Almanac

50 years ago

April 5, 1955

The fifth annual Tartan debate tournament was announced for the end of the month. More than 30 colleges from Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, and West Virginia were to be represented at the debate. The topic was the national collegiate debate topic: ?Resolved: That the United States extend recognition to the Communist government of China.?

25 years ago

April 8, 1980

Two Carnegie Mellon faculty members died in unrelated incidents involving water. John Fitts, a 33-year-old economics professor, died in a canoeing accident while preparing for a race. Fitts was a nationally ranked paddler and had captured a trophy in a competition two weeks prior. The body of John Oakley, a computer science researcher, was found a half mile from the Fort Pitt bridge. There was no suspicion of foul play, and the death was ruled a drowning.

10 years ago

April 3, 1995

University President Robert Mehrabian denied allegations that administrators were unhappy with his performance. An article making the accusation had appeared in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette following the resignation of GSIA Dean Robert Sullivan. Mehrabian said that he was unaware of any dissension in the administration and felt that negative press could harm the University.

5 years ago

April 10, 2000

The University hosted its first nationwide technology conference in the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial. Called T?3 (Tomorrow?s Technology Today), it was attended by people from across the technology spectrum: individuals from academia and industry, businessmen, venture capitalists, and consultants. The opening address was given by Pittsburgh mayor Tom Murphy.

1 year ago

April 1, 2004

The Tartan?s annual April Fool?s edition of the ?Natrat? caused a campus-wide outcry. Protests were held in opposition to the racist and sexist content of the issue. Following these protests, the Editor-in-Chief and Managing Editor resigned from their posts and The Tartan stopped regular publication for the remainder of the semester.