Berns claims SGA triumph
Brandon Zeris, Editor-in-Chief
April 10, 2013
Student Senators Noam Berns and Alexis Kelly are to serve as the next Pitt-Johnstown Student Government Association President and Vice President after edging out the nearest vote-getter by 53 votes. Berns said he plans on taking little time to enjoy the win and begin working as soon as he’s... (more...)
Four candidates are seeking election
Brandon Zeris, Editor-in-Chief
March 26, 2013
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Novak set for stand-up show
Brandon Zeris, Editor-in-Chief
March 26, 2013
Many students have eagerly awaited a Pitt-Johnstown spring concert announcement. Music lovers may soon be disappointed, but comedy fans can rejoice. B.J. Novak, known for roles on “The Office” and “Inglorious Basterds,” is to perform a stand-up routine at 8 p.m. April 5 in the Pitt-Johnstown... (more...)
Man finds friend in Gary the grouse
Brandon Zeris, Editor-in-Chief
March 6, 2013
Pitt-Johnstown Machine Shop Manager Bob Timulak met a peculiar companion in mid-October in the woods about a mile down the road from his Jennerstown area home. Bob considers him a friend who he calls Gary. His friend is about the size of a football. He’s quiet and has brown feathers, which... (more...)
Grad to be shark bait
Brandon Zeris, Editor-in-Chief
February 26, 2013
Pitt-Johnstown alumnus Mike Kane is to make an appearance on ABC’s “Shark Tank” March 8 to pitch his cell phone accessory company to a panel of venture capitalists. The show features entrepreneurs who present their product or business to potential investors with hopes of convincing one... (more...)
Senate leaders to end service
Brandon Zeris, Editor-in-Chief
February 20, 2013
Cliff Maloney and Marcus McGuire will not be seeking re-election as Pitt-Johnstown student government president and vice president, marking an end to the duo’s two-year stint. They will hold their positions until April 8, when a new president and vice president are to be sworn in. McGuire... (more...)
Committee aid helps students
Brandon Zeris, Editor-in-Chief
February 13, 2013
Area medical professionals and Pitt-Johnstown faculty have formed a committee to help premedical career students gain an advantage over other schools’ premed students. The committee was formed last month, and members met to discuss what they can do to help students, UPJ biology professor... (more...)
Students collaborate to build robots
Brandon Zeris, Editor-in-Chief
February 6, 2013
Most Westmont Hilltop High School classrooms are dark and empty during evening hours. Classes have ended, and most students have left for the day, but one second floor room stays illuminated. Nearly every afternoon, students converge to work on a robot with the help of UPJ professors and engineering... (more...)
Banned bulb causes blaze
Brandon Zeris, Editor-in-Chief
January 23, 2013
A halogen light bulb burst into flames around midnight Jan. 12 at a College Park Apartment, prompting a resident to extinguish the blaze before it could spread. UPJ Sophomore Craig Halstead was sleeping in his third floor room, number 307, when he said he heard the fire alarm. “I thought... (more...)
Director declines relief from stiff rules
Brandon Zeris, Editor-in-Chief
January 23, 2013
A set of alcohol rules proposed by the Pitt-Johnstown Student Government Association, which would have eliminated restrictions for anyone who is of legal drinking age, has been denied by an administrator. Although the rules were supported by many students and would have more closely mirrored... (more...)
Staff positions to get renewed
Brandon Zeris, Editor-in-Chief
January 23, 2013
In an effort to make up for an early-retirement exodus of 22 Pitt-Johnstown staff members, university officials are conducting job searches to add new staff around campus. According to President Jem Spectar, many staff members cashed in on an early retirement program in June, leaving their... (more...)
Students suggest easing alcohol rules
Brandon Zeris, Editor-in-Chief
December 5, 2012
Pitt-Johnstown Student Government Association members have approved revamped alcohol rules to propose to Pitt-Oakland Judicial Affairs, eliminating certain restrictions to make Pitt-Johnstown’s policy closer to Pennsylvania law. Student Government Secretary Alexis Prusick said that campus... (more...)
Gadget grabbers cause classrooms to lock up
Brandon Zeris, Editor-in-Chief
December 5, 2012
UPJ Information Technology Vice President Jeffrey Sernell sent an email Nov. 19 to all professors asking for their help to prevent classroom electronic-devic thefts. Five university-owned computers were stolen Nov. 16 from Pitt-Johnstown classrooms, prompting increased security measures to... (more...)
Wi-Fi expands
Brandon Zeris, Managing Editor
November 14, 2012
Work on the next Pitt-Johnstown wireless Internet expansion was to have begun Monday, eventually to extend the service to all townhouses and lodges, university officials said Thursday. Townhouse residents likely will be able to connect to the wireless network from their campus residence by... (more...)
Professors pull polls into UPJ classrooms
Brandon Zeris, Managing Editor
November 2, 2012
With the presidential election being less than a week away, most prospective voters have decided which candidate they think is most qualified to lead the U.S. for the next four years. Although many minds may be made up, some Pitt-Johnstown political science professors have supplemented their... (more...)
New procedures to emit updated assessments
Brandon Zeris, Managing Editor
October 10, 2012
Pitt-Johnstown emergency procedures have been updated to better communicate with students, faculty and staff in response to criticism regarding a Sept. 13 shooting at the Richland Township Municipal Building. Shooting details were not made public by Pitt-Johnstown administrators until nearly... (more...)
UPJ athletes brightest in conference
Brandon Zeris, Managing Editor
October 2, 2012
Three years ago Zach Vignero started his Pitt-Johnstown career like many student-athletes – with a desire to continue playing sports and little care for academics. But, like many of his peers, he said he quickly realized that he needed to change his priorities. “You get to a point where... (more...)
New Parking relocated on UPJ campus
Brandon Zeris, Managing Editor
September 26, 2012
Pitt-Johnstown administrators have canceled plans to build an upperclassmen parking lot at the site of a basketball court near the Student Union. Instead, a parking lot is to be built near the Nursing and Health Sciences building, adding roughly 20 spaces, which is to be completed next fall. The... (more...)
Facts lacking in neighboring gunfire
Brandon Zeris, Managing Editor
September 19, 2012
Shots were fired around 10:30 a.m. Thursday at the Richland Township Police Station prompting two nearby schools to be locked down while Pitt-Johnstown remained opened with no university-issued information on the shooting until nearly 11 hours later. Kevin McGee, 45, fired at a police cruiser... (more...)
Lacrosse relocation aids community
Brandon Zeris, Managing Editor
September 19, 2012
In addition to typical sports team’s goals, such as playing well, playing hard and improving, Pitt-Johnstown Lacrosse Team members have given themselves a lofty goal – to help lacrosse gain footing in Greater Johnstown – a region with only one organized lacrosse league. The single Johnstown... (more...)
Surprise bills covered
Brandon Zeris, Features Editor
March 21, 2012
Pitt-Johnstown administrators have saved over 300 Arts and Sciences College students an estimated total of more than $100,000 by paying for their PittPay balances. The balances accumulated as a result of demands from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency to pay back portions of... (more...)
Damage insured with alum’s iPhone case
Brandon Zeris, Features Editor
February 8, 2012
With the first cell phone case to fully insure iPhone 4 and 4S’s, 2005 UPJ graduate Mike Kane said his product will change the cell phone case market. Although the product is still in initial production phases, Kane, CEO of cellpig.com, said he has high hopes for the future. “This is the... (more...)
Student to navigate country for cancer aid
Brandon Zeris, Features Editor
January 25, 2012
Pitt-Johnstown Sophomore Luke Mitchell is to participate this summer in a nationwide bike ride to raise money to help cancer patients. There are three different groups Mitchell said. Each group of riders begins in Baltimore and concludes their journey in one of three destinations: Seattle,... (more...)
Cats skate through ailments
Brandon Zeris, Copy Editor
December 6, 2011
The Pitt-Johnstown Ice Cats have been hit hard by illness and injuries, but some members said the team has played well despite the problems. Many players have been playing with the flu, according to Head Coach Dave Layman. “Our captain, David Kutzer, got sick and it made its way to some other... (more...)
Cuts don’t sway RA lure
Brandon Zeris, Copy Editor
November 16, 2011
Despite recent Pitt-Johnstown Resident Assistants’ benefit cuts, residential clerk numbers have remained steady. Last year, RA’s pay was distributed on a tiered system, Housing Director Mark Dougherty said. “There were two tiers. During the first year you would make $1,500 per semester,... (more...)
Administrators talk turf for damaged fields
Brandon Zeris, Copy Editor
November 8, 2011
In light of field problems caused by heavy rains, some coaches are considering an artificial turf field, and the athletic director said talks have begun about the possibility of installing one. Women’s soccer coach Jim Herlinger said two Lady Cats games were canceled due to field conditions... (more...)
Lacrosse gets new name
Brandon Zeris, Copy Editor
November 2, 2011
Pitt-Johnstown’s lacrosse team is looking to update their appearance with a new team name, new uniforms and a new logo. Sophomore goalie Tyler Burns said the new team name is needed. “We want to get our name out and grow the club. A new name will do that,” he said. Lacrosse team treasurer... (more...)
A student and two professors discuss military service
Brandon Zeris, Copy Editor
October 26, 2011
Imagine traveling to a foreign land where some inhabitants have set a goal to kill you. Some Pitt-Johnstown veterans have experienced this feeling firsthand and others continue to help injured servicemen and women return to civilian life. Writing instructor Cian Yates said he was an Army Green... (more...)
Wrestlers mix it up (martial arts, that is)
Brandon Zeris, Copy Editor
October 19, 2011
From grappling their way to All American honors on a mat to submitting opponents in a ring, at least three former All American Pitt-Johnstown wrestlers have made a transition to mixed martial arts. Chris Dempsey and Eli Garshnick are fighting at a mixed martial arts professional level while... (more...)
Professors rockin’ outside classroom
Brandon Zeris, Copy Editor
October 12, 2011
As many professors receive praise for their classroom efforts, some also have been applauded for their music contributions. Psychology professor John Mullennix said he was in a punk band 30 years ago called The Cracked. “We played around the time punk was just starting to become popular,... (more...)
Fleck forgoes senior year to start MLB career
Brandon Zeris, Copy Editor
October 5, 2011
Former Pitt-Johnstown starting baseball pitcher Kaleb Fleck has decided to skip his final season with the Mountain Cats to pursue a career in Major League Baseball. Fleck signed a free-agent contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He has been assigned to the team’s Arizona Instructional League... (more...)
Homecoming a medley of happenings
Brandon Zeris, Copy Editor
September 28, 2011
Pitt-Johnstown’s Homecoming Weekend gave students multiple ways to celebrate. The weekend kicked off with a carnival Friday and Saturday in the Biddle Hall parking lot. Rides included a Ferris wheel, a giant slide and a carousel. At least one student, Cory Strittmatter, welcomed the carnival. “The... (more...)