Vol. 105 Issue 124
@thepittnews
Pittnews.com
Monday, March 2, 2015
Gallagher officially installed as
Students step for heritage, competition
chancellor Alex Leighton Staff Writer
Seven historically black fraternities and sororities, such as the Beta Epsilon chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi (above), competed in the 18th annual Step Show competition on Saturday night. Nate Smiith | Staff Photographer
Alex Leighton Staff Writer As fraternities’ and sororities’ shouts drowned out the announcer, Alpha Phi Alpha stomped its way to triumph in superhero garb. Pitt’s National Pan-Hellenic Council, the Interfraternity Council and the Collegiate Panhellenic Association hosted the 18th annual Steel City Step Show in Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday night. The Step Show “offers an opportunity for historically black Greek letter organizations from across Pittsburgh to interact and compete for the title of best fraternity and best sorority performance.” Seven historically black Pitt fraternities and sororities competed in the event and took
turns stepping — an African-American form of percussive dance. Steppers use their bodies to produce rhythms through footsteps, hand claps and spoken word. According to the Student Affairs website, dancers “might even play characters in small skits between steps ... [and] many routines incorporate the precision and power of military drills.” According to Stepafrika.org, stepping is based on a long and rich tradition in African-based communities that use movement, words and sounds to communicate allegiance to a group. “The stepping tradition in the United States grew out of song and dance rituals practiced by historically African-American fraternities and sororities, beginning in the early 1900s,” the website says. Alpha Phi Alpha came out on top and
took the stage after playing a video spoof of a trailer for“The Avengers,” which portrayed the group as superheroes. The dancers wore matching black shirts with “The Avengers” logo. “It was a way to get people hyped,” Robert Timmons, a senior majoring in electrical engineering — who dressed as Iron Man — said. Although individuals can perform stepping, the dance is typically performed by groups of three or more. The NPHC raised more than $5,000, which will go into the NPHC bank account and help to pay for the event, according to Haleigh Stapleton, a sister of the Zeta Phi Alpha sorority, who was responsible for mak-
Step
2
Patrick Gallagher’s long wait finally came to an end with his official installation as Pitt’s 18th chancellor by the Board of Trustees. Although Gallagher assumed the role of chancellor in August, he was officially inaugurated almost seven months later, during the Honors Convocation in the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh Music Hall on Saturday at 10 a.m. The Hall, which seats 1,950, was full to capacity. After Gallagher delivered the keynote address, Kathy Humphrey, senior vice chancellor for engagement and chief of staff, presented the Omicron Delta Kappa Seniors of the Year, the Emma W. Locke Award and recognized the University Scholars. Gallagher said although he is “not sure why we waited seven months before inaugurating me,” he used the time to explore the campus and talk with students and faculty. He expressed that the date, Pitt’s 228th anniversary, was a fitting, “special day” for his installation. The process of installing Gallagher as Pitt’s chancellor was one of Stephen Tritch’s final acts as the Board of Trustees’ chairman. Gallagher said Tritch’s last full meeting in the position occurred the day before, and he will step down from his position during the following meeting in June. “Steve presided over one of the largest changes the University has seen,” Gallagher said. “A change in leadership that followed a remarkable tenure of stability and success.” Read the rest online at Pittnews.com.