In the endless fight against sexual violence while striving for equality, diversity and inclusion in higher education, Catherine “Katie” Elizabeth Pope was a light in a dark tunnel.
Her work at the University of Pittsburgh as its first full-time Title IX coordinator and current associate vice chancellor for strategic operations and planning in the office for equity, diversity and inclusion ensured fairness for all, said Clyde Pickett, the university’s vice chancellor for equity, diversity, and inclusion.
“She will be remembered for her commitment to making Pitt a better place for all,” he said. “She leaves an enormous legacy at the University of Pittsburgh.”
Ms. Pope, of North Point Breeze, died May 23 of colon cancer. She was 49.
Before joining Pitt in 2015, Ms. Pope served as Title IX coordinator at Allegheny College in Meadville and deputy Title IX coordinator at Purdue University in Indiana.
She was also an expert in sexual assault prevention and helped to implement a policy at Pitt in 2016 that required staff and faculty members to report incidences of sexual assault or harassment to the Title IX office.
“She was a tremendous champion for social justice, and the work she did to support gender equality and women speaks for itself,” Mr. Pickett said.
“That was her compass north -- making sure that everyone was treated equally,” said her husband, Bill Kannel. “She worked to do what she could where she could. Injustice rankled her.”
She grew up in eastern Ohio, earning a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Dayton in 1996, followed by master’s degrees in philanthropic studies from Indiana University and interdisciplinary studies at Iowa State University.
She was studying for her doctorate degree in education from Pitt when her illness forced Ms. Pope to put her plans on hold.
She met Mr. Kannel while both worked in the fundraising office at the Saint Louis Art Museum. The couple married in 2003 and have two daughters, Elizabeth “Ellie” and Erinn, 18 and 14, respectively.
It was her early work with non-profits -- including as executive director of a domestic violence and sexual assault shelter and outreach agency in Ames, Iowa -- that opened his wife’s eyes to need, Mr. Kannel said, and saw her focus her energies on preventing sexual violence while promoting equal rights and diversity in education.
“Part of it just came from her personality and the way she wanted to make the world better and equal,” he said.
Ms. Pope defended the decision by Pitt to mandate its staff as reporters of sexual misconduct in an interview with the Post-Gazette in July 2016.
“Although some faculty members expressed reservations about the requirement to report sexual misconduct to the Title IX office, the responsible employee role is truly an opportunity to strengthen the trust students put in our faculty and staff, because it will provide direction and support for next steps,” she said.
When Mr. Pickett joined the university in 2020, Ms. Pope was one of the first to welcome him.
“She was the kind of colleague who would come into your office to offer her support, personally and professionally,” he said. “Katie was a phenomenal colleague and mentor.”
Her loss will be felt deeply by colleagues and students at the university, said Chancellor Patrick D. Gallagher.
“Katie was special -- a rare combination of deep expertise, compassion, and warmth that was all combined and focused by a desire to make a difference,” he said in a statement. “She pioneered our Title IX program, but her passion was to prevent sexual violence and to support those most affected by it. Our hearts are broken, but with her family at this painful time.”
A fierce defender of equality, justice and those she loved, Ms. Pope had a sharp wit and wicked sense of humor, her husband said.
“She loved to laugh,” he said. “But, she could also be quiet at times. She wasn’t always the first to speak up -- she was very observant and watched. She only spoke when she had something important to say.”
“She will be greatly missed,” Mr. Pickett said. “It’s just a tremendous loss for the Pitt family.”
Along with her husband and daughters, Ms. Pope is survived by her parents, Ed and Betsy Pope of the Pittsburgh area.
A memorial service is planned for 11 a.m. July 8 at the First Unitarian Church of Pittsburgh, 605 Morewood Ave., Shadyside.
Donations are suggested to cancer research organizations or to a GoFundMe account set up to benefit her daughters.
Janice Crompton: jcrompton@post-gazette.com.
First Published: June 11, 2023, 9:30 a.m.
Updated: June 11, 2023, 12:45 p.m.
