The Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association (PGAA) Volunteer Excellence Award was established in 2009 to recognize alumni who volunteer their time to the PGAA and the University. When designating an alumnus or alumna as a particular year’s Volunteer of Excellence, his or her award certificate indicates that they have been designated as such, “For outstanding service to the Alumni Association and the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg.” This PGAA award honors alumni who have dedicated a significant amount of personal time to attending alumni meetings and events, working on special projects, and contributing to the overall success of both the alumni association and the University it represents.
| Year | Awardee |
|---|---|
| 2024 | Randy Davis '84 |
| 2023 | Dijon Henderson '14 |
| 2022 | Anthony P. Garsteck, Jr. '75 |
| 2021 | Christopher J. Luccy, DMD '70 and Barbara B. Luccy, RN '70 |
| 2020 | Huong Vo '14 |
| 2019 | Thomas M. Jollie '72 |
| 2018 | James R. Smith '75 |
| 2017 | Scott Szypulski '14 |
| 2016 | Harry P. Bowser '72 |
| 2015 | Brian Root '04 |
| 2014 | Mary Lynn Yothers '80 |
| 2012 | Robert Merda '85 |
| 2011 | Jason P. Gongaware '87 |
| 2010 | Brian Moreland '98 |
Randy Davis '84
The Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association (PGAA) presented its Volunteer Excellence award to Randy Davis ’84 as part of the Alumni Celebration Dinner on Saturday, Sept. 28.
Davis, a resident of Greensburg, PA, graduated from Pitt-Greensburg in 1984 with a BA in English Writing. Since 1995, he has worked for a Greensburg printing company where he is responsible for preparing mailing lists for computerized addressing and pre-sorting of the mail pieces printed by the company. He shared that he drives a forklift, too.
But that pales in comparison as to why he was selected to receive the PGAA’s Volunteer Excellence Award.
In 1990, he donated his first pint of blood through the American Red Cross. This was shortly after a friend, a 1989 high school graduate, died of ovarian cancer at age 19.
“In Kari’s honor and memory, I gave a pint of blood,” said Davis. “And I continue to donate in her honor and memory. It’s who I am, not just what I do.”
As of September 2024, he has donated 208 times since that first donation in 1990, all through the American Red Cross. Davis tries to donate 6 pints a year. As each pint potentially benefits three people, he estimates that it’s possible he has directly helped more than 600 people over the past 34 years. His nominator estimates that Davis has donated more than 26 gallons of blood in that timeframe.
According to the American Red Cross website, “Every two seconds, someone in the US needs blood. It is essential for surgeries, cancer treatment, chronic illnesses, and traumatic injuries. Whether a patient receives whole blood, red cells, platelets, or plasma, this lifesaving care starts with one person making a generous donation.” Davis’s regular donations each year help the Red Cross to provide about 40 percent of the nation’s blood and blood components. He is one of about three percent of age-eligible people who donate blood yearly.
When not working or volunteering to help others with his blood donations, Davis pursues several hobbies: traditional archery, competitive racewalking, and amateur radio.
Davis has enjoyed “old school” target archery since the early 1970s. “Today, it gets me outside with my left-handed recurve and my friends, target shooting and stump shooting over the beautiful hills of Western Pennsylvania,” he explained. “Archery restores peace and quiet in a very loud world.”
From 1994 until 2007, Davis was an active and competitive regional race walker who participated in 5K, 10K, and 15K races, following USATF and Olympic rules and regulations. A highlight was competing at the 2003 USATF Race Walking Timed Event at California University of Pennsylvania, where he placed first in the Masters Division-1 Hour Timed Event. He no longer competes but continues to walk for his own enjoyment and fitness. As part of his walking routine, he picks up any coins he finds and donates them to various local human service agencies, donating approximately $50 a year since he began keeping track in 1991.
Since 1976, Davis has been an FCC Licensed amateur radio operator, call letters WB3EKR. At age 14, he passed the entry level Novice Class test. And around 2000, he passed the highest-class license test to attain Amateur Extra Class ranking which requires specific radio knowledge and Morse Code at 20 words-per-minute.
“We reach out to others throughout the world, using Voice and Morse, not with messages of hate or anger, but with a simple introductory greeting: ‘Are you hearing me?’,” explained Davis of his interest in this pursuit.
Davis has quietly hoped that perhaps one or two of the folks who have received his blood have since taken up archery, race walking, or amateur radio. He will never know, though, since the donor and recipient are never informed of each other.
Dijon Henderson '14
The Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association (PGAA) presented its Volunteer Excellence award to Dijon Henderson ’14 as part of the Alumni Celebration Dinner on Saturday, Sept. 30.
Henderson graduated from Pitt-Greensburg in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. He works as a senior laboratory technician who is involved with the polyethylene research and development team at Shell Polymers Monaca. His prior experience includes working as a laboratory technician with NOVA Chemicals, a quality analyst with Bayer, and a chemist with Mylan. Currently enrolled at Duquesne University, he expects to graduate with a master’s of science degree in chemistry in 2025.
Henderson is a native of California, but calls western Pennsylvania home, having graduated from Pittsburgh’s North Hills High School in 2005.
While a student at Pitt-Greensburg, Henderson was active in Pitt-Greensburg’s chapter of Gamma Sigma Epsilon, the national chemistry honor society; the American Chemical Society; the Student Government Association (as a Senator); and the campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity. He also served as a community assistant in the residence halls.
Henderson, who made his first HFH Alternate Spring Break trip in 2013, has continued his involvement after graduation, volunteering for nine trips—eight as an alumnus--to North Carolina (3 times), South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee (2 times). In particular, he has served as an adult van driver on each of those Habitat for Humanity Alternative Spring Break trips. In addition to volunteering with the Pitt-Greensburg HFH chapter, he volunteers with his local chapter.
His nomination notes, “Dijon willingly used vacation time to take time off of work to help transport 20-plus students to southern, out-of-state destinations. . . . His participation as a driver has been invaluable to us, as the University requires drivers to be 25 years old or older. He has always been eager to step in and volunteer for this role each year.”
His nominator notes that since his graduation, Henderson has volunteered an estimated 150 hours, logging nearly 10,000 miles during the HFH trips. Said differently, the eight-day trips cumulatively amount to almost two months away from home and work. More importantly, Henderson helps to promote a sense of camaraderie among the students and other volunteers on the trips. He also is constantly teaching student-volunteers how to navigate the HFH work sites, how to use equipment, and how to develop their construction skills.
As a side note, the nominator noted that Henderson and his wife, Brooke ’18, both participated in HFH as students and described it as a “Habitat love story.” This year, Brooke joined the spring break trip as a volunteer, too.
Henderson’s community service reaches beyond the campus, too. He is an active volunteer with his local church where he helps to distribute food to his community. He participates in Shell’s volunteer days that often include cleaning up trash along the riverways. Since 2019, he also has worked for the Pennsylvania Game Commission as a Deputy Game Warden, a position that is considered volunteer/unpaid since the small per diem doesn’t cover all of the expenses entailed.
“I'm honored,” said Henderson of being selected to receive the Volunteer Excellence Award. “I never expected to get anything in return. I've just been blessed in life, so I've just been doing what I can, where I can, to give back and show my gratitude and help someone else along their way.”
Henderson and his wife stay connected to Pitt-Greensburg through their involvement with the Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association and its events, including the annual Pittsburgh Pirates tailgate and game.
Anthony P. Garsteck, Jr. '75
The Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association (PGAA) presented its Volunteer Excellence award to Anthony “Andy” P. Garsteck, Jr. ’74 CAS as part of the Alumni Celebration Dinner on Saturday, Oct. 1, in the Hempfield Room at Pitt-Greensburg.
Garsteck is active with the PGAA alumni board of directors and serves as a member of the Events Committee. He also is the president of the Pitt-Greensburg’s Men’s Alumni Basketball Club (MBAC), having previously served as treasurer of the group.
Yet his devotion to his alma mater goes much deeper than that. “Andy is always there when needed. It doesn't matter what or when--if you need help, he will be there,” noted the nomination submitted on his behalf. “Andy is a shining example of what a volunteer should be and an excellent example of what an alumni volunteer should try to be. The title of this award defines Andy; he is a ‘volunteer of excellence.’”
Garsteck is a familiar face at PGAA events, assisting with set-up, volunteering, and welcoming alumni, new students, families, and other guests. These events include Move-In Day, Merry Mingle alumni Christmas gathering, Blue & Gold Celebration, the Pitt-Greensburg Golf Outing, and the Senior Send-Off.
As president of MBAC, Garsteck is an active volunteer who distributes spirit gear at Bobcat basketball games. He also spearheaded the MBAC effort to sponsor an awards night to recognize the Pitt-Greensburg basketball players for their accomplishments. He’s credited with planning the event, helping to design the awards, and emceeing the event--as well as recommending that the character award be named in honor of Thomas M. Jollie, a recently deceased member of MBAC.
Loyalty to the University of Pittsburgh at Pitt runs deep in the Garsteck family. Garsteck attended Pitt-Greensburg from 1970 through 1972 before graduating from the Pittsburgh campus in 1974. Two of his three children are also Pitt-Greensburg alumni. Their connection to campus is recognized through one of the Pawprints Alumni Series Posters that hangs in Chambers Hall (Fireside Lounge).
A resident of Greensburg, PA, Garsteck and his wife LeeAnn have three children, Jason ’15, Alexandra ’16, and Nikki. He is a retired United States Postal Service employee, having served as a letter carrier from 1994 through 2017. Prior to that, he worked as a production supervisor for Volkswagen of America.
Christopher J. Luccy, DMD '70 and Barbara B. Luccy, RN '70
The Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association (PGAA) presented its Volunteer Excellence award to Christopher J. Luccy, DMD, ’70, and posthumously to his wife, Barbara B. Luccy, RN, ’70 during the Alumni Celebration Dinner on Saturday, Oct. 2,
“The Volunteer Excellence Award is special because it is a recognition from our peers,” said Luccy about being selected to share this award with his late wife. “Barbara and I have always been very proud to be Pitt alumni. Working with students, faculty, and especially the staff, at Pitt-Greensburg has been very special. It has provided the opportunity to continue sharing knowledge and experience and to see the benefits of our efforts. I dearly miss my ‘better half,’ but she is always with me in spirit.”
Since 2016, he has served as a member of the PGAA Board of Directors. Recognized as the 2013 PGAA Alumnus of Distinction for his professional career achievements, Luccy currently chairs the Professional Development Committee, which plans events for both students and alumni. His six-year commitment to the Pitt-Greensburg Golf Outing planning committee contributes to the event’s success by securing silent auction items, donating to the event, and recruiting a foursome.
Prior to her unexpected death in December 2019, Barbara supported her husband’s volunteer service with the PGAA board and frequently attended its events. The couple, an integral part of the Pitt-Greensburg community, was among the first group of alumni to be highlighted in the Alumni Pawprints Poster project. The posters are displayed at various locations around campus and tell the stories of thriving alumni from across the generations and disciplines. Barbara’s presence will continue to be felt on campus as plans are underway to name a space in her honor in the new Life Sciences Building, currently under construction.
Luccy is particularly proud of having hosted, with Barbara, Dick Groat Day at Totteridge Golf Course in October 2019. The couple wanted to recognize Groat’s contributions to Pitt Athletics over many years and included a special spotlight of Pitt-Greensburg and its support of the community.
Fifty-five years ago, the Luccys met at Pitt-Greensburg as students. Luccy explained that he and Barbara bonded in their focus and met their academic and personal career goals, noting that the foundation for their success was their experiences at Pitt-Greensburg. Luccy went on to the University of Pittsburgh Dental School and completed a pediatric dental residency at Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh (now UPMC Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh). Barbara graduated from the University of Pittsburgh Nursing School and worked for two years at Magee Women’s Hospital (now UPMC Magee-Women’s Hospital) as a staff and charge nurse. She then was recruited to and taught at Pitt’s Nursing School.
In 1971, Chris and Barbara married. In 1975, they moved back to Greensburg to serve the community in a pediatric dental practice. Luccy provided board-certified quality care for each child that was treated in his practice. Barbara managed the practice and supervised the patient-care services. She utilized her nursing skills to ensure the safety of all patients, especially medically compromised children and those needing sedation/anesthesia. For more than 40 years, the couple volunteered countless hours on the local, state, and national levels, focusing on children with special needs and multiple University of Pittsburgh programs. With time, their focus shifted to Pitt-Greensburg, where Luccy set up and Barbara developed a scholarship in honor of Dr. Norman McWhinney, professor emeritus of English at Pitt-Greensburg. The scholarship was awarded to third- and fourth-year Pitt-Greensburg students who demonstrated excellence in writing.
The Luccy children, Britt, Christopher, and Dana, vividly remember attending Pitt football games, fundraisers, and special events to help others--all initiated by their mother, Barbara.
Huong Vo '14
The Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association (PGAA) will present its Volunteer of Excellence award to Huong Vo '14 at the Alumni Awards Virtual Celebration at noon on Saturday, October 3, as part of the Blue & Gold Celebration 2020.
In addition to working full-time and attending graduate school, Vo serves as a member of the PGAA board where she chairs the Events Committee. Bringing a bright and positive energy to the PGAA activities that she plans, she is frequently found, cell phone in hand, sharing video of an event via social media when it is possible to hold events in person. She also is bringing new ideas to the virtual realm, contributing a range of activities that are bringing Pitt-Greensburg alumni together from across the nation and the globe.
Vo transferred to Pitt-Greensburg in 2011 and graduated in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in Natural Science. 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.
Active with the Student Government Association (SGA), Vo served 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.
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 now works as a nurse at UPMC East in the Stepdown Unit. Vo is currently working on her master’s degree at Carlow University with plans to become a family or pediatric nurse practitioner. Vo received UPMC East’s first-ever Daisy Award, an award that recognizes nurses who provide extraordinary compassionate care.
Thomas M. Jollie '72
The Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association (PGAA) presented its Volunteer of Excellence award to Thomas M. Jollie '72 at the Alumni Celebration Dinner on Saturday, October 25, at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg as part of Blue & Gold Weekend: Homecoming 2019.
Jollie, a native of Irwin who resides in Greensburg with his wife, Sharon, graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with a BS in mathematics. At Pitt-Greensburg, he was a member of the campus’ first official men’s basketball team. Today, he is a founding member of the Men’s Basketball Alumni Club (MBAC), serving as its treasurer, and was the driving force behind an MBAC project that resulted in the purchase of a shooting machine for the basketball teams.
A member of the PGAA Board of Directors, Jollie sits on the events committee and regularly volunteers at PGAA events like Blue & Gold Celebration events and Mock Interview Night. An avid golfer and Pitt sports booster, he also has served on the committee for the Annual Pitt-Greensburg Golf Outing.
Jollie credits Pitt-Greensburg for his success, as well as it being a launching pad for his sister, a prosecuting attorney in Greensburg, and his brother, an insurance business owner in Irwin.
While a student in the Pitt system, Jollie volunteered, in 1971, with the Army National Guard, and served six months of active duty, which delayed his graduation until 1972. He then served six years as a member of the military police. His service centered on efforts across the state, including flood duty in Johnstown and Scranton. After graduation, he entered the insurance business in the same company as his father, but in a different town. Forty-seven years later, the T M Jollie Insurance Agency, Inc. (Mt. Pleasant) and its owner have been the recipient of numerous awards for sales and travel. Jollie also expanded his business into real estate. He designed and guided the construction of his office complex as well as buying and renting properties. He and his wife, Sharon, enjoy spending time at their second home, too.
James R. Smith '75
The Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association (PGAA) presented its Volunteer of Excellence award to James R. Smith '75 at the Alumni Celebration Dinner on Saturday, October 20, at the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg as part of Blue & Gold Weekend: Homecoming 2018.
James R. Smith graduated in 1975 from Pitt-Greensburg with a bachelor’s of science degree in business and earned his master’s degree in business administration from the University of Pittsburgh’s Katz School of Business in 1984. Smith, who is now retired, has had a career that has taken him from Pittsburgh to Germany to New York to Ohio and to the Rocky Mountains.
After graduating from Pitt, Smith joined D'Appolonia Consulting Engineers in Pittsburgh as a staff accountant. Several year later, he moved to Vesuvius Crucible Company as an international accountant and was transferred to their plant in Germany. From there, he joined Hewlett-Packard GmbH and, after a few years, was transferred to the field organization in the United States. He stayed with the company for more than 20 years. From 2005 to 2010, he was the board treasurer for the non-profit organization Christmas Unlimited and worked as director of finance and administration for Ecumenical Social Ministries. In 2011, he became director of finance and operations for Sunrise Methodist Church. He also served as a lecturer for the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs School of Public Affairs, instructing a course on nonprofit financial management.
Smith became involved with the PGAA when he moved back to the Greensburg area and joined the PGAA board of directors in 2014. Currently in his second term, he was elected president in 2015. His responsibilities include serving on the Pitt Alumni Association’s (PAA) Student, Colleges and Regional School Committee (SCR) and working to forge bonds among the campuses. He also sits on the Pitt-Greensburg Advisory Board as an ex-officio member. The board liaison for the PGAA Professional Development Committee, he volunteers at admissions events, and is actively involved with all PGAA events.
A native of Ligonier, Smith and his wife, Kim, reside in Greensburg. He has three children: his oldest, Emily, works for Amazon Corporation in Seattle; his middle son, Aaron, works in Silicon Valley; and his youngest son, Stephen, is pursuing his undergraduate degree in secondary education.
Scott Szypulski '14
Scott Szypulski ’14, of Irwin, PA, was the recipient of the PGAA Volunteer Excellence Award.
Scott Szypulski graduated in 2014 with a BS in Management-Accounting and minors in Actuarial Science and Theatre. While a student, he was a member of the Student Activities Board, Habitat for Humanity, Judicial Board, Peer Leader Program, and Phi Eta Sigma. A Community Assistant (CA) and campus leader, Szypulski was named 2014 CA of the Year and served as president of the Student Government Association, Resident Student Council, and the Presidential Ambassadors program. He also was named Senior of the Year and was the recipient of the Dean’s Leadership Award and the PGAA Community Service Award.
Upon graduating, Szypulski was employed as a Financial Assistant in the Department of Critical Care for the University of Pittsburgh. In 2016, he was promoted to Financial Research Administrator there. As a member of the Staff Association Council since 2015, he has been active in multiple activities, including assisting in the establishment of the Frisch Fund Scholarship and serving as chair of the 2017 Kennywood Committee for Pitt Day at Kennywood, which sold out of the allocated 2,000 tickets. In addition to these responsibilities, he is pursuing his MBA at the Oakland campus.
Since 2014, Szypulski has been actively involved with the Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association (PGAA) and is currently the PGAA Treasurer and Executive Committee liaison for the events committee. He has been directly involved in the organization of alumni events including the Holiday Wine Tasting, Welcome Back Picnic, and Pitt Greensburg at PNC Park. He also remains involved as a volunteer with the campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity (HFH) and served as a chaperone for the 2017 HFH Alternate Spring Break Collegiate Challenge trip to Tucker, Georgia.
Harry P. Bowser '72
Harry P. Bowser is the recipient of the 2016 PGAA Volunteer Excellence Award. Bowser attended Pitt-Greensburg for two years prior to transferring to the Oakland campus. He graduated in 1972 with a BA in secondary education. After graduation, he completed his term of service with the Pennsylvania National Guard and was hired by the Southmoreland School District. There he taught social studies, served as head of the Social Studies Department, and was active in athletics, coaching baseball, football, and basketball.
Bowser has been associated with the Pitt-Greensburg’s Men’s Basketball Program from the start as a member of its inaugural team. His service as a volunteer and paid coach has spanned the decades starting as an assistant coach for the 1972-1973 Pitt-Greensburg Men’s Basketball Team through today as a volunteer character coach through the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He holds “character sessions” that provide 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.
Bowser currently serves on the board of the Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association (PGAA) and is a founding member of the PGAA Men’s Basketball Alumni Club.
“Harry’s determination to connect his former teammates with the current student athletes has helped us to create a model for developing other alumni communities within the PGAA,” said Sheila Kudrick, Pitt-Greensburg alumni coordinator. “His enthusiasm and ability to bring people together stand out as distinguishing qualities in his success. We look forward to building on the foundation that he has helped us to put in place.”
Bowser’s work continues in the community, as well. Past service includes establishing an elementary-age basketball program and coaching Southmoreland girls’ basketball. He currently volunteers with the Fairview Church of God in its Soup Kitchen and doing lawn work. He also volunteers with the Buchanan Church of God Soup Kitchen.
He and his wife, Karon, have two sons, Adam ’03 and Ryan, and two granddaughters, Alexis and Mikayla.
Brian Root ’04
Brian Root ’04 is the recipient of the 2015 PGAA Volunteer Excellence Award.
Root has been active with the PGAA since graduating from Pitt-Greensburg. He is one of the 2004 Class Agents and has served stints as the PGAA Secretary and Vice President. He is currently serving as chair of the PGAA Events committee, which is responsible for planning activities for the alumni body.
“Brian attends every PGAA event, and he’s always willing to help,” said Sheila Kudrick, alumni coordinator at Pitt-Greensburg. “He’s reliable, resourceful, and energetic. He has a great passion for Pitt-Greensburg and all that it is, and he desires to see it continue to grow.”
An active local Kiwanian with the Kiwanis Club of Greensburg where he has served twice as club president, Root is also one of the campus co-chairs for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) One Walk, which brings hundreds of people to Pitt-Greensburg’s campus to support JDRF.
“This is certainly ‘Brian Root Year’ for he received the Chancellor’s Award for service by staff and is now being acknowledged here for his extraordinary contributions to our alumni association,” said President Smith. “One of the most important roles of a state-assisted university is to provide service to the community. Brian personifies that role: he makes this area a better place through the service he gives.”
Root graduated from Pitt-Greensburg with a Bachelor’s of Arts degree in English Writing. He went on to earn a master’s degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2006 and returned to Pitt-Greensburg serve as Resident Director from 2006 to 2009. After a year away from the campus, he returned in the summer of 2010 as the assistant director of Housing and Residence Life.
In addition to his responsibilities in Housing & Residence Life, Root serves as the director of the Outdoor Adventure & Community Service (OACS) living community, as well as the advisor to the Circle K Club and the campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity, where he leads the campus’ primary Alternative Spring Break Trip. Root is Pitt-Greensburg’s Employee Campaign Coordinator for the United Way Campaign and has been a long-time member of the Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association’s (PGAA) Board.
This past spring, he was the recipient of the Chancellor’s Award for Staff Excellence in Service to the University and to the Community. He also received the 2014 President’s Distinguished Service Award for Staff at Pitt-Greensburg.
A native of Transfer, PA, who lives in Greensburg, he is the son of Diane Heckman and Stan Root, both of Mercer County, PA. He is the proud uncle of three who enjoys playing card and board games, volunteering in the community, going to Pittsburgh Pirates baseball games, geocaching, and exploring social media in his free time.
Mary Lynn Yothers ’80
Mary Lynn Yothers ’80, DC, is the recipient of the 2014 PGAA Volunteer Excellence Award. Yothers earned this recognition because of her commitment to and activity with the PGAA. PGAA president from 2009 through 2011, she returned as interim PGAA president to complete the 2012-2013 term. She regularly participates in Admissions events, Pitt Day in Harrisburg, National Pitt Networking Day, as well as Student Alumni Association (SAA) events and activities. Yothers’ ability to recognize new alumni and her warm welcome helps to keep them connected to the PGAA. She also actively recruits PGAA board members, helping to diversify the skill set and strengths of the group. Her contributions to the PGAA include assisting in expanding alumni communications through the use of social media, initiating conversations that resulted in an annual alumni weekend tradition being established, and proposing that the Alumnus of Distinction award presentation become part of the annual alumni weekend. These changes in when and how the award is presented helped to establish an Alumni Dinner, which allows more focus to be placed on the recipient and his or her family, as well as providing an event that brings alumni together to celebrate.
Robert Merda '85
Robert Merda ’85 is the recipient of the 2012 PGAA Volunteer Excellence Award. An active member of the Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association (PGAA) Board, Merda’s loyalty to his Alma Mater is evidenced by his participation in PGAA events and as a member of the Pitt-Greensburg Golf Outing Committee. Merda, who earned an MBA from Waynesburg University in 2005, serves as a Project Controls Engineer at Westinghouse. A resident of North Huntingdon for more than 30 years, he serves as an Emergency Management Team member, as well as having served seven years as a Township Commissioner and more than 10 years as a Planning Commission member. He and his wife, Martha, have one daughter, Mallory, who is a sophomore Sports Communications major at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.
Jason P. Gongaware '97
Jason P. Gongaware ’97 is the recipient of the PGAA Volunteer Excellence Award. The president of the Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association from 2002 to 2005 and chair of the Pitt Alumni Association (PAA) scholarship committee, he receives this award posthumously. His primary focus as president of the PGAA was identifying ways the alumni association and scholarship program could be used to increase the number of qualified students applying to the University. He also served on the Pitt-Greensburg Advisory Board as part of his duties as PGAA president and then as a representative of Chapel Hill Investment Analysts, his employer. His legacy of service lives on through the PGAA Executive Board members who reference him as the reason they became involved in the organization. He is survived by his wife Sheri Campbell Gongaware and two sons, William Campbell and Joseph Elliott, who accept the award on his behalf.
Brian Moreland '98
The Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association (PGAA) is pleased to announce that Brian Moreland ’98, DC, is the first recipient of its newly established 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.
“While president of the PGAA, Brian was instrumental in strengthening the PGAA’s relationship with the Pitt Alumni Association in Oakland, increasing scholarship dollars available to incoming Pitt-Greensburg students, and advocating for the needs of the University.” said Mary Lynn Yothers ’80, DC, president of the PGAA.
Dr. Moreland, owner of Back in Motion Chiropractic in Latrobe, graduated with a BS in psychology from Pitt-Greensburg. He continued his education at Logan College of Chiropractic, earning a BS in Life Science in addition to his Doctor of Chiropractic degree. Moreland has attained Board certification as a Diplomate in Chiropractic Rehabilitation and serves as an associate clinical instructor in the Activator Methods Chiropractic Technique. Moreland served his profession as the secretary/treasurer of the Pennsylvania Chiropractic Educational and Charitable Foundation. He also has been published in peer-reviewed journals and is scheduled to begin a National Institute of Health-funded research study through the University of Pittsburgh to compare the results of the Activator Chiropractic Technique to a manual adjusting technique on lower-back pain patients this upcoming year.
“I am very thankful for the success I have achieved as a chiropractor, which is why I desire to give back to my profession and to my alma mater. The University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg is a focal point of this community, and it is exciting and rewarding to be a part of an institution that is advancing many new programs and to serve on an alumni association that is so passionate about helping students achieve their goals and dreams,” explained Moreland.
A Life Member and winner of the 2008 Pitt Alumni Association Volunteer Excellence Award, Moreland recently completed a third term as the Pitt-Greensburg delegate to the PAA board of directors where he served on the legislative and membership committees. Moreland continues to serve as a member of the Alumni Legislative Network and Pitt Career Network for the University, as well as providing internship opportunities to Pitt-Greensburg students at his chiropractic office in Latrobe.
Moreland’s service to the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg includes serving on the board of directors of the Pitt-Greensburg Alumni Association as treasurer, vice president, president, and now, immediate past president. Moreland also served in an ex-officio role on the University’s Advisory Board.