Happy 150th Birthday, Chatham!
Alumni & co gather to celebrate at the Long Purple Line Gala on October 12, 2019
Behold, at last, the day we’ve been celebrating all year long, December 11, 2019, Chatham’s Charter Day and our official 150th birthday! Throughout 2019, we’ve thrown parties, launched new initiatives, shared our stories, and re-pledged our devotion to Chatham’s mission. We’ve honored the history of this Pittsburgh institution, at Pirates games and in proclamations, and we’ve worked hard to ensure that this rare sesquicentennial meant something to everyone who means something to Chatham. In our final act of celebration, we’ve gathered up some of our favorite Chatham love letters and memories from 2019. Read on for one last hurrah—
ALUMNI REFLECT ON CHATHAM’S LEGACY
“I was in the class of 1966. Some of my best memories—period—are from that time. I loved the mixture of students. I still keep in touch with some. The experience of the class of ‘66 is precious. I worked so hard, laughed a lot and grew some more with new friends. The classes were small, professors terrific, and Shadyside a blast. Keep on going Chatham!”
President David Finegold and Dr. Lynette Charity during 150th Celebration Weekend, where she received the Distinguished Alumna Award, October 12, 2019
“Happy Birthday Chatham!
My journey to my dream of becoming a physician began in 1969 when I traveled to Chatham for an interview thanks to Peggy Donaldson, the Admissions Director. She sent me a bus ticket because my parents couldn’t afford the trip and I traveled 20 hours by bus to Pittsburgh. I was accepted and received a full four-year academic scholarship and graduated with honors in the Class of 1974. I was accepted to Tufts Medical School and graduated in 1978. I just retired from clinical medicine after 41 years. A dream fulfilled thanks to Chatham.”
“Chatham instills such wonder, such unbound curiosity, such a willingness to try new things. There really is no end to exploring, collecting experiences over a lifetime, and growing. I am forever learning. I am never finished. With this perspective, you get to do and be a lot of things—it’s never boring!”
“Looking back, I am now very aware that it was a privilege to go to a women’s college. The strong sense of women’s empowerment that was fostered at Chatham is something that I am grateful for everyday. It has made me more aware of disparities of all varieties and has driven me to find ways that I can support causes that address them.”
Alumni, government officials, and Chatham trustees honor November 12, 2019 as Chatham Day
Staff gather to celebrate Day of Giving on April 12, 2019—a nod to our hometown, the 412.
STAFF CELEBRATE CHATHAM’S SPIRIT
Dana joins alumni for a pre-Candlelight Alumni Reception in Mellon Board Room, December 6, 2019
“One of the first Chatham alumnae I had the pleasure of meeting in person was a graduate of Pennsylvania College for Women, Class of 1943—Marjorie Noonan Ladley. When I asked Marjorie her secret to living a happy and healthy life—91 at the time and STILL an active docent at The Frick Pittsburgh—she shared a piece of advice that has stuck with me… “You can’t hit a moving target!” 150 years later, Chatham University is still growing and changing and working towards a brighter future. I wish it 150 more years of moving and shaking! Happy Birthday, Chatham.”
“I started working at Chatham in the summer of 2016. During the first Move-In Day I participated in, I was blown away with the number of staff, students, and faculty who volunteered their time as Cougar Carriers during such a busy week. And they were so happy to be doing it! There was a positive energy in the air that was contagious. While moving students in at Woodland, I met a student named Maggie McGovney ‘17. Maggie was not required to participate in Cougar Carriers through any type of student organization, but chose to help each year because she genuinely loved Chatham and felt so welcomed on her first day that she wanted to pay it forward. It was something that stuck with me, and I have thought of fondly each Move-In Day since!”
A throwback photo of students serenading Heather during Song Contest
“Over my 10 years at Chatham, I’ve made appearances in Song Contest and Airband. During my first year, another (former) staff member (my now best friend), Felipe Ruben Henao and I were asked to perform in the Grease-themed skit for the Class of 2010 where we somehow ended up with a solo. Another time, students convinced me and other staff to do a performance for Airband. We spent an hour in my office putting together a dance and laughed so hard that the student workers were listening at the door as we each attempted to learn the worm… unsuccessfully. When I think about my Chatham experience, I think about the people – students and colleagues. I am thankful this is a place that has brought me amazing friends. ”
Students enjoy Chatham Day at the Pirates Game in PNC Park, August 25, 2019
STUDENTS DEFINE CHATHAM’S PROMISE
“To make everyone feel welcome and to give an equal education to everyone who comes here. ”
“To include everyone and leave no one behind.”
“To have a better future.”
For an in-depth look at Chatham’s 150 years of transformation, be sure to check out the ‘150 Years of Chatham’ documentary. Thank you to everyone who helped make Chatham’s 150th year so special. We look forward to exploring the next 150 years by your side.
