@ Your Service Scrapbook - March 2009

Pitt-Johnstown faculty, staff and students were out in the community in full-force engaged in more than a dozen community service projects in March.  Our special “@ Your Service” vehicle fleet logged more than 200 miles transporting volunteers to project sites!

More than 60 students and employees braved the cold, damp March afternoon to raise money for the American Diabetes Association and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.  The event was sponsored by the Pitt-Johnstown PAWS (Promoting Awareness and Wellness for Students) and the Personal Counseling Center.  The walk took place on the Pitt-Johnstown track.

Residents of Memorial Medical Center's Pediatric Unit, Child/Adolescent In-Patient Behavioral Health Unit, and the Good Samaritan Nursing Care Center were treated to balloons, flowers, stuffed Mountain Cats, and lots of smiles as volunteers made a goodwill visit on March 29.  It seems that no matter where the Mountain Cat goes, it brings smiles!

The Mountain Cat brought a bundle of balloons and big smiles to the patients in the pediatric unit at Memorial Medical Center.	13-year-old Robert Lepley, of Boswell, and the Mountain Cat take a moment to watch a NASCAR race in the pediatric unit.

Despite the fact that it’s officially spring, members of the Pitt-Johnstown Chapter of Habitat for Humanity contended with 35 mile-per-hour winds and 16-degree wind-chills as they began to construct Cardboard City.  The members will be sleeping in the Cardboard City Monday evening…no television, no Internet, and no electric blankets!

Students examine the recently laid "floor"	Students prepare to "raise the roof" on their home.
Students position the roof atop their temporary residence.	Students carefully position a "support beam" to support the "roof."
Habitat member John Hostetler talks about the issue of homelessness with a reporter from NBC-affiliate WJAC.	Habitat members stand in front of their recently finished Cardboard City.  Members are joined by local Veteran Ed Hadix .

Early morning on March 31, and the students are still asleep inside the frost-covered Cardboard City.  Volunteers braved 20-degree temperatures to sleep in the "residence" in an effort to raise awareness of the issue of homelessness.

Sixth through 12th grade teachers from the Greater Johnstown School District spent an in-service day at Pitt-Johnstown exploring opportunities in the areas of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).  Throughout the day, they participated in presentations on a number of STEM-related topics.  They also were treated to a demonstration by Pitt-Johnstown’s own “mad scientist” David Willey.  Below, Amy Miller, assistant professor of mechanical engineering technology, talks about opportunities in the field of engineering.

Staff and students were in Spring Cleaning mode at the Learning Lamp, where they helped to unpack and organize dozens of cases of books, CDs and other educational materials. 

A capacity crowd attended the International Service Forum, the second in a series of lectures being offered as part of the Glocal Society Series.  Panelists included: Dr. Eric Hartman, executive director of Amizade; Dr. Melissa Reed, former Peace Corps volunteer; Reverend Dr. Joseph Maurizio, founder of Humanitarian Interfaith Ministries; Kathleen Pino, American Red Cross International Services; and Drs. Monica Frolander-Ulf and Reinhard Heinisch of Pitt-Johnstown.  President Jem Spectar served as moderator of the evening.

Pitt-Johnstown international students from Syria, Hong Kong, Australia, Sierra Leone, Suriname, Nigeria, Cameroon, Ghana, and Vietnam visited students at Conemaugh Township Elementary school throughout the week to share stories of their native countries and to discuss the ways that life differs in the United States.

Iyad Anbari talks about life in Syria.	Amanda Addo discusses life in her native Ghana.
Ulrich Meffert talks about his experiences living in Germany, Hong Kong, and Australia.	Iyad Anbari, Amanda Adoo, Tien Lau, and Ulrich Meffert answer questions from an eager audience.

Pitt-Johnstown staff members delivered spring flowers, balloons and shared songs with our neighboring nursing home.

Second grade students at Richland Elementary heard the never-before-told story, The Mountain Cat Who Mattered, and learned how the Pitt-Johnstown Mountain Cat became our official mascot! 

It was the faculty/staff versus the student-athletes in a friendly game of hoops to benefit the Make A Wish Foundation.  Over $1,600 was raised.  Congratulations to the faculty/staff team who posted a 47-41 win.  Scott Mamula was named most valuable player. 

Students at West Side Elementary School listened to a "special story" about the Pitt-Johnstown Mountain Cat.

Ferndale Elementary students enjoyed listening to The Mountain Cat Who Mattered story and meeting our mascot.

Jeanne Susko, director of Community Education and Outreach, and Marilyn Alberter, registrar, read The Mountain Cat Who Mattered story to students at the Learning Lamp Chid Care Centers at Conemaugh Hospital and Westmont.

Pitt-Johnstown international students visited fourth and fifth grade students at Conemaugh Township Intermediate school to share stories of their native countries and to discuss the ways that life differs in the United States.