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 |
Alumni Spotlight: Kiera Mudry '14
Kiera Mudry graduated from the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg in 2014 with a BA in Communications & Rhetoric.
The thing that drew me to Pitt-Greensburg was… the campus size and the location, close to the small city of Greensburg.
My first impression of Pitt-Greensburg was… a good impression. I lived in the University Courts my first year on campus, and it felt like an authentic college experience.
My favorite thing as a student/fondest memory was… meeting all the wonderful classmates that I graduated with and experiencing college with them.
The faculty and staff members who had the greatest influence on me were…to name a few who I valued and were influential during my time at Pitt-Greensburg: Dr. John Prellwitz, Dr. Anne Czerwinski, Dr. Gretchen Underwood, Dr. Jessica Ghilani, Lori Jakiela, Elizabeth Contreras, Dr. Stephen Schrum, Chris Bartley, Amanda Folk, and Michele Shuey.
After Pitt-Greensburg, I went on to… pursue a master’s degree in library & information sciences (MLIS) and became an academic librarian for a few years, until finding my current position as a librarian in a non-profit organization.
My reason for becoming active with the alumni association/staying connected to the University is… I’m still living locally and hope to stay connected to the university while I’m ready and able.
In my spare time, I like to… binge-watch full TV series, go to the movies, and read for pleasure.
My family/friends are… very supportive of my career path and personal goals.
Tell us something we didn’t ask: I’m engaged and planning a wedding for next October, and we are hoping to adopt a dog within the next year!
Alumni Spotlight: Richard Hudock '77
Richard Hudock graduated from the University of Pittsburgh in 1977 with a BS in psychology.
The thing that drew me to Pitt-Greensburg was… the proximity of the location to my home at the time; the ability to commute; and the quality educational opportunities with a top-notch university.
My first impression of Pitt-Greensburg was… of a beautiful campus with a friendly atmosphere. I would have the ability to get to know the professors and staff on a personal basis.
My favorite thing as a student/fondest memory was… hanging out at Lynch Hall between classes, visiting the snack shop for lunch there, and playing ping pong with other students as we relaxed in the lounge. At the time, Lynch Hall was the primary building on the current Greensburg campus housing classrooms and offices, in addition to the lounge in the basement area.
The faculty members who had the greatest influence on me were… Dr. Nancy Washington (Psychology) and Dr. Carl Poke (Political Science).
After Pitt-Greensburg, I went on to… the Pitt Oakland campus; Pitt-Greensburg was still a two-year campus at that time.
My reason for becoming active with the alumni association/staying connected to the University is… to stay connected with students and administration to provide my career and professional insights to augment their education for their continued growth and development.
In my spare time, I like to… travel and visit with our children in New York City and Washington, D.C. and to visit and enjoy historical and cultural sites of interest in the United States and other countries.
Several of my family members are… also alumni of Pitt-Greensburg and other Pitt locations.
Tell us something we didn’t ask: I was able to leverage my Pitt education and major into a long and successful career in the field of labor relations and human resources. I also was able to earn a master’s degree in labor relations from Saint Francis University in Loretto, PA. My foundation for this career pursuit was formed in my undergraduate degree from Pitt.
Alumni Spotlight: Jake Steele '14
Jake Steele graduated from the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg in 2014 with a BA in visual and performing arts.
The thing that drew me to Pitt-Greensburg was… its intimate setting and peaceful campus. I felt comfortable learning and growing there knowing I was getting a rock-solid education without the disturbance of the city. It just made me feel at home.
My first impression of Pitt-Greensburg was… great. Thinking about going to college was a scary thing for me at the time because I was very timid and shy. I felt an instant connection with the campus and the people, and I knew instantly it would be my new home.
My favorite thing/fondest memory as a student was…spending time in the theater. The time I spent learning, socializing, and performing with my peers truly had a significant impact on who I am today.
The faculty member(s) who had the greatest influence on me were… three great professors. While I was still majoring in chemistry, Dr. Matt Luderer made a huge impact on me. In my eyes, he is a rock star. Not only is he highly intelligent, but he’s also a down-to-earth guy who truly wants to see his students excel. I am honored to have had the chance to learn from him. Dr. Amber McAlister is another amazing person who I had a great experience with. She is such a kind person who works incredibly hard at what she does. She helped me out a lot while I was a student and definitely helped grow my love for fine art. I’m truly blessed to have met her. My advisor, mentor, and good friend, Dr. Stephen Schrum was my top influencer throughout my entire education. I am truly thankful that I got to work with him and study under his guidance. Dr. Schrum always supported my big dreams and helped light the way for my early career as an artist.
After Pitt-Greensburg I went on to… pursue my passion for art. I am a tattoo artist and painter by trade, and I am an adventurer by heart. My work can be found on Instagram @IamJakeSteele.
My reason for staying connected with the university… is that I believe in education, and I am very grateful for it. It is an absolute privilege to have access to a great campus such as Pitt-Greensburg. I have a lot of respect for the school and my former colleagues/teachers. I hope to one day return to the campus and give back what I can to the community that helped shape who I am today.
In my spare time, I love to… travel, perform my music, paint, work out, swim in the ocean, climb mountains, immerse myself in new cultures, juggle, and most importantly, spend time with my family.
Tell us something we didn’t ask:
Some words of cheesy wisdom: Always follow your heart, never give up on your passion, and make love your first priority in life and you can achieve the impossible. More cheesy wisdom: Turn your education into a lifetime pursuit instead of a one-time experience, and you’ll create the nourishment for a life of abundance.
Alumni Spotlight: Amanda Girdwood '18
Amanda Girdwood graduated from the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg in 2018 with a BS in psychology. She is also a 2018 Class Agent.
The thing that drew me to Pitt-Greensburg was… how pretty our campus is. From my first tour to graduation, Pitt-Greensburg’s beauty never failed to amaze me.
My first impression of Pitt-Greensburg was… was how welcoming the campus was. From getting involved, to professors, to making friends everyone always had a smile on their face and were happy to talk to you.
My favorite thing as a student/fondest memory was…,if I had to choose, Harry Potter Up All Night in the winter of my fourth year. It’s hard to choose a favorite memory because I really loved all of my time at Pitt-Greensburg. The time and dedication I put into that event and watching it succeed was really “magical” to see.
The faculty and/or staff member(s) who had the greatest influence on me was/were…Sheila Confer and Al Thiel. They were really instrumental throughout my career at Pitt-Greensburg. They both always pushed me to be my best and never doubted my abilities even when I doubted myself. They’re both so supportive of their students, and they will do whatever it takes to help them succeed.
After Pitt-Greensburg, I went on to… land a full time job, and I just graduated in April. I work for JusticeWorks YouthCare with youth from juvenile probation and the foster system and help them reach their goals for the future. I really love it so far, and I can’t wait for the many opportunities and experiences to come with them.
My reason for becoming active with the alumni association/staying connected to the University is… that I really found a family at Pitt-Greensburg. I made friends who will absolutely last a lifetime, and being actively involved with alumni will help me stay in contact with the school that really helped me grow to be the best me I can be.
In my spare time, I like to…read and kayak. I’m a huge fan of reading.
My family/friends are… my biggest support system, and I don’t know if I could properly function without them.
Tell us something we didn’t ask: Next on the horizon is graduate school to get an MSW and we’ll see where I go from there.