Alumnus of Distinction Award

The Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association (PGAA) presented its 2024 Alumnus of Distinction award to Dave Newman ’93 at the Alumni Celebration Dinner to be held Saturday, Sept. 28, at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg.
“I'm really honored,” said Newman of the award. “Pitt-Greensburg people go out into the world and do great stuff. One alumnus, Austin Davis, is the lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania. Another alumnus, Justin Merriman, is a brilliant photographer, whose work I constantly follow. I'm proud to have graduated from here and feel even better about coming back to teach.”

Newman graduated from Pitt-Greensburg in 1993 with a BA in English Writing. He went on to pursue an MSW and an MFA from the University of Pittsburgh.
“Pitt-Greensburg was such a good experience for me. I'm the first person in my family to graduate college so I was clueless to the whole process,” he explained. “I'd attended a couple of community colleges and a state school before I transferred to Pitt (Pittsburgh campus), where I was just overwhelmed by the class sizes. I wasn't sure I was smart, didn't know what I wanted to major in, and didn't know how to participate in auditorium classes with 300 people. At Pitt-Greensburg, the class sizes were manageable, and the professors were really supportive and encouraging. Suddenly, I was hanging out in cool professors' offices after classes and talking books. They recommended I read amazing writers like Baudelaire and Dostoevsky, and I was blown away that they thought I could read writers from around the world. It was thrilling to be treated like a writer or just a student with some brain power.”

That mentoring and personalized academic attention helped develop Newman’s innate talent and ability, contributing to his successful career as an author and professor. Winner of numerous awards, including the Andre Dubus Novella Prize, he lives in Trafford, PA, the last town in the Electric Valley, with his wife, the writer Lori Jakiela.
His career illustrates a perfect blending of his two degrees. After a decade of working in medical research, he currently teaches in the Creative and Professional Writing Program at the University of Pittsburgh-Greensburg, his alma mater. His passion for writing and helping others to pursue their passion for writing underlies all that he does.
The list of Newman’s work (poems, anthologies, magazine articles, panels, etc.) fills six- typed pages of his curricula vitae, a testament to his prolific writing career. While too many to list here, the key highlights are that he is the author of nine books, including How to Live Like Li Po in Pittsburgh: essays from a writing life (J.New Books, 2024) and the story collection She Throws Herself Forward to Stop the Fall (Roadside Press, 2024). His collection The Slaughterhouse Poems (White Gorilla Press, 2013) was named one of the best books of the year by L Magazine. His poems, essays, and stories have appeared in magazines and journals around the world, including Ambit (U.K.), Tears In The Fence (U.K.), Gulf Stream, Belt, and the legendary Nerve Cowboy. He appeared in the PBS documentary narrated by Rick Sebak about Pittsburgh writers.
In 2023, Newman revived the James Wright Poetry Festival, which honors James Wright, the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet of the Rust Belt. Newman describes it as a national event, but its focus is on the local community—working-class Pittsburgh, Appalachia, the Rust Belt.

Newman also is instrumental in service to veterans. Before joining Pitt-Greensburg's faculty, he worked at the Pittsburgh VA Medical Center, helping veterans who suffered long- term injuries. He also serves as a volunteer workshop leader for Veterans Write, a free community writing workshop for veterans and their families based in White Oak, PA.

His greatest passion, in addition to his own exploration of working-class topics and characters in his work, is to help working-class writers through workshops and mentoring. He has guided many Pittsburgh writers to book-length publications, including Sarah Shotland (JUNKETTE), Richard Gegick (GREASY HANDSHAKES), Vessa Yankevitch (BRONZER ALERT), and more.

Newman’s ongoing service to the literary community through book reviewing, free editing services, community programming, and outreach illustrates his devotion to anyone who needs help, anywhere, any time.

The proliferation of Pitt-Greensburg students having their work published in national literary publications is just one example of the guidance and mentoring provided by Newman as a faculty member in Pitt-Greensburg’s Creative & Professional Writing (C&PW) program. In 2021-2022, he was hired as a temporary faculty member and helped to revitalize the C&PW program. In addition to mentoring young writers, he serves as advisor to the Pendulum Literary Magazine and the Creative Writing Club. In fall 2024, Newman joined the Pitt- Greensburg faculty as a full-time, tenure-track assistant professor.

He has spearheaded many projects, including the Pitt-Greensburg Poetry Garden (part of Pitt’s Year of Emotional Well-Being), the Literary Publishing Class, which publishes chapbook-length books by award-winning national poets and writers, the Voices reading series, which highlights a diverse group of poets and writers, and the newly-invigorated Pitt- Greensburg Writers Festival, which brings nationally acclaimed writers to campus for a weeklong celebration of writers and writing. The Writers Festival also provides an opportunity for student-writers to read their polished work in a public venue and in the company of these nationally acclaimed writers. Newman encourages and facilitates his students’ participation in the vibrant Pittsburgh literary community, too.

“Everyone who attends college now, especially kids who attend a branch campus, wants a good job, which is completely understandable,” noted Newman. “I didn't go to college to be a writer or to make art—I barely knew what those things were when I was a student—but Pitt-Greensburg ended up being this place where you could get a genuine liberal arts degree and take that to the world and use it. I ended up being a social worker and being employed by the VA, which was such a great experience, and all the books I read it Pitt- Greensburg, and the compassion and empathy I learned from reading, helped me to better care for people. Books are instruction manuals. They tell you what to do and what not to do. I learned that at Pitt-Greensburg.”

The Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association (PGAA) presented its 2023 Alumnus of Distinction award to Myron C. Jones II ’98 at the Alumni Celebration Dinner to be held Saturday, Sept. 30, at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. 

Since his graduation from Pitt-Greensburg in 1998 with a bachelor’s of science degree in business management and a minor in information systems, Jones has traveled a dual career path that has been characterized by dedication and resilience.

He currently serves as the senior pastor of the Apostolic Christian Temple (Washington, PA), a position he has held since 2010, and as a software engineer at Technology Services Group, Inc. (Triadelphia, WV), specializing in web and app development.

He and his wife, Amethyst, reside in Washington, PA, and are the parents of one daughter, Donyisha, a photographer and videographer.

“Receiving my school's highest honor, the Alumnus of Distinction Award, is a profound validation of the dedication and perseverance that have guided my journey,” said Jones. “This accolade signifies more than just personal achievement; it symbolizes the enduring impact of education and the responsibility I now carry to inspire future generations through my experiences and accomplishments. It stands as a testament to how unwavering faith, determination, and seizing opportunities can pave the way to success. Most of all I am grateful.”

Born in Fort Benning, GA, Jones is the son of Myron C. Jones Sr. and Evelyn Jones. His father’s 13 years of service in the US Army allowed Jones to experience life on various military bases in the United States and abroad. He and his two sisters, Kelly and Michelle, fondly remember their mother’s dedication to the family and how she strove to foster togetherness and resilience in her family.

“These early experiences molded me into who I am today,” said Jones, who is described as a dedicated family man, a community servant, and a leader who thrives amidst challenges. “My pastoral calling has become an integral part of my life.”

Jones noted that he spent his formative years in Greensburg, PA, graduating from Greensburg Salem High School and attending Westminster College for two years before transferring to Pitt-Greensburg. At Pitt-Greensburg, he served as a team captain from 1996 through 1998 and earned AMCC All-Conference second-team honors his senior year as a member of the men’s basketball team under the direction of then Head Coach Matt Furjanic.

After graduating from Pitt-Greensburg, Jones worked as a support engineer with CA Technologies. In the intervening years, he developed his skills in IT support, software engineering, and development, while providing solutions for both technical and non-technical users. Developing this expertise led to other opportunities: serving as a technology consultant for Christian Fellowship Foundation, Inc. (2007-2010), where he provided guidance to more than 20 ministries in the Ohio Valley area and serving as the technology and communications director for the Ohio District Council of Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. Young People’s Union (2012-2015).

Jones’ commitment to education and youth development is evident in his service as a former board member at First Love Christian Academy where he served as an athletic spiritual advisor, mentor, and volunteer support for the school’s national high school basketball team. Jones has also served as the local regional young people’s president for the Southeast Region of the Ohio District Council of Pentecostal Churches, Inc. (2007-2010), overseeing 11 churches in the Ohio Valley.

Washington County residents may be familiar with Jones through his radio shows, “Fresh Bread with Pastor Jones” and “Let’s Talk About It,” both airing on WNJR out of Washington & Jefferson College. He also hosted a community television broadcast of “Fresh Bread with Pastor Jones,” which aired on the University of California of Pennsylvania TV network.

In addition to his bachelor’s degree from Pitt-Greensburg, Jones earned a degree from City Bible College in Lakeland, FL, and was consecrated as an Overseer with a focus on technology services for the Fountain of Life International Fellowship, Inc., solidifying his commitment to service and technology.

He is the recipient of the 2017 Timothy Leadership Conference Appreciation award and presented at the 2020 Navigate Now Church and Faith-Based Community Virtual Summit, where he helped leaders to navigate the challenges of the pandemic. He also was appointed the technology coordinator for the Ohio District Council of Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc.

The Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association (PGAA) presented its Alumnus of Distinction award to Jesse Brocious ’05 at the PGAA Alumni Celebration Dinner on Saturday, Oct. 1, at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. 

The PGAA Alumnus of Distinction Award acknowledges excellence among alumni of Pitt-Greensburg. Candidates are evaluated on their outstanding level of professional achievement, service to the community, service to the University of Pittsburgh, special recognition or honors, and any other special efforts or success. It is the highest honor given by the PGAA to an individual alumnus/alumna annually.

A resident of Greensburg, PA, Brocious and his wife Ashley, are the parents of three children, Evan, Amelia, and Miles. Brocious is well-known in Westmoreland County through his work with First Commonwealth Bank and, more recently, with his own business, West Point Auto Works.

For the past 14 years, Brocious has worked at First Commonwealth Bank. Today he is senior vice president of real estate and facilities, a position he has held since 2015.  He and his team play an integral role in anything that impacts First Commonwealth’s owned or leased properties, including the entire network of 119 branches and 16 corporate facilities. He started with First Commonwealth in 2006 as vice president/staffing manager and moved to vice president/senior compensation analyst (2010) and vice president/sales development integration manager (2012) prior to his most recent appointment.

In 2020, Brocious received the Strategic Thinker Award at the Pennsylvania Bankers Association’s (PA Bankers) Emerging Leader’s Conference. The award was presented as part of the PA Bankers Highlighting Young Professionals’ Excellence (HYPE) Awards program and highlights the accomplishments of young banking professionals within their financial institutions, the banking industry, and their communities. The Strategic Thinker Award celebrates a professional who is a forward thinker, shows business acumen, and has a good understanding of the market and industry in which their organization operates.

In 2017, Brocious, his wife Ashley, and long-time friend Robert Marsh founded and opened West Point Auto Works in Greensburg. Brocious noted that the business concept is focused on creating a better automotive repair experience for their customers. The company “brings together more than 100 years of combined experience with the goal to provide premium service with honest prices.” In 2021, Brocious and his team opened a second West Point Auto Works location in Monroeville, PA. The 2022 issue of Ratchet and Wrench, an automotive magazine, featured the team on the cover and included an article showcasing the business. Brocious plans to continue expanding the business and adding a specialized off-road component.

Jesse and Ashley believe that it is important to support the communities they serve, assisting a wide variety of local organizations, including local fire departments, CASA, Central Westmoreland Habitat for Humanity, Westmoreland County Athletics, West Point Little League, and Derry Area Football.

Brocious continues to support Pitt-Greensburg as a volunteer at PGAA events and by sponsoring campus and alumni events like the Art Show @ Pitt-Greensburg, the Pitt-Greensburg Golf Outing, and Casino Night during the Blue & Gold Celebration, as well as the Merry Mingle alumni Christmas event. Those sponsorships often include providing giveaways or raffle items that enhance the attendees’ experience.

The Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association (PGAA) presented its Alumna of Distinction award to Huong Vo ’14, RN, BSN, at the PGAA Alumni Celebration Dinner on Saturday, Oct. 2, at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg.

Service to others is part of nearly everything that Vo does. Whether it’s volunteering at vaccine clinics, working with patients, or volunteering with the Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association, she is always finding ways to help others.  

Vo transferred to Pitt-Greensburg in 2011 and has stayed active and involved on campus ever since. The recipient of the 2020 PGAA Award for Volunteer Excellence, she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Natural Sciences. As a student, her contributions to the campus and community were recognized with the 2013 John Ridilla Leadership Award Scholarship and the 2014 PGAA Award for Community Service. 

While at Pitt-Greensburg, she knew she wanted to pursue a career in medicine, saying, “I chose nursing because of the nurse-to-patient relationship. I really wanted to be their advocate. Plus, there are so many opportunities in nursing that will allow me to explore and grow in my career.”

After graduation, Vo worked at MedExpress Urgent Care as a medical assistant, earned an EMT license, and enrolled in nursing school. She graduated from the Shadyside School of Nursing in 2019 and is currently working at UPMC Urgent Care, while moonlighting at UPMC Children’s Community Pediatrics Express Care. Her career also includes having worked as a registered nurse at UPMC East in the Stepdown Unit where she was recognized with the hospital’s first-ever Daisy Award (2020), an award that recognizes nurses who provide extraordinary compassionate care. In addition to working full-time, Vo is pursuing a master’s degree through Carlow University’s nurse practitioner program.

This past spring, Vo would frequently be on campus, volunteering to give COVID-19 vaccines during nine of the 11 on-campus clinics held in collaboration with Mainline Pharmacy.

Vo is currently serving as vice president of the PGAA and is a member of the Events Committee. While chair of the Events Committee last year, Vo and her committee worked to transition the PGAA from in-person events to virtual when COVID-19 health guidelines prevented on-campus gatherings. She seeks to bring Pitt-Greensburg alumni together from across the nation and the globe, while advocating for events to be held throughout the region to engage Pitt-Greensburg’s large alumni body in the area. When at an in-person PGAA event, Vo is frequently found, cell phone in hand, sharing video of the event for a Facebook Live.

“I continued to be involved with PGAA and Pitt-Greensburg because they played a big role in who I am today,” said Vo. “I am proud to be a Pitt-Greensburg alumna and I want to show it by giving back.”

As a student, Vo was active with the Student Government Association (SGA), serving as secretary, Campus Spirit and Community Involvement chair, and Senate President. The SGA plays an important role in campus life as a student group that seeks to make improvements to the campus, plans and organizes large and small events to engage the campus, and oversees all of the clubs and organizations on campus.

A member of the Pitt-Greensburg Campus Chapter of Habitat for Humanity (HFH), Vo served as secretary and fundraising chair. She attended and helped in facilitating three HFH Alternative Spring Break trips, volunteered for the Central Westmoreland Habitat for Humanity ReStore, and attended the 2013 Habitat for Humanity Leadership Conference in Washington, DC.
 
Vo also served as secretary of the Academic Village Senate where she collaborated in creating programs and events and served as an International Student Mentor.

The Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association will present its Alumnus of Distinction award to Harry P. Bowser '72 during the Alumni Awards Virtual Celebration at noon on Saturday, October 13, as part of the campus’s Blue & Gold Celebration 2020.

Bowser, graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1972 with a degree in secondary education and history after attending the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg from 1968 through 1970. After graduation, he completed his term of service with the Pennsylvania National Guard and was then hired by the Southmoreland School District. There he taught social studies to grades seven through 12 for 35 years and served as head of the Social Studies Department. During that time, he served as the junior class sponsor, senior class sponsor, and Prom sponsor, as well as having planned, organized, and chaperoned a student trip to England and France. Bowser is a two-time recipient of a certificate of honor from the St. Vincent College Great Teach Recognition Program and was a five-time recipient of a Who’s Who Among America’s Teachers designation.

In addition to his service in the classroom, Bowser was active in Southmoreland athletics, serving as head baseball coach, assistant football coach, assistant baseball coach, and assistant basketball coach. He is probably best remembered for his two stints as head basketball coach with the Scotties where he turned around a program that had not registered a single win in the year prior to his taking over the team.

What many may not know about Bowser is that he was a member of Pitt-Greensburg’s inaugural basketball team and continues to remain involved with the team today. He has worked with every Pitt-Greensburg men’s basketball head coach in the history of the campus. Bowser first served as an assistant men’s basketball coach under John Hunter (1972-1973), and then as a volunteer assistant men’s basketball coach with Matt Furjanic (1998-1999), Karl Radday (1999-2001), and as a volunteer and paid assistant men’s basketball coach with Marcus Kahn (2001-2003).

In 2013, he joined the Pitt-Greensburg coaching staff as a volunteer assistant men’s basketball coach and character coach through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Bowser initiated “character sessions” where members of the men’s basketball team receive instruction on the development of positive attitude. These sessions also provided team members with an outlet to share their goals, frustrations, and friendship in a way that has a positive effect on both the team and the individuals.

The recipient of the 2016 Volunteer Excellence Award, Bowser serves on the board of the Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association (PGAA) and is one of the founding members of the Pitt-Greensburg Men’s Basketball Alumni Club (MBAC). He regularly contributes to the MBAC newsletter and its organization. Bowser also serves on the PGAA board’s Events Committee and has volunteered on Freshman Move-In day to help welcome first-year students to campus. He also served as the Alumni Marshal at the 2017 Commencement.

Bowser’s work continues in the community, as well, where he volunteers with the Fairview Church of God in its Soup Kitchen and doing lawn work. He also volunteered with the Buchanan Church of God Soup Kitchen and helped with its vacation Bible school. He also is recognized for donating more than 19 gross of toy frogs to promote the belief that one should “Fully Rely On God.”

Bowser and his wife, Karon, have two sons, Adam ’03 and Ryan. A resident of Alverton, PA, Bowser notes that he enjoys spending time with his granddaughters Alexis and Mikayla, and traveling.

The Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association presented its Alumnus of Distinction award to the Hon. Austin A. Davis '12 during the Alumni Celebration Dinner on Saturday, October 5, at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg as part of the campus’s Blue & Gold Weekend: Homecoming 2019.

Elected to the PA House of Representatives in 2018, Davis serves on the Appropriations Committee, Consumer Affairs Committee as the Democratic Secretary, the Insurance Committee as the Democratic Vice Chair, and the Urban Affairs Committee. He has sponsored 246 bills/Resolutions, including being the prime sponsor of 13 House General Bills.

At an early age, Davis made the decision to dedicate his life and career to public service. In high school he founded and served as chairman of McKeesport Mayor James Brewster’s Youth Advisory Council. By the time he graduated high school in 2008, Davis decided to attend the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, with his sight set on pursuing a degree in political science.

During his college years, Davis was hired as a legislative intern by the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. By 21, the Tribune Review hailed him “a veteran at the politics of helping others.” Post-college, Davis accepted a position with Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald, where he served as an executive assistant to the county executive’s office.

In this capacity, Davis spearheaded the county executive’s vision/transition teams in the early days of the administration. He also represented the county executive in a number of ways, including serving as Fitzgerald’s representative on the Jail Oversight Board, the Kane Foundation, the Minority, Women, and Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Advisory Board, and the Shuman Detention Center Advisory Board.

Additionally, Davis currently serves as Vice Chairman of the Allegheny County Housing Authority board of commissioners; he served as the liaison between municipal/elected officials and the County Executive’s office; and he was responsible for constituent services and many other day-to-day functions at the county executive’s office. 

Outside of this role, Davis is actively involved and currently serving as the Vice Chairman of the Allegheny County Democratic Committee, as well as on the board of directors for the YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh, The Consortium for Public Education, Communities in Schools of Pittsburgh, and Auberle.

In 2015, Davis served as United States Delegate to the One Young World Summit in Bangkok, Thailand. He also was a member of the Rules and By-Laws committee during the 2016 Democratic National Convention.

To date, he has received numerous awards and recognitions for his work in government and within the community, including Pittsburgh Magazine’s 40 under 40 award, the Josh Gibson Foundation Civil Service award, the McKeesport NAACP Character Leadership award, and the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Gentleman of Excellence in Government Award. 

The Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association presented its Alumnus of Distinction award to Timothy C. Dugan '83 during the Alumni Celebration Dinner on Saturday, October 20, at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg as part of the campus’s Blue & Gold Weekend: Homecoming 2018.

Timothy C. Dugan is the executive vice president and chief operating officer of CNX Resources Corporation. He held the same position at CONSOL Energy Inc. prior to its separation into two separate companies. Before being appointed to his current position, he was president and chief operating officer of CNX Gas Corporation from May 2014 to December 2014 when he became president and chief executive officer. In January 2018, he was appointed director and chief operating officer of the general partner of CNX Midstream Partners LP (formerly known as CONE Midstream Partners, LP). Prior to joining CNX, he was vice president – Appalachia South Business Unit at Chesapeake Energy Corporation. During his seven years with Chesapeake Energy, he held several titles, including senior asset manager and district manager. He began his petroleum and natural gas engineering career in 1984 with Cabot Oil & Gas Corporation as a general foreman and field consultant, and he held other industry related positions with progressing responsibility at various oil and gas companies. He is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers.

A native of Greensburg, PA, Dugan is one of nine children. He graduated from Greensburg CentraI Catholic High School and attended Pitt-Greensburg as a freshman (1979-1980). He then transferred to the Pittsburgh campus where he completed his degree in chemical engineering, graduating in 1983.

Dugan and his wife Mary Beth (Genard) ’85 have been married 33 years. They have four children and three grandchildren, with a fourth grandchild due in February 2019. Dugan’s children have all followed in his footsteps and chosen careers in the energy industry. Dugan resides in Peters Township (Washington County, PA).

His connection to Pitt-Greensburg continues through his participation as an interviewer for the campus’ Mock Interview Night. This event helps students to prepare for the job search by allowing them to experience a variety of interview situations, including one-on-one interviews, interviews by panel, as well as telephone and Skype interviews. Throughout Dugan’s career he has mentored college students and recent graduates.

Dugan has served the community as Cub Master for the Boy Scouts of America, director for a youth soccer organization, youth soccer coach, youth baseball coach, assistant coach of youth basketball, usher and lector at church, and volunteer at a women's shelter. His employer has recognized him for participating in the United Way Day of Caring, Habitat for Humanity, elementary- and high-school-level tutoring, schooling of teenage mothers, and shopping with economically challenged children in preparation for the school year.

The Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association recognized Lawrence (Larry) J. Helkowski '74, a resident of Irwin, as the Alumnus of Distinction at its Alumni Celebration Dinner, which was part of the campus' Blue & Gold Week activities.

Lawrence (Larry) J. Helkowski completed three years of study at Pitt-Greensburg before transferring to the Oakland campus where he completed a BS in Management. Married, and just out of the military, he completed his degree as a non-traditional student. His current relationship with Pitt-Greensburg extends to serving on the PGAA Board of Directors and being involved with events, such as the annual golf outing.

While pursuing his degree, Helkowski worked for People’s Gas starting as a clerk and in credit collections. After graduation, he moved into sales and marketing, ultimately working with builders and developers to economically deliver gas on residential lot plans. He won salesman of the year for three consecutive years because of the Seven Springs expansion.

After 33 years with the gas company, he was named president/CEO position at the Westmoreland County Blind Association (WCBA). What started out as a one-year contract turned into 13 years of providing meaningful job opportunities to people with visual impairments or who are multiply challenged. Since 2002, he has served as president of the Westmoreland Human Services. Helkowski also served as account executive for the United Way, and then as chairman of the board at Westmoreland County Community College.

Helkowski and his wife Jacqualine (now deceased) were married for 50 years. Helkowski’s son Scott, a 1992 Pitt graduate, and his wife, Julie, have one son, Andrew.

The Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association presented its Alumnus of Distinction award to Judge John E. Blahovec, who served 28 years on the Westmoreland County Court of Common Pleas, during the Alumni Celebration Dinner on Saturday, October 1, at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg as part of the campus’s Blue & Gold Weekend: Homecoming 2016.

Blahovec attended Pitt-Greensburg for two years before transferring to the Oakland campus where he graduated Magna Cum Laude in 1973 with a BA in Political Science. He then earned his juris doctorate from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law in 1976.

“Judge Blahovec is illustrative of so many Pitt-Greensburg alumni,” said Sharon P. Smith, PhD, president of the campus. “They bring a strong work ethic to everything they do, they look for ways to make their communities better, and they are typically described as the people you go to when you want to get something done. Judge Blahovec’s more than two decades of service to Westmoreland County have earned him the respect and loyalty of his peers and the electorate and are evidence of his positive contributions to the region.”

In 1985, Blahovec was elected Judge of the Court of Common Pleas of Westmoreland County. He served 10 years in Family Court and the remainder of his career in Criminal Court, being retained by the electorate for two additional 10-year terms in 1995 and 2005. In January 2013, he retired and began serving as a Senior Judge, which means he may be called upon, as needed, to serve on the Westmoreland County Bench.

He is recognized by his peers as a confidant and counselor who softened many a situation with his wit and humor that can be both self-deprecating and sharp. He was known to defuse difficult courtroom situations with his wit. Adjectives used to describe him are fair, impartial, and unbiased—qualities that served him well on the bench.

Prior to his election to the Westmoreland County Court of Common Pleas, Blahovec had his own law practice and taught Business Law at Westmoreland County Community College from 1976 to 1986. He also served as solicitor for the Westmoreland County Coroner, the Borough of Southwest Greensburg, the Murrysville Zoning Hearing board, and the Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department Board of Control. He also was an assistant district attorney for one year and a Juvenile Court Master for three years prior to being elected judge.

Blahovec is a member of the Westmoreland Bar Association, the Pennsylvania Bar Association, and the Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges. He currently is president of the Mutual Aid Ambulance Service board of directors and vice chairman of the Deno Castelli Scholarship Fund. He also is a 20-year member of the Southwest Greensburg Volunteer Fire Department.

His prior community service includes serving on the boards of Saint Vincent College Prevention Projects, the Mental Health Association of Westmoreland County, and the Boy Scouts of America.

Blahovec and his wife Mary Louise (Grabowski) are members of St. Benedict Parish, in Marguerite. They have two daughters, Rebecca and Rachel, and one granddaughter, Haley.

The Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association (PGAA) named Terry Bengel ’80 the 2015 PGAA Alumnus of Distinction. The award, which was presented during the Alumni Celebration Dinner as part of Blue & Gold Weekend: Homecoming 2015, acknowledges excellence among Pitt-Greensburg alumni.

Terry Bengel is a summa cum laude graduate of the University of Pittsburgh who attended classes at Pitt-Greensburg for his degree in Humanities/Fine Arts.

His connection to Pitt-Greensburg goes deeper than just attending classes, though. Five pieces of his stained-glass artwork are installed on campus. Most visible are “Upward to the Light” that is installed on the tower of Millstein Library and “Fountain of Life” that adorns the windows of the Mary Lou Campana Chapel and Lecture Center. His other pieces are “Neujahr 1989,” displayed on the second floor of Millstein Library, that depicts the breakdown of the Berlin Wall; the University of Pittsburgh seal that is part of the Chambers Hall Hempfield Room; and a rendering of the University of Pittsburgh coat of arms that greets visitors in the front door of Lynch Hall.

“There is a great deal of talk in the media these days about the value of a college education. We at Pitt Greensburg know the true worth of a liberal arts education is that it not only prepares you for a succession of career opportunities through lifelong learning but it also enriches your life,” said Sharon P. Smith, PhD, president of the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. “Terry’s education at Pitt Greensburg enabled him to live his passion while enhancing the lives of others. His compositions are visual poetry in the life of the campus.”

For nearly 50 years, Bengel has been studying, creating, and restoring stained glass masterpieces. The list of public commissions and major restorations of his work reads like a who’s who of churches, synagogues, non-profit organizations, and businesses that pepper the southwestern Pennsylvania region.

He started his artistic career at the age of 19 when he apprenticed with Milcho Silianoff, a Greensburg stained-glass legend, for eight years. Bengel then worked as a museum assistant with the Westmoreland Museum of Art for the next 10 years (1975 to 1985), while establishing his own business as a self-employed leaded glass artist. From 1982 to 1992, he was a preparator with the John J. McDonough Collection of American Paintings (Youngstown, OH), while serving for a year as assistant to the director of the Westmoreland Museum of Art from 1985 through 1986.

In 1983, Bengel became the first American stained-glass craftsman to be accepted as a professional observer with the Research Laboratory of the National Historic Monuments Commission at Chateau Champs sur Marne, France. There, he was involved in the restoration of windows at the Cathedrals of Troyes, in Bourges, and the Sainte Chapelle, in Paris.

Art aficionados may remember his work being displayed at a variety of regional art shows from 1972 through 1992, including a one-man show at the Art Place Gallery (Bear Rocks, PA), the Design Show Invitational at the Blue Sky Gallery (Murrysville, PA), Greensburg Diocesan Arts Conference International (Greensburg, PA), Regional Artist Invitational at the Westmoreland Museum of Art), a one-man show at Seton Hill University’s Harlan Gallery (Greensburg, PA), and the Lahaina Gallery (San Francisco, CA).

Others may remember his name from the July 2008 WQED On Q episode that featured Bengel and his work, as well as the 2010 WQED documentary on stained glass.

Bengel is described as a friend and advisor to all church communities of the region and is a frequent lecturer to civic organizations. He is the founder of the “Five Star Neighbors,” serving the Five Star Trail (Greensburg, PA). In addition to serving as a volunteer co-designer of the Frank McGlynn exhibit of Santoria Art, he has volunteered as a tent judge for the annual Westmoreland Croquet Club Tournament and as a set designer and stage crew member for Pitt-Greensburg Theatre Company productions.

The Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association (PGAA) named Teresa “Terri” Glenn Petrick ’79 the 2014 PGAA Alumna of Distinction. The award, which was presented during the alumni reception and dinner planned as part of Blue & Gold Weekend: Homecoming 2014, acknowledges excellence among Pitt-Greensburg alumni.

Senior vice president for AAA East Central (Pittsburgh, PA), Petrick is responsible for member service and operational performance of AAA East Central, a not-for-profit automobile club operating in 81 sites in five states. She leads corporate functions, including human resources, information technology, and facilities, and she serves as chief integration officer leading the merger activities of AAA East Central into Auto Club Enterprises of Southern California.

Petrick graduated from Pitt-Greensburg as a University Scholar and magna cum laude with a bachelor’s of science degree in Business Administration. She had completed her high school education at McKeesport Senior High School a year early and started college when she was 16 years old.

“Alumni are the ultimate ‘product’ of a college or university,” said Sharon P. Smith, PhD, president of the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. “Academic institutions, like other organizations, have ‘brands’ that make them distinctive and their alumni are characterized by that brand. Terri exemplifies the Pitt-Greensburg alumni brand. Her success is a combination of her own drive and expertise combined with the education and mentoring that she received through Pitt-Greensburg. When I see Terri, I know that she personifies all the best that Pitt-Greensburg offers its students.”

In her acceptance speech for the PGAA award, Petrick noted that the average person makes over a million choices in his or her lifetime, saying, “Most choices are insignificant, mundane, or even made in a relatively passive way . . . but a few, very few, are life defining. . . . I once read that the hardest choices in life aren’t between what’s right and what’s wrong, but between what’s right and what’s best. Without a doubt and unequivocally, Pitt-Greensburg was what was best for me.”

She closed her speech with this observation: “I got that first class education, I found a mentor in Dr. Guy Rossetti who was a Spanish professor who helped me carve a pathway to graduate school and ultimately my career in health care. I made some lifelong friends who ended up being my daughter’s godparents. And I ultimately learned that even though we all make millions of choices over the course of time, in the end our choices make us. I am grateful that I chose Pitt-Greensburg and that choice made me.”

After completing her degree at Pitt-Greensburg, Petrick went on to earn a master’s degree in public management with a concentration in Health Care Management from Carnegie Mellon University’s School of Urban & Public Affairs. She graduated with highest distinction from the program.

Petrick is a high impact business leader with 30 years of successful and diverse management experience who has demonstrated success in enhancing performance, profitability, and service growth. Her expertise lies in leading change, especially in the areas of planning, operations, outcomes management, leadership development, and system integration. Recognized as an inspirational leader, a collaborative team player, and a consistent top performer, she is skilled at communication, innovative thinking, leveraging corporate culture, and developing employees.

Prior to being named a senior vice president with AAA East Central, Petrick’s past experience was primarily in health care. She started her career at UPMC McKeesport (McKeesport, PA) in 1982 as director of planning and was named assistant executive director in 1987. In 1991, she was named executive vice president and assumed overall responsibility for the 300-bed comprehensive acute-care teaching hospital.

In 2001, she was named vice president, care management, at the UPMC Health System (Pittsburgh, PA) where she was responsible for the integration and strategic development of care management across 16 acute and specialty hospitals within the Health System.

Petrick was named president of UPMC Passavant & UPMC Passavant-Cranberry (Pittsburgh, PA) in 2002. She was responsible for leading two hospital campuses through a system integration while forging a strong collaborative relationship with the hospital’s board of trustees and medical staff. She led the development and implementation of a strategic vision and plan that resulted in a six-year expansion of Five Centers of Excellence. Under her direction, admissions grew by 36 percent, market share grew nearly 10 percent, employee turnover decreased by 50 percent, and the employee base grew from 1,271 to 1,857 FTEs (full-time equivalents). The medical staff grew from less than 500 to more than 700, securing the primary care base of the hospital and augmenting the medical staff with clinical specialists and sub specialists in the designated Centers of Excellence.

Additionally, she successfully facilitated the evolution of UPMC Passavant through the development of a cohesive and shared vision for the future, providing all constituents with a renewed focus, vision, and commitment that allowed the hospital to be strategically positioned as UPMC North. In conjunction with this growth, UPMC Passavant opened a $144 million, 220,000 square foot clinical pavilion in spring 2010.

From 2010 through 2013, Petrick served as president of UPMC St. Margaret (Pittsburgh, PA) where she was responsible for the operations of a 250-bed hospital, a hospital-affiliated surgery center, and multiple outpatient primary care centers of which three are associated with one of the nation’s premier family medicine teaching programs. She was responsible for defining a revitalized vision for St. Margaret that includes the development of Centers of Excellence, the reapplication for Magnet Status. Her ability to build interpersonal relationships with key health care leaders led to the development of clinical linkages with 15 non-UPMC community-based hospitals in Western and Central Pennsylvania and Western Ohio.

Petrick serves a member of the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg Advisory Board, and the La Roche College Board of Trustees.

In the community, she served as a member of the Kearns Spirituality Center/Sisters of Divine Providence Advisory Board. She is a past chair and volunteer for the Diversity Council for UPMC. A volunteer and past board member with the Cranberry Alliance and the Northern Allegheny County Chamber of Commerce, she served as co-chair for the American Diabetes Association Step-Out Walk.

Petrick and her husband, David, reside in North Huntingdon, PA. The have five children and seven grandchildren.

The Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association (PGAA) presented Brian Moreland '98, DC, with the PGAA Alumnus of Distinction Award on Saturday, October 5. The award was presented during the alumni reception and dinner planned as part of Blue & Gold Weekend: Homecoming 2013.

Moreland, owner of Back in Motion Chiropractic in Latrobe, resides in Greensburg with his wife, Rachel, and their two children, Elise, 4, and Jack, 3.

A 1998 graduate from Pitt-Greensburg with a BS in psychology, he continued his education at Logan College of Chiropractic, earning a second BS in Life Science in addition to his Doctor of Chiropractic degree. Moreland attained board certification as a Diplomate in Chiropractic Rehabilitation and serves as an associate clinical instructor in the Activator Methods Chiropractic Technique.

Moreland, a past secretary/treasurer of the Pennsylvania Chiropractic Educational and Charitable Foundation, has been involved in multiple state and national chiropractic and rehabilitation organizations. He also participated in research published in prestigious peer-reviewed journals. The most recent publication was instrumental in obtaining a National Institution of Health grant to fund a clinical research study at the University of Pittsburgh. This study compared the results of the Activator Methods Chiropractic Technique to a manual adjusting techniques on lower-back pain patients.

A Life Member and winner of the 2008 Pitt Alumni Association Volunteer Excellence Award, Moreland served three terms as the Pitt-Greensburg delegate to the PAA board of directors where he served on the legislative and membership committees. Moreland still participates in legislative affairs that affect the University through his affiliation with the Pitt Advocates. Through his service to both the PAA and PGAA boards, Moreland was instrumental in strengthening the ties between the two organizations.

Moreland also received the Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association’s 2010 Volunteer Excellence award. The award was created to showcase and reward a member of the PGAA Board of Directors for his or her outstanding service to the board and to the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg. Moreland’s service to the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg includes having served on the board of directors of the Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association as treasurer, vice president, president, and immediate past president. Moreland also served in an ex-officio role on the University’s Advisory Board. He helped to form the Pitt-Greensburg Student Alumni Association and organized the inaugural legislative breakfast with local, state, and federal elected official, which is now a bi-annual meeting.

The Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association presented its 2013 Alumnus of Distinction award to pediatric dentist Christopher J. Luccy CAS ’70, DEN ’73. The PGAA Alumnus of Distinction award recognizes excellence among alumni at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg based on outstanding level of professional achievements, service to the community, service to the University of Pittsburgh, special recognition or honors, and other special efforts or success.

Luccy attended Pitt-Greensburg from 1966 through 1968. He completed his undergraduate degree and dental school at the Oakland campus and his specialty residency at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh. He is Westmoreland County’s only board-certified pediatric dentist.  

A member of the medical staff at Children’s Hospital (Pittsburgh), Luccy has represented pediatric dentistry on both the state and national level for more than 30 years. He is a recognized expert in facial growth and development and in conscious sedation for children. He currently serves as the Immediate Past President of the Pennsylvania Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. 

Luccy previously served the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry on the Council of Clinical Affairs and Council on Constitution and Bylaws. These committees develop and define policies and guidelines to establish the most appropriate dental treatment for children.

As a member of the Pennsylvania Dental Association’s Access to Care Committee, Luccy authored the Virtual Dental Van, an online guide that helps parents whose children are covered under the Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to find dental providers.

He served as the Pennsylvania Dental Team Leader for Head Start over the past 18 months and is working with area pediatricians to establish “Best Practices” for the use of fluoride in children. His practice now focuses on providing comfortable safe dental care for young children and children with special needs.

The Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association (PGAA) has named Rob Oliver ’97 as its 2012 Alumnus of Distinction.

The PGAA Alumnus of Distinction award recognizes excellence among alumni at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg based on outstanding level of professional achievements, service to the community, service to the University of Pittsburgh, special recognition or honors, and other special efforts or success. A certificate of recognition will be presented to Oliver at the 2012 Commencement ceremony, set for Saturday, April 28.

“We are elated to be able to honor Rob with this award,” says Frank Spoto Jr., Esq., ’99, ’03 LAW, president of the PGAA. “Rob’s passion and drive to help those around him achieve their everyday goals is the primary reason why he stood out among our outstanding nominees this year.”

Oliver works for the Disability Rights Network as an advocacy specialist. He also is a motivational speaker and author. His autobiography, entitled “Still Walking,” shares his experiences of living with a disability as well as the important lessons he’s learned along the way. Oliver, from White Oak, PA, and his wife Becky (Clark) Oliver ’94 are the parents of 10-year-old triplets Chloe, Lauren, and Josh.

“I am extremely honored to receive this award,” says Oliver. “It serves as recognition of the value of my work following graduation. I am humbled as well. Although my disability has provided challenges along the way, my goal has been to live life to the fullest. The only thing I have done is what everyone should do, don’t focus on what we can’t do, but make the most of the abilities we have.”

Oliver was paralyzed from the chest down during a body surfing accident in North Carolina when he was 21 years old. After the accident, he went on to obtain his bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg and his master’s degree in psychology from Duquesne University.

His advocacy work with individuals provides people with protection from abuse and neglect, access to services and the opportunity to make their own choices. Additionally, his work also allows him to advocate for systems change, mostly focusing on the services provided by State of Pennsylvania for people with disabilities. With the current budget situation, it is imperative to understand the implication of budget cuts and how those cuts are affecting the lives of real people. The third way he is changing other people's lives is through his speaking and book. The core message of his presentation is that everybody has problems.

“Our success in life is determined by whether we let those problems define us or we, instead, put our energy into doing what we can and focusing on the positive,” he notes.

During the past year, Oliver provided motivational presentations pro bono to more than 24 local Rotary clubs. His past service to the community also includes being appointed to the Community Living Advisory Committee by the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services in 1999. His role on the Community Living Advisory Committee was to provide meaningful input to the Department of Public Welfare, the Department of Aging, and the Office on Long Term Living as they created policies, procedures, and programs serving individuals with disabilities across the Commonwealth. He has trained the staff and the participants of several organizations including the Three Rivers Center for Independent Living, Mental Health America and Pennsylvania Advocacy Resources to strengthen their advocacy as an organization as well as individuals. Until recently, he served on the board of directors for United Cerebral Palsy of Pittsburgh, one of the premier service organizations in Western Pennsylvania, and the Tommy Wilson Exceptional Student Foundation, which funds educational supports for students with special needs.

The Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association (PGAA) has named Jerry J. Fedele its 2011 Alumnus of Distinction. A certificate of recognition will be presented to Fedele at the 2011 Commencement ceremony, set for Saturday, April 30.

The PGAA Alumnus of Distinction award recognizes excellence among alumni at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg based on outstanding level of professional achievements, service to the community, service to the University of Pittsburgh, special recognition or honors, and other special efforts or success.

“We are pleased to be able to recognize Jerry with the PGAA Award of Distinction,” said Mary Lynn Yothers, DC, president of the Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association. “His accomplishments are an illustration of the level of success graduates of Pitt-Greensburg have attained.”

Fedele is a 1975 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a BS in mathematics, while minoring in English and philosophy. While pursuing his bachelor’s degree, he was a student at the Pitt-Greensburg campus during his freshman and sophomore years from 1971 to 1973. (Pitt-Greensburg alumni include those who have attended Pitt-Greensburg for three or more semesters, as well as those who have earned their bachelor’s degrees at the campus.)

Fedele went on to graduate magna cum laude and as the class valedictorian with a juris doctorate from the Duquesne University School of Law in 1980. He then earned an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh’s Joseph M. Katz School of Business in 1986, where he was inducted into the Beta Gamma Sigma International Honor Society.

Fedele, a native of Greensburg, PA, resides in Boca Raton, FL, where he has served as president and chief executive officer of the Boca Raton Regional Hospital since 2008. At Boca Regional, he led a restructuring initiative that generated operating improvements of $60 million over 18 months resulting in the first operating profit in six years for the 400-bed hospital.

The hospital currently generates $360 million in annual revenue and has been ranked by HealthGrades among the top 5 percent of all hospitals in the United States for seven consecutive years. Several clinical programs including cardiac surgery, cardiology, and stroke care are all ranked by HealthGrades as number one in the state of Florida, and gastrointestinal care as number two in the state of Florida. Additionally, Boca Regional maintains tertiary level programs in oncology and women’s care that are nationally recognized.

Prior to his move to Florida in 2008, Fedele served in various capacities with West Penn Allegheny Health System. He served as president and chief executive officer from 2003 to 2007 and implemented a five-year plan to recover from a $90 million loss incurred by Allegheny General Hospital and achieving the first system profit in 2003. Under his leadership, Allegheny General achieved nationally recognized quality performance for eliminating central-line-associated-blood infections and materially reducing ventilator-associated pneumonia in cardiac ICU. Fedele also implemented a process known as the “Extreme Hospital Makeover” to achieve rapid cycle improvements in operations, quality, and satisfaction utilizing the Toyota Production System and Six Sigma strategies.

He served as the first senior vice president, general counsel, and corporate secretary upon formation of West Penn Allegheny Health System in 1999.

From 1986 to 1998, Fedele worked for the Western Pennsylvania Healthcare System, most recently serving as senior vice president, general counsel and corporate secretary where he led a team that removed Allegheny General Hospital and three affiliated community hospitals from the AHERF bankruptcy, restructured and refinanced debt exceeding $600 million, and formed West Penn Allegheny Health System.

His other career experience includes serving as an attorney for Bayer Corporation (1984 to 1986) and in various positions with the Dravo Corporation, including counsel (1980 to 1984), legal assistant (1978 to 1980), and cost estimator (1975 to 1978).

Active in his community, Fedele is a member of the boards of directors of VHA Southeast, the Boca Raton Chamber of Commerce, and the Professional Golf Association’s Allianz Tour Event held annually in Boca Raton. He was a dancer in the 2010 George Snow Scholarship Fund Boca Ballroom Battle and is co-chair of the 2011 event. Recently, Fedele was recognized by the Boca Raton Rotary as a recipient of the OPAL Award for outstanding achievement in Health and Medicine.

Fedele is a former member of the board of directors of the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania, the Allegheny Conference on Community Development, and the Community College of Allegheny County where he served as finance chair and treasurer. He also is a former adjunct professor of the Duquesne University School of Law and a former member of the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health’s National Advisory Committee.

He and his wife, Terry, have three children. Katie is an investment banker with CitiBank in New York City, Jeff is an auditor with Deloitte and Touche in Pittsburgh, and Andy is an auditor with KPMG in Chicago.

The Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association has named Barbara J. Christner, Esq., its 2010 Alumnus of Distinction.

“We are pleased to be able to recognize Barbara with the PGAA Award of Distinction,” said Mary Lynn Yothers, DC, president of the Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association. “Her accomplishments are an illustration of the level of success graduates of Pitt-Greensburg have attained.”

Christner, a 1985 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg, is vice president and shareholder at Ward & Christner, PC, in Greensburg. She graduated from Duquesne Law School and passed the bar exam in 1992. Her career in law began when she took a job as receptionist/secretary for John N. Ward, Esq., in 1977. Christner continued to work full-time while earning her undergraduate degree and law degree, advancing to bookkeeper and estate administrator at the law office. As estate administrator, she worked with clients until they reached the auditing phase. Christner earned the respect of lawyers who took over her cases at the auditing phase because of her thorough preparation of the cases and their materials.

“I’m humbled by the award,” said Christner. “There are so many good people out there. I’m just so surprised and thrilled to receive the award.”

Immediate past president of the Westmoreland Bar Association (WBA), Christner has served as a director and officer since April 2003. In addition to coordinating the “Truth about Living Trust Programs” sponsored by WBA, she has served as the co-chair of the Real Estate Committee from 2002 through 2007 and a member of the Orphans’ Court & Elder Law Committee. She also has served as a member of the boards of directors of the Westmoreland Bar Foundation (WBF) and Laurel Legal Services.

Her community service includes serving as a member of the Lutheran Youth and Family Services (now Glade Run), the Westmoreland Choral Society, and serving on various committees at the First Lutheran Church of Greensburg. She is currently a member of the Advisory Board of the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg.

The PGAA Alumnus of Distinction award recognizes excellence among alumni at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg based on outstanding level of professional achievements, service to the community, service to the University of Pittsburgh, special recognition or honors, and other special efforts or success.

The 2009 Alumni of Distinction Award is given to Justin Merriman, a 2000 graduate of Pitt-Greensburg with a degree in English Writing. The Greensburg native has worked as a photojournalist since 1999 and has covered stories across the United States and world, including the events of September 11th, the crash of United Flight 93, the Sago mine disaster in Sago, West Virginia, the 2004 and the 2008 U.S. Presidential elections, polio in India, life in Cuba, the 2008 Parliamentary Elections in Pakistan, and the war in Afghanistan. Mr. Merriman's photography has been recognized and honored with local and national awards. His work has appeared in publications including the New York Times, The Washington Post, Popular Science, Time Magazine's "Pictures of the Week," USA Today's "Day in Sports, " MSNBC's "Week in Pictures," Sports Illustrated's SI.com, CBS's CBSSportsline.com, Golfweek Magazine, and newspapers across the country. Mr. Merriman continues his work in photojournalism striving to make images that reveal humanity and document the world around him.