Once a Bobcat, always a Bobcat! Below you'll find our most recent Alumni Spotlight interview.
You can also view previous Spotlight PDFs from the 1960s/1970s, 1980s, 1990s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s.
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Alumni Spotlight: Jason Wagner '01
Jason Wagner attended Pitt-Greensburg from which he graduated in 2001 with a BA in
communication.
What brought you to Pitt-Greensburg?
During my junior year of high school a colleague of my father suggested that I consider UPG. Upon meeting with Tom Kelly, former admissions director, I was sold. College Hall was amazing and I was excited to live there as a first-year student.
Were you a commuter or a resident?
Resident
What activities were you involved with as a student?
Presidential Ambassador, Resident Assistant, Lambda Pi Eta (President), Student Activities Board (Vice President), Orientation Leader, Learning Resources Center Notetaker and Tutor, 2001 Homecoming King, Student Services student worker
Did you have a favorite professor, staff member, coach, or mentor that really impacted your life?
There are so many to name---Parris Carter, Gerry Enlow, Rick Fogle, Larry Whatule to name a few.
Of all the classes you took, what is the one class that most impacted you or was your favorite? Why?
Industrial/Organizational Psychology, Dr. Daniel Milberg
What do you remember most vividly from your time at Pitt-Greensburg?
It has been 25 years since I graduated from UPG in 2001. I can vividly recall the positive interactions I had with faculty and staff, which shaped how I go about my work today.
What have you been up to since graduation?
Currently I serve as Director, PhD Program at the University of Pittsburgh School of Business. In addition, I am in the process of completing my first year in the University of Pittsburgh School of Education EdD Program.
How did your experiences and education at Pitt-Greensburg prepare you for life after college?
At UPG you are more than the number on your student ID. You are an individual who will be given the opportunity to thrive. Take part in at least one activity or event per week outside of your course schedule.
As an alum, how do you support Pitt-Greensburg?
I consistently encourage families to consider UPG when conducting a college search. Its proximity to Pittsburgh makes it a great school for those who want a Pitt education without living in the city.
What advice do you have for your fellow Bobcats?
Get involved in something, whether small or large, like intramurals, a student club, or a service learning opportunity. Find your unique way to make UPG a better place than you found it.
For fun:
What is your favorite food? Anything Italian, homemade pasta is the best.
List 3-5 fun facts about yourself that most people probably wouldn’t know.
- I was Brian Root's Resident Assistant (RA) during his first-year. Brian now serves as
Director of Student Activities and the First Year Experience. He also served as the Best
Man in my wedding. - Troy Ross, Director of Housing, Residence Life, and Student Conduct, was my Resident Assistant during my first-year.
- The Academic Village opened during my junior year. I was the first Resident Assistant to work and live in Athena House.