2017 Pitt-Greensburg Commencement

by Shahum Ajmal

This year Pitt-Greensburg’s commencement ceremony will be held Saturday, April 29 at 11:00 a.m.

The question of where it will be held still remains unanswered.

“We know that students and a lot faculty prefer for it to be outside,” Dr. Smith, President of Pitt-Greensburg said.

If it is outside it will be held in Ridella Fields, which are to the left of Millstein library.

“However, that depends on the weather of the day, and the state of the fields” said Smith.

Given our constant fluctuating weather, the location of the ceremony will be announced no later than Thursday, April 27.

According to Smith, this is because, preparations as far as setting the chairs, and letting people know how many tickets they have must be in order by that date.

“The weather of the day, and the state of the field will be the determinant,” said Smith.

Barbara Christner will be speaking at this year’s ceremony,

Christner is a member of Smith’s advisory board, chair of the academic affairs sub-committee, was an alumni of distinction, former President of the Bar Association, and graduated from Pitt-Greensburg.

The process behind picking who gets to speak is complex.

“I listen to what students, faculty, and staff have as suggestions during the year,” said Smith. “I do attempt to alternate between national figures and local figures.”

Last year ceremony had Congressman Murphy come speak.

According to Smith, since Murphy is a national figure, it was appropriate to have a local figure come speak this year.

“In the past, and the ten year before I became President, most of the speakers were internal Pitt or very local,” said Smith.

The 2016-2017 academic term was named Pitt’s year of Diversity.

“I think we have had a lot of interesting events here. Unfortunately, for me I have so many obligations sometimes in Oakland and elsewhere that I don’t get to many of them myself,” said Smith.

The Greensburg area is not diverse, therefore executing the theme of Diversity can be difficult.

“It’s important to try to represent the mosaic that makes up this nation and this world,” said Smith.

Some schools have amazing, and sometimes famous people come speak at their graduation ceremonies.

“We don’t have the opportunity to pay a six figure speaking fee or give an honorary degree,” said Smith. “At the end of the day, I seek people through my own connections or the connections of the board and we’ve been very fortunate.”

This year Pitt-Greensburg’s commencement ceremony will be held Saturday, April 29 at 11:00 a.m.

The question of where it will be held still remains unanswered.

“We know that students and a lot faculty prefer for it to be outside,” Dr. Smith, President of Pitt-Greensburg said.

If it is outside it will be held in Ridella Fields, which are to the left of Millstein library.

“However, that depends on the weather of the day, and the state of the fields” said Smith.

Given our constant fluctuating weather, the location of the ceremony will be announced no later than Thursday, April 27.

According to Smith, this is because, preparations as far as setting the chairs, and letting people know how many tickets they have must be in order by that date.

“The weather of the day, and the state of the field will be the determinant,” said Smith.

Barbara Christner will be speaking at this year’s ceremony,

Christner is a member of Smith’s advisory board, chair of the academic affairs sub-committee, was an alumni of distinction, former President of the Bar Association, and graduated from Pitt-Greensburg.

The process behind picking who gets to speak is complex.

“I listen to what students, faculty, and staff have as suggestions during the year,” said Smith. “I do attempt to alternate between national figures and local figures.”

Last year ceremony had Congressman Murphy come speak.

According to Smith, since Murphy is a national figure, it was appropriate to have a local figure come speak this year.

“In the past, and the ten year before I became President, most of the speakers were internal Pitt or very local,” said Smith.

The 2016-2017 academic term was named Pitt’s year of Diversity.

“I think we have had a lot of interesting events here. Unfortunately, for me I have so many obligations sometimes in Oakland and elsewhere that I don’t get to many of them myself,” said Smith.

The Greensburg area is not diverse, therefore executing the theme of Diversity can be difficult.

“It’s important to try to represent the mosaic that makes up this nation and this world,” said Smith.

Some schools have amazing, and sometimes famous people come speak at their graduation ceremonies.

“We don’t have the opportunity to pay a six figure speaking fee or give an honorary degree,” said Smith. “At the end of the day, I seek people through my own connections or the connections of the board and we’ve been very fortunate.”