University of Pittsburgh - Owl Yearbook (Pittsburgh, PA)

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eaqqxiy MiuaslU') he University of Pittsburgh is comprised of students from all walks of life. Residents and commuters, international students and out-of-staters, as well as lifelong Pittsburghers give Pitt its diverse makeup. Just like the city it calls home, Pitt is a melting pot for various bits of humanity. As such, the University and the surrounding community offers a little something for everyone. The Carnegie and the Playhouse bring culture to the heart of Oakland. Bars like Calico's and Zelda's provide a chance for students to unwind. Simply Freeh, Ali Baba and other local ethnic restaurants cater to curious palates. You can find |ust about any life you're looking for in Oakland. And if not, a dollar and a bus will help you find it in Squirrel Hill, South Side, Shadyside or downtown. Pittsburgh's urban flare assures that student life is more than studying, drinking, and waiting in lines. Yet despite its increasing metropolitan character, Pittsburgh remains the big city with the small town taste. forbes Avenue, west el the (othedrol of looming during the 1930s. with two-way street!, troley lines, ond brick rood. fight. Television wonting become a common social octivity for students is 1960s Top light The continuing tradition of homecoming queee shown in 1956. 26 Student Life

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Bicentennial Homecoming Pitt celebrates 200 yrs. in grand fashion. On a cool mid-October night, brilliant flashes of red, white, blue and gold lit up the Oakland skies as elaborate fireworks sparked this year’s Homecoming celebration. Pitt's Homecoming tradition dates back more than sixty years — to the days of flappers and wingtips. Back then. Homecoming was the time for alumni to return to root for the ol’ team and reunite with friends. The emphasis of Homecoming Weekend was on getting the team psyched for the big game. Homecoming these days has changed a lot. Granted, the game is still played on Saturday, and wingtips are back in style. But the similarities to the old days end there. The week end of festivities has grown into a week, more events have been added and the overall spirit has changed. The Homecoming week has evolved into a celebration of the university and its students, not just the big football game. This year there was quite a bit more oomph in the Homecoming hoopla, as Homecoming Week also marked the start of Pitt’s Bicentennial celebration. Students got the privilege of honoring 200 years of excellence in the University of Pittsburgh as they enjoyed the Homecoming fun. The official opening of Pitt’s Bicentennial was marked by the Bicentennial Convocation which look place early in the week. The Convocation. a rather prestigious procession, was led by a corps of drummers and flutists. reminiscent of American Revolutionaries, marched from the lawn of the Cathedral to a well adorned Syria Mosque. Here, beneath the blue and gold banners. President Wesley Posvar awarded Bicentennial Medallions of Distinction to five Pitt alumni. The convocation ended with a recessional to the Cathedral lawn and a raising of the Bicentennial flag. Thursday night brought a blast of spirit that will not soon be forgotten. Floating balloons, colorful clowns, marching musicians, and charming homecoming candidates filled the streets of Oakland as the traditional Homecoming Parade was launched. Grand Marshal Roy Rogers led the parade, followed by President Posvar and Mayor Richard Caliguri. After the parade. Posvar was joined by the Pitt Band and cheerleaders in leading the crowd of Pitt students and alumni in an inspirational pep rally. The evening was capped off by the largest fireworks display Oakland has ever seen. The dawn of the next day brought the events that many had anticipated since the beginning of the term ... the almost anything goes competition. Keg rolled, balloons popped and bananas smeared as all participants shared in the fun. Finally, the big day arrived. On October 25. the Pitt Panthers defeated Navy in a spectacular 56-14 victory. Perhaps the two happiest Panther fans were Thomas Brooks and Michelle Bellamy who witnessed the fantastic victory from beneath their crowns. Brooks and Bellamy won this year’s titles as Homecoming King and Queen. From the formalities of the bicentennial Convocation to the excitement of the Keg Roll this year’s Homecoming was truly phenomenal. Kxcitemcnl filled the air at Thomas Brooks and Michelle Bellamy are announced homecoming king and queen. Right; Janme DiStanli congratulates Michelle Bellamy while handing mer the crown and title of homecoming queen. 28 Homecoming