Contact: Sean McFarland, MA
Public Relations & Communications Manager
Email: sdmcfarland@carlow.edu
Phone: 412-260-6807
Pittsburgh Steeler and Carnegie Mellon professor of history to be honored for philanthropy and dedication to service of mankind
PITTSBURGH – Two honorees, who address structural injustice and dehumanizing situations, will take center stage at Carlow’s 2022 Commencement ceremony, held this year on Mother’s Day, May 8, 2022, at Soldiers & Sailors Hall. Cameron Heyward, defensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and Wendy Goldman, PhD, the Paul Mellon Distinguished Professor of History at Carnegie Mellon University, will both be recognized with honorary doctorate degrees for their commitment to mercy values.
Dr. Goldman, nominated for her many published, edited, and co-authored books, uses her position as an educator to focus on the Soviet population’s experience of World War II, war and famine, and gender and women’s history. Dr. Goldman was recently awarded the Non-American Military History distinguished book award, 2022, from the Society for Military History, for her book, (with Donald Filtzer) Fortress Dark and Stern. The Soviet Home Front during World War II.
She has received prestigious fellowships and awards in the humanities from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, the Andrew Mellon Foundation, the American Council of Learned Societies, and the National Endowment for the Humanities, among others. To date, Dr. Goldman’s work has been translated into several languages, including Russian, Czech, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and Japanese.
“Dr. Goldman’s honorary Doctorate of Humanities degree is an acknowledgement of her dedication to the service of humankind, which aligns with the ideals and values of Carlow University,” said Carlow University President Kathy W. Humphrey, PhD. “Her historical scholarship and teaching along with published works and commitment to mercy and social justice reinforce Carlow’s heritage of developing students to be responsible leaders in their communities and professions.”
This commitment to mercy and social justice is also present in the University’s other honorary degree recipient and commencement keynote speaker, Cameron Heyward. Heyward, who will receive an honorary Doctorate of Science degree, is a two-time Pittsburgh Steelers Walter Payton Man of the Year, a prestigious accolade that recognizes an NFL athlete’s community service work outside of football.
In 2015, Heyward’s mother Charlotte and his wife Allie established the Heyward House Foundation to help underserved youth in the inner-city of Pittsburgh and Atlanta, where Cam was raised by his mother Charlotte and late father Craig. More recently, Heyward’s foundation started a new initiative called “Craig’s Closet,” which provides young males suits and dress clothing for graduations, job interviews, internships, and other formal events.
“Cameron’s distinguished service to the community and his own accomplishments both on and off the football field are traits that serve to better mankind,” said President Humphrey. “Cam’s perseverance to complete his college education reinforces Carlow’s heritage of transforming generations by making educational opportunities accessible to all.”
Heyward’s affinity for philanthropy can be traced directly back to his grandmother, Judy Howsare Jordan, who graduated from Carlow University in 1965 and instilled the University’s mercy values into her personal and professional life. As is fitting for a commencement ceremony occurring on Mother’s Day, Judy Howsare Jordan will be honored for living her Carlow values and making a transformational impact on the lives of her family and the generations who will continue to benefit from their life’s work.
About Carlow University
Carlow is a private, co-educational, Catholic university located in the heart of Pittsburgh’s “Eds, Meds, and Tech” district. Founded by the Sisters of Mercy in 1929, Carlow’s curricula and partnerships reflect its strong commitment to social justice; ethical, forward-thinking and responsible leadership; and service to the community that has a meaningful impact. Undergraduate and graduate degrees are offered in two colleges: the College of Health and Wellness and the College of Arts and Sciences.
Carlow University also believes in the education and growth of students both inside and outside the classroom, where they can join student government, clubs, and academic honorary societies where they can develop skills in judgment, leadership, analysis, decision-making, and communication. For student-athletes, Carlow’s 14 athletic teams are known as the Celtics, a reflection of the university’s Irish heritage and roots.