1400 Posvar
Learn how to make the most of your summer stop by for advice about networking, résumés, cover letters and internships.

DEA Drug Take Back Day
April 21 | 9 a.m.-3 p.m. |
University Pharmacy, Nordenberg Hall
Bring unused or expiring medications including prescriptions, vitamins, supplements, and creams for safe disposal at the University Pharmacy.

Make a difference in the student experience at the University, take the SERU survey today! Participants will be entered for a chance to win an iPad Mini 4.

Hesselbein Global Academy for Student Leadership and Civic Engagement aims to educate campus leaders and prepare them to address critical issues throughout the world. The eighth annual Hesselbein Student Leadership Summit will be held July 23-July 26 at Pitt. Apply by May 8.

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The University of Pittsburgh
Division of Student Affairs
738 William Pitt Union
Pittsburgh, PA 15260
studentaffairs@pitt.edu | 412-648-1006

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