Memorandum
June 25, 2012
Dear Colleagues:
I am writing to let you know that University Registrar Ralph Hertel is retiring effective June 30th after 34 years of service to the University of Pittsburgh. At the same time, Associate Registrar Patti Mathay has been named Interim University Registrar.
Mr. Hertel began serving as Interim University Registrar in 2010 and took on the position of University Registrar in 2011 with responsibility over student records, course and classroom scheduling, registration, and transcript certification. In this role he has led the Classroom Management Team and the PeopleSoft Student Administration Management Team and has served on several University committees including the Enrollment Management Committee, the University Athletic Compliance Committee, and the Academic Calendar Committee. Prior to his appointment as Interim University Registrar, Mr. Hertel served as Associate University Registrar, with oversight of the technical and records/grades/graduation areas and responsibility for all of the Office of the University Registrar’s business functions.
Mr. Hertel graduated Cum Laude with a B.S. in Business Administration from Robert Morris University in 1977. Prior to joining the University of Pittsburgh, Mr. Hertel worked as a Systems Analyst at Slippery Rock University, where he contributed to the development of student and business administrative systems. In 1978, he joined the University of Pittsburgh as a Senior Systems Analyst, where he led a development team in the use and implementation of the first database management system at the University. He joined the Office of the University Registrar - Student Financial Services in 1982, where he served in several capacities over the years, including as Manager of Information Resources. In 1995, he was promoted to Associate University Registrar.
Associate Registrar Patti Mathay has been named Interim University Registrar, effective July 1, 2012. Ms. Mathay joined the University of Pittsburgh in 1976 and has moved up through the ranks holding several important positions during her tenure including Assistant and Associate University Registrar. She has served on a number of University-wide committees including the Provost’s Advisory Committee for Women’s Concerns, the Academic Calendar Committee, and as a representative to the Provost’s Advisory Committee on Undergraduate Programs and the University Council for Graduate Studies. She is a member of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Offices and the Middle States Association of Collegiate Registrars and Officers of Admissions. Ms. Mathay earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania in 1976 and her Masters of Business Administration from the Executive Education Program at the Katz School in 1992. Since then, she has enjoyed pursuing coursework towards an Ed.D in Higher Education Administration at the University of Pittsburgh.
In her various roles within the Office of the University Registrar, Ms. Mathay had demonstrated the talent and judgment needed to enable the Office of the University Registrar to meet its mission to serve the faculty, staff, students, and administration of the University, using best business practices for the benefit of the University.
Please join me in wishing Ralph Hertel well as he looks forward to his plans for retirement and welcoming Patti Mathay as Interim University Registrar.
Sincerely,