5/17/2007

Andy's kids

Apparently the name of Carnegie Mellon's founder and benefactor, Andrew Carnegie, is popping up everywhere in the United Kingdom, according to BBC News. Even a rugby team, the former Leeds Tykes, has taken on the name of the famous industrialist and philanthropist, rechristening themselves Leeds Carnegie.

Carnegie's name is, of course, ubiquitous here in Pittsburgh, stamped on the museum and library systems. The BBC article notes that Carnegie founded more than 2,500 libraries worldwide, from his native Scotland to Fiji. All told, Carnegie gave away $4.3 billion in today's dollars by the time he died in 1919.

We'd like to think that our annual commencement ceremony, which takes place this weekend, is a living tribute to Carnegie's generosity, and a reminder of the legacy he's bequeathed us. This year's speaker is legendary comedian and actor Bill Cosby, a man whose true passion is for education.

See you there. 

Jonathan Potts