University of Pittsburgh earns award, $50k for alcohol education

11/2/2009

Pittsburgh Tribune Review

University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Mark Nordenberg received an award and $50,000 for the school today in recognition of its alcohol-education programs.

National anti-binge drinking organizations including The Gordie Foundation and Outside The Classroom each awarded Nordenberg $25,000 checks. School surveys of student behavior indicate that "binge" drinking declined by 12 percent during the past 18 to 24 months at Pitt.

Brandon Busteed, founder and CEO of the Massachusetts-based Outside the Classroom said Pitt's decline was notable because nationwide the drop was about 1 percent during roughly the past three decades. Pitt's programs include peer-to-peer education programs and mandatory classes that deal with alcohol risks.