PBAA to honor Yaich, Foerstner at Alumni Weekend

Dr. Lauren Yaich, associate professor of biology, and alumnus John Foerstner ’79 will be honored by the Pitt-Bradford’s Alumni Association during Alumni and Family Weekend Oct. 3-5.

Yaich will accept the PBAA Teaching Excellence Award, and Foerstner will receive the Dennis Lowery PBAA Distinguished Volunteer Award.

Both will be recognized at the PBAA Awards Brunch and Athletic Hall of Fame Induction at 10:30 a.m. Oct. 5 in the Mukaiyama University Room. The cost is $15 for adults, $6 for children age 6-12 and free for children 5 and under. For registration, visit  upbalumni.org or call 814-362-5091.

Yaich has taught at Pitt-Bradford since 1998.

In addition to her work in the classroom, where she teaches Cell and Molecular Biology; Genetics; Developmental Biology; Cell Biology and special topics, she has served as chairwoman of the Division of Biological and Health Sciences and associate dean of Academic Affairs.

“Dr Yaich is an excellent professor and a great person to be viewed as a positive role model for students pursuing biological degrees and jobs,” wrote Julia Pesce ’07, who nominated her.

She is known on campus for her work to encourage girls and young women to enter STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) fields.

Yaich earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from Colgate University and her doctorate in molecular biology from Vanderbilt University. Before coming to Pitt-Bradford, she served as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Michigan, where she conducted independent research on Drosphila neural development.

Previously, she has received the Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award and the Chairs’ Faculty Teaching Award at Pitt-Bradford.

Foerstner will receive the volunteer work for his work (often behind-the-scenes) to engage alumni, promote the goals and initiatives of the PBAA, and support the university.

Former PBAA president Tim Fannin nominated Foerstner for the honor.

“John, like me, is a ’70s alumnus who reconnected with Pitt-Bradford several years ago. He’s made a significant contribution to the promotion of the PBAA scholarship fund over the years. He convinced me to join him in establishing his first scholarship, then followed up with one of his own.”

Foerstner and Fannin, who first met as nontraditional business students at Pitt-Bradford, established the PBAA/Fannin & Foerstner Scholarship Fund in 2010. They reunited at a retirement reception for the late David L. Blackmore Sr., associate professor emeritus, who was the first professor of business at Pitt-Bradford.

Fannin encouraged Foerstner to become involved in the alumni association. Foerstner eventually served as chairman of the PBAA scholarship committee.

Also at the awards brunch, Dr. Michael Stuckart and Nick Eichenlaub will be inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame.

Other public events during the weekend include a street fair from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday on the campus loop road and the 3rd Annual Wild and Scenic Film Festival from noon to 4:30 p.m. in Bromeley Family Theater in Blaisdell Hall.

For disability-related needs, contact the Office of Disability Resources and Services at (814)362-7609 or clh71@pitt.edu.

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