Former president of the Johnstown campus Frank H. Blackington III died June 19, 2012, in Duxbury, Mass. He was 84. Blackington served as the third president of Pitt-Johnstown, 1974-93, a period during which the campus experienced significant growth
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 Editors note: Below is from the Timeline of Events celebrating the 90th Anniversary of the founding to Pitt Johnstown in 2017. Notably absent is any mention of the Greek Housing and numerous other capitol projects that happened under Blackington's administration.
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For those who have not heard the sad news yet, the Delta Chi Johnstown Chapter has lost a much respected Brother yesterday. Brian Kirk Gindlesperger was born on July 30, 1983 and has left us June 3, 2012.
Brian joined the Fraternity in the Fall of 2009 along with Mike Dishong, Cody Grech, Ben Karas, Tyler Fraer and Keith Phillips in the Zi Delta-II pledge class and became Gamma Tau-23. While pledging Brian was the Pledge Class President and used this experience to serve on the E-Board as the ‘A’ from 2010 to 2011. He recently graduated from UPJ in the Spring of 2012 with a Business Degree in Marketing. Brian has also joined another Fraternity before arriving at UPJ, the Marine Corps, and while in active duty had served two tours during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Posted: Wednesday, February 1, 2012 12:04 pm Jack E. Freeman, who held a series of high-level administrative positions at the University of Pittsburgh between 1967 and 1990—including service as president of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown from 1971 to 1974—passed away Jan. 24 at the age of 80 following a brief illness.
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 and presided of the transition from Phi Delta Psi to Delta Chi. 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
FRAZIER - Pamela L. (Hutzell) "Pam," 39, Stafford, Va., formerly of South Fork, died Feb. 22, 1995, at home, after an extended illness with cancer. Born Nov. 19, 1955, in Johns town, daughter of Alvin and Velma (Stombaugh) Hutzell. Survived by parents, South Fork; husband, Wayne R. Frazier, Stafford, Va., formerly of Alexandria, Ind.; daughters, Janelle and Allison, at home; brother, Barry, Bellefonte; sisters, Sharon, wife of Tom Myers, and Brenda, wife of Paul Webb, both of South Fork; Kathy, wife of Terry. King, Victoria, Texas; and eleven nieces and nephews.
Pam began her em ployment with the U.S. Government in 1977, near Louisville, Ky moved to Washington, D.C., area in 1978, where she continued to work for the govern ment in several positions, culminat ing with Defense Logistics Agency in 1988. From 1993 until her illness, she was employed by the Red Apple Pre school in Stafford, Va. Friends re ceived from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at Charles 0. Dimond Funeral Home Inc., South Fork, and from 10 a.m. until the time of-service at 11 a.m. Monday at Mount Hope United Methodist Church, South Fork, the Rev. Larry Rowe. Interment, Mount Hope Cemetery. Memorial contribu tions may be sent to Regester Chapel United Methodist Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 697, Stafford,. Va. 22555. Read More at: http://www.pennhighlands.edu/library/Gensoc/Obits/1995%20Obits/Franceschini(France)-Fyock.pdf Farewell & Parting: Dr Robert Hunter, Adviser to Founders of Phi Delta Psi and Delta Chi. 1921-1994.12/20/1994 Member of Westmont United Methodist Church since the age of three, where he served as chairman of the Board of Trustees; was a choir member and financial secretary and taught Sunday School. Member of Johnstown Kiwanis. Vice president of Cambria County Historical Society. Member of Johnstown Area Heritage Association and Cambria County Redevelopment Authority. Retired from University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown after 25 years service. Dr. Hunter received a BS degree in secondary education and his MA and Ph.D. degrees in history from the University of Pittsburgh. Served in U.S. Navy during World War II and Korean Conflict. From 1952 to 1960 he taught at Ferndale High School. Dr. Hunter was a special consultant to the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the U.S. House of Representatives, specializing in U.S.-Puerto Rican relations from 1959 to 1960. Between 1960 and 1962, he was social studies coordinator for Pa. Dept. of Education. He joined the history faculty of the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown in 1962. From 1971 until his retirement in 1986, he was chairman of the Division of Social Sciences at UPJ. Dr Hunter was an advisor to Phi Delta Psi ΦΔΨ at it's founding and was the Adviser during the transition and Founding of Delta Chi at UPJ. Friends received from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at John Henderson Co. Funeral Home and from 10 a.m. until time of service at 11 a.m. Friday at Westmont United Methodist Church, the Revs. Ronald Hipwell and Wilma Horner. Interment, Grandview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those who wish may make memorial contributions to Westmont United Methodist Church or Lee Hospital Hospice. Daily American, December 21, 1994
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