Tree is near the entrance to the Cathedral of Learning building.
From the university of Pittsburgh newspaper, here is a biography of the individual to whom this tree is dedicated:
Frederick Joseph Koloc
A memorial service for Frederick Koloc, who had been employed at the University since 1965, will be held Oct. 4 at 2 p.m. in Heinz Chapel. A reception will follow in the William Pitt Union Ballroom/Kurtzman Room.
Described by co-workers as a man of myriad admiral qualities, Frederick Koloc, long-time director of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) Advising Center at Pitt, died Sept. 16. He was 58.
"For more than 30 years, Fred Koloc was truly the 'heart' of CAS and a person of the highest personal integrity. He will be sorely missed," said Beverly Harris-Schenz, associate dean for Undergraduate Studies in CAS.
Koloc earned his M.A. in English literature here in 1965 and was hired as a graduate student adviser that year. He became director of academic advising at Pitt in 1970, while working toward a Ph.D. in American literature, which he earned in 1974. He earned a B.A. in American civilization at Brown University in 1963.
Koloc served under six CAS deans. His administrative experience included serving twice as administrative dean on Semester at Sea and twice as assistant to the academic dean/registrar. In addition, he regularly taught English writing courses and Freshman Studies-1 sections.
As director of the CAS Advising Center, Koloc supervised a staff of 36 advisers, three staff members and four work-study students. The center is responsible for academic advising to the largest undergraduate unit on the Pittsburgh campus.
Nancy Martin Mullinary, CAS Advising Center receptionist, said, "Fred was so much more than our boss. He was our beloved friend and teacher. He taught us not what to do, but how to be. Through his beautiful example, he taught compassion, kindness, unconditional love, respect and generosity of spirit."
Steve Lund, CAS adviser, added, "His ease and manner made even the busiest times in our office smooth and bearable, and he never forgot the 'spirit of the law' in the face of the letter."
Koloc's position required an extensive knowledge of CAS and the overall University, as well as close interaction with faculty, staff and administrators. He worked with departmental advisers and department chairs, and was responsible for advising the CAS associate dean on the coordination and oversight of the college's part-time instructional budget.
"On a professional level, he possessed an encyclopedic knowledge of the college, its policies, and procedures, a vast institutional memory and a profound understanding of the faculty and programs of CAS," said Harris-Schenz.
Nominating Koloc for the Chancellor's Award for Excellence, CAS academic advisers Donna Brett and Mary Beth Favorite wrote: "In many universities, the undergraduate's academic needs, problems, questions and hopes may easily go unnoticed. This is not likely to happen at the University of Pittsburgh because Fred Koloc has established as his legacy an Advising Center whose staff has been trained to be personal contacts, mediators and advocates for the undergraduate community."
CAS adviser Stephanie Whatule said, "Fred once shared his philosophy in selecting and training advisers: Find good people, give them the basics, and then let them do their jobs. But I've always thought that Fred's own talent for bringing out the best in others was what enabled him to pull together diverse people and make a successful unit."
Pitt students, faculty, staff and administrators are invited to visit the on-line condolence book designed by CAS adviser Tony Novosel at (
visit link) to leave a message. The family will later receive a book of all the remembrances.
Koloc is survived by his wife, Brenda Smith; two sons, Tom and Nathaniel Koloc; a daughter, Molly Tripp; a granddaughter, Erin J. Tripp; his mother, Helen; three sisters, Linda, Virginia and Nancy, and a brother, Richard.