Pitt’s class reunions of decades past rekindle Panther pride

Homecoming kicked off on a nostalgic note as Pitt graduates from the 1950s and early ’60s… Homecoming kicked off on a nostalgic note as Pitt graduates from the 1950s and early ’60s gathered together to reminisce about their college days.

The ’50s Reunion, held Wednesday in the Twentieth Century Club, also gave Pitt alumni the chance to stay updated on the lives of their peers.

Sitting at the Tuck Shop Table were John Bender, class of 1960, Wes Pickard, class of 1961, and Sandra L. Demas, alumni association campaign coordinator, among others.

Bender and Pickard, both brothers of the fraternity Sigma Chi, explained the Tuck Shop, which was on the ground level of the Cathedral, as the hangout and meeting place before the Schenley Hotel became the William Pitt Union.

Bender, a candidate for the State School Board, met his late wife, who worked in the Financial Aid Office, at Pitt.

He and his wife moved into Tower B in 1963, the first year of its existence, and he worked as the assistant director of men’s housing.

“Pitt’s been very good to me,” Bender said.

Many attending the reunion echoed this statement. George Schoeppner, class of 1959, played baseball for Pitt from 1957 through 1959, and he was an All-American shortstop.

His number 25 jersey is retired and framed in his condo, but he simply said, “I was very fortunate to play for Pitt.”

Polly Markess Attisani, class of 1956, was appreciative of all that the city and the University had to offer.

“It was very cosmopolitan, and gave me the desire to want to travel. The Nationality Rooms helped form my interest in other cultures, and the Heinz Chapel, with its stained glass windows, gave me an interest in art.”

Attisani was one of the first four female cheerleaders and a member of the Delta Delta Delta sorority.

She attributes being involved in organizations to her memorable time at Pitt.

“I feel bad for my friends who went elsewhere and didn’t have the same experience,” she said.

The event included dinner and a slideshow consisting of photos of the trolleys students used to commute, students crowded into elevators, and Bea Pallegrino Finke and Nick Sirianni, Ms. and Mr. Pitt of 1956.

The slideshow, narrated by Ed Lyness and Jarvis Cotton, also showed past football, baseball and other sports scores, while two of the original cheerleaders lead a cheer and the Pitt Alumni Band played.

The passion for Pitt did not stop after graduation for most of the attendees.

Lou McLinden, class of 1951, has been going to football games since 1946, and has season tickets. He will be attending the game this Saturday.

Demas explained, “These people love the University, it’s been 50 years and they still bleed blue and gold.”

The reunion, chaired by Rosemary Ray and co-chaired by Bea Pallegrino Finke and Anna Mae Gordon, ended in dancing to the music provided by the Pitt Alumni Band.

Reflecting on his time at Pitt and the rewards of his education, Bender joked, “I have had many successes because of my choice to attend the University of Pittsburgh. Yet I have failed as a parent