During her tenure as president of the Pitt Alumni Association (PAA), Valerie Njie spent much of her time and energy telling the Pitt story — highlighting to alumni, students and the broader community the best parts of the University.
Njie (EDUC ’71) remains an active member of the PAA, continuing to support and highlight the accomplishments of Pitt and its outstanding alumni. But in summer 2024, she turned her focus to telling her own story and, in doing so, became one of a handful of Pitt affiliates helping to launch a unique oral history project, “Voices of History.”
Njie is one of six Pitt people who shared their stories for the PA Humanities project. The project also includes three College of General Studies and Dietrich School alumni:
- Sheila Beasley (CGS ’87), a communications professional, reflected on “East Liberty’s Italian Army.”
- Ervin Dyer (A&S ’11G, ’16G), a senior editor with Pitt Magazine, shared “Grandma’s Chair.”
- Janis Burley (A&S ’88), head of the August Wilson African American Cultural Center, shared a story called “Swimming Pools.”
You can read the full story on Pittwire.