From staff reports
The University of Pittsburgh-Titusville and University of Pittsburgh-Bradford is preparing for the inauguration of its fifth president, Rick Esch, on Sept. 25 as part of the university’s celebration for Alumni and Family Weekend.
Esch, currently vice president for business affairs at both campuses, will be the third Pitt-Bradford president to also lead the University of Pittsburgh’s campus in Titusville.
The Bradford, Titusville and academic communities are invited to take part in the inauguration, which will take place at 2 p.m. in the KOA Arena of the Richard E. and Ruth McDowell Sport and Fitness Center on the Bradford campus. A reception will follow. Reservations are requested, but not required.
Speakers will be Livingston Alexander, president emeritus of Pitt-Titusville and Pitt-Bradford; K. James Evans, retired vice president and dean of student affairs of Pitt-Bradford; Patrick Gallagher, chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh; Ann Cudd, provost of the University of Pittsburgh; and Jeannine Schoenecker, chair of the Pitt-Bradford advisory board.
Both Alexander and Evans worked closely with Esch during their time at Pitt-Bradford in his role as vice president of business affairs.
As part of the weekend’s festivities, Esch will be the featured speaker at the university’s annual Career Networking Luncheon at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 23 in the Mukaiyama University Room of the Frame-Westerberg Commons. The event is open to the pubic, but there is a charge and reservations are required.
A 1983 graduate of Pitt-Bradford, Esch began his career there in 1995 as director of auxiliary services; five years later he was named chief business and administrative affairs officer.
In 2003, he was promoted to vice president for business affairs. In 2012, he was named vice president for business affairs at Pitt-Titusville.
To make reservations for the inauguration or luncheon, contact Joelle Warner, director of donor relations and stewardship, at (814) 362-5104 or jaw104@pitt.edu.
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