October 28 2014: NEWS: Pitt Johnstown Homecoming 2014 [video] Tags: Acacia, Alpha Gamma Delta, Alpha Sigma Alpha, Delta Chi, Delta Sigma Chi, Kappa Delta Rho, Kapp Zeta, Phi Sigma Sigma, Sigma Tau Gamma
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EDITORS NOTE: On April 10, 2017 the "Inaugural 'Trails Day" took place. It was a Campus Effort". Pitt-Johnstown hosted the first "Trails Day" at the campus natural area, and more than 15 faculty, staff, and students arrived early Sunday morning to clean and repair our trail system. ... UPJ seems to have forgotten this Greek Effort :-( Emily Colella, Contributing Writer October 1, 2014 Pitt-Johnstown is the largest of the five Pitt campuses with 655 acres. Only a fraction of that is developed, and the Pitt-Johnstown campus has many acres of wooded land. Trails wind through the woods on campus for students to enjoy, but it is unclear who is responsible for the trails upkeep. Student Government Association members are making an effort to take care of campus trails. With participation from outdoor club members, fraternity and sorority members, and residence assistants, associaton members are planning a Greek Life Trail Clean-up Day. Aside from keeping the trails clean, the event’s purpose is to help freshmen get to know the greeks and get started gaining community-service experience, according to association member Nick Digorgio. All students are being encouraged to participate. “ I believe Greek life has a tendency to retain a poor image on this campus,” sophomore Digiorgio said “In hopes of shining light on the important things they contribute, I hope incoming freshman will observe and appreciate their positive attitudes and hard work towards improving their home, Pitt-Johnstown,” he said. Digorgio is association parlimentarian and Campus Development Comittee chairman. Committee members are in charge of the cleanup day organization. The day is to take place at 1:00 p.m. on Oct 19. The cleaning should be finished at 5 p.m., when a dinner for participants is to take place at the gazebo near the Student Union. While student government members have been taking an active role in trail maintenance, other organizations members have been planning to take action. Also, the Environmental Sustainability Club keeps UPJ green in a variety of ways. “We are a club that focuses on bringing better recycling and greener initiatives to campus,” said Emma Gyurisin, club president. She confirmed that her club’s members are in the planning stages of a similar trail cleanup. READ MORE: Trail cleanups are getting organized
A 2014 Gallup study found "graduates who participated in fraternities or sororities are slightly more likely to thrive in all five critical elements of well-being — purpose, social, financial, physical and community — than are graduates who did not participate in fraternities or sororities." Results for the Gallup-Purdue Index are based on Web surveys conducted Feb. 4-March 7, 2014, with a random sample of 29,560 respondents with a bachelor's degree or higher, aged 18 and older, with Internet access, living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, and 5,137 fraternity and sorority members. The North-American Interfraternity Conference and National Panhellenic Conference partnered with Gallup for this first of its kind study.
Overall Well-Being Graduates who participated in fraternities or sororities are slightly more likely to be thriving in all five critical elements of well-being – purpose, social, financial, physical and community – than are graduates who did not participate in fraternities or sororities. Workplace Engagement National results show that 43% of college graduates who were members of a fraternity or sorority are engaged in the workplace, compared to 38% of college graduates were not members of a fraternity or sorority. Support The support that graduates recall receiving from their institution as students is also important well into their post-graduate careers. 16% of graduates who participated in fraternities or sororities and who say they had a professor who cared about them as a person, one who made them excited about learning, and had a mentor who encouraged them to pursue their dreams are emotionally attached, compared with 13% of graduates who did not participate in fraternities or sororities. Experiential Learning Similarly, graduates with fraternity or sorority affiliation and membership in college were more likely to have taken advantage of experiential learning opportunities while in college (11%) than graduates who were not members of fraternities or sororities (5%). Alumni Attachment Alumni who participated in fraternities or sororities exhibit higher emotional attachment to their school. 22% of those who were in sororities or fraternities are attached, compared with 17% who were not members of sororities or fraternities. RED MORE: Gallup Research October 8 2013: NEWS: Pitt-Johnstown Homecoming 2013[video] Tags: Acacia, Alpha Gamma Delta, Alpha Sigma Alpha, Delta Chi, Delta Sigma Chi, Kappa Delta Rho, Kapp Zeta, Phi Sigma Sigma, Sigma Tau Gamma
“There are hardly any washers ever open and the fact that there are only two washers and two dryers at the bottom of (Acacia Lodge) and Heather Lodge definitely makes it a war trying to get it done,” Campbell said.
Junior Lindsey Matson, who lives in Timberline Townhouse, said timing plays a role in getting her laundry done. “Since finding an empty machine is always an issue, I get up at 6 a.m. to do my laundry, which is never fun,” Matson said. Dealing with people who fail to promptly move their laundry from a washer into a dryer is also something Matson said she encounters. “I hate when other people touch my stuff, so I always try to make sure I am there on time, and I expect the same of others,” Matson said. “Sadly, this is rarely the case. I typically will wait 10 minutes just because I don’t want to touch other people’s stuff, but, if they don’t show up after that, I will move it.” Campbell said fights can break out due to unavailable machines. “There should be just as many washers and dryers available like in the freshmen dorms,” said Campbell. “People end up getting very edgy and upset with other people touching their things to use a machine.” One way to help make the process easier is to be conscious of the time on the machines you’re using, Campbell said. “I always make a timer on my phone for when my laundry will be done because I don’t want other people touching my stuff, but I don’t have a problem taking other people’s stuff out if it has been sitting there for a while.” Matson said the process is frustrating for all the students. “There just aren’t enough washers and dryers available, and I’m not sure if this matters, but it gets really hot in all the laundry rooms too and that makes me grouchy so it might to others, too,” said Matson. Conference and auxiliary services director Joyce Radovanic said Friday she did not have all the information available yet to comment on the determining factor in the washer and dryer ratio for students on campus. - See more at: http://www.upj-advocate.com/features/2012/11/07/laundry-wars-tumbling-out-of-control/#sthash.XVlx5QMw.dpuf Ed Sheets, Tom Park, Contributing Writers October 17, 2012 Filed under Features Walking through a pitch-black building with only friends and hands for guidance, one can smell the products of the fog machines. Adrenaline pumps with rising anxiety from the suspense of something or someone popping out. A haunted house can be nerve-wracking. Pitt-Johnstown sorority Phi Sigma Sigma members are holding a haunted house at 7 p.m. Oct. 31 at their house in front of the Student Union. “We hope that more people come this year than last year. We are trying to raise money for our cause,” said Phi Sigma Sigma sister and junior Shelbi Cervenec,
Last year, their haunted house theme was the movie “Amityville Horror.” They decorated the inside of the house, providing a specific pathway for visitors. Phi Sigma sister Caitlin McCarthy described this year’s haunted house. “We plan to have the entrance at the front door, and then the people will go upstairs, through the lobby, then down the stairs toward the back of the house, then through the lobby on the bottom floor.” The haunted house is to cost $2 for students and $5 for nonstudents. Greek organization members from Alpha Phi Omega and Acacia are to help with the Phi Sigma Sigma haunted house. This year’s theme will be “The Exorcism.” The help is to include assistance to set up the haunted house and playing the character theme. “We always want people to help us with a big project like this,” said McCarthy. “We want to get one of the fraternities to help us so that it will go faster, and we wanted Alpha Phi Omega to help us because we like to get other organizations involved.” Alpha Phi Omega President Stephen Torquato said he wanted the fraternity to be more involved with campus life. “I want the new pledges of Alpha Phi Omega to get an understanding of what it is to help other organizations.” Cervenec and McCarthy said they would like for the haunted house to be scarier this year. Phi Sigma Sigma is not alone in Greek Halloween plans. Sigma Tau Gamma Programs Vice President Bill Rush said members will hold a Halloween party. “We will be doing a costume party where everyone is encouraged to dress up,” Rush said. The Spirit Halloween store at the Galleria mall has costumes, accessories and decorations for the holiday. “Our most popular costumes this year include Monster High and The Avengers for kids,” Spencer’s Gifts Communication Coordinator Kevin Mahoney said. “And Kim Kardashian and Barack Obama for adults.” Johnstown resident Megan Urban said she shops at these kinds of stores because of their convenience. “I usually buy my Halloween costume because it comes with everything you need, whether it be makeup or accessories, which saves time,” Urban said. With the price of costumes rising, the Goodwill store along Eisenhower Boulevard. offers shoppers lower-priced alternatives. “We sell costumes at low prices that other people paid full price for to wear only once,” said Goodwill employee Renee Bailey. Bailey said costumes sold at her store cost less than $20. She also said some people use items in the store to make their own costumes. “People make mobster and zombie costumes using clothing and accessories from the store,” said Bailey. Windber resident Sarah Pellio said she saves money by making costumes for her family. “Each of us decides what we want to dress up as, then we visit stores like Goodwill and Michaels to get materials for the costumes,” said Pellio. Pellio said the average amount she spends on each costume is about $10. - See more at: http://www.upj-advocate.com/features/2012/10/17/greek-organizations-prepare-scare-tactics/#sthash.zyccgdrl.dpuf NOTE: Alpha Phi Omega is a national, co-ed service fraternity that has set the standard for college campus-based volunteerism since 1925. There are active chapters on more than 350 campuses, and we strive to help each individual member develop leadership skills, experience friendship on many levels and provide service to others.
Baccalaureate degree programs established during his tenure include secondary education programs in biology, chemistry, Earth and space science and general science; geology; chemistry; computer science; geography, and business economics. An associate’s degree in respiratory therapy also was established, as were certificate programs in business and international studies. Blackington also established the UPJ president’s scholars program. His tenure also saw the introduction of women’s intercollegiate athletics and the campus’s membership in the National Collegiate Athletic Association. He oversaw the successful “Shaping a Future” capital campaign that raised more than $16 million; sponsored six major symposia, and established the Center for Technological Training of the Unemployed and the John P. and Joyce Murtha Center for Continuing Education and Professional Development. Blackington also was instrumental in the creation of the National Center for Excellence in Metalworking Technology, which evolved into today’s Concurrent Technologies Corp. Additionally, Pitt-Johnstown became a Regional Computer Resource Center during his tenure. During his time at UPJ, Blackington was involved in the community, serving on several local boards, and was a champion for the economic development of the region. Following the local flood of 1977, Blackington opened the campus to evacuees and relief workers. More than 400 community members were provided with temporary housing in the campus’s residential facilities and 540 volunteers and workers from relief organizations were provided with other accommodations. At the time of his retirement in December 1993, when asked to reflect on his accomplishments, Blackington said, “All I did was my job. Then I remind myself that it is important for people to have the opportunity to say this is a job eminently worth doing and I look at it as a celebration of the enterprise rather than the individual.” A native of Keene, New Hampshire, Blackington earned his bachelor’s degree in education at Keene State College, his master’s degree in education from Boston University and his PhD in education from Michigan State University. He served in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953 during the Korean conflict and held the rank of sergeant major. After completing military service, he briefly served as director of publicity at Keene State, and then was appointed as head of the social studies department at Peterborough High School in New Hampshire. He also taught history and held appointments as head of the social studies department and assistant principal at Marshfield High School in Massachusetts. After earning his PhD in 1960, he joined the education faculty of Michigan State, later serving as director of its Honors College, where he remained until accepting the presidency of Pitt-Johnstown in 1974. Pitt-Johnstown President Jem Spectar said, “The University is grateful for the excellent service of Dr. Blackington and for the enormous contribution he made to enhancing the quality and impact of Pitt-Johnstown and strengthening links between our University and the greater Johnstown community. Our campus, our community and our world are a better place because of the service of Dr. Blackington. Our hearts go out to his family.” Blackington is survived by his wife of 53 years, Rosella; his daughter Deborah Blackington; his son Bradley Blackington; his grandchildren Courtney, Tyler, Brynne and Grace Blackington, and numerous nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. The family suggests that contributions in Blackington’s memory be made to the Frank Blackington Memorial Fund for the Pilgrim Church of Duxbury Choir, P.O. Box 186, Duxbury, MA 02331, or to Snug Harbor Community Chorus, P.O. Box 945, Duxbury, MA 02331. —Peter Hart, via University Times June 28 2012: NEWS: Obituary: Dr. Frank H. Blackington III Tags: Acacia, Alpha Gamma Delta, Alpha Sigma Alpha, Alpha Xi Delta, Delta Chi, Delta Sigma Chi, Kappa Delta Rho, Kapp Zeta, Phi Sigma Sigma, Sigma Tau Gamma, UPJ
January 24 2012: NEWS: Farewell & Parting: Former UPJ President, Jack Freeman, dies at age 80 Tags: UPJ
"I admired his sense of confidence and competence in every situation he faced," Nordenberg said. "He was a natural leader who reached out to the younger leaders. "He not only offered us support but made us feel comfortable in our new leadership roles." Under Freeman's administration, UPJ established five academic divisions – education, engineering technology, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences – and began offering its first four-year degrees. His tenure at UPJ also saw the formation of the faculty senate, the first academic convocation, and groundbreaking for the Engineering and Science Building. Additionally, UPJ held its first homecoming celebration, introduced the Mountain Cat as the official school mascot, and added wrestling as a third intercollegiate sport. Freeman earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in political science from Baylor University prior to joining the Air Force in 1954. He was appointed as an assistant professor of political science at the Air Force Academy in 1959. From 1964 to 1967, Captain Freeman worked at the Pentagon for United States Air Force Chief of Staff General Curtis Lemay and later for the Assistant to the Deputy Undersecretary USAF for International Affairs. Jerry Cochran, executive vice chancellor and general counsel for the university, said both Mr. Freeman and Posvar served in the Air Force, and their experience in the military had an impact on younger executives like him. Freeman resigned his commission in the U.S. Air Force in 1967 to accept a position at the University’s Pittsburgh campus, where he joined then-Chancellor Wesley W. Posvar, who was a longtime friend of Freeman’s and his mentor at the Air Force Academy. "Dr. Posvar was his mentor at the Air Force Academy," Cochran said. "Leaders are born," said Cochran. "Both Freeman and Posvar were Air Force officers, and this commitment to the military enhanced their quality of leadership. "I had the highest level of respect for Jack Freeman, who taught us the ropes in our new undertakings," he added. "I often sit in my office and think of Jack and what he meant not only to me, but to the university." Freeman served as executive assistant to Posvar and secretary to the Pitt Board of Trustees. He became Pitt-Johnstown’s second president in 1971. In 1974, Freeman returned to the Pittsburgh campus as vice chancellor for planning and budget. In 1977, he earned his PhD at Pitt in higher education administration, and he was named senior vice chancellor for administration two years later. He became executive vice president for the university in 1986.. He resigned in 1990 after Posvar announced his plans to retire. After leaving Pitt, Freeman held administrative positions at Penn and Cornell, and worked as a higher education management consultant until his retirement in 2006. Following his Pitt career, Freeman served as executive vice president at Temple University, at the University of Pennsylvania, and at Cornell University, and he worked as a higher education management consultant until his retirement in 2006. Under Freeman’s administration, Pitt-Johnstown established five academic divisions (education, engineering technology, humanities, natural sciences, and social sciences) and began offering its first four-year degrees. He also established its faculty senate, held its first academic convocation, and broke ground for its Engineering and Science Building. Freeman’s tenure at Pitt-Johnstown also saw the university’s first Homecoming celebration and the addition of wrestling as a third intercollegiate sport. Freeman is survived by his wife of 60 years, Betty Hawling Freeman; sons Jack R. Freeman, David M. Freeman, Mark R. Freeman; daughter Melissa Emanuele; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his elder brother, Bob Freeman. The family is being served by the Hall Funeral Home, Purcellville, Va Read More: Tribune Democrat & University of Pittsburgh
Fraternity Bowl 2011 - The annual full contact football game between Delta Chi and Acacia. Final Score: ΔX - 20 Acacia - 6 Pitt-Johnstown has been named to the President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll for the second consecutive year.
The honor roll, administered through the Corporation for National and Community Service, is the highest federal recognition that a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement. More than 600 schools and campuses were honored. During the 2009-10 academic year, the period for which the campus is being recognized, Pitt-Johnstown students, faculty and staff performed more than 12,300 hours of service, impacting the lives of some 5,000 individuals. Among the major service projects on the campus were: • Pitt-Johnstown @ Your Service, where UPJ faculty, staff and students support community organizations with time, talent and expertise to address areas of importance to Pitt-Johnstown and the community, including health promotion, veteran outreach and education. • The Pitt-Johnstown RealWorld Action program, the centerpiece of cocurricular and student development initiatives, which offers students the opportunity to develop customized personal and professional development plans to become agents of positive change in communities. Overall, 560 Pitt-Johnstown students, 18.5 percent of the student body, were engaged in service-oriented work as part of the program. Projects included serving meals, providing staffing assistance at community events, tutoring K-12 students, participating in community cleanup programs and promoting conservation. • Pitt-Johnstown Habitat for Humanity alternative spring break, where last year 111 faculty, staff and students traveled to Florida and Georgia and spent more than 4,400 hours constructing four homes. via University Times |
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