UPB Receives Gifts for Wick Chapel

The University of Pittsburgh at Bradford announced it has received more than $100,000 in additional gifts for the Harriett B. Wick Chapel, which will soon be completed on campus.

The largest of the gifts is $50,000 from the Philo and Sarah Blaisdell Foundation, which was established by Zippo Manufacturing Co. founder George G. Blaisdell in honor of his parents. Harriett Wick is the daughter of George Blaisdell.

“We are very pleased to be able to do this in support of Harriett, who has been a member of our board,” said Howard Fesenmyer, executive secretary of the Blaisdell Foundation.

In addition to the gift from the Blaisdell Foundation, a $25,000 gift was received from American Refining Group.

“ARG is proud to be a participant in this project,” said Harvey Golubock, president and chief operating officer of ARG. “It is a project that has been discussed for many years, and it is exciting to see it finally becoming a reality.

“It is a major piece of the puzzle to complete the campus. It will provide the students with a quiet sanctuary for reflection and another venue for special events.”

The last gift came from the estate of M. Catherine LeMage, which has also provided significant support for scholarships and the arts.

“I continue to be amazed that support for the Harriett Wick Chapel snowballed as it has,” said Dr. Livingston Alexander, president of Pitt-Bradford. “Since university operational funds cannot be used to fund the project, these generous gifts from our very committed supporters will ensure that we cover the cost of construction.”

Wick Chapel will be dedicated at 4 p.m. Sept. 30.

The 150-seat chapel is adjacent to the Tunungwant Creek, which runs through campus. The wall facing the creek is made of glass, while the other two sides have significant amounts of glass.

In addition to serving as a site for interfaith worship and meditation, the chapel will be a site for receptions, induction ceremonies, lectures, and small choral and musical performances. It will also serve as a base for volunteer service programs and other community outreach activities.

For more information on Wick Chapel or to make a donation, contact Joelle Warner, manager of donor services, at 814-362-5091 or jaw104@pitt.edu.

Photo courtesy of Pitt-Bradford