Giving Societies

Cathedral of Learning Society

The Cathedral of Learning Society recognizes individuals who have donated cumulative gifts of $1 million or more to the University of Pittsburgh during their lifetime. Induction into the Cathedral of Learning Society is among the highest honors that the University bestows. 

Chancellor’s Circle

The Chancellor’s Circle is comprised of eight giving societies for alumni and friends who make gifts totaling $1,000 or more each fiscal year. Members of the Chancellor’s Circle are invited to join other enthusiastic Pitt supporters at various donor events, including the annual Chancellor’s Circle event that is held before a Pitt football game. For more information on annual giving, please contact Sean Dean by email at sean.dean@ia.pitt.edu or by phone at 412-624-5811.

William Jacob Holland Society:  $1,000-$1,786

Donors who contribute $1,000-$1,786 will be recognized as members of the William Jacob Holland Society. This society honors the fifth chancellor of the University, who served from 1891 to 1901. An accomplished scientist and educator, Holland also served as the director of the Carnegie Museums of Natural History in Pittsburgh and is credited with transforming Pitt into a true university by developing advanced degree programs in a range of academic fields and making Pitt a coeducational institution.

Founders’ Society:  $1,787-$2,499

Donors who contribute $1,787-$2,499 will be recognized as members of the Founders’ Society. The University of Pittsburgh, originally named the Pittsburgh Academy, was founded in 1787 by Hugh Henry Brackenridge in a log cabin on what was then the edge of the American frontier.

George Woods Society:  $2,500-$4,999

Donors who contribute $2,500-$4,999 will be recognized as members of the George Woods Society. George Woods was the University’s first chancellor, who served in that role from 1858 to 1880. Woods is credited with creating Pitt’s endowment, founding the science and
engineering programs, and dramatically increasing enrollment.

Ruth Crawford Mitchell Society:  $5,000-$9,999

Donors who contribute $5,000-$9,999 will be recognized as members of the Ruth Crawford Mitchell Society. In the mid-1930s, Ruth Crawford Mitchell was appointed by Chancellor John Bowman to oversee the planning of the Nationality Rooms. By 1956, she had established the first 19 classrooms, which have become a hallmark of Pitt and its Cathedral of Learning.

John Bowman Society:  $10,000-$24,999

Donors who contribute $10,000-$24,999 will be recognized as members of the John Bowman Society. John Bowman served as Pitt’s chancellor from 1921 to 1945 and is best known for initiating and completing the construction of the Cathedral of Learning.

Lantern Society:  $25,000-$49,999

Donors who contribute $25,000-$49,999 will be recognized as members of the Lantern Society. This society is named for the annual Lantern Night Ceremony, which serves as a formal induction for freshman women by distinguished alumnae into University life. Initiated in 1921, it is one of the University’s longest standing traditions.

Cornerstone Society:  $50,000-$99,999

Donors who contribute $50,000-$99,999 will be recognized as members of the Cornerstone Society. This society pays homage to the cornerstone that was hidden in the Cathedral’s Commons Room by Chancellor John Bowman in 1937. Among its contents is a simple message, “The Cathedral of Learning expresses for Pittsburgh a desire to live honestly in a world where kindness and the happiness of creating are life.”

Commons Room Society:  $100,000+

Donors who contribute $100,000 or more will be recognized as members of the Commons Room Society, named for the Cathedral of Learning’s Commons Room, which Chancellor John Bowman said should be “the heart and soul of the building.” Today, it is a lively hub where students, teachers and friends gather to learn from one another.

Gold Circle

The Gold Circle (Graduates of the Last Decade) is a giving society exclusively for young alumni who support Pitt with an annual donation of $500 or more each fiscal year. For more information on annual giving, please contact Sean Dean by email at sean.dean@ia.pitt.edu or by phone at 412-624-5811.

1787 Society

The University of Pittsburgh expresses its gratitude to the members of the 1787 Society who have made planned or deferred gifts to the University – regardless of size – through a bequest, annuity, trust, life insurance policy, or other planned or deferred gift opportunity.  Please visit the Gift Planning Center for more information.