Stragglers found themselves pulling up to the valet just in the nick of time before the heavens opened and a torrential downpour unleashed itself as the Heinz History Center rolled out the red carpet for more than 400 during its History Makers Award Dinner held at the Westin on Friday.
"Today is my mother's 95th birthday....she should get all the credit, because without her, I certainly wouldn't be here today," mused Academy Award winning actor and Pittsburgh son F. Murray Abraham (26 years later and we're still swooning over his portrayal of composer Antonio Salieri in the movie "Amadeus").
HHC prez Andy Masich was first to turn the page before handing it over to co-chairs Ralph Papa and Bob Kelly, who also served as the evening's master of ceremonies.
"Welcome to our annual meeting. I'll try to keep it under 10 hours," he teased.
Carnegie Mellon prez Jared Cohon and pianist Patricia Prattis Jennings were among this year's graduating class (the soiree snagged $300K), joining an elite alumni of over-achievers that have been lauded over the past 18 years.
"It is so nice to have an introduction that doesn't start with 'All rise'" laughed the Hon. Cynthia Baldwin .
