UPB to Name New Residence Hall for
Zippo Co-Owner Sarah Dorn

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford will name its new residence hall in honor of Bradford philanthropist Sarah B. Dorn, co-owner of Zippo Manufacturing Co.

The University of Pittsburgh Board of Trustees approved the naming of Sarah B. Dorn House at its annual meeting Friday in Pittsburgh.

Dorn House will become home to 103 students this fall. Pitt-Bradford broke ground for the $5.42 million residence hall, which is located near Fisher Hall, in November.

“Sarah Dorn is a longstanding and very generous supporter of our campus, and the naming of this new residence hall in her honor is a reflection of our profound and sincere gratitude to her,” said Dr. Livingston Alexander, president. “Sarah Dorn will forever be remembered as one of the pillars upon which this beautiful campus stands.”

Dorn, who is the daughter of Zippo founder George G. Blaisdell and held various positions in the company, has been an honorary member of the Pitt-Bradford Advisory Board since 1999. With her son, George Duke, co-owner of Zippo and W.R. Case & Sons Cutlery Co., Dorn has provided generous gifts to Pitt-Bradford, including $1.2 million from Zippo and $1.3 million from the Philo and Sarah Blaisdell Foundation, as well as individual gifts.

Dorn’s gifts have supported academic programs, scholarships, international travel funds for students and faculty, technology enhancements, athletic programs, a library memorial fund and the arts.

In 1993, she and her sister, Harriett Wick, were honored with the Presidential Medal of Distinction, the highest honor given by Pitt-Bradford. Prior to that, Dorn and Wick founded the Miriam Barcroft Blaisdell Annual Scholarships, which has helped more than 2,000 students who have attended Pitt-Bradford.

In 2005, the Blaisdell Family, including Dorn, Wick and Duke, was inducted into the University of Pittsburgh’s Cathedral of Learning Society.

Dorn House will bring the on-campus resident capacity to nearly 1,000 students. It is a three-story building with two-, four- and five-person suites. Each bedroom will have a private bathroom, cable hookup, telephone jack and computer port. Students will share a living room, kitchen and storage area.

A formal ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony is planned for Sept. 10.

Dorn is a graduate of the University of Connecticut. Dorn and Wick assumed ownership of Zippo following their father’s death in 1978, and Dorn served as vice president and treasurer of the company.

In 1999, Dorn and her sons, George Duke and Paul C. Duke III, bought the company from Wick and her children.

Dorn and her husband, Richard B. Dorn, live in Bradford.

Photo of Dorn and her son George Duke, in front of a portrait of Zippo founder George G. Blaisdell, provided by Pitt-Bradford

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