University of Pittsburgh Chancellor Emeritus Mark Nordenberg will officially retire from the university this summer, ending a nearly five-decade run shaping and leading Pitt.

The university announced Thursday that Nordenberg, 77, will step down on June 30 as chair of the Institute of Politics and director of the Dick Thornburgh Forum for Law and Public Policy.

“This university has been a perfect professional home for me, and I always will be grateful for the special chances to contribute to the greater good that Pitt, Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania regularly provided,” Nordenberg said in a statement. “Even on tough days, and I have seen a few of them, I knew how lucky I was to be a part of this university.”

Nordenberg joined Pitt in 1977 as a faculty member at the School of Law, where he became dean in 1985. After roles as interim provost and interim chancellor, he was named Pitt chancellor in 1996 and served through 2014.

“I have a deep appreciation for Chancellor Emeritus Mark Nordenberg and his enormous impact on the University of Pittsburgh,” said University of Pittsburgh Board of Trustees Chair John Verbanac. “During his tenure as chancellor, Mark played an integral leadership role in the emergence of Pitt as an internationally recognized research powerhouse that offers a world-class education to students from around the world. His legacy is forever intertwined with the ascension of the university, as well as his steady presence leading the Institute of Politics and the Dick Thornburgh Forum.”

Pitt officials credit Nordenberg with improving the university’s academics and athletics during his time as chancellor. During his tenure, university enrollment increased by more than 20%, more than $2 billion was raised in a capital campaign and research allocations grew.

Additionally, Nordenberg oversaw many building projects at Pitt, including the renovations of Alumni and Benedum halls. A residence hall is named after Nordenberg.

Pitt’s Institute of Politics, founded 30 years ago, is a non-partisan forum for policy that informs civic leadership. Samantha Balbier, the current director, will lead the IOP upon Nordenberg’s retirement. The new director of the Dick Thornburgh Forum is Paul Supowitz, who retired in 2024 as Pitt’s vice chancellor for community and government relations. Nordenberg will be named chair emeritus of the IOP.

Outside of Pitt, Nordenberg co-founded the Eradicate Hate Global Summit, created following the Tree of Life synagogue attack in 2018. He also was chair of the state Supreme Court’s Legislative Reapportionment Commission, recommending a redistricting plan adopted by a bipartisan vote.

A native of Minnesota, Nordenberg moved to Pittsburgh as a teenager and graduated from North Allegheny High School. He went on to Thiel College and the University of Wisconsin Law School.

Joan Gabel, Pitt’s chancellor, said the university has been “incredibly fortunate” to count on Nordenberg’s leadership for nearly a half-century.

“Mark’s signature commitment to community and culture, and to service and achievement exemplify not only the very best of our Pitt values and tradition but also his legacy of impact that has made our university and community stronger and better in every way,” Gabel said.

Nordenberg will serve as keynote speaker during Pitt’s commencement May 3 at Acrisure Stadium.