Overcoming Challenges

University life is always exciting.

We meet a new class of eager students each fall and welcome enthusiastic graduates into the alumni association each spring. Our faculty and students perform groundbreaking research, create beautiful works of art, and work on fascinating projects. Our staff find new ways to innovate to keep our campus running efficiently.

That excitement is one of the reasons why so many of us dedicate most of our careers to higher education and, for some of us, to Pitt-Bradford.

However, university life also is often filled with challenges. As you know, the last few years have been exceptionally challenging, and the next several years will continue to be so as we face three major challenges:

1. The population in our region and most of Pennsylvania continues to decline. That means fewer high school graduates seeking college and increased competition from other colleges and universities as we all try to recruit from a smaller pool of prospective students.

2. Many of our students continue to experience adverse effects from the pandemic and come to us in need of additional academic, financial, and mental health support and care.

3. Funding from the state legislature remains uncertain.

Despite these significant challenges, I am optimistic because our campus community cares deeply about our students, one another, and the future viability of Pitt-Bradford, and our strategic plan includes initiatives that address each of these challenges.

But we can’t do it alone. We continue to need your support.

Providing more scholarships is crucial, particularly as more students face greater financial struggles. Funding is also needed to give students enhanced opportunities and facilities, such as the new turf field and other improvements outlined in the Athletics Master Plan.

Referring college-bound students to Pitt-Bradford will enable them to have the same kind of fulfilling experience you had and assist us in our recruiting efforts.

Advocating on our behalf with Pennsylvania legislators will help them understand the important role Pitt-Bradford plays in the lives of our students, our alumni, and our local and state economy.

Attending events on campus will show our students, faculty and staff that you support them and the work they do.

While these challenges are substantial, they are not insurmountable. Over Pitt-Bradford’s nearly 60-year history, we have proven that we accomplish great things when we work toward a common purpose. I have no doubt that our continued combined efforts will lead to an exciting future.

Richard T. Esch ’83, president