Alumni Spotlight

Once a Bobcat, always a Bobcat! Below you'll find our most recent alumni interviews. Explore the successes of our alumni even deeper by clicking on one of the decades below!

1960s/1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s

Alumni Spotlight: Erin Kehoe '91

Erin Kehoe photo

Erin Kehoe attended Pitt-Greensburg from which she graduated in 1991 with a BA in social sciences.

What brought you to Pitt-Greensburg?

I started at the Oakland campus and did not like the huge classes nor dorm life, so I moved back home to commute to Pitt-Greensburg and found it was the perfect fit for me.

Were you a commuter or a resident?

Commuter

What activities were you involved with as a student?

History Club

Did you have a favorite professor, staff member, coach, or mentor that really impacted your life?

Dr. Mark McColloch

Of all the classes you took, what is the one class that most impacted you or was your favorite? Why?

All of my history and anthropology classes gave me a new way to look at the world.

What do you remember most vividly from your time at Pitt-Greensburg?

The atmosphere was perfect; the classes were perfect; life was perfect.

What have you been up to since graduation?

I went back to school and became a nurse. I relocated to the DC area, where I still am.

How did your experiences and education at Pitt-Greensburg prepare you for life after college?

They prepared me for graduate school, which was pretty challenging.

As an alum, how do you support Pitt-Greensburg?

Word-of-mouth

What advice do you have for your fellow Bobcats?

Enjoy your time there. It goes by in a flash. And, really evaluate what you can do with whatever degree you are getting.

For fun:

What is the last book you read? Oppenheimer

List 3-5 fun facts about yourself that most people probably wouldn’t know.

  1. I am an Anglophile.
  2. I am also a Francophile.
  3. Concerts are my favorite activities.

 


Alumni Spotlight: Joseph Harriger '22

Joseph Harriger photo

Joseph Harriger attended Pitt-Greensburg from which he graduated in 2022 with a BS in biology.

What brought you to Pitt-Greensburg?

I really appreciated the student-to-professor ratio; this not only gave me the opportunity to get help easier, but also gave me the opportunity to do research and TA for some of the professors. Additionally, I loved the campus, as it was rural yet close to the city, so restaurants and coffee were not far away at all.

Were you a commuter or a resident?

Commuter

What activities were you involved with as a student?

I served on the Judicial Board at Pitt-Greensburg for two years and as a teaching assistant (TA) in biology, microbiology, and nursing microbiology for almost every semester I was enrolled.

Did you have a favorite professor, staff member, coach, or mentor that really impacted your life?

There are many: Dr. Barnhart, Dr. Byrns, Dr. Luderer, Professor Beth Uhrenic, Professor Jen Ingram, Dr. Ahmed, Dr. Long, Val Kubenko, Dan (custodian), and Professor Diane Cheek.

Of all the classes you took, what is the one class you would recommend everyone take? Who taught the class? Why would you recommend it?

If I could only pick one, it would be microbiology with Dr. Nayyar Ahmed. This class not only inspired me to take the career route I have, but it also gave me my first opportunity to do real research.

What do you remember most vividly from your time at Pitt-Greensburg?

I would have to say the thirty-ish page organic chemistry exams.

What have you been up to since graduation?

Since graduation, for nearly a year, I worked as an infectious disease research specialist at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and am currently a laboratory manager for the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Otolaryngology.

How did your experiences and education at Pitt-Greensburg prepare you for life after college?

I would say that they impacted me positively; however, the opportunities I was fortunate enough to have by working incredibly hard and going beyond the expectations were more critical than just the coursework.

As an alum, how do you support Pitt-Greensburg?

I have come to show my support at several events the University has held, most recently, the opening of the Life Sciences Building.

What advice do you have for your fellow Bobcats?

Take the initiative to go above and beyond the expectations and standards set for you. Show the passion you have for your field of study, ask for opportunities, ask for help, and do not be afraid to push yourself more than those around you.

For fun:

What is your favorite food? Chinese

List 3-5 fun facts about yourself that most people probably wouldn’t know.

  1. I took a gap year during the Covid pandemic because I hated the online learning environment. During this time, I was fortunate enough to land a job in a covid laboratory which allowed me to gain incredible experience.
  2. Until my junior year, I anticipated going to medical school, and I even took the MCATs; however, the research opportunities I was fortunate enough to have made me realize that my true passion was research.
  3. I have a total of five tattoos with more in the works!
  4. In one of my tattoos, I intentionally incorporated the two organic-chemistry molecules I accidentally drew five bonds to carbon on during an organic chemistry exam. Dr. Luderer always joked about joining the 'Five Bond to Carbon Club'. So, When I was getting a tattoo done to commemorate my undergraduate experience, I thought that would be a great and funny memory to include.
  5. I developed an assay that was able to compare the efficacy of antibodies to mitigate viral like particles through activation of natural killer cells for the purpose of vaccine development research.

Alumni Spotlight: Mallory (Oates) Rosneck '18

Mallory Oates Rosneck photo

Mallory Oates attended Pitt-Greensburg from which she graduated in 2018 with a BS in biological sciences.

What brought you to Pitt-Greensburg?

I wanted to get into medical school and initially applied to the Oakland campus, but ranked the other campuses in where I'd like to go to if I got admitted. I don't regret the decision to choose Pitt-Greensburg.

Were you a commuter or a resident?

Resident

What activities were you involved with as a student?

I was a member of the Tri-Beta Honors Society, Active Minds, Student Alumni Association, Christian Fellowship. I loved to go to Up All Night every semester for finals.

Did you have a favorite professor, staff member, coach, or mentor that really impacted your life?

Dr. Matthew Luderer will always be a favorite of mine because he is so nice to all his students and truly goes above and beyond for you.

Of all the classes you took, what is the one class you would recommend everyone take? Who taught the class? Why would you recommend it?

I really enjoyed Abnormal Psychology. It was very interesting to learn.

What do you remember most vividly from your time at Pitt-Greensburg?

Meeting my husband, Nicholas Rosneck ’22 and my small circle of friends. My friends attended our wedding in October, and I am so glad I got to see them after so many years.

What have you been up to since graduation?

I got married on campus in October 2023. I have switched career paths from becoming a doctor to becoming a nurse. I graduate in July 2024.

How did your experiences and education at Pitt-Greensburg prepare you for life after college?

The classes I took at Pitt-Greensburg have helped prepare me for my future career.

As an alum, how do you support Pitt-Greensburg?

I try to go to the Blue and Gold Celebration. It's one of my favorite events. I am also a class agent.

What advice do you have for your fellow Bobcats?

Never feel guilty about changing your mind about your career. If your future career doesn't seem like a good fit for you, don't feel bad about looking for other careers.

For fun:

What is your favorite food? Chinese

List 3-5 fun facts about yourself that most people probably wouldn’t know.

  1. I have a cat, who is the ruler of my house.
  2. I'm going on a cruise for my honeymoon in March.
  3. I grew up on a boat in Florida that my grandparents bought.

Alumni Spotlight: Brian Manning '96

Brian Manning photo with four family members

Brian Manning attended Pitt-Greensburg from which he graduated in 1996 with a BA in political science.

What brought you to Pitt-Greensburg?

I was a transfer from another school. When I first visited Pitt-Greensburg, I fell in love with the campus and the setting. At the time, I had a girlfriend who was going to the Oakland campus so Pitt-Greensburg was closer to her than eastern Pennsylvania. This girlfriend is my wife of 25 years. So, moving to Pitt-Greensburg was a good decision!

Were you a commuter or a resident?

Resident

What activities were you involved with as a student?

I was involved right from the start as I participated in many of the intramural sports. I quickly became a “student” athletic director under former Athletic Director Dan Swalga. I helped manage the intramural programs by assigning officials, tracking standings, monitoring games, and creating game summaries for our University newspaper/bulletin. As Athletics started to take a turn towards more formal programs, I was an initial member of the first four-year basketball and baseball teams. Considered club teams at the time, we had full schedules with other DIII opponents, and I enjoyed my experiences being on the teams, even though I was an average athlete. I also was a proud member of the Student Government Association (SGA), as well as, held the executive positions of secretary, vice president, and president.

Did you have a favorite professor, staff member, coach, or mentor that really impacted your life?

Dr. Kerry Manning -- obviously because of the name. He was no relation; however, Dr. Manning always referred to me as a long-lost cousin. Dr. Manning's teaching style was a perfect marriage to my learning style. I had not seen Dr. Manning since 1996, but in the fall of 2021, I participated in the annual Pitt-Greensburg Golf Outing and had the chance to catch up with him. Another favorite was Dan Swalga. He had a tremendous impact on me, and I used all the experience which he provided me through the Athletics program to eventually own and run my own youth basketball league after I graduated college. Dan was a great mentor, and I can recall many conversations with him, as he tried to influence me on many decisions.

Of all the classes you took, what is the one class you would recommend everyone take? Who taught the class? Why would you recommend it?

Well, American History with Dr. Kerry Manning. First, you have to be interested in this type of topic, but Dr. Manning's passion and knowledge around the topic drove me to enjoy the class a lot more. I just enjoyed his wealth of knowledge, and when I visit historical American landmarks, I often think of his conversations around that topic - so very impactful.

What do you remember most vividly from your time at Pitt-Greensburg?

I remember my friends. Although I am not as close to some of them today as I was in school, I still remain in contact with them, and those relationships are lifelong. Returning to campus and the area as well as attending the annual golf outing have allowed me to reconnect with some of those friends. Some of my best friends and relationships were made at Pitt-Greensburg. I included many of those friends in my wedding party, and some are friends with whom I stay in contact very regularly.

I also remember being selected as a national Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities. I credit Pitt-Greensburg and my involvement with the campus for this distinction. I also was selected as “Sportsman of the Year” in 1993, which was a great honor among my peers, classmates, teachers, and administrative support. It’s something I am proud of today.

What have you been up to since graduation?

My graduation at Pitt-Greensburg came with some unexpected consequences to start. I had every intention of following a different path upon graduating. Unfortunately, my life took a turn as I lost my Dad following graduation. So, my path of becoming a teacher was sidetracked. After a short time, I started my first job out of college working in the HR industry, learning the many ins and outs of supporting people. During my first few years out of school, I enjoyed many experiences in the HR world. It wasn't until 2001, that I found my current home and career path. I started working as an HR Business Partner at QVC and have been there ever since. During my first 19 years at QVC, I worked in variety of HR roles, including HR Partner and Employee Engagement and Employee Relations, which were both in our fulfillment center, as well as our corporate location. I also worked many of those years as a senior manager of teams, which gave me great experience. During the initial start of COVID in 2020, I decided to change careers and work in a different field within QVC. For approximately three years, I led the Corporate Real Estate and Workplace Services division in our corporate location (Studio Park, in West Chester, PA).  I recently left QVC and decided to return to the Huma Resources world, with a new company, Teva Pharmaceuticals.  I am currently the Senior Employee Relations Manager, supporting North America.  My years at Pitt-Greensburg combined with my years of service and leadership outside of work have allowed me to be successful in multiple roles over my career.

On a personal note, I married my high school sweetheart, Sherri Manning, a fellow Pitt grad. Many people might not know about our story of losing a son to a terminal illness or about the other chapters that are associated with my life. My wife and I have four children. Dylan, who would turn 22 on November 22, 2023.  We lost him at 4 ½ years of age to the affliction called Tay-Sachs Disease. We also have Brady, who attends college and plays golf competitively at Millersville University. Our third son is Devin, who is in ninth grade and enjoys playing football, baseball, and golf. Our last chapter was an unexpected one as we adopted a little girl 2018, when she was 2 years of age. Maria, who we affectionately call Mia, is now 7 years of age and attends first grade.  She has brought so much joy to our family and taught us the true meaning of being selfless. As a family, we work tirelessly honoring the legacy of our son and brother, who lost his life so early. We focus on the positive, bring kindness to this world, and help all those who need encouragement and support in their lives.

How did your experiences and education at Pitt-Greensburg prepare you for life after college?

For me, everything on- and off-campus helped me prepare for life. Being on my own was an initial start to my life, but working, going to class, enjoying friendships. and having a place of my own (apartment off-campus with friends) prepared me for life after college. The degree I received was a great accomplishment, and one I am very proud to have.

Additionally, my time in holding leadership positions in Pitt’s Student Government Association, as well as in Athletics, helped drive me towards other leadership roles in life. I recently served an eight-year term as board member, vice-president, president and past-president of a board for National Tay-Sachs and Allied Diseases. Some of this calling to serve was related to losing our first-born child Dylan to Tay-Sachs Disease. The experience of losing a child is something horrific; however, my wife and I have turned our lives into servicing others who struggle with similar paths. I do credit Pitt-Greensburg for helping steer me down the path of service.

As an alum, how do you support Pitt-Greensburg?

I always love to follow the newsletter -- to see what is going on throughout the campus today. I have been back numerous times to just visit, and I can remember the days when I was there. There are so many additions to the campus, but the core still remains. I have attended the golf outing numerous times and am a current member of the golf outing committee. Giving back means so much. We have also attended a few baseball and basketball games in our visits to campus. I look forward to continuing to support campus in the same ways in the near future!

What advice do you have for your fellow Bobcats?

Live life to the fullest; make each day count. I know this is a very generic, daily term that people use, but it is the truth. Live in your moments today at Pitt-Greensburg because it goes very fast, but live in your moments of tomorrow. I remember my days at Pitt-Greensburg like it was yesterday and treasure those moments, but I also look to each day as something new, trying to help the next person in line as much as I can. Be kind to that next person -- it will get you far in life.

For fun:

What is your favorite food? Lasagna. I am a pasta guy through and through. Can't go wrong with an Italian pasta dish. Spaghetti Warehouse in Pittsburgh still remains one of my favorite restaurants.

List 3-5 fun facts about yourself that most people probably wouldn’t know.

  1. We host an Annual Golf Outing for our son that is called the Drive FORE Dylan. It is held every year in June, and we hosted our 20th annual outing on June 30, 2023. It is an exciting event for a great cause!  We look forward to our 21st Annual Outing, already scheduled for June 14, 2024!
  2. Many people do not know that I had a great opportunity to coach NFL quarterback, Matt Ryan, in basketball, when he was in 7th and 8th grade. My son, Devin, plays football with his nephew. We are still close to the Ryan family.
  3. As part of my son's diagnosis of Tay-Sachs and journey through this difficult disease, my wife and I adopted a slogan of “Just Believe,” which we hold close to our hearts today, as well as spread throughout our many kindness campaigns. We designed a silicone bracelet with the words “JUSTBELIEVE” in 2003, which to our knowledge became the second most popular silicone bracelet next to Lance Armstrong’s LIVE STRONG bracelets. We sold them as part of our cause and still hand out bracelets today to honor our son and his legacy.

Alumni Spotlight: Rick Shrum '75

Rick Shrum photo

Rick Shrum attended Pitt-Greensburg for one year before transferring to the Oakland campus from which he graduated in 1975 with a BA in English writing.

What brought you to Pitt-Greensburg?

After one year at CCAC, I decided to attend Pitt because my parents resided in New Stanton, I opted to commute to nearby Pitt-Greensburg before transferring to main campus.

Were you a commuter or a resident?

Commuter

What activities were you involved with as a student?

None. I had a part-time job and a full academic load. Besides, there weren’t many - or any - options beyond basketball. I was a decent player, but not good enough for the varsity team.

Did you have a favorite professor, staff member, coach, or mentor that really impacted your life?

Two English instructors, Dr. Donald Reilly and Larry Whatule. Both inspired me to write well and diligently check facts, which helped put me on a track to be an award-winning newspaper reporter.

Of all the classes you took, what is the one class you would recommend everyone take? Who taught the class? Why would you recommend it?

Mass Media. It may not be part of the curriculum now. Larry Whatule taught the class. He was an excellent instructor. It was a favorite class because I was interested in a career in communications and wanted to know how things transpired.

What do you remember most vividly from your time at Pitt-Greensburg?

The school was fairly new, and we had few classroom buildings. One was on North Main St. in downtown Greensburg. The professors were good, and I forged some longtime friendships.

What have you been up to since graduation?

I have been a journalist for 47 years, and even though I have cut back to being a freelancer, I still have it. I am a Golden Quills finalist. I also am a father of three and grandfather of one.

How did your experiences and education at Pitt-Greensburg prepare you for life after college?

I had great professors, forged great friendships, learned how to interact with professionals in my intended field, and gained a lot of self-confidence.

As an alum, how do you support Pitt-Greensburg?

I have not been supportive in recent years because of family and professional obligations. That will change, especially now that I have more free time.  I am a new member of the PGAA Board of Directors.

What advice do you have for your fellow Bobcats?

Work hard, be honest, and always be at your best.

For fun:

What is the last book you read? Amity and Prosperity

List 3-5 fun facts about yourself that most people probably wouldn’t know.

  1. I used to play for three slo-pitch softball teams at one time;
  2. I covered Pitt’s national championship football team in 1976;
  3. I may have attended the same elementary school at the same time as Alice Cooper.