Slideshow: Chancellor Brings ‘Amazing Community’ Together for Annual Appreciation Picnic

Thursday, May 10, 2018

A record crowd of more than 5,000 Pitt employees jammed Bigelow Boulevard on May 2, 2018, for Chancellor Patrick Gallagher’s fourth annual Staff and Faculty Appreciation Picnic.

Picnic-goers enjoyed ice cream, cotton candy and nacho stations and lots of picnic fare for lunch. While Pitt panther mascot Roc, cheerleaders and the dance team got the crowd into the spirit of the day, attendees lined up for T-shirts and carnival games, caricatures and a photo booth.

“It’s been an amazing year,” said Chancellor Gallagher as he greeted the crowd on what seemed to be the first bright day of spring. “And all of it is because of the amazing community working together.”

Contact

Marty Levine, martyl@pitt.edu, 412-758-4859

Selfies with fellow staff and faculty members — including Chancellor Patrick Gallagher — were must-gets at the picnic. Amy Kleebank and staff members from the Office of University Communications posed for a quick pic with the chancellor. (Aimee Obidzinski/University of Pittsburgh)
Enjoying the picnic’s treats, including burgers, nachos and cotton candy, were (from left to right) Ken Allen from the Department of Housing, Food Services and Panther Central; and Ashley Parker and Janet Igles of facilities management.
Chyongchiou Lin of the School of Medicine's Department of Family Medicine took a turn at the ring toss, one of the picnic's many carnival games. (Aimee Obidzinski/University of Pittsburgh)
Chazz Williams sent a frog flying at one of the carnival games. Williams works in student affairs at the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences. (Aimee Obidzinski/University of Pittsburgh)
University Library System staff members Miranda Nixon (left) and Sharon Jasneski sat together for a caricature. (Don Henderson/University of Pittsburgh)
The chancellor’s annual picnic drew the largest attendance ever, according to Senior Vice Chancellor for Engagement and Secretary of the Board of Trustees Kathy Humphrey, above, getting the party started by dancing with Roc the panther mascot. “We are so thrilled that we have a sunny day today. We have a wonderful opportunity for you to network with your other Pitt colleagues. Mostly what we want you to do is eat, fellowship and have a good time.” (Aimee Obidzinski/University of Pittsburgh)
Pitt Staff Council members were among the many faculty and staff members who volunteered to help plan and stage the fourth annual event. From left: Tammeka Banks, Office of Research; Angie Coldren, Office of Research Conduct and Compliance; Karen Sellitto, School of Nursing; and Sue Benton, Division of Laboratory and Animal Resources. (Don Henderson/University of Pittsburgh)
Jamie Ducar, assistant director of community relations in the Office of Community and Governmental Relations (left), enjoyed her first staff and faculty appreciation picnic this year. “It’s an amazing way to really support all the faculty and staff,” she said. “I’ve never been to a place that had it on a scale like this.” Joining Ducar were Daren Ellerbee, director of the Homewood Community Engagement Center (middle), and Shenay Jeffrey, outreach coordinator in the Office of PittServes. (Don Henderson/University of Pittsburgh)
Insisting “it’s not all for us!” Joshua Gertler (left) reached the end of the food line with Rehima Jordan. Gertler and Jordan work in the Department of Radiology, which is housed in UPMC Presbyterian. (Don Henderson/University of Pittsburgh)