In Memoriam
William S. Dietrich II 1938 - 2011
Students painted the Fence in memory of Bill Dietrich
On Oct. 6, 2011, William S. Dietrich II, 73, died of complications from cancer. Bill's impact on the university and the region were extraordinary and everlasting.
"Carnegie Mellon University will be forever grateful to Bill for his service and philanthropy. Carnegie Mellon and Pittsburgh have lost a great friend," said President Jared L. Cohon.
Just one month ago today, the university announced and celebrated Bill's remarkable and historic gift, the largest in CMU's history and one of the largest gifts to higher education.
An immediate impact of Bill's gift was the naming of the Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences in honor of his mother, Marianna Brown Dietrich.
His gift will benefit and forever change the entire university.
It is with a particular sense of poignancy that Carnegie Mellon says goodbye to a dear colleague and trusted leader.
"Friday morning we found out that Bill Dietrich passed away and as a way of showing respect toward him, we changed our theme to honor Bill. (He) greatly influenced the future of CMU."
— Alex Stern, who along with fellow floormates from Mudge B2 painted the Fence in honor of Bill.
Related Links: Bill Dietrich & Carnegie Mellon University