Our campus radiated with Mountain Cat Pride during the weekend of September 26 and 27, as we celebrated Homecoming. Nearly 750 students, faculty, staff, alumni and their families participated in our first campus-wide Homecoming barbecue on Friday evening. Although the rain forced us to relocate the event to the Sports Center, it clearly did not dampen the spirits.
Several community members joined the crowd on the campus mall to watch the fireworks display, reported by many to have been the most spectacular at Pitt-Johnstown. Onlookers enjoyed warm cider and hot chocolate as the Friday night sky was illuminated with brilliant color during the magnificent light show.
The pride of our students was clearly evident during the annual Homecoming parade, which made its way from the Living/Learning Center to the Sports Center. Despite threatening skies, the weather cooperated and created a perfect opportunity for the students to display their creative floats. The Homecoming queen candidates waved to onlookers as part of the procession, and members of the Alumni Association distributed blue and gold balloons to those lining the streets.
Through the efforts of the Alumni Association, two first-time events (the Mountain Cat Wing Fest and Pitt-Johnstown Outback Walking Tour) were introduced. Next year, the Alumni Association has ideas for many more activities including a 5k run.
Several prizes were giving away during Homecoming. Congratulations to the newly crowned Queen and her Court:
Window Painting | 1st Place – Concert Band
2nd Place – Circle K
3rd Place – Tri-Beta |
Floats
| 1st Place– Pitt-Johnstown Cheerleaders
2nd Place – Sigma Tau Gamma
3rd Place – Chemical Society |
| Spirit of Homecoming Award | Alpha Gamma Delta |
Homecoming weekend culminated with the coronation ceremony at the Sports Center.  | Queen
Jenna Ricci is a senior secondary education-biology major and daughter of Martin and Deb Ricci of Johnstown. She was sponsored by the Pitt-Johnstown Cheerleaders |
 | First Runner-Up
Cara Szarmach is a senior elementary education major and daughter of Joe and Bernadette Szarmach of Plum, Pa. She was sponsored by Alpha Sigma Alpha. |
 | Second Runner-Up
Robin Colucci is a senior elementary education major and daughter of Chris and Lorelei Colucci of Bethel Park, Pa. She was sponsored by Housing and Residence Life. |
 | Third Runner-Up
Julia Pennesi is a senior communication major and daughter of Gary Pennesi of Latrobe, Pa. She was sponsored by Alpha Gamma Delta. |
 | Fourth Runner-Up
Tiffany Harrington is a senior secondary education-social studies major and Scott and Stacey Harrington of Somerset, Pa. She was sponsored by Phi Sigma Sigma. |