Spirit of Pitt

1. Fill out the Spirit of Pitt application
2. Minimum GPA of 2.5
3. Full-time student
4. Fulfilled five hours of community service during the 2024–2025 academic year
5. Current junior, senior or graduate student
6. Be in good standing with Student Conduct and fill out the Student Conduct form and include the following information:
   • What program: Spirit of Pitt
   • Who is your supervisor? Olivia Lynch
   • What is their email? ofl4@pitt.edu

Candidates for the Spirit of Pitt award will go through the following selection process:

• Application & Eligibility Review: Students submit an application, which is reviewed by PAA staff. Eligibility is confirmed by the Registrar and Student Conduct offices to ensure all minimum requirements are met.
• Essay Evaluation: Eligible applications are evaluated by the PAA board awards committee, with essays reviewed and ranked to determine semifinalists.
• Interview Round: The top 15 candidates are invited to interview with a panel of university partners. From these interviews, 10 students are selected for the Homecoming Court.
• Campaigning & Voting: Court members participate in a campus-wide campaign and voting period during the fall semester.
• Winners Announced: Spirit of Pitt recipients are revealed at the Homecoming football game.

1. Paint the Town: work one shift
2. Homecoming Kick-Off
3. Blue & Gold Bash
4. Homecoming Game

All applicants must adhere to the following policies and procedures. Students who violate any of these policies will be disqualified, and the appropriate departments will be notified to determine disciplinary actions.

• Spirit of Pitt Homecoming Rules & Guidelines
• University’s Notice of Nondiscrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy Statement
• Branding guidelines established by the University
• Policies and procedures listed on the Office of Policy Development and Management

Candidates who receive the most votes will be awarded a $2,000 resource award, sponsored by the PAA. These funds are credited to the student’s Pitt Funds Me account by the second week of the spring semester and automatically applied to tuition, class fees and other academic-related expenses.

Resource Fund Eligibility Clause: The PAA, with support from the Office of Financial Aid (OFA), confirms the eligibility of Spirit of Pitt recipients for resource funds. If a student is determined to be ineligible, they must select a recognized Student Organization Resource Center (SORC) organization in good standing to receive the funds. The organization must meet eligibility requirements, and funds must be allocated to initiatives that align with Spirit of Pitt’s core goals.

Funds are allocated to initiatives that align with the program's goals of alumni engagement, school spirit and professional development:

• Alumni Engagement: Networking events, mentorship programs and career workshops
• School Spirit Promotion: Pep rallies, spirit weeks and campus-wide celebrations
• Professional Development: Career-building workshops, certification courses and conference registration fees
• Essential Supplies: Non-perishable materials for events (e.g., banners, flyers)

Coming soon

Mark your calendars—voting for this year’s Spirit of Pitt awards opens Oct. 20 at noon! Follow these easy steps to cast your vote:

• Go to the Experience Pitt platform using the voting link provided below. 
• Log in using your My Pitt Passport credentials. 
• Once logged in, select your choices for both undergraduate and graduate student candidates. 
• Submit your vote to complete the process.

• Application Deadline: June 2
• Minimum Requirements Review: June 2 – 9
• Application & Essay Review: June 16 – 23
• Interviews Conducted: July 8 – 10 
• Court Announced: July 15 
• Court Photos & Headshots: Aug. 29 
• Campaign Materials Due: Sept. 1 
• Campaign Begins: Sept. 29 
• Voting Opens: Oct. 20 at noon 
• Voting Closes: Oct. 21 at noon 
• Spirit of Pitt Winner Announced: Halftime at the Homecoming Game