THE ART INSTITUTE OF PITTSBURGH ANNOUNCES JOHN FETTERMAN, MAYOR OF BRADDOCK, TO SERVE AS COMMENCEMENT KEYNOTE

Graduation Ceremony to be held Friday, June 19, 2009

The Art Institute of Pittsburgh has announced that Braddock Mayor John Fetterman will deliver the keynote address for the college’s Spring 2009 graduation ceremony. The ceremony will take place on Friday, June 19 at 5:30 p.m. at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, 1000 Ft. Duquesne Blvd, Downtown.

John Fetterman earned a Master’s degree in public policy at Harvard University and became Mayor of Braddock in 2005. He is a native of York, PA and moved to Braddock in 2001 to begin and direct a program designed to enable area youth to obtain a GED. As Mayor, Fetterman has initiated youth and art programs, created a community center, and attempts to initiate development of the town's buildings and economy.

Fetterman's efforts to create youth-oriented programs, revitalize Braddock, and engage artists within the community have attracted national interest including feature reports by The New York Times, The Rolling Stone (see attached: The Mayor of Hell) and an appearance on the Colbert Report in February during which the Mayor discussed the economic difficulties his town faced due to a decreased population, plummeting real estate values, and bankruptcy. Fetterman has also been involved in the Environmental Defense Fund’s advocacy for carbon caps and green technology.

The Art Institute of Pittsburgh’s Interior Design department recently contributed to the development of UnSmoke Systems, a creative venue on Braddock Avenue in the former St. Michael’s Catholic School building on Braddock Avenue. The college’s Urban Studio class specializes in developing design solutions and possibilities for unused buildings with architectural or historic significance.

“We are proud that Mayor John has accepted our invitation to serve as the keynote of our spring commencement ceremony,” said Art Institute President George L. Pry. “We believe that the Mayor’s honorable work and creative philosophy will resonate with our graduates. We look forward to a message of empowerment, unconventional courage, and believe that Mayor John’s work towards blazing a new trail in the face of disbelief and devastation in Braddock will offer tremendous inspiration to a rising class of creative professionals.”

Mayor John has announced that the entire sum of funds offered by the college as honorarium for his role as keynote speaker will be used for new uniforms and equipment for a youth athletics program in Braddock and several other community initiatives.

For more information about Mayor John Fetterman, visit  www.15104.cc