UNIVERSITY OF PITTSBURGH AT TITUSVILLE

DEDICATES HELENE BARCO DURATZ PLAZA

Special gift from James J. Duratz, UPT Advisory Board member,

is responsible for creation of plaza in memory of his wife.

Dedication held October 3, 2002.

TITUSVILLE, Nov. 5 -- Several years ago, President Michael A. Worman envisioned the creation of a plaza that would unite two blocks of campus divided by a city street.  When UPT Advisory Board member James J. Duratz learned of Dr. Worman’s idea, he gifted the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville with $250,000 to create the plaza in honor of his late wife Helene Barco Duratz.

Because of the vision of Dr. Worman and the generosity of Mr. Duratz, the Helene Barco Duratz Plaza became a reality.  Once the City of Titusville vacated the street and deeded it to the University, Dr. Worman enlisted Dahlkemper Associates of Erie to create a magnificent plan for this space. 

The transformation began with the elimination of the street.  In its place are a brick and stone, curved entranceway bearing “University of Pittsburgh at Titusville” and “Helene Barco Duratz Plaza” plaques on either side, an information kiosk welcoming guests to campus and providing building information, a brick-lined walkway with period lighting, and a handcrafted (by local artisan from Meadville), four-sided, lighted clock that is a replica of one that stood in the entranceway of the Chicago Stock yard for many years.  The clock sits at one end of a grassy oval.  Over 40 new trees have been planted, in addition to other landscaping greenery and flowers.  Dedicatory benches and a brick Circle of Friends complete the new look.

On October 3, over 200 Oakland dignitaries, UPT friends, and friends and family members of Mr. Duratz attended the dedication of the Helene Barco Duratz Plaza.  The dedication was a heartwarming tribute to Helene and a sincere thank you to all the friends and family members who contributed to the development of the Plaza.  The platform party, consisting of Dr. Worman; Mark A. Nordenberg, Chancellor; Richard W. Roeder, Chairman of the UPT Advisory Board; Brian A. Sanford, Mayor of Titusville; Thomas R. Taylor, President of SGA; and Mr. Duratz, addressed the guests.

Dr. Worman thanked the City of Titusville, friends of UPT and Mr. Duratz, “We want to express our deepest appreciation for your generosity and support.”  He spoke of the generosity of the Barco Duratz family, their strong belief in and support of education, and their desire to help others achieve their goals and dreams.  He paraphrased Yeats, “Think of where man’s glory begins and ends, and say that the University’s glory was it had such friends.”

Dr. Worman paid tribute to Helene and Jim Duratz’s 44 year romance and partnership.  He spoke of Helene’s grace, warmth and devotion to family and said that in difficult times, “She exhibited strength and poise that would awe the most accomplished among us.”

He said of the Plaza that “the warmth and style and grace that were emblematic of Helene are reflected in its beauty.  It is part of her magnificent legacy.” 

Mr. Duratz delivered a heartfelt thank you to all who contributed to the project and an emotional tribute in honor of Helene.  He said, “There are two things that are important for you to understand about Helene.  She loved this University and this campus, and she loved greenery.  To see its beauty and to know that thousands of students will be able to share in that beauty gives me great pleasure.”  He finished his speech with a favorite phrase of Helene’s, “Go Pitt!”

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