editors note: Below is the emailed newsletter from UPJ delivers November 29th , 2022 A Message from the President: Greetings! I hope you and yours are doing well and looking forward to the holiday season. I am honored to share a few words with you, our alumni, friends and supporters who represent UPJ in the world and make us so proud. I firmly believe that the accomplishments of our alums are a crucial support pillar upon which the University's reputation rests. As we celebrate our enviable position in the top tier of U.S. News & World Report rankings and being selected as a Best College in the Northeast by Princeton Review, we are grateful for the great foundations of excellence you helped to establish. This outstanding legacy was in full display during the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Delta Chi Fraternity at UPJ, an occasion also marked by warm fellowship, nostalgic remembrances, and merriment. As I mingled with the Brothers, past and present, the passion and pride for UPJ was palpable. There was also plenteous evidence of UPJ's power and impact, with so many successful alums from all walks of life. For example, I enjoyed conversations with Dr. Edgar Hartle ('77), a notable pathologist in Charlotte, NC. I was fascinated by the globetrotting ways of Paul Amos ('92), who now resides in Ecuador. I was honored to meet Steve Wexell ('86), Vice President at HW Lochner, ranked by Engineering New Record as one of the nation's premier engineering design firms. The next generation of leaders was also well represented by the current Delta Chi Brothers, including Rob Baumgarten, who displayed his dancing skills as the King of "the Worm!" Quite clearly, UPJ alums worldwide are making a huge impact, making the most of the educational foundation that prepared them for success and leadership. Other Fall highlights included our Fall into Research symposium, where our talented faculty shared their scholarship with members of the university community, and our annual Homecoming celebration topped with a beautiful fireworks display. Our student-athletes continue to leave their mark with tremendous victories in sports such as basketball, volleyball, and of course, wrestling, where Coach P's Mountain Cats recently walloped West Liberty in a dramatic match. Homecoming and Halloween celebrations enlivened the Campus with dazzling fireworks and lots of fun for students and kids from the surrounding communities. The University continues to impact our local community in numerous ways that promote economic development and enhance the quality of life. Our partnership with the Flood City Youth Fitness Academy marked a major milestone with the launch of the CODE 4 STEM learning initiative. In addition, the community sidewalk and wellness trail project dubbed REACHLand is nearing completion, and we are hoping for the grand opening in the next few weeks. Let me conclude by thanking you, our alumni, friends and supporters for all you do to support and sustain Pitt Johnstown through thick and thin. I hope that as you pursue your endeavors, you remember to make time for self-care and that you and yours stay safe and sound. Embrace & Enjoy Our World, Jem Spectar The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown welcomed back 70 alum, along with family, to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Delta Chi on Saturday, October 15th. Traveling near and far, Brothers from all over the world as far as Cuenca, Ecuador once again gathered here on campus for a beautiful fall day of celebrating and reminiscing.
That evening, the Brothers of Delta Chi and guests came together for a dinner celebration at Sunnehanna Country Club. As part of the celebration, they heard from speaker and University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown President, Dr. Jem Spectar and current Delta Chi Johnstown Chapter President Cyle Martindale.
They were presented with Citations from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and the Pennsylvania Senate by Former Pennsylvania Senators, University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown Alumni, and Delta Chi Brothers John Wozniak and John Rafferty as well as a Commemorative Plaque distinguishing the founding of Delta Chi by Delta Chi International President Patrick Alderdice. As history would have it, founding fathers Dawn McKee, Geoffrey Miles, and William Miles formed Phi Delta Psi Fraternity in the Winter of 1962. And, on January 22, 1963, the official Chapter Founding date, Phi Delta Psi became the second Fraternity founded in Johnstown. Eight years later, the Brothers of Phi Delta Psi were sworn into the pledge program of Delta Chi, making them the first international Fraternity at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown. And, after 50 plus years, these brothers continue to cherish a friendship formed “in the bond.”
0 Comments
by Bernard Martin, ΓΩ -10 The 50th Anniversary of the Delta Chi Johnstown Chapter are well under way. With the help of David Janusek, the Director Of Development at UPJ and Kathleen Clawson, Director of Conferences & Events at UPJ and a Delta Chi Little Sister, an exciting tour of all of the new buildings on the campus is planned. Many of the buildings that you will see date back to the early 1960's when Phi Delta Psi was founded. Dr Theordore Biddle had an architectural plan for the campus that extended to the year 2000. Amazingly many of those buildings now exist. The Campus Tour will start from the Living Learning Center and then proceed to the following venues:
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.
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 David Willey, Delta Chi, physics instructor at the Johnstown campus, has received the 2005-2006 President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. The award was presented at the UPJ commencement ceremony on May 6.
According to UPJ President Albert Etheridge, “Dave approaches his teaching with an uncommon passion for the students to learn and for them to understand the principles of physics. He instills students with an unfulfilled desire to know more and to understand more.” Willey’s student evaluations are filled with praise for his teaching, Etheridge added. “He challenges his students to craft their scientific inquiries carefully, to think critically and to formulate nontraditional approaches to problem solving. Through open dialogue and an insistence for excellence, he consistently prepares students to think and solve problems in different ways.” Willey might be best known as a frequent guest on “The Tonight Show With Jay Leno,” Etheridge said. “He has wowed audiences with his demonstrations of physics. Through his appearances on ‘The Tonight Show,’ Dave is reaching millions with his message of the importance of science and its application in everyday life. His devotion to physics and, more importantly, his ability to inculcate students with a love and appreciation for science has won the admiration of colleagues from across the region and beyond. As a teacher, colleague and role model, [Dave] is regarded as intellectually spirited, challenging and enthusiastic.” Willey earned his B.S. from Aston University, U.K., a certificate in education from Birmingham University, U.K., and an M.S. from Ohio State University. He joined the Pitt-Johnstown faculty in 1975. In 1990 he received the Dr. Ed Vizzini Teacher of the Year award. via University Times Editors Note: The very first "Alcohol Task Force" was created in 1987 and comprised of numerous Greek Organization members with Delta Chi Leadership. The Alcohol Task Force at Pitt’s Johnstown campus has been named a Governor’s Highway Safety Award winner. The task force, a division of the Student Affairs Committee, is comprised of UPJ staff, faculty and students.
The award is in recognition of anti-alcohol abuse television commercials developed by the task force. Each of the 30-second spots share the theme “Take a Drink … Swallow Your Dreams,” which was developed by Pitt-Johnstown students. The commercials featured UPJ students and local actors and targeted diverse populations, including adolescents, high school seniors and college freshmen, permissive parents and those over the legal drinking age. The commercials were funded by a grant from the Pennsylvania Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement and were broadcast in the Johnstown cable viewing area on several channels. via University Times The Johnstown campus last week announced a gift of $50,000 from AmeriServ Financial, the largest independently owned bank headquartered in the Johnstown region. The gift, part of UPJ's $8 million capital campaign, will partially endow a scholarship and provide an annual education award.
To date, the Johnstown campus has raised $6.6 million toward its goal. About 33 percent of the pledged money has been raised from UPJ Advisory Board participation or from Advisory Board-related corporations. Lowell Shaffer, campaign co-chair, said that the next phase of the campaign would target alumni. "It's because of the Johnstown community that UPJ was able to build this beautiful campus from which we have graduated students since 1970. Our next step is to contact our 15,000 alumni, asking them to support this endeavor." One alumna has endowed the first full scholarship at Johnstown in engineering technology; another alumnus has endowed a scholarship for freshmen from the Hooversville area, and a third alumnus has endowed a scholarship for commuter students. Other endowments established during the campaign include:
via University Times Family-oriented informal classes, performances and field trips highlight a weekend getaway this summer at Pitt's Johnstown campus June 23 – 27.
Guests will stay at the UPJ Living/Learning Center. Located in a wooded setting, the center includes on-site cafeteria, exercise room, recreation lounge, sauna and laundry facilities. Each room has a private bath, telephone, microwave and refrigerator. Optional activities include performances by Johnstown Professor Dave Willey, Delta Chi, also known as the Mad Scientist, who has appeared on The Tonight Show; a re-enactment of infantry tactics of the Civil War; an exotic reptile and amphibian collection display, and star-gazing under the direction of Johnstown astronomy instructor Steve Lindberg. Fieldtrips include jaunts to off-campus sites such as Idlewild Park. For more information, call 1-800/875-5958. The state Senate voted 49-0 Tuesday night to increase Pitt's state funding appropriation by 5.9 percent to $167.5 million next year — a larger percentage increase than it recomm ended for any other Pennsylvania college or university.
The state House of Representatives had earlier approved a $162.2 million appropriation for Pitt, the same amount that Gov. Ridge recommended in February. Because Pitt's funding bill originated in the House, the Senate sent its amended version back to that body for its concurrence. But the House adjourned Tuesday night for the Legislature's elections recess without taking action on Pitt's bill. The House won't reconvene until June 7. Senators voted for Pitt funding hikes that exceed the House's recommendations in three areas: * The Senate is recommending that Pitt receive $4.5 million for laboratory improvements and equipment. The House version of the bill included no funds for that purpose.
Last week, the Legislature approved — and Gov. Ridge signed into law — a $19 billion state budget for the fiscal year that begins July 1. The budget includes a 4 percent hike in funding for the 14 state-owned universities of the State System of Higher E ducation and a 3 percent increase for community colleges. Because Pitt is a state-related university, its Commonwealth appropriation (like those of Penn State, Temple and Lincoln) is considered as a separate funding bill. It's not part of the basic state budget. Unlike state-owned universities, the four state-related schools receive substantial Commonwealth funding but function much like private institutions. While recommending a 5.9 percent funding increase for Pitt, the Senate endorsed increases of 5 percent for Penn State and 3 percent for Lincoln. Temple's funding bill is on hold while lawmakers study last year's merger between Temple and the Pennsylvania College of Podiatric Medicine. The latter used to get a separate funding allocation from the state. From late April until this week, Pitt's appropriation likewise was held up in the Senate appropriations committee while Sen. John Wozniak, D-Johnstown, Delta Chi, looked into allegations by Pitt Johnstown campus faculty that UPJ does not get its fair share of University funds. Following a series of negotiations with Pitt officials, including Chancellor Mark Nordenberg, Wozniak ended his delay of Pitt's funding bill. "I've been encouraged by my talks with Mark and others that a new era of communication has begun between the Johnstown and Pittsburgh campuses," said Wozniak, who is a UPJ alumnus. "I saw no reason to hold up the appropriation any longer." Pitt administrators recently agreed to assist UPJ with debt payments and to wire Johnstown campus dorms for the Internet. Meanwhile, UPJ has begun work on a long-range plan and a review of its curriculum, two projects that Pittsburgh campus administrators have been pushing them for years to undertake. "But probably the most important thing that's happened is intangible," Wozniak said. "The iron curtain is gone. Some of these differences [between Pittsburgh and Johnstown] are not going to be resolved in a month or two, but now the two sides are talking to each other honestly and fairly." Chancellor Nordenberg told Senate Council this week that his talks with Wozniak were "constructive." "The same could be said," Nordenberg continued, "of the conversations Jim [Maher, Pitt provost] and I and others have had with other members of the legislative delegation from that region, as well as members of the Johnstown community, including those who serve on the UPJ advisory board." The chancellor said he and Maher share "a high regard" for UPJ. "At the same time, we are not making investments in any academic units that are not justified by planning and performance," Nordenberg told Senate Council. To do otherwise would violate Pitt' s planning and budgeting system, he said. – Bruce Steele, via University Times 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
|
The MartletThe latest news from the house Archives
January 2023
Categories
All
|