Pitt-Johnstown social fraternities and sororities provide students the opportunity to become part of a group which shares common ideals and promotes community service, scholastic excellence,  philanthropic endeavors, as well as opportunities for social activities and leadership development. 

​Currently there are only FOUR registered and recognized social organizations on our campus.  They are listed below.  Any other mention of social organizations at Pitt-Johnstown are unrecognized and are therefore not monitored, supported, or endorsed by The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. 

​Fraternities and sororities regularly sponsor service activities, intramural teams, social events, and educational programs. The groups sponsor academic activities and recognition; the scholastic achievement of members is monitored by the organization.

Phi Sigma Sigma International Fraternity was founded at Hunter College (NY) in 1913, and was established at Pitt-Johnstown in September, 1991. The colors are king blue and gold; the flower is the American Beauty rose; the jewel is the sapphire; and the symbol is the Sphinx. “Aim High” is the sorority motto. Phi Sigma Sigma supports the Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation as their philanthropy. The Phi Sigma Sigma Foundation supports school and college readiness. 

Delta Chi Fraternity was founded in 1890 at Cornell University (NY). The fraternity’s colors are red and buff and the official flower is the white carnation. Established in October 1972, Delta Chi was the first national fraternity at Pitt-Johnstown, which has raised funds for the Arthritis Foundation of Johnstown and has sponsored a child in Colombia, South America.

Delta Chi was formed by the brothers of local fraternity Phi Delta Psi. Phi Delta Psi Fraternity was founded in the Winter of 1962, the second local fraternity after Lambd Sigma Rho.  On April 2, 1971, the Brothers of Phi Delta Psi were sworn into the pledge program of Delta Chi. On May 15, 1971, they were fully initiated into the Bond of Delta Chi, twenty-four strong , the Penn State Delta Chi Chapter House. 

Kappa Delta Rho National Fraternity was founded in 1905 at Middlebury College (VT), and the Iota Alpha Chapter was established at Pitt-Johnstown in 1982. The fraternity’s motto is “Honor Above All Things;” its colors are Middlebury blue and Princeton orange; and the flower is the red rose. The chapter’s major philanthropic project is the annual Wallyball Tournament which benefits the Cambria County Chapter of the Easter Seals.

Sigma Tau Gamma National Fraternity was founded on June 28, 1920, at the University of Central Missouri, and the Delta Pi Chapter was founded at Pitt-Johnstown in 2007. The fraternity colors are azure blue and white. The members of Sigma Tau Gamma uphold the six principles of value, learning, leadership, excellence, benefit and integrity in their everyday lives. The national philanthropy of Sigma Tau Gamma is Books for Kids; at a local level, Sigma Tau Gamma raises money for cancer research.

The Delta Pi Chapter of Sigma Tau Gamma at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown in Johnstown, Pennsylvania was originally established in 1988 with 28 Founding Fathers. It was re-established in 2009 with 16 Refounding Fathers. Over 300 men have been initiated since its inception.

All potential new members to our Greek letter organizations must register to go through the recruitment process.  The recruitment period for Spring 2018 is complete. If you are interested in reaching out to one of our organizations, please connect directly with the contacts below.  

While each organization has a set of specific recruitment standards, the university requires that a student have at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average.  Further, students must also have a commitment to the values of the Greek community: leadership, scholarship, service, and brotherhood/sisterhood.

The advancement of the Fraternity/Sorority community at Pitt-Johnstown is also a key value in a potential new member.  Students who would like to be considered for the Fraternity/Sorority community must participate in a potential new member education workshop with the Campus Activities and Engagement Office before they are eligible to accept bids through our system.

​For more information about recruitment, please contact Heather Bloom Hall, Fraternity/Sorority Advisor and the Director of Campus Activities and Engagement at hbh7@pitt.edu.

Ferrell and Parting. Luke Trotz, Delta Chi

TROTZ – Luke A., 28, of Ebensburg passed away August 15, 2021 at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital.  Born September 12, 1992 in Heart of Mary Villa, Manilla, Phillipines, son of Joseph A. and Patti (Ball) Trotz.  Preceded in death by maternal grandparents, Patrick and Judith Ball and paternal grandparents, Frank and Eleanore Trotz. 

Survived by parents, of Florida;  wife, Samantha E. (Makin) Trotz, to whom he was married August 1, 2020, but had dated for 11 years;  In-laws, Mary and Dale Makin, Colver;  maternal aunt and uncles: Sally A. Ball and Jeffrey (Carleen) Ball, both of Ebensburg, and Gregory (Jeanne Jo) Ball, of Salbury, NC., and paternal aunt and uncle, Frank Trotz and Jolene Komara, both of Johnstown, as well as sisters-in-law Stephanie (Dan) Smith and Sydney Makin, two nephews and numerous cousins. 

Luke was a 2010 graduate of Central Cambria High School, a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, Johnstown, Class of 2014 and received his Masters Degree from Robert Morris University, Pittsburgh. He was working towards his M.B.A. before his illness.  He was employed by UPJ upon his graduation and joined the faculty of St. Francis University in 2016, where he served as Director of E-Sports, served as Assistant Director of Student Life & Engagement. 

His interests were varied, he loved everything with regards to gaming, enjoyed his involvement in musical theatre during high school, and was always available to his students and his university family. In addition Luke had a love of baseball as he played and coached on numerous teams.  Friends will be received from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at the Askew-Houser Funeral Homes, Inc., Ebensburg, where a vigil prayer service will be held.  Funeral Mass will be held at the Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel, Loretto,  on Thursday at 10:00 a.m., Very Rev. Fr. Malachi Van Tassell, T.O.R., celebrant.  Private interment at Lloyd Cemetery, Ebensburg.  In lieu of flowers, donations in Luke’s memory may be made to the Dorothy Day Outreach Center, P.O. Box 600, Loretto, Pa.  15940.     

By Shawn Curtis, scurtis@tribdem.com
Aug 18, 2021

As friends and colleagues recounted memories and shared thoughts about Luke Trotz, first impressions and lasting memories came to mind about as fast as a smile or laugh from him.

Trotz, who was the assistant director of student life and engagement along with serving as the director of esports at St. Francis University, passed away at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital on Sunday. The 2010 graduate of Central Cambria High School and a 2014 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown was 28. He is survived by his parents Joseph and Patti Trotz, now of Florida, and his wife, Samantha, whom he married in 2020.

His easy-going nature made him a dynamo of positivity, even in highly competitive moments.

“He had a magnetic personality that you wanted to be around,” said Brett Marabito, a teammate of Trotz on multiple youth-league baseball squads and the Berkley Hills Renegades of the AAABA League. “He drew people in because he was always happy. Very few things ever got him down. He was always the one bringing everyone else up. That’s what made him such a great teammate. He was always there to pick people up.”

Marabito, now the assistant principal at Ligonier Valley High School, made note of a prodigious power display from Trotz during their first game together as members of the B.Hale Boilers of the Johnstown Recreation Pony League.

“Our first game in the Pony League, we were playing Ideal Market … Ideal had a really good team that year,” Marabito said. “First game as a 13-year-old, Luke goes out and hits three home runs, and we beat them 15-0. … He set the tone for us that season as far as offense goes. The home run he hit to right-center field at the light pole where the fences meet at the Bandshell. The first time I ever watched him play baseball was three home runs against Ideal Market.”

Josh Day, one of Trotz’s coaches with the Boilers, had a similar first impression a few months before that Johns- town Rec debut.

“I remember the first time we saw him play, we were at (East Taylor-Jackson) watching him play as a 12-year-old,” Day said. “He was looking like a man among boys. They have that tree line out there. He had two home runs in the game we went to see him, and they cleared not just the fence but the tree line behind the fence.”

‘Saw the greater good’When Seth Mason, founder of The Esport Company, was beginning to expand the impact of esports in the region, Trotz was at his side as a high school league was launched this past spring.

Mason noted that Trotz was willing to put in the time for the local high school esports scene on top of his duties coaching the esports team at St. Francis.

“Words can’t explain how important he was to our company and to what we’ve developed across the region in high school esports,” Mason said. “He was someone who was going to the schools. He was positive, impactful and saw the greater good of what we were trying to do.”

Trotz’s involvement in esports also allowed him to coach up one of his former coaches as a team was getting off the ground at Greater Johnstown High School.

“He was a big force behind Greater Johnstown School District having an esports program,” Greater Johnstown Athletic Director Kerry Pfeil, who also coached Trotz at the Pony level, said.

“With me being the athletic director, I had someone to go to every single time that I had a question. I still remember thinking, ‘I coached the kid in Pony League and here I am, he’s teaching all about esports and what it can bring to all of the kids in the school district.’ It’s a pretty cool feeling to be able to work with one of your former players and learn from him.”

Trotz was instrumental in helping launch a dedicated esports facility at St. Francis, but that wasn’t his only concern when in Loretto.

“He just didn’t do esports,” Mason said. “He did Greek life.

“He helped with all of those activities. He truly loved what he was doing and esports made him that kid again. He was involved with a lot of community initiatives and projects in Cambria County.
“He made an impact that’s going to last 50 to 100 years from now.”

That spirit of involvement meant that any time that a hand was needed on campus, Trotz was quick to pick up the phone.

“Luke got it,” said Jim Brazill, the senior associate athletic director at St. Francis. “Luke understood his role to serve the students and he did that with a passion. It didn’t matter if the student was Greek life, an athlete or a member of esports – he wanted them to have a great experience at St. Francis. Anytime athletics hosted a championship in any sport, I could count on Luke being one of the first calls I’d receive.

“He’d say, ‘What do you need from student activities and how do we make this the biggest event on campus?’ ”

While Mason said that Trotz was irreplaceable, he is hoping that The Esport Company can honor him in numerous ways starting with awards and scholarships for players in their high school esports league. Mason said that the Luke Trotz Excellence Award would given to one esport player in The Esport Company’s high school league in both the fall and spring seasons, along with a pair of esports scholarship awards in his name.

‘Cared about team success’His coaches and teammates at the Pony League level quickly saw a great talent on the field, but also learned that Trotz was an MVP in the dugout.

“He was the type of kid who always cared about team success,” Day, who is now the varsity baseball coach at Richland, said. “There were days where even if he didn’t have the best day, he wasn’t going to sit and sulk about it. If he wasn’t having the best day and someone else was, he was picking them up. He was cheering them on.

“If you had teams full of guys like that, you’d never have to worry about chemistry or morale. It would all just happen naturally.”

Pfeil, who is also the baseball coach at Greater Johnstown, shared similar thoughts.

“He had a loyalty for who played for, who he represented and his teammates above everything,” Pfeil said. “When it came to competition, he was a die-hard to win, but he wanted to do things the right way.”

As Marabito and Trotz grew older, they were able to link up once more as teammates when the Berkeley Hills Renegades of the then-AAABA League needed to fill out their roster as they claimed the local title and represented Johnstown as its champion in the 2012 AAABA Tournament.

“We were able to share eight championships together,” Marabito said. “That stands out the most, because coming into AAABA, Luke didn’t get a shot with anybody coming out of high school and the Colt League. It took a couple of years to latch on, and whenever Larry McCabe became (manager) of the Renegades, we needed a local guy who could be reliable, be at games and play a few roles for us.

“Being two local guys, we didn’t play for Martella’s, we didn’t play for Delweld. It was that much more special for him and I both to make the AAABA Tournament together.”

Despite having not played for two seasons thanks to an injury suffered during his freshman year at Capital University, Trotz was eager to help when called.

As Marabito explained, it was his nature.

“He put the needs of others above his own so many times,” Marabito said. “That alone tells you the type of person that he was. He was a great son to his parents, and they absolutely adored him. He did everything he could to make them proud.

“He was a great husband to his wife, Sam.”

‘A big kid at heart’While Trotz wasn’t a professional gamer, he was able to collect numerous accolades in online play on titles such as “Halo 2,” “Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare,” “Overwatch” and “Rocket League.”

He’d never pass up an opportunity to get a game started among friends.

“When we’d go to the facility at St. Francis, he’d always hop on a game with us and play,” Mason said. “He was kind of a big kid at heart. There was definitely a family-first mentality with Luke.”
The penchant for play did not mean that Trotz wouldn’t roll up his sleeves when needed.

Mason recalled that Trotz was one of the first to connect with him as Mason began his esport venture in 2018.

“He took me under his wing and trusted me to succeed when nobody else would hear me or the idea of what I was trying to do,” Mason said.

According to Pfeil, Trotz was always ready with open arms, regardless of the situation.
“Luke Trotz was welcoming,” Pfeil said. “He wanted everyone to feel included in whatever activity or event that he was partaking in.”
​
Shawn Curtis is a reporter for The Tribune-Democrat. He can be reached at 814-532-5085. Follow him on Twitter @ShawnCurtis430.

Callie Burgan, News Editor, The Advocate
November 4, 2020
​
Although COVID-19 has impeded on most in-person campus festivities, the 2020 Pitt-Johnstown Homecoming Court seniors are refusing to be stifled, remaining optimistic for an unusual and out of the ordinary Spirit Week.

“I love Pitt-Johnstown, and, even more so, I love that I am able to share this experience of being on court with my friends.” Weber said.

Senior Tyler Weakland, representing Alpha Kappa Psi, said he is honored to be chosen for Court during such a significant year.

“Being chosen by my brothers of Alpha Kappa Psi has really made me realize how important brotherhood actually is. This is going to be my third year as a brother, and I wouldn’t change anything. “Alpha Kappa Psi has really grounded me to campus as well as a worldwide organization for the rest of my life. With COVID-19 pandemic hindering most of the homecoming festivities, I’m still impressed that Pitt-Johnstown has been able to mask up and stay mountain cat strong by keeping everyone involved and engaged whether you’re remote or on campus.” Weakland said.

Madison Augustine, representing College Democrats, said being nominated for homecoming court is an honor. “I have been dedicated to my organization since I joined as a member and have been lucky enough to serve as president. To be nominated just reminds me that I put my all into being involved on campus and being a student leader. “The homecoming experience is definitely different this year, but I’m extremely thankful to be a part of it – regardless of it being virtual or in person.”

Senior Tessa Fry, who is representing UPJ Cheerleading, said she is Mountain Cat proud to stand on court with individuals she has had the opportunity to share so many laughs, experiences and memories with over the past four years. “Although this year is anything but typical, these individuals nominated make their Pitt-Johnstown home unique and memorable for all. Again, I am very appreciative of the opportunity to represent such a strong community of individuals as we forge through life together.  “Hailing from home this year, the spirit of Homecoming still resonates within our Mountain Cat Community as we come together once again as a family to engage and make the most of the time we have left together here at Pitt-Johnstown remaining Mountain Cat strong.” Fry said.

Senior Isa Lanthaler, who is also representing Alpha Kappa Psi, said she was surprised to be selected to be on the court this year. “I am representing Alpha Kappa Psi,the Professional Business Fraternity on campus. All of our members are extremely ambitious and driven towards success. I was honored to be selected.”

To add to the fun, November 5 is “Blue and Gold Day” on campus.  If a student is “caught” wearing Pitt-Johnstown apparel by a Program Board member, they are able to win free school merchandise.
The full list of Homecoming Court seniors are as follows:

• Madison Augustine representing College Democrats
• Tessa Fry representing UPJ Cheerleading
• Nick Mowad representing UPJ Cheerleading and Kappa Delta Rho Fraternity
• Jillian Badgley representing Phi Sigma Sigma Sorority
• Connor Krugh representing Program Board and Delta Chi Fraternity
• Lexi Weber representing Education Club
• Daniel Shirley representing Education Club
• Christopher Joseph representing the American Society of Civil Engineers
• Ashley Kushner representing the American Society of Civil Engineers
• Isa Lanthaler representing Alpha Kappa Psi Fraternity
• Tyler Weakland representing Alpha Kappa Psi Fraternity
• Jade Stubblefield representing Student Government Association
• Devin Seiger representing Student Government Association

“Club members had months to prepare for this,” she said.

“Nothing can be done at this point.”
​
Olivia Albert, who was the co-allocations chairwoman during this year’s budgeting process, said the only way to modify a proposed budget would be if it was an emergency, and that student government members spend around 22 hours total putting the finalized budget together.

Advocate Editor-in-Chief Matt Churella said the three most important things The Advocate needs includes printing, in which $8,250 comes out of the activity fee, the website, which is $700, and the cost to renew programs such as Adobe InDesign and Photoshop, which are required and cost $800.
“We are being given an amount that directly violates the 2012 agreement we made with student government where they signed with Student Affairs and agreed to pay, at the very least, 100% of our printing cost,” Churella said.

“A newspaper needs to have its printing funded. It’s not like this is an unexpected cost. But I’ve been assured that there will be an Advocate next year, so we’ll see.”

Ski and Board Club President Jimmy Regan said he requested $4,144.14 but was not granted any money due to no signature on his club’s budget.

“Receiving no money at all greatly affects us,” he said.  “Since our budget was incomplete, we cannot go through the emergency allocation process.

“Our members and I are not happy, and we understand that we made a mistake, but I feel like there should have been a chance for us to fix it,” Regan said.

“We were not notified that our budget was denied. Our treasurer heard about it from a (student government) senator by word of mouth. 

“Our club members are upset because they pay money to be in clubs and the money that they are paying is not even going toward their own interests.”
​
Regan said it would have been more fair if they were given a second chance to resubmit their budget, even if there was a penalty given, and that the budgeting process can be more organized.

Freshmen can go Greek, after a class
Tyler McNulty, Editor-in-Chief
April 4, 2018

Dances likely to get audience response
Jane Stueckemann, Managing Editor
January 24, 2018

Kayley McKay was named Homecoming Queen and Zachary Barnot was named Homecoming King for 2017 at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown during a Saturday, September 30, ceremony. Pitt-Johnstown President Jem Spectar crowned Ms. McKay and Mr. Barnot at the campus University Square Gazebo.

They were sponsored by Delta Chi fraternity.

Kayley is a nursing major from Harmony and is also the President of Phi Sigma Sigma Sorority.
Zachary is a Belle Vernon grad who will have his degree in Business Information Systems. These leaders were nominated by Delta Chi Fraternity.

Nominations were announced earlier in the week and student voting concluded Friday.
The coronation is part of Pitt-Johnstown Homecoming weekend.

Candidates for queen included McKay, Sarah Brasili, Amber Gibbs, Sydney Hamilton, Haley Knepp, Santana Lardo, Heather Moon, and Julianne Nerone

Candidates for king included Barnot, Qaseem Chaudhry, Andrew Downey, David Francola, Abdullahi Mada, Thomas Messer, Patrick Petrell, and Brady Willis.
​
Last year's queen and king - Ashlee McMullen and Bernard Dunegan - were on hand for the ceremony.

• More photos may be found on the Pitt-Johnstown Homecoming 2017 Flickr album.​

Starting this semester, the national fraternities with Pitt-Johnstown chapters – Delta Chi, Kappa Delta Rho and Sigma Tau Gamma – are no longer able to host open parties.

When fraternities host open parties, members allow anyone to enter. The three fraternities’ national risk-management manuals all state that the fraternity brothers are not permitted to sponsor any type of open party where alcohol is present.

According to Student Affairs Vice President Shawn Brooks, this is not something new, but something that was brought to his attention over the summer. He said he was looking at the fraternities’ national hazing policies after the incident at Penn State’s Beta Theta Pi, where he came across the rule.

Pitt-Johnstown Interfraternity Council President John Kopsick also said that the National Interfraternity Council’s plan was to move away from open parties. “We knew this was coming for about a year now,” he said. However, Kopsick said the Feb. 4 alleged hazing death at Penn State was a game-changer for Greek life.  “It started a national conversation about what’s going on in Greek life,” Kopsick said.

Brooks said that if something was to happen during an open party, then the fraternities’ national organization would not cover the incident and liability would be applied to local chapter members.
“From my understanding, it’s been this way for a few years now,” Brooks said. He also said his concern was that fraternity members were not aware of their responsibilities during open parties. “(Pitt-Johnstown) officials are now going to be paying close attention for (the members),” Brooks said. Brooks said by having closed parties, fraternity members are able to then have more control over who attends their parties.

Kopsick said when fraternity members host closed parties, they are allowed to have a 75-person guest list with a 50-person occupancy.  “It’s of interest (of Interfraternity Council members) to find ways to make closed parties work for us,” Kopsick said.

Student Activities and Engagement Director Heather Hall said Interfraternity Council members are exploring making closed parties more user-friendly for the door managers.  “Before we know it, students will be used to this process,” Hall said.  She also said that closed parties are the only type of parties approved by national organizations  “Pitt-Johnstown is assisting the member groups here to help them implement their own national guidelines,” Hall said.  Hall also said that, if fraternity members are caught hosting an open party, their punishment would depend on what rules were being violated.  “Like any student organization, or any student, a violation of (Pitt-Johnstown’s) alcohol policy is treated seriously and will follow our judicial process,” she said.

Brooks said that he doesn’t think the closed parties will discourage students from joining the fraternity, but interest will go up.  “Closed parties are somewhat more exclusive. You have to be invited to get in. “If all fraternity (members have open parties), and you’re only joining for the social reasons, and not for the service, are you really in it for the right reason?” Brooks said.

Hall agreed and said that the members are interested in recruiting students who not only enjoy the social aspect of Greek life, but also are committed to common values and leadership.

However, Kopsick said he’ll have to wait and see how students respond to the closed parties.
“Open parties were (fraternity members’) biggest tool in reaching the (greatest number) of people at one time,” Kopsick said.  Kopsick also said that the fraternity members will have more public events and find creative ways to recruit more people.

Hall said that some fraternities have national expectations on number of hours and projects.
“These are some of the activities that are not as public as some of the social events, but definitely offer a contribution to the world around them.
​
“There is so much more to fraternity life than Friday and Saturday nights. I know the men are very interested in highlighting all aspects of fraternities to new men who are eligible to be recruited,” Hall said.