The Pittsburgh weather forecast for Wednesday, September 7 was steady rain, just like the previous few days, all courtesy of Tropical Rainstorm Lee. The morning newspaper listed the probability of precipitation at 90%. But when I awoke and glanced out the window, lo and behold, it wasn’t raining.
After I made my way to my office at Alumni House, I didn’t bother to check my work calendar. I knew exactly where I needed to be that morning. A “Special Event” was to take place on campus, alongside the university’s iconic Fence. As the entire Carnegie Mellon community knows, the Fence is never at a loss for words. Throughout the years, painted messages have included everything from marriage proposals to party invitations to protests against anything and everything. Any student or student group can spell out what’s on their mind as long as the message is painted between midnight and sunrise.
When I walked over to the Fence at 11 am, I didn’t need my umbrella because, though overcast, it still wasn’t raining. A tent, with seating for more than 300 people, had been erected and would offer safe haven from inclement weather, but perhaps this day might defy the odds. As the crowd gathered, there were several noteworthy faces—legislators, trustees, and leaders from the business community—mingled in with students, faculty, alumni, and staff like me. All could readily see what some Delta Tau Delta fraternity brothers, who braved the overnight rain, had painted on the Fence:
Thank you Bill!
There was good reason to be thankful. The “Special Event” was the announcement of a record-breaking $265 million gift to the university by William S. “Bill” Dietrich II. How could it rain on this day?
For the next hour or so, I listened to Ray Lane, chair of the university’s board of trustees; Jared Cohon, president of the university; and other Carnegie Mellon dignitaries pay tribute to the longtime trustee. Practically all the seats were taken, and a standing overflow crowd bordered the tent’s two open sides. And the tribute was broadcast around the world, via the Web. Needless to say, there were a couple of standing ovations: the first when Lane announced the size of the gift and another when Dietrich walked to the podium. The guest of honor had the crowd laughing with his witty remarks, such as when he downplayed his successful career by alluding to a Winston Churchill quote: “He is a modest man, who has much to be modest about.” Of course, the crowd knew better.
All spoke eloquently, but also capturing my attention during the tribute were students briskly walking along the multiple campus sidewalks. Some would glance for a moment at the outdoor festivities. Others, with a look of intensity and determination, kept walking to wherever they were going, never once looking up.
After interviewing Dietrich, and capturing a glimpse of the man [“Immortal Gift,” (pages 14-18)], I have no doubt that he would be enamored with those focused students. He might even say the gift was especially for them.
As for the rest of the September 7 celebration, which included an evening rock concert and fireworks on the Mall, it never rained.
—Robert Mendelson
Executive Editor
