Leaders and colleagues react to Chancellor Patrick Gallagher stepping down

When Chancellor Patrick Gallagher announced his intent to step down, messages from friends and colleagues poured in as they heard the news.

Chancellor Gallagher has led the University since 2014. During his time in office, he has launched a suite of groundbreaking student access and affordability programs, raised the University’s reputational profile in academic excellence and research, and advanced Pitt’s partnerships in neighboring communities — all while sparking economic innovation and opportunities in the region, including through initiatives such as Pitt BioForge.

Gallagher’s next act is keeping him at an institution he knows very well, in the city he calls home, and in a profession that he loves: teaching.

In his address to the University community, he wrote, “My plan, come summer 2023, is to transition to the faculty as a professor in our Department of Physics and Astronomy. After all, teaching physics was the goal that originally brought me to Pitt in 1986 to get my doctorate, so for me this is a dream come true.”

Here’s what local leaders had to say about the news.

“I have mixed emotions: I’m sad for the University to be losing Pat’s leadership; happy for him as he seizes life’s next opportunity; and just so thankful that for nine years, the University will have had a truly extraordinary leader. He not only got us through some extremely difficult times, particularly the pandemic and budget issues, but also strengthened the University’s commitment to its mission. Through his efforts, Pitt has made significant strides in its financial support for students. He led us through two University-wide strategic planning sessions that refocused the board in its charge to support the Pitt community and guide the University into the future. This meant so much to the board, and it was wonderful for me as chair of the board to work with Pat. It will be challenging to find Pitt’s next leader — especially one as strategic, bright and personable as Pat — but I’m confident we will. He leaves the University in a position of strength from which we will continue to improve and grow.”

— Eva Tansky Blum, former Board of Trustees chair

“Pat has that rare set of skills that enable him to see around the corner while also engaging in the day-to-day activities of running a multibillion-dollar organization like the University of Pittsburgh. In this and in many other ways, his tenure as chancellor has been transformational to Pitt. He has been visionary with his plans, pragmatic with his approach and engaging at every level. I’m incredibly grateful for his time at the helm of the University; his leadership will certainly be missed by many, including me. He is such an important part of the community, so while I am sad to see him step down as chancellor, I am very excited for him to fulfill his calling as a teacher at the University to which he has given so much.”

— Mary Ellen Callahan, vice chair of the Board of Trustees exercising the duties of chair

“Pat’s tenure as chancellor of the University of Pittsburgh has been simply remarkable. I admire him greatly, and I try to emulate his principles of compassion and thoughtfulness in my daily life. He is a brilliant leader who cares about people and inspires everyone around him. He has led this organization through many challenges including the pandemic, which he navigated with courage and compassion. The metrics speak for themselves as every measure from academic caliber to student outcomes has improved during his nine-year tenure. Fortunately, the Pitt community will continue to benefit from Pat’s presence on campus, and he leaves the University with momentum that will carry us forward for years to come.”

— Louis R. Cestello, vice chair of the Board of Trustees

“I had the pleasure of serving with Chancellor Gallagher through his tenure in my role on the Board of Trustees, and I want to thank him for his years of remarkable stewardship of this University and the outstanding progress he led academically and in the community.”

— Jay Costa, Pennsylvania state senator

“Pat’s understanding of translational science and his commitment to strengthening the partnership between UPMC and Pitt has led to advances in health care and medical research that will continue to have a lasting impact on how we care for patients both in our region and across the globe.”

— Leslie Davis, president and CEO of UPMC

“Chancellor Gallagher has been a tremendous leader of this great University. The University of Pittsburgh was already a prestigious university when he took over, but his vision and leadership have taken it to even greater heights. He has been more than a university leader. He’s also a regional leader on so many initiatives. In addition to being a great academic institution, Pitt has been an economic generator because of its work to develop technologies and grow them here, an effort that Chancellor Gallagher has championed. The work of the university is a big reason why Allegheny County is growing in population again, particularly in the 25-34 age group."

— Rich Fitzgerald, Allegheny County executive

 “Congratulations Chancellor Gallagher. Your work has been vital to Pitt’s continued innovation and expansion. It has been my honor to work with you as we build a Pittsburgh for all. Thank you and best wishes on your next endeavor.”

— Ed Gainey, Pittsburgh mayor

“Thank you Chancellor Gallagher for all that you have done for Pitt, for our city and our region.”

— Dan Gilman, senior advisor to Duquesne University president Ken Gormley

“Thank you for your thoughtful leadership and dedication to serving our University community.”

— Robert Gregerson, president of Pitt-Greensburg

“Pat’s north star has always been that universities should not be ‘ivory towers’ but places where students, scholars, businesses and community members can work together to leverage knowledge for society’s gain. It is a vision that he has realized at every turn. His dedication to enhancing access and affordability has built a pathway for countless Pennsylvanians to pursue a Pitt education, and his commitment to supporting the Community Engagement Center model has redefined how Pitt intersects with and invests in our neighbors. His sincere determination to developing a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion continues to transform Pitt. I cherish his leadership and friendship, and I am honored to have walked beside him.”

— Kathy Humphrey, president of Carlow University, former member of Gallagher’s senior leadership team and secretary to the Board of Trustees