PGAA Hosts Speed Interviewing Event

On Wednesday, January 23, 2008 the Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association, in cooperation with the Office of Career Services, held the first Speed Interviewing Event on campus.  The event was designed to help students improve their interviewing skills by participating in 20 different “mini” interviews.  Over 60 alumni and other business professionals from the community served as “Guest Interviewers” for the evening—including Jennifer Miele of WTAE Channel 4 News.  Students were asked a question and then after they responded, each guest interviewer provided them with some valuable feedback before the bell rang and they had to move onto to the next interview. They only had 3 minutes for each interview—so it was a very fast paced, intense environment that required the students to think on their feet (especially since they had no idea what they might be asked. Overall the event went really well and students were excited about being able to meet so many different professionals and gain valuable insight about how the interview process works.  The guest interviewers really enjoyed the event as well. They were thrilled to be able to help the students  prepare themselves for life after school.  The Alumni Association is so grateful to everyone that took the time to come out and help with this event.  We could not have done it without your support.  Also, a Special Thank You to all of the Pitt-Greensburg staff and students who helped with the planning and set up of this event. University Relations: Jodi Kraisinger, Director of Institutional Advancement & University Relations; Emily Hayburn, Coordinator of Development;  Wendy Mackall, Director of Media Relations; & Karen Gavula, Department Secretary. Career Services: Beth Tiedemann Student Services: Linda Wagner Work Study Students: Emily Crookham, Jessica and Yasmeen Chartwells Dining Service Maintenance Department

Guest Interviewers

Jihan Allay, Therapeutic Staff Support              Family Behavioral Services Chuck Anderson, Chairman              S.C.O.R.E. Sherry Anderson, Mental Health Coordinator              Westmoreland Co. Mental Health &                Retardation Program John Austin III, Administrator              HCR Manor Care McMurray Kevin Bock, Financial Advisor              Integrity Estate Advisors Joyce Bucchi, Director of Human Resources              University of Pittsburgh (Greensburg) Barbara Christner, Attorney              Ward & Christner Tracy Courtney, Teacher              Harold Middle School Tyler Courtney, Owner              1st Metropolitan Mortgage Susan Crampton-Frenchik, French Instructor              University of Pittsburgh (Greensburg) William Davis, Commissioner              PA Workers Comp Appeal Board Maryln Davis, Owner              Alpha Business Services Pierre DeFelice, Internal Auditor              US Postal Service Dona DeFelice, PA State Trooper (Retired)              PA State Police Dianne DeNezza, Financial Information Systems              University of Pittsburgh (Oakland) Robert Dippolito, Police Officer              North Huntingdon Police Department Joyce Dramel, Claims Representative              Old Republic Insurance Greg Griffith, Production Planner              Kennametal--Kingston Plant Mark Gunkle, Charter Business Manager              First Student Leigh Hoffman, Asst. Dean of Student Services              University of Pittsburgh (Greensburg) Jamie Hoffman, Teacher              Penn Trafford School District Will Hoffman, VP of Financial Services              LCH Insurance Services, Inc. Amy Hoffman, Medical Claims Representative              Progressive Insurance Elisa Kent, Feature Writer/ Web Editor              Office for Communication & Catholic Accent Stephanie Kiebler, Sales Manager              Brooks Brothers Eric Kocian, Professor              Indiana University of Pennsylvania Mike Langer, CEO              Westmoreland Cultural Trust Jason Lochner, Assistant Principal              Wendover Middle School Ron Magnuson, Dean of Katz School of Business              University of Pittsburgh (Oakland)   Kelli Maloy, Assistant Professor of English              University of Pittsburgh (Greensburg) Steven Matzus, VP Credit Analysis Operation Mgr.              S&T Bank Scott Mickey, Elementary School Teacher              Penn Trafford School District Jennifer Miele, Westmoreland County Bureau Chief              WTAE Channel 4 Action News Mike Monsour, CEO              Key Care Home Health Rachel Moreland, PA Legislative Assistant              59th District PA House of Representatives Brian Moreland, Chiropractor              Fay West Chiropractic Health Center        Lori Morgan, Assistant Manager              Fidelity Mortgage, Inc. Brett Morgan, Professional Landman              Kriebel Resources (Gas & Oil Industry) David Najim, Financial Representative              Independence Planning Group Pete Panagis, Senior Engineering Manager              Medrad, Inc. John Prellwitz, Asst. Professor of Communications              University of Pittsburgh (Greensburg) Amy Rhodes, Admin. Asst. Office of Student Life              University of Pittsburgh (Oakland) Karri Rogers, former General Manager/Human Resources & General Manager Meter Reading              Allegheny Power Brian Root, Resident Director              University of Pittsburgh (Greensburg) Sharon Rosendale, Retired English Teacher              Laurel Highlands School District Rich Rosky, Assistant Vice President/ Manager              First National Bank of PA Scott Sistek, PA Legislative Assistant & Candidate        57th District PA House of Representatives Rebecca Sorice, Academic Support Services              University of Pittsburgh (Greensburg) Frank Spoto. Jr., Attorney              Law office of Frank M. Spoto, Jr. John Sterling, Director of Sales              St. Barnabas Health System Christa Trout-Griffith, Community Banking Manager              S&T Bank Greg Turley, Product Manager Engineering Services              Westinghouse Electric Co. Jana Valentine, Director of Campus Activities              University of Pittsburgh (Greensburg) Megan Walsh, Associate Accountant              Sisterson & Company, LLP Angela Weber, Office Manager              National City Bank-East. McKeesport Sandra Wolk-Schimizzi, Vocational Rehabilitation              Intracorp Mary Lynn Yothers, Chiropractor              Yothers Chiropractic Center

PGAA Helps Grant a Special Christmas Wish

On Saturday, December 8, 2007, Nancy Murphy, Coordinator of Alumni Affairs at Pitt-Greensburg overheard a conversation that led to a magical night for one local family.  She heard Santa ask Derek DeFelice what he wanted for Christmas. His reply was “The same thing I ask for every year…to meet the Pitt cheerleaders”.  Nancy Murphy, who recently joined the Pitt-Greensburg staff decided to see if she could help that wish come true.  When she mentioned it to Dana LeViere – Munchinski, one of the coaches at Pitt-Greensburg and the Athletic Director, Dick Hack, they graciously agreed to help. Within hours the cheerleading coach, Chasady Sikler called Nancy to make the arrangements. As if that wasn’t enough, Jennifer Miele of WTAE Channel 4 Action News also agreed to meet everyone at Derek’s house and get the whole thing on camera! When asked about the experience, our Coordinator of Alumni Affairs said “To be in the position to actually help grant someone’s Christmas wish and then to actually be there (w/ TV cameras) to see his reaction, it was absolutely amazing!  The night was all captured on tape and appeared on WTAE Channel 4 News at 11PM.. Check out the official WTAE News Story…    If the holiday season is truly about giving, then a young man from Westmoreland County was on the receiving end Friday night. Derek DeFelice's wish this Christmas was that his heroes would visit him at his house. DeFelice's heroes were not star athletes or actors, it was the University of Pittsburgh cheerleaders. The surprise was the work of Share the Joy, a local group known for granting wishes. While DeFelice was born with a brain stem defect, his mind is sharp --it's his body that's just a touch behind. His wish was for a visit from a Pitt Cheerleader. But instead, many of the cheerleaders from the squad arrived at DeFelice's house. "The girls were extremely receptive. (They) couldn't wait to help. I got e-mails within 24 hours saying, 'Tell me where Derek lives and what time to be there," Pitt Alumni Affairs Director Nancy Murphy said. DeFelice, a senior at Hempfield High School, got hugs, pictures and presents from the squad. More importantly, he also got a cheer. The girls on this holiday house call said they were thrilled. "This is just some way we can give back to someone who really appreciates us. It's just really neat to see. We're normally the ones out there supporting other people," cheerleader Lauren Clauser said. Derek's parents Pierre and Dona DeFelice are so grateful to the Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association and the Athletics Department for helping to make Derek's wish a reality.

PGAA Announces 2008 Alumni of Distinction

Robert Dippolito (pronounced di paul la toe), a police officer in North Huntingdon will be recognized as the 2008 Pitt-Greensburg Alumni of Distinction.  Bob was nominated by his twin sister, Roxanne Kulasa. The committee was immediately impressed with his service and dedication to his job and his community. Bob graduated from Pitt-Greensburg in 1987 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Administration of Justice with a minor in Psych. In 1991 he earned a Masters in Public Administration with a minor in Law and Justice from the University of Pitt Grad School of Public and International Affairs. He also has a Doctorate degree in Philosophy and Criminal Justice Management from La Crosse University in Mississippi.  Bob has been a part time college instructor for W.C.C.C. in their Criminal Justice Department since 1996 and a Business Management & Criminal Justice Instructor at Waynesburg College in Monroeville since 2000. In 1989, Bob came back to his hometown of North Huntingdon and was employed as a police officer. There, he became involved with community relations. As a D.A.R.E. officer for Norwin School District, he became known as Officer Bob and is loved my all. He also created and developed two community based projects:  The Citizens Police Academy, which teaches township residents about their local police department. This program covers traffic violations, firearm training, caring for their partners, and  how to recognize and deter potential crime. The other project, the Junior Police Academy, is a program dedicated to area youth ages 12-17. It's a sort of summer camp designed to bolster confidence and build physical agility. While there, the youth become familiar with a host of policing duties such as firearm training, canine training (for drugs and other paraphernalia) and even how to investigate traffic accidents.  They also become CPR certified.  They repel, rock climb, hike, play tug of war, and canoe.  There is also a banquet for the kids and their families where they are all rewarded for their achievements. Speaking of awards, Officer Dippolito has earned a few of his own.  For example:: 1999: Bob was named D.A.R.E Officer of the Year by the PA crime prevention officers Association. 1999 and 2000: Bob and his force were honored with the Crime Prevention Unit of the Year Award by the Crime Prevention Association of Western PA.  2001: He received the D.A.R.E Project of the Year and D.A.R.E. Jeopardy Award by the PA Crime Prevention Officers Association for his role as Director & Community Relations Officer. 2001: He received the Program of the Year, Junior Police Academy Award as the Program's Developer by the PA Crime Prevention Officers Association. Bob has also served his country in the US Army Reserve from June 1982 until May 1985. He was with the 307th military Police Company in New Kensington, PA. His duty assignment there was training nuclear, biological, and chemical warfare to combat military police. From May 1985 until September 1991, Bob was a PA National Company, Detachment 1, in Greensburg PA. There he was a combat military police officer including master M-60 machine gunner. As a guardsman he also served with the 2nd battalion 110th Infantry Division in Indiana, PA where he trained non-commissioned officers in nuclear, biological, and chemical warfare.  He was honorably discharged in 1991 and was decorated with 2 army service ribbons and Army Reserve Component Achievement Medals. Bob served with the US Navy Reserve Fleet Hospital Unit in North Versailles, PA from 1993-1995. There, he was Master at Arms with the Naval Law Enforcement. He attended the Naval Law Enforcement Academy in Camp Pendleton, CA.  He was honorably discharged in 1995. Despite his full plate, Bob still finds time to sponsor a Police Athletic League Baseball Team for Children and is also an International Special Olympics Track and Field Coach. The Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association is honored to name Robert Dippolito as the 2008 Alumni of Distinction.  Congratulations Bob! The official presentation will take place at the April 26th Commencement ceremony.

Annual Golf Outing

University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg
Cost: $100 per golfer/ $400 per foursome*  Proceeds benefit Pitt-Greensburg Athletics, Scholarships & the Alumni Association
Sponsorship Opportunities:

Gold ($2,000) ·        2 foursomes with dinner ·        Full page program ad ·        Sign at green/tee ·        Recognition in all of the marketing materials       Silver ($1,000) ·        1 foursome with dinner ·        Half-page program ad ·        Sign at green/tee ·        Recognition in all of the marketing materials   Bronze ($500) ·        2 complimentary golfers ·        Half-page program ad ·        Recognition in all of the marketing materials  Cart sponsor ($200/cart) ·        1 complimentary golfer ·        Sign on cart ·        Quarter-page program ad  Tee sponsor ($100) ·        Sign at green/tee ·        Quarter-page program ad

To register call Emily Hayburn, Coordinator of Development University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg (724) 836-7039  *Cost if $115 per person / $460 per foursome after May 1, 2008

Alumni News

Bryan Valentine (Class of 1999) recently accepted a position at the University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown as the Director of Student Engagement and Union Operations. He previously served as the Director of Housing & Residence Life at LaRoche College. Derek Schreck (Class of 2005) and Lori Apichella were married on November 10, 2007 in Chester County, PA. Lori is a 2006 graduate of IUP. Derek’s best man was Pitt-Greensburg Alum, Andrew Rosebosky (Class of 2006) If you are Pitt-Greensburg alum and would like to submit information for an upcoming issue of the Alumni Connection E-Newsletter, please send it to upgalum@pitt.edu.

Upcoming Events

Tuesday, February 5, 2008 Monthly Networking Luncheon 12:00-1:00PM in the Hempfield Room/ Chambers Hall   Tuesday, March 4, 2008 Monthly Networking Luncheon 12:00-1:00PM in the Hempfield Room/ Chambers Hall   Thursday, March 6, 2008 PGAA Board of Directors Meeting 7:00PM in the Hempfield Room/ Chambers Hall   Tuesday, April 1, 2008 Monthly Networking Luncheon 12:00-1:00PM in the Hempfield Room/ Chambers Hall   Friday, April 25, 2008 Graduation Reception 5:00PM in the Alumni Pavilion   Saturday, April 26, 2008 Alumni Leaders Breakfast & PGAA Board Meeting 10:00AM in 102 Lynch Hall   Friday, June 20, 2008 Annual Golf Outing 10:00AM (shotgun start) at Cherry Creek Golf Course

Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Affairs at upgalum@pitt.edu or 724-836-7496