Nationality Rooms & Intercultural Exchange Programs
Nationality Rooms & Intercultural Exchange Programs

Scottish Room Committee

  1. Room Committees
  2. Scottish Room Committee

Committee History 

Dedicated on January 29, 1938, the Scottish Nationality Room was one of the first four to be dedicated in the Nationality Rooms program. According to a University of Pittsburgh Press publication on the Scottish Classroom in 1940, the original Scottish Room committee comprised representatives from both the Royal Order of Scottish Clans and the Daughters of Scotia. Each lodge in the vicinity of Pittsburgh had a representative on the Scottish Room committee, including Clan MacDonald, Clan McKenzie and Clan Douglas as well as Lady Andrew Lodge, Thistle Lodge and Argyle Lodge. The Officers of the committee at the time of the room's dedication were: Dr. John B. Sutherland - Chairman Mr. James Brown - Vice-Chairman Mrs. Mary Hale - Vice Chairman Miss Helen W. Beattie - Secretary Mr. John E. McKirdy - Treasurer Mr. Alexander McRae - Auditor Over the years, the committee has engaged in numerous celebrations of Scottish heritage, sponsored talks on Scottish history and supported Scottish musical performances in the region. Most recently, the committee was instrumental in promoting the twinning of Glasgow and Pittsburgh as Sister Cities. Over the coming years, the cities will collaborate across a number of themes, such as workforce development, the environment and health and well-being. The committee looks forward to celebrating and promoting this new partnership.

For more information on the history of the room and committee, please visit Pitt Nationality Rooms | Documenting Pitt and search Scottish Room Committee.

Membership Benefits and Responsibilities 

Dedicated to celebrating Scottish heritage and promoting study abroad opportunities for University of Pittsburgh students to experience Scottish culture and history. Joining the committee enables you to help create and shape programming that will further the mission of the committee and the Nationality Rooms. That is, celebrating the diverse people and cultures that shaped the Pittsburgh region and promote overseas experiences that will support student educational goals and foster the exchange of new knowledge and ideas.

Key Annual Events 
Burns Night sponsored by the St. Andrew’s Society (Winter); Ligonier Highland Games (Summer); Celtic Culture Festival (Fall); Balmoral Classic Concert (Fall); Holiday Open House (Winter).