Nobel laureate and human rights activist Desmond Tutu will be in Pittsburgh Oct. 24 and 25, during which he will officiate at an interfaith service in Shadyside and receive a joint honorary degree from two city universities.

The visit by the retired Anglican archbishop from South Africa, his first trip to Pittsburgh, was arranged by Shared Interest, a U.S.-based social investment organization. He will be guest of honor at a benefit for Shared Interest called the Million Ripples Gala set for 6 p.m. Oct. 24 at Carnegie Music Hall.

A Nobel Peace Prize winner who championed the fight against apartheid, Archbishop Tutu will officiate at a 10 a.m. service Oct. 25 in Calvary Episcopal Church. While there, he is to receive a joint honorary doctor of humane letters degree from Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh, said Carnegie Mellon spokesman Ken Walters.

It's the first time both schools have conferred an honorary degree jointly, Mr. Walters said. Archbishop Tutu is honorary chairman of Shared Interest's board of directors.