PITTSBURGH — To those who knew Franco Harris, the legacy he earned by building bridges and inspiring people to come together and rise higher may outweigh his legendary plays on the football field. The Pro Football Hall of Famer passed away in December 2022, leaving behind his wife, Dana, and son, Dok, and a base of fans that spanned beyond his days on the field playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers and Penn State Nittany Lions.
To honor Harris’ legacy, Penn State leaders were joined by Dana and Dok Harris and local officials on Dec. 12 to dedicate the newly renamed Franco Harris Pittsburgh Center at Penn State, which is located in the Energy Innovation Center (EIC).
Penn State President Neeli Bendapudi said Franco Harris was a true ambassador for Penn State and an outstanding community leader.
“Franco’s commitment to excellence, both on and off the field, and his dedication to philanthropy and public service exemplify the values we hold dear as a University,” Bendapudi said. “In renaming the Franco Harris Pittsburgh Center in his honor, we affirm our commitment to continuing his legacy through programming and resources that positively impact, empower and enrich the youth, students, families and communities of the Pittsburgh region and beyond."
The newly renamed center houses a variety of Penn State Outreach programs, such as the Readiness Institute, City Semester, and National Green Infrastructure Certification Program (NGICP). In addition, other Penn State programs at the center include career services, alumni meetups, and Penn State Extension programs, such as Pennsylvania 4-H, Urban and Community Forestry, Nutrition Links, Master Gardeners and more. Each program, working collectively alongside Commonwealth Campuses and colleges, serves Pittsburgh initiatives that are grounded in increasing the impact of Penn State’s land-grant mission.
Dana said the commitment to service aligns with her husband’s mission in life.
“Franco was forever building bridges for what’s right, what’s kind. He wouldn’t hang up his own photo or jersey on the wall, but he would use the space he had to make a difference,” Dana said. “He was a team player. He engaged and took time to talk to people. I saw the joy he could bring, and it will be tough for people to find someone to take his place. Any room he walked into he lit up, anything he touched, he made better.”
Dana said she still feels his presence and wants to share that with others to continue to make a difference in and build up the communities we live in.
“One thing about Franco, what he said is what he meant. He would want to give people hope. In a difficult situation, he would say don’t go down to their level, make them rise to yours. Try to always be better,” Dana said. “When you find someone good, follow. If connecting his legacy to this space will help more people become aware of this shared mission, he would be all for it.”
Franco Harris served on the board of directors for several nonprofit organizations, including the Pittsburgh Promise, which promotes higher education aspirations in urban youth, and the Franciscan Sisters of the Poor Foundation, a religious nonprofit serving communities around the world. While serving in that capacity, Dana said Franco never saw anything as a problem, he saw it as a challenge.
“He would say there aren’t any problems that can’t be solved. He was so kind and loving that no one was afraid to approach him,” she said. “And when he walked into a room divided, he had the same affect. The environment softened and people could talk to one another.”
Justin Aglio, associate vice president for Penn State Outreach and executive director of the Readiness Institute at Penn State, said the center’s name change reflects a deep appreciation for the late Franco Harris and his lasting impact on the Pittsburgh community, both on and off the field.
“Franco’s spirit of giving, dedication to community engagement, and belief in the power of education align seamlessly with Penn State Outreach’s mission to create positive change throughout the commonwealth, including the city of Pittsburgh,” Aglio said. “Our outreach efforts extend beyond the classroom, and we want to use this moment as our inspiration to continue reaching into communities to make a tangible impact.”
The Franco Harris Pittsburgh Center at Penn State serves the Greater Pittsburgh area and is located at the Energy Innovation Center at 1435 Bedford Ave., Pittsburgh.