Apple Picking
The First Year Ambassador Program is hosting apple picking at Soergel’s Orchard on October 4th at 12:30pm. The first 40 people to sign up using the Google Form below will get a free bag to use for pick-your-own apples.
If you miss a slot, then feel free to come along anyways because apple picking only costs $7!
BGSA Diwali: The festival of lights
Join us for Diwali, a celebration of the festival of lights, in the Frick Fine Arts auditorium on Friday, October 17th from 6-9pm. There will be a cultural program featuring Indian music and dance performances, followed by a delicious dinner from a local Indian restaurant.
Early Bird Tickets are live now. Please RSVP here
We are looking for volunteers and performers, please reach out to Nishant (nishant.panicker@pitt.edu) and Puja (puh5@pitt.edu) if you are interested in volunteering or performing! Volunteers will receive a free ticket
Volunteer at the walk to Defeat ALS event
The ALS Association would love your assistance volunteering at this year’s Walk to Defeat ALS, which will take place Saturday, October 18th at Stage AE.You can help with set-up (on Friday 10/17 or Saturday 10/18), Walk Day activities (10/18), or tear down/truck loading&unloading (10/18). All help is greatly appreciated!Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0944ADAB2DA4FC1-58139052-walk#/ Fun facts about the Walk to Defeat ALS:
The 2025 Pittsburgh Walk to Defeat ALS is on track to raise $450,000+ for ALS research, care, caregiver support, and advocacy.
Nationally, ALS Walks have raised over $223 million since they officially debuted in 2000.
The first Pittsburgh ALS Walk was in 1999, a year before other major cities got wind and started their own.
Volunteering at the Walk to Defeat ALS is a wonderful way to be a part of this legacy! This Walk means so much to pALS (persons with ALS), their loved ones, and all those honoring pALS who have passed.Look forward to seeing on at the impactful event!You can contact Dana (drj21@pitt.edu) or Emmy (eeb74@pitt.edu) with any questions.
Fall Leaves and Sweet Treats
The BGSA and the Oncology Graduate Program invite you to join us at the Agnew Road trailhead (The end of Agnew Road in Baldwin) to hike in Hays woods and enjoy some local coffee/pastries! We will meet at approximately 10AM and begin hiking around 10:30, taking stops along the way to look at natural features and rest.We hope to see you there!
Custom Candle Making
Please join us on Saturday, Sept 27th at 1 pm at the Southside Mix Candle Co. (2746 Sidney St) for a candle-pouring party! The first 16 people to sign up on Eventbrite (SOLD OUT) get a guaranteed slot and their candle paid for, but more folks are always welcome to join!
You can expect to be in the store for 30-45 minutes making your candles. After you are finished pouring candles, Mix Candle Co. will kindly ask you to explore the neighborhood for a bite to eat or drink while the candles cool down (~2 hours), allowing other guests to pour candles.
Please visit their website for parking information, restaurant suggestions, and more. The store is BYOB, so you're welcome to bring your own wine or beer to enjoy while you create candles. However, food of any kind is not allowed. They provide cups and bottle openers for your convenience. They do ask that you limit your drinks to 2 per person.
Please reach out to Emily Wheelis (ELW171@pitt.edu), Eeshrita Jog (EEJ33@pitt.edu), and Goutham Nadarajan (GON7@pitt.edu) if you have any questions or concerns.
MOVIE NIGHT
Join us for a movie night in the Pitt C4C: Understory, located in the basement level of the Cathedral of Learning (CL B50). We will be screening the film "Past Lives" (2024), directed by Celine Song. The critically acclaimed film follows two childhood friends who are torn apart after one of them emigrates from South Korea, only to meet 24 years later, reunited for one fateful week. Snacks and drinks will be provided; we look forward to seeing you there!
RSVP Here: bit.ly/3VJBNjI
If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact Nishant Panicker and Puja Halder (cc'ed above).
Sip of Science Series: Ava dou
The BGSA Community Outreach Committee and Greater Hazelwood Neighborhood Commitment at Pitt are collaborating to bring a new student-driven lecture series to Hazel Grove Brewing this fall: Sip of Science. This series will give graduate students the opportunity to engage with residents of the Hazelwood neighborhood and communicate what scientists do and how their research contributes to improving human health in a short, informal talk geared toward a non-scientific audience.
The first talk will be given by Ava Dou next Thursday (September 18) at 6pm at Hazel Grove Brewing.
We are currently looking for future speakers for Oct 16, Nov 20, and Dec 16 talks! 2nd year students and above with an interest in sharing their research and gaining valuable experience communicating science to a general, non-scientific audience can reach out to Josh Holloway (jth95@pitt.edu) for additional details.
Please see attached flyer for transportation information on how to get to Hazel Grove Brewing and hope to see you there!
The School of Medicine Welcome Ceremony
University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Fifth Annual Welcome Ceremony for the incoming PhD students 2025
Burnout prevention workshop
Join the BGSA and the co-founders of Solutions Makers, Dr. Sara Farwell and Dr. Maciej Zatonski, for an interactive, brain-first workshop designed to help you prevent burnout from ever derailing your future, happening on September 9, 2025 (Tuesday), at 3785 Scaife Auditorium Room (in-person event).
As graduate students, we often end up feeling drained, anxious, and stuck in cycles of procrastination or overthinking, rather than graduating with focus, motivation, and resilience. The BGSA feels this is a must-needed workshop for all of us. You will walk away with a clear plan to manage your mental well-being, new tools and techniques to improve your recovery and emotional resilience, and evidence-based methods to sustain your performance for the duration of your career.
It is free for all SOM graduate students! There are limited spots! Please RSVP here.
UNWIND WATURDAY: Kayaking with the BGSA
Before the summer officially wraps up, the BGSA Mental Health Committee would love to invite you to a kayaking day on Saturday, September 6th, from 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM at the North Park Kayaking Center.
Each student will receive a $10 rental refund after the event (please remember to bring your student ID and sign in with Salma El-Mossier on the day of the event to receive your refund).
Feel free to join us whenever it’s convenient — we’ll be hanging out with snacks and refreshments from 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM. We’d love to see you there. You can book your kayak in advance here, or you can rent once you arrive there (just keep in mind there might be waiting time). Attached is the flyer for more details.
Hope to see you all in our last Unwind Wednesday Saturday of 2025
Contact Salma El-Mossier (SOE33@pitt.edu) if you have any questions.
SOM ORIENTATION
The School of Medicine (SOM) is conducting orientation for the incoming SOM graduate students at Scaife Auditorium Room 3575