Dueling Pianos, Block Party Highlight Pitt-Bradford Alumni and Family Weekend

A performance by Dueling Pianos International and a block party will highlight the annual Alumni and Family Weekend on Sept. 30 through Oct. 2 at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford. Events are open to the public.

The weekend begins with free “Classes Without Quizzes” offered during the day on Friday, Sept. 30. Dr. Warren Fass, associate professor of psychology, will teach “Human Learning” from 10 to 10:50 a.m. in 161 Swarts Hall. Dr. Helene Lawson, professor of sociology, will teach “Sociology of Gender” from 3 to 3:50 p.m. in 107 Swarts.

At 4:30 p.m. Friday, a career networking reception will take place in the Mukaiyama University Room. Speakers will be Jeanine Vento ’10, agent broker for Patrick A. Reilly Insurance Co.; Dr. Tim O’Brien ’77-’78, ophthalmologist and managing partner for Seneca Eye Surgeons; Rachel Thayer ’10, events coordinator and executive assistant for Serena Group; and Chris Luke ’94, senior vice president and director of marketing for PNC investments.

Reservations can be made online at www.upb.pitt.edu/cnr.aspx.

On Saturday, festivities begin with an awards brunch to honor Dr. Shailendra Gajanan, associate professor of economics and recipient of the Pitt-Bradford Alumni Association’s Teaching Excellence Award; Ryan Race ’07, who is receiving the PBAA Distinguished Volunteer Award; and Athletic Hall of Fame inductees Matt Barnes and Missy Wahlberg. Additionally, Pitt-Bradford’s first men’s basketball team from 1965-67 will be honored.

The brunch is $12. Reservations may be made by calling the Alumni Relations office at (814) 362-5091.

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Friends of Hanley Library will hold its annual book sale in the library’s lobby.

From noon to 4 p.m., a campus block party featuring vendors, food and games will be held on the campus loop. In the case of inclement weather, it will be held in the McDowell Fieldhouse in the Sport and Fitness Center.

Also starting at noon is the University Showcase. Visitors can tour the campus television studio at noon in Blaisdell Hall and learn about campus technology during a presentation at 1 p.m. in Swarts 162.

The alumni baseball game pitting alumni against members of the current team will take place at 3 p.m. at the baseball field in the Kessel Athletic Complex.

Dueling Pianos International will take the stage at 7 p.m. in the Bromeley Family Theater. Dueling Pianos is a high-energy, all-request sing-along rock’n’roll comedy show where the audience is just as much a part of the show as the piano players.

The evening will be capped by fireworks at 9:30 p.m., which can be viewed from the Commons patio.

The last event of the weekend is a free 50th anniversary organ recital by Jeanne Gross at 1 p.m. in the Harriett B. Wick Chapel.