ETC at Pitt-Titusville to Host Ribbon Cutting and Campaign Celebration at Newly Renovated Student Union

TITUSVILLE, PA – The public is invited to tour the newly renovated student union at the Education & Training Center at Pitt-Titusville during a ribbon cutting and campaign celebration from 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday, April 24, 2025. 

The event will include a ribbon cutting and self-guided tours of the newly renovated J. Curtis McKinney II Student Union, which houses the Manufacturing Assistance Center, makerspace, digital arts studio, art gallery spaces, renovated classrooms, and collaborative areas designed to foster innovation and learning. 

“We are thrilled to unveil the newly renovated student union,” said Dr. Stephanie Fiely, ETC executive director. “This project would not have been possible without very generous donors and partners. Our collaboration illustrates our dedication to providing students with the best possible environment for their academic growth as well as our continuing commitment to regional economic development.” 

The event also will highlight the support ETC has received from donors, local businesses and foundations that enabled the campus to surpass its $3 million capital campaign goal. 

The celebration will include remarks from ETC and university officials, including Rick Esch, president of Pitt-Titusville and Pitt-Bradford, Dr. Joseph McCarthy, provost and senior vice chancellor from the University of Pittsburgh, and Jim Broadhurst who co-chaired the capital campaign.  

The ribbon cutting ceremony will be followed by a reception with light refreshments and live entertainment. Anyone planning on attending is asked to RSVP by contacting Michelle Therminy at 814-362-7551 or mdt28@pitt.edu by Thursday, April 10. 

Renovations in the student union started in the spring of 2024. The Manufacturing Assistance Center at ETC, in partnership with Pitt-Swanson's School of Engineering, has been operating off campus since the program moved to Titusville in 2021. The former racquetball courts will now be used as an on-campus manufacturing center to improve the continuing educational experience of those seeking to learn the trades. 

Fiely shared, “Manufacturing employers in northwestern Pennsylvania have significant concerns over the aging workforce.  The Northwest PA Regional Planning and Development Commission’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for the region cited workforce options for position replacement as a major issue facing manufacturing employers today. This reality highlighted an opportunity for the Education & Training Center at Pitt-Titusville to act.”  

“This renovation project,” Fiely continued, “will enable the ETC at Pitt-Titusville to help build tomorrow’s workforce through regional collaborations. When school districts, higher education, manufacturing companies, and students come together, we solve problems. Together, we are building family-sustainable jobs for our community members right here in our region.” 

The newly renovated space also will accommodate the partners’ needs and program developments. A digital lab, makerspace, and art gallery will provide spaces for new collaborations between manufacturing, marketing, communications, the arts, local schools, and community partners.