130 Thackeray Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260
The Gardner Steel Conference Center houses the University’s Innovation Institute and Academic Resource Center (ARC).
The Innovation Institute serves as the hub for innovation commercialization and student entrepreneurship activities at Pitt. Its mission is to foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across the University and throughout Western Pennsylvania.
ARC helps students to achieve their highest academic potential. It provides advising, consultations, tutoring, study-skills workshops, academic support services, access to cultural and leadership activities, and other programs and services. ARC is part of the Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, but is open to all undergraduates on the Pittsburgh campus.
The building, dedicated in 1912 and originally home to a German-American social and athletic association, is named after Gardner Steel, a successful oil investor who graduated from Pitt in 1891 and once held the University record in the 100-yard dash. He left the bulk of his estate to Pitt.