This past fall (2023), University of Pittsburgh’s Alpha Chi chapter celebrated the 50th anniversary of signing their original Alpha Sigma Lambda charter. To recognize this significant landmark, the chapter created a digital exhibit at Pitt’s CGS Hillman Library called “The Voice of the Adult Student — ASL Alpha Chi: Celebrating 50 Years of Academic Excellence.”  The exhibit included newspaper articles, photographs, and other archives to document significant events between 1971-1975, the early years of the Alpha Chi chapter at Pitt.

In 1973, Carol Cushman, along with twelve other students, played a pivotal role in establishing Alpha Sigma Lambda (ASL) at Pitt’s College of General Studies. At the time, she was a 31-year-old seeking new challenges. While working full time at the public information department of Duquesne Light Company, she took night classes at the Pittsburgh campus and found the experience of learning exciting and invigorating.

Despite excelling in her English major, Cushman felt disconnected from the Pitt community. She desired a way to connect with and support other nontraditional students who shared her dedication to hard work and scholarly ambitions. This desire was shared by many others as well. The result of this shared vision became one of her proudest achievements and the foundation of a lasting legacy that continues to support the advancement of Pitt students.

Many of Cushman’s (CGS ’75) personal ASL memorabilia are part of the 50th Anniversary display, a fitting tribute to her contributions. She attributes her career advancement to the support she received from ASL and Pitt.

Today, Cushman is a retired vice president at PNC, where she worked in the asset management group and retirement investment services. She looks back fondly on her time at Pitt, knowing that today’s nontraditional students are still benefiting from the society she helped bring to campus.