UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT BRADFORD
PITT-BRADFORD: WHERE TRADITION AND INSPIRATION ARE FORGED
At the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, students earn the prestigious University of Pittsburgh degree and have access to Pitt’s network of resources while enjoying the more personal attention that a smaller campus has to offer. Situated in scenic northwestern Pennsylvania, Pitt-Bradford provides transformative opportunities for students seeking higher education close to home, as well as students who crave a more intimate educational experience in the heart of the Pennsylvania wilds. From the moment the University of Pittsburgh was founded in a log cabin in 1787, we’ve done more than imagine what’s possible—we’ve made it into reality. From first-generation-student success stories to lifesaving discoveries to hands-on research that shapes industries and communities, at the University of Pittsburgh, we don’t leave possible to chance. By putting the right people in the right place with the right support, we make the unbelievable a matter of fact. Now, as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of breaking ground on the Cathedral of Learning, we’re rising to the occasion once again. Pitt has launched a $3 billion fundraising campaign, Proving Possible, to spur and support transformative ideas and drive success across the University. At its core, our Proving Possible campaign is about undergirding the promise of all that is possible at Pitt. It is about taking action and driving impact.
Will you join us?
Forty-eight percent of our students qualify for needs-based assistance, and 43 percent are the first in their family to attend college. For generations, community philanthropy has made access possible. Pitt-Bradford has always depended on donors who understand the transformational opportunities our campus offers, not just for students, but for our region. Today, we sustain 856 jobs as McKean County’s seventhlargest employer and generate $81.3 million in economic impact each year. We invite you to join the amazing community of people who support this campus. Your philanthropic investment is an essential piece of our ongoing efforts to provide best-in-class opportunities for our students, faculty and staff and to sustain Pitt-Bradford’s mission of transforming lives and communities through education.
“Nearly half of our students are the first in their family to attend college. For many, PittBradford is the reason a Pitt degree—and everything that comes with it—is within reach. Every gift, no matter the size, carries forward something bigger than any one of us: a community of alumni, donors and friends, near and far, who share a belief in what this campus makes possible. . .In doing so, we are changing the trajectory of a student’s life. Today, I invite you to be part of our community.” — President Rick Esch
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH
2
PRESTIGIOUS DEGREE. PERSONALIZED EXPERIENCE. 3
PROVING POSSIBLE
Belonging and Discovery There is a kind of change that happens by design, not by accident. It happens when a first-generation student walks across the stage to receive a University of Pittsburgh degree they never thought was within reach. It happens when a graduate takes a job with a local employer and decides to stay and build a life in our region. It happens when a faculty mentor opens a door to research that a student didn’t know existed. Since 1963, Pitt-Bradford has been a place where students feel a sense of belonging and discovery, where genuine connection turns into transformation. Our campus offers something that is impossible to manufacture: faculty who know students by name, the familiar rhythms of a small campus and mentorship that opens doors. Our graduates carry that forward into careers in medicine, education, law enforcement and beyond, at organizations from Amazon to the U.S. Secret Service, and into some of the most competitive graduate programs in the country.
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH
None of this happens by accident, and none of it happens without investment. A Pitt-Bradford education rests on a simple conviction: world-class instruction and genuine access to it. That means investing in cutting-edge facilities, distinguished faculty and hands-on research. It also means tearing down every barrier that might keep a deserving student from reaching them, right here in our rural community, where we can put the full strength of the University of Pittsburgh behind this region’s future. Higher education is at an inflection point, with questions around artificial intelligence, the cost of education and volatility in funding reshaping the landscape nationally. For Pitt-Bradford, this moment is not a threat. It is an invitation. We have spent six decades proving what’s possible when a small campus with big resources removes the barriers between deserving students and their future. Pitt-Bradford is committed to developing the next generation of leaders and providing them with the tools to build a brighter future for us all. Please join us as we discover what’s possible.
4
FACTS & FIGURES 1,097 STUDENT ENROLLMENT
40 MAJORS
#1
BEST VALUE Public College in Pennsylvania by Niche
5
TOP 5
FOURTH
most affordable four-year public universities in Pennsylvania
most affordable room and board plans compared to all fouryear public universities in Pennsylvania
PROVING POSSIBLE
491-ACRE CAMPUS
10TH lowest average graduate student debt compared to all fouryear public universities in Pennsylvania
#44
BEST COLLEGE for Rural America by Washington Monthly
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH
5TH OVERALL in Best Value Schools in the North by U.S. News & World Report
16
STUDENTS IN A TYPICAL CLASS 6
WHAT DO WE WANT TO ACHIEVE? The campaign represents an opportunity to turn aspirations into achievement: to invest in the success of Pitt-Bradford’s students and faculty as well as the communities we live, work, and learn in. Your support will strengthen every part of what makes a Pitt-Bradford education possible and ensure that impact reaches further that it ever has before. We will expand access to higher education by increasing scholarship opportunities for students who need it the most and best prepare our graduates for what is next by advancing academic excellence through an expanded Academic Success Center. We will also increase research support and endowed faculty positions that help us recruit and retain exceptional scholars to advance scientific discoveries and strengthen collaborations across the University. Other gifts will power
7
Panther athletics with upgraded facilities and endowments to support our teams and coaches. Through a new Center for Rural Engagement, we will address critical regional issues, such as population stabilization and economic and workforce development. This effort builds on initiatives such as the dental Regional Training Center in Bradford which seeks to address the critical shortage of dental services in rural communities. With your philanthropic investment, we will drive local prosperity while opening doors for students who might not otherwise see college as within reach.
PROVING POSSIBLE
“Thank you for believing in Pitt-Bradford enough to donate financially to students like me. You are helping me to earn a degree that I know will take me far professionally. One day I hope to follow your example and give to Pitt-Bradford so that future students can have the same amazing college experience that I have had.” - Kailey Ripley, Sophomore, Health and Physical Education PreK-12, Elmira, NY
CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES Advance Academic Excellence: $11 million At Pitt-Bradford, academic excellence is more than a goal—it’s a commitment to empowering every student to reach their full potential. Investing in academic excellence means removing barriers to success, strengthening student support and enhancing the full learning experience. Through this campaign, we will:
• • • • •
establish an expanded Academic Success Center in Hanley Library, expand undergraduate research and compensate participating students, endow faculty positions to retain and recruit outstanding faculty to guide our students, support an endowment for state-of-the-art instructional and engineering technology equipment for the next generation of learners, and raise funds for student groups that enrich education, such as the Baja SAE team—a group of students who design, build and race off-road vehicles.
The future of Pitt-Bradford rests on the shoulders of visionary leaders who are advancing research, driving innovation and preparing the next generation.
Powering Panther Athletics: $10.5 million Our athletic facilities and 14 NCAA Division III programs not only benefit student-athletes but also enrich campus life. Nearly 25 percent of Pitt-Bradford students are athletes, and student-athletes consistently achieve higher GPAs and graduate at higher rates. Strategic investments in upgraded athletic programs and facilities will allow us to recruit and retain these hardworking students, providing them with the resources they need to excel. Priority projects include:
• • • •
a multi-purpose artificial turf field stadium that includes permanent bleachers, a press box and a concession stand, creating a fully equipped venue that elevates the game-day experience for athletes and fans alike; a dedicated wrestling practice space, which will enhance the student-athlete experience; an athletic coaching endowment to attract and retain athletic coaching staff by supporting competitive salaries and other related expenses; and athletic team endowments that support travel, training, equipment and program improvements.
Funding these priorities will strengthen our campus, attract top talent and ensure a well-rounded collegiate experience for all students.
9
PROVING POSSIBLE
CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES Driving Regional Impact: $2 million Pitt-Bradford is a vital part of the fabric of the community, fostering meaningful connections among students, faculty, staff and community members. That’s why Pitt-Bradford is prioritizing an initiative that will address local challenges and provide opportunities for the rural communities that Pitt-Bradford serves: the Center for Rural Engagement. The center will focus on population stabilization, economic development, health care access, education and workforce development and resiliency. Work has already begun, as seen in Pitt-Bradford’s partnership with the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Dental Medicine. Nearly 50 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties are considered dental deserts, facing significant shortages of dental professionals, leaving many residents with limited or no access to oral health care. Pitt Dental Medicine provides an innovative and sustainable solution to this crisis through its Regional Training Centers, which train oral health care providers in rural communities. The first center opened in Bradford in July 2026. To keep building on this momentum, we are seeking gifts to support stipends, program support and operational funding, ensuring that we remain focused on learning while delivering much-needed support to local communities.
Sustaining the Future: $1.5 million The Annual Fund provides Pitt-Bradford leadership with the flexibility to respond to urgent needs and emerging opportunities as they arise. his unrestricted support strengthens every aspect of campus life, enhancing student experiences, expanding T scholarship opportunities, upgrading technology, enriching academic programs, supporting athletics and improving facilities. By giving to the Annual Fund, donors empower the University to adapt, innovate and invest where it’s needed most, ensuring that Pitt-Bradford continues to thrive in an ever-changing world.
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH
10
CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES Providing Transformative Experiences: $5 million A vibrant student experience fosters teamwork, communication and problem-solving—skills essential to academic and career success. By providing collaborative spaces and leadership opportunities to students, we can help them thrive both in and beyond the classroom. Philanthropic support ensures that every student, regardless of financial circumstance, has access to these experiences, and that Pitt-Bradford has the space and infrastructure to deliver them well.
Through this campaign, we will:
• • •
Expand scholarship support to help students afford their education and graduate with less debt; Establish an endowment to fund paid student internships, removing the financial barrier that keeps many students from accepting unpaid opportunities, while also allowing local businesses and nonprofits who could not otherwise budget for an intern to benefit from student talent, and; renovate Frame-Westerberg Commons to include a Center for Experiential Learning and Leadership, bringing together Career Services, internships, service learning, study abroad and student leadership organizations under one roof.
The future of Pitt-Bradford rests on the shoulders of visionary leaders who are advancing research, driving innovation and preparing the next generation.
Giving Opportunities WAYS TO GIVE: Online: upb.pitt.edu/campaign By mail: Philanthropic and Alumni Engagement 300 Campus Drive Bradford, PA 16701
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON ANY OF THESE METHODS OF GIVING: Contact: Christine Tyler +1 (814)-362-5145 ctyler@pitt.edu
By phone: +1 (814) 362-5091
STOCK GIFTS: Securities may be transferred electronically to Pitt-Bradford via our Depository Trust Company (DTC).
DONOR ADVISED FUNDS (DAFS): To recommend a grant from your donor advised fund, contact your DAF sponsor and request a gift to the Bradford Educational Foundation. You may direct your gift to scholarships, academic programs or another area of the University. Please include your contact information with your gift so that we may acknowledge your generosity appropriately.
PLANNED GIVING: A planned gift allows you to amplify the impact of your generosity, and, in many cases, create a lifetime income stream and reduce your tax liability. Popular vehicles include:
• • • •
“I am truly grateful for my scholarship. It has helped remove a lot of the financial stress that comes with studying engineering and has allowed me to focus more on my classes, projects, and improving my skills. Receiving this support shows that there are people who believe in my goals and want to see me succeed. That means a great deal to me. It motivates me to work harder and remain committed to my future. One day, I hope to be in a position to help another student in the same way that this support has helped me.” - Joel Kochukaleeckal Philemon Sophomore, Engineering Philadelphia, PA
Bequests and Beneficiary Designations Charitable Gift Annuities Charitable Remainder Trusts Charitable Lead Trusts
UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH
12
Since 1963, the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford has demonstrated what can happen when curiosity, collaboration and purpose come together. That spirit is what has made us known for creating innovative ways to solve problems and expand the boundaries of what is possible. The campaign will accelerate that momentum. With support from donors, Pitt-Bradford will attract exceptional faculty, students and coaches through endowed scholarships and positions. Modernized facilities will create opportunities and camaraderie for our students and student-athletes. And the Center for Rural Engagement will strengthen our partnerships in the local community. Together, we can prepare the next generation of leaders and ensure that all students have access to a high-quality education. Together, we will continue proving what is possible.
13
WILL YOU JOIN US? Give online: upb.pitt.edu/campaign By phone: +1 (814) 362-5091 By mail: Philanthropic and Alumni Engagement 300 Campus Drive Bradford, PA 16701
PROVING POSSIBLE
Proving Possible is all about
BIG DREAMS THAT START HERE
U P B.P I T T.E D U/CA M PA I G N