Vol: 2009-10
             No.: 4

December 1, 2009

In this Issue:

Alumnus of the Month:  Joyce Dramel, ’98

I attended Pitt-Greensburg in 1988 as a non-traditional student who was working full-time at Allegheny Power. At that time, the campus consisted of one building where all the classes were held. The library was where the faculty offices are now.  Needless to say—the campus was small. I attended for 10 years, and in that time, I watched the campus grow from one building into the beautiful lush campus that it is today.   

Several of my classes were challenging for me, and each year, it seemed the students got younger and younger. The students and faculty at Pitt-Greensburg were some of the best people I ever met; they were friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable.   

I never took for granted the importance of receiving my degree and participated in my commencement in 1998, graduating with a BS after double majoring in business and psychology. 

My college years at Pitt-Greensburg, the friends I made, and the knowledge I gained, are several of the most rewarding experiences of my life.   

Annual Holiday Networking & Wine Tasting Event

The Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association will host its annual Holiday Reception on Friday, December 4, at 7:30 pm. in Lynch Hall. The reception will feature wine tasting from Greendance Winery and hors d’oeuvres. 

Greendance, the Winery at Sand Hill, Mount Pleasant, was established in 2007. Its wine list includes more than 57 wines made from a variety of grapes, berries, and other fruits. These include dry reds, semi-sweet and semi-dry reds, sweet reds, dry whites, semi-dry whites, sweet whites, blush, rose, fruit and dessert, ports, and sparkling wines.

Registration is $20 per person or $35 per couple. Reservations may be made by calling 724-836-7497 or e-mailing upgalum@pitt.edu.

Holiday Greetings

The Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association wishes you a joy-filled and safe holiday season. May this special time of year allow you to be with those who are closest to you, and may you experience the wonder and kindness of the season.

 Pitt-Greensburg plans Homecoming and Family Weekend

Mark your calendar and plan to attend Pitt-Greensburg’s Homecoming and Family Weekend on Friday, February 5, 2010, and Saturday, February 6, 2010. Alumni who register by January 29, 2010, will be eligible to win a Pitt Homecoming Spirit gift basket. 

The weekend opens Friday evening with dinner and entertainment by comedian Eric O’Shay in Wagner Dining Hall followed by Casino Night in Bobcat Station. 

Saturday’s schedule includes:

·         9 a.m. – breakfast (Wagner Dining Hall)

·         10 a.m. – tours of the new Ronnie Andrews Fitness Center

·         11 a.m. – Carnival

·         1 p.m. – Pitt-Greensburg Lady Bobcats vs. Penn State Behrend (women’s basketball)

·         3 p.m. – Pitt-Greensburg Bobcats vs. Penn State Behrend (men’s basketball)

·         5 p.m. –  PGAA Happy Hour at Lynch Hall  

Join the PGAA Group on Facebook

If you use Facebook to stay in touch with friends and family, consider joining the Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association group. To join, open your Facebook account and enter “Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association” in the search box. Then click “join.” Watch for news about events and other activities. Or use this link to access the page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?filter=pp#/group.php?gid=18476819680.

2010 La Cultura Winter Gala

The 2010 La Cultura Winter Gala is scheduled for Saturday, January 16, 2010. Our theme this year is “Moving toward a greener future.” Mark your calendar and plan to join us at this signature event. Proceeds from this black-tie optional event benefit scholarships. The event begins with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres at 5:30 p.m. in Millstein Library, followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Advance ticket sales will run through December 15 at a cost of $115 per person, $920 per table of eight, and $1,150 per table of 10. After December 15, tickets will cost $130 per person, $1,040 per table of eight, and $1,300 per table of 10. To purchase tickets or for more information about the gala, please call 724-836-9942.

Katz Immersion MBA

Pitt-Greensburg is partnering with Pitt’s Joseph M. Katz Graduate School of Business to offer the Katz Immersion MBA (KIMBA) program in Westmoreland County. KIMBA will provide an intensive MBA education by immersing students in coursework three days a month over a two-year period. Admission requirements, total credits, and the curriculum design are consistent with the existing Katz School part-time MBA program.  

Students will be enrolled in a six-term, cohort-based program and be required to complete 52.5 credits to earn the MBA degree. To be admitted to the program, students are required to have completed at least three years of post-undergraduate work experience. 

To learn more about the program visit www.pitt.edu/immersion.html or call 724-836-9893 to register for an information session at Pitt-Greensburg’s Lynch Hall 102:

·         Wednesday, December 9, at 8 a.m.

Insurance plans available through Pitt Alumni Association

One of the newest benefits available to Pitt-Greensburg alumni is short-term health insurance from GradMed. This is a short-term, comprehensive major medical plan that is ideal for alumni between jobs, new graduates, and people in transition. Answer three health-related questions and receive immediate enrollment for periods of 60 to 180 days. After meeting the $250 or $500 deductible, this coverage will pay 80 percent of covered charges to $5,000 and 100 percent thereafter to $1 million maximum benefit per person. This comprehensive protection pays benefits for hospitalization, outpatient services, surgery and doctor bills (pre-existing conditions excluded). Visit www.gradmed.com for more information. 

Admission Events

If you know of high school students who are beginning their college search, be sure to encourage them to attend one of our Admission events. Remember, a visit to campus increases the likelihood a student will attend the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. Admission events are listed in the Mark Your Calendar section. Encourage interested students to call 724-836-9880 to arrange a visit.

December 2: Our Admissions Open House begins at 9:30 a.m. and is an opportunity to explore the Pitt-Greensburg campus and talk to current students. To register, call 724-836-9880 or visit www.upg.pitt.edu. 

February 5, 2010: Pitt-Greensburg’s Homecoming & Family Weekend opens with dinner, entertainment, and Casino Night. Visit www.upg.pitt.edu/homecomingandfamilyweekend/ for details and costs, or call 724-836-9991 to register. 

 February 6, 2010: Pitt-Greensburg’s Homecoming & Family Weekend continues with Fitness Center tours, Carnival, Women’s Basketball vs. Penn State Behrend, Men’s Basketball vs. Penn State Behrend, and an evening Alumni event. Visit www.upg.pitt.edu/homecomingandfamilyweekend/ for details and costs, or call 724-836-9991 to register. 

February 28, 2010: Joan Chambers Concert Series presents the Penn State University Chamber Singers at 7:30 p.m. in the Mary Lou Campana Chapel and Lecture Hall. This performance is open to the public at no charge.