Federalist Papers

Newsletter of the Department of Political Science at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown

Summer 2006

UPJ Sports a New Cat

It’s hard to miss. Anyone walking across the UPJ campus is now confronted by the daunting presence of the new UPJ mountain cat cast bronze statue, finally installed in June 2006 after laborious planning by the UPJ Student Senate under Presidents Matt Mazonkey 2004-2005 and Carissa Cyran 2005-2006. In case you are curious - though it is hollow, it weighs about 900 lbs and no one is likely to carry it off. It is bolted to a huge rock near the flag pole.

 

Joseph Weidner Named College Scholar for 2006

Joseph Weidner of Allison Park PA has been named the College Scholar in Political Science for 2006. Joe graduated summa cum laude in May 2006 with an overall 3.86 grade average. He has been inducted in the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi and the Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society, as well as the UPJ Chapter of Chi Lambda Tau Leadership Honor Society. After his junior year, Joe received a J. Steel Gow Scholarship to serve a summer internship in the U. S. House of Representatives in Washington DC. Joe joins a distinguished complement of UPJ political science alumni who have been named College Scholars, including John Aughenbaugh, David Bahlavooni, Deanne Brutts, Amy Carlson, Bill Coffee, Toni DiGiacobbe, Jim Dreier, Dan Flynn, Crystal Fortwangler, Fred Furst, Michele Garrity, Matt Hoffman, Rick Hoffman, Tim Huber, Jeremy Intihar, Kristine Kappel, Jeff Kubay, Blaine Lucas, Steve McKnight, Mistey McMahon, Erinn Micklo, Stan Milavec, Allie Milkovich, Amy Miller, Erika Mills, Dale Morris, Diane Neff, Matt Procter, Robin Ruefle, Chris Sossong, Doug Spence, Tara Stricko, Marcelyn Thomas, Carrie Watt, Jim Young, Greg Youra, Amy Zankey, and Christy Zoltun.

Model European Union Team Takes Top Honors in 2006

The four-person UPJ team again drew high honors in the Model European Union simulation hosted by the University of Pittsburgh (Oakland) on February 17-18, 2006. Top delegate honors in the two-day simulation went to Nathan Darrigo (representing Austria in the small countries division) and Matthew Leonard (representing France in the large countries division). Christopher Solomon, representing Slovenia (also in the small countries category) received runner-up delegate honors. Nate Darrigo was also named overall best delegate in the simulation. The UPJ contingent competed against teams from universities hosting European Union Centers, including University of Washington-Seattle, Georgia Tech, University of Chicago/DePaul University, and the University of Pittsburgh, and also East Stroudsburg University and Washington and Jefferson College.

Pi Sigma Alpha Inductions

On April 11, 2006, at our now recurring haunt Pappy’s Pub, the Kappa Beta Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha National Political Science Honor Society inducted the following stellar candidates: Carissa J. Cyran, a junior political science major from Lilly; Carolyn Anne Dewey, a senior political science and communication major from Windber (in absentia as she was already encamped in North Carolina); Kristen L. Kline, a junior political science major from Johnstown; Matthew Joseph Moran, a junior political science major from McKeesport; Laura Michelle Perkins, a senior secondary education/social studies major and political science minor from Shippensburg; Christopher G. Solomon, a senior history and international studies major with a political science minor from Pittsburgh; and Stacy Lee Zeglin, a senior political science major from Windber. The evening’s complement also included current members Nate Darrigo and Natalie Rosenbaum as well as the usual event provocateurs Alexander, Heinisch and Wrabley. Following tradition, Wrabley waxed eloquent about politics, education, and memory, and the names of a few alums were raised to demonstrate to the complement that alums had become successful (as defined variably) out in the world.

Carissa Cyran Receives Crawford Award

At the 2006 Academic Honors Convocation in March, Carissa J. Cyran, a junior political science major, was named the recipient of the prestigious Stanton Chapman Crawford Award, given annually to the student who contributes to the betterment of the College, representing it well in student life, and typifying the kind of student the college aims to produce. Carissa was also honored as the recipient of the first annual Pitt-Johnstown Alumni Association Award, presented to an outstanding junior exemplifying distinguished academic achievement, demonstrated leadership in/service to the UPJ community, and characteristics of enthusiasm, social consciousness, responsibility, outreach and dedication. Carissa has served several years on the UPJ Student Senate, and as President during 2005-2006. Carissa was inducted in the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi in spring 2006, and has served as one of the principal leaders of UPJ’s successful Model United Nations and Model European Union teams. In the summer of 2005 she studied in Vienna under a Vira I. Heinz Scholarship and during May-June 2006 traveled with Dr. Heinisch on a global service learning team of students working and traveling in Bolivia under the sponsorship of West Virginia University and Amizade International.

Natalie Rosenbaum Named Recipient of the Vannucci Award for 2006

Natalie J. Rosenbaum has been named the recipient of the 2006 Albert P. Vannucci International Studies Award. Natalie graduated summa cum laude in May 2006 with a dual major in political science and history and an overall 3.82 QPA. She had been inducted into the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honor Society, and the Phi Alpha Theta History Honor Society. In May-June of 2004, Natalie received a Vira I. Heinz travel scholarship and joined the UPJ contingent studying and working in Bolivia under the sponsorship of Amizade global service learning. In the spring of 2005 she spent a semester in Freiburg, Germany, and last spring studied intensive French language in Tours, France. This coming fall, Natalie begins graduate work in national security studies at the University of Pittsburgh.

Nathan Darrigo Receives Prestigious Austria Room Scholarship

Nathan Darrigo, a junior political science major, has received the Austrian Room Committee Scholarship to study Austrian art and architecture and intercultural communication in the Vienna summer school program of Hope College. The scholarship, given in honor of Franz Stehr, a founding member of the Austrian-American Cultural Society, was awarded by the Nationality Rooms and Intercultural Exchange Programs at the University of Pittsburgh. Nate is an honor student, has served as the President of the UPJ Student Council on World Affairs and on the UPJ Student Senate, and has headed UPJ delegations at the Model United Nations and European Community conferences. In 2006, he represented Austria in the Model EU competition at the University of Pittsburgh and received top honors as best small country delegate and best overall delegate. He volunteers time for work at Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics, and Salvation Army.

Reinhard Heinisch Promoted to Professor

Dr. Reinhard Heinisch, Associate Professor of Political Science and Director of International Studies at UPJ, has been promoted to the rank of Professor. Dr. Heinisch also serves as coordinator of study abroad, and supervises the Student Council on World Affairs. In 2004, Dr. Heinisch was named Phi Eta Sigma Instructor of the Year. In addition to a wide range of published research on the evolving structures and politics of the European Union, Heinisch serves on the Boards of the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for West European Studies (CWES) and the Austrian Scientists and Scholars in North America (ASCINA). Recently he has been asked to give briefings at the Austrian Embassy in Washington DC. He is currently completing his field interviews for a research project on the European Union Council of Permanent Representatives.

Alumni News:

The following information on political science alumni is based on recent individual contacts and letters and supplements information already reported in the 1999-2005 issues of the Federalist Papers. Alumni not mentioned here or in those previous issues have defied discovery and/or we don’t have a current address for them. The number of political science alumni now is somewhere around 465 and the Federalist Papers has been mailed to about 380 of them.

1970s

Lynn Herman ’78 is retiring from the State House (PA) after 24 years as the representative from the State College area. In recent years he has served as chairman of the House Local Government Committee. James Kording, a pre-med student at UPJ and son of Jeff Kording ’79, has won election as the Vice President of the UPJ Student Senate.

1980s

Ken Keim ’86 has retired after 24 years in the military and is working as a private contracter in Virginia. Michael Makatura ’87 is now the director of Misys Sales for Payerpath in Richmond VA. Nancy Mandes Thomas ‘83/’89, after years at the Rockwood School District in Pennsylvania, has now moved to Virginia and is teaching secondary social studies at the Loudan County High School, is the distance coach for track at Stone Bridge, and runs marathons for leisure, her last the Marine Corps Marathon last fall. Sally McDonough ’89 is vice president at Olgivy Public Relations in healthcare/social marketing and now has a daughter Sarah Grace. Gail Moran Ghazzawi ’86 is now Manager of Research Programs at the American Speech Language Hearing Association in Rockville MD. Dale Morris ’87 is coordinating Dutch government efforts to assist the US in water management in post-Katrina New Orleans. Jeff Silka ’89, after four years as City Manager in Johnstown PA, has been named Director of the Somerset County (PA) Economic Development Council. Stefan Wentling ’87 teaches AP American history and government at North Lebanon (PA) High School and is completing his MA degree in American Studies at the Pennsylvania State University. Christy Zoltun Donati ’85, after a paralegal career in Philadelphia (and two children) is entering law school at Widener (University of Delaware) School of law in Wilmington.

1990s

Carrie Holsopple ’99 is now an associate with Post & Schell in Pittsburgh. Jessica Horan-Kunco ‘93 was recently elected to a four-year term on the Erie (PA) City Council. Joe Corrado ‘94 is now teaching political science at Clayton State University in Morrow GA. Michael Korzi ’91, has been promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in the Department of Political Science at Towson (NJ) University. Mike Lauf ’93 is now COO of the Bristol (TN) regional Medical Center in the Wellmont Health System and got married last year. Tara Stricko-Neubauer ‘99 completed her PhD in political science at the University of Pittsburgh and has taken a position as Assistant Professor of Political Science at Kennesaw State University in Georgia teaching constitutional law and judicial process. Her husband Michael is now at Ernest and Young in Marietta GA. Carrie Watt ’90 now serves as associate general counsel for Teleflex Inc. in Limerick PA and has a three year old daughter. Corinna Wengryn Caudill ’95 has left the General Accounting Office to do antiterrorism/chem-bio defense work with the Global Resilience and Natural Team (GRNT) at Booz Allen Hamilton in Falls Church VA. She and husband Shannon are scheduled for a two-year USAF stationing in England starting in July.

2000s

Rachel Allen ’02 now has a neat new website devoted to her folk music – check it out at www.auntpappy.com . Douglas Bench ’03 received his juris doctor from Cornell Law School and plans to start graduate study in Economics. Andy Biller ’02 passed the Pennsylvania bar exam and was working at Beier & Beier in Pittsburgh. His wife Beth (UPJ ’02) has completed her MD in Pittsburgh and has taken a residency in pathology at Ohio State University and they have both relocated to Columbus OH. Bryan Boles ’04 is currently studying law at Widener University/Harrisburg. Amy Burger ’06 begins graduate study in political science at West Virginia University this fall. Amy Carlson Stohon ’01 is clerking at the Cambria County Courthouse and serves as a master for the Cambria County Juvenile Court. Lesley Childers ’00 is now an associate with Thomas Dickey in Altoona PA. Patricia Cvejkus ’03 is working for the Carlton Fields Law Firm in Tampa FL and attending Stetson Law School. Carolyn Dewey ’05 works for Littleton Advertising and Marketing in New Bern NC primarily writing copy for communities in magazines such as Southern Living and Carolina Homes. Meghan Giles ‘05 works as a paralegal in property management with Crown Castle International in Pittsburgh. Andy Glessner ’06 has been accepted with scholarship to the Case Western University School of Law starting this fall. David Harbin ’01 has passed the Maryland bar exam and now serves as a Maryland Assistant Public Defender in Frederick. Rebecca Huston ‘02 completed her MBA at IUP and is employed as a product specialist for Danka Corp. in Worthington OH. Jeremy Intihar ’05 has been accepted into the policy research and analysis program at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh with a full scholarship. Last year, a revised version of his senior research project entitled “Sexual Violence as Low-Value Speech under the First Amendment” was published in The Pi Sigma Alpha Undergraduate Journal of Politics. Kelly Knapp ’03 completed her juris doctor at Widener School of Law/Harrisburg and interned at the Office of the Chief Counsel of the Pennsylvania State Police. Mistey McMahon Metzgar ’00 is now an associate at Mudd, Mudd & Fitzgerald in La Plata MD and now has a daughter Alayna Morgan. Erica Mills ’04 at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law is now on the editorial board of the Journal of Law and Commerce. Colette Natcher ’06 has been accepted into Case Western University School of Law for fall. Kevin Neary ’03 works for the Federal District Court in Harrisburg and is completing his MPA degree at Penn State/Harrisburg. Mica Pilz ’01 is now Foreign Service Officer, Department of State, Consular Affairs in the Office of Policy Coordination and Public Affairs in Washington DC. Gregory Polis ’06 has been accepted into the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh for this fall. Frank Raimond ’02 completed his juris doctor at Fordham and currently works in the special litigation unit of the NYC Corporation Counsel. Matthew Rok ’06 begins studying law at Duquesne University this fall. Natalie Rosenbaum ’06 begins graduate study at the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh this fall. Paul Rutledge ’03 has completed his PhD competency exams in political science at Pennsylvania State University. Patricia Wade Di Pietro ’02 works in the Westmoreland County Public Defender’s Office and just recently published the definitive Pennsylvania Juvenile Delinquency Law. Jennifer Wahlen ’05 has now moved to Washington DC as staff assistant to U.S. Representative Phil English (R-PA). Kerri E. Weir ‘05 completed her MPA at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University and has accepted a position as a global security analyst with Booz Allen Hamilton in Washington DC.

Other Notes

Dr. James Alexander continues his research on the origins of 19th century laws of obscene libel in England and their applications to art and photography in the mid-Victorian period. His standing offer of a free brew to pre-1995 alums at the main FolkFest pub at the new Johnstown Festival Park over Labor Day weekend is still good. Last year two alums took him up on the offer (and not the same as the three in 2004). Dr. Reinhard Heinisch has recently served to brief the new Austrian ambassador on American politics and the political dynamics of the European Union. This summer he is completing interviews with European Union ministers in Brussells and teaching a course in Slovenia. Dr. Ray Wrabley continues his research project on state building and environmental issues in the early western United States.

Upcoming Issues of the Federalist Papers

This issue of the Federalist Papers is being mailed to all alumni of the UPJ Political Science program for whom we think we still have a good mailing address. We now have around 465 graduates going back to 1974 and we have yet to find and make contact with them all, and then there are those who have changed jobs and/or moved and we don’t know that. Keep in touch and update us on what you’re doing. If you are in touch with other political science alums, prod them into getting in touch with us or at least give us a good working mailing address for them.

Appreciation goes out to...

All those of you who have kept in touch periodically over the years, or dropped by the campus to say hello, or sent in the alumni survey and added a nice note of greetings; to those of you who hail us down and say hello on the Oakland campus, or in the strip district or on the south side of Pittsburgh, or even meandering around in Washington DC. And a special thanks to those of you who have made contributions to Pitt-Johnstown through the Johnstown Educational Foundation, and dedicated your gift to political science, international studies, or to the Albert P. Vannucci Study Abroad Fund. Those extra funds help us to develop and present current affairs symposia on campus, to support current students traveling to such events in Pittsburgh, or to Model European Union or Model United Nations competitions, or to support students studying abroad. Recent recipients of Vannucci Study Abroad Scholarship Fund assistance include Mark Caruso (Lancaster, UK), Melissa Dorer (Australia), Heather Evans (Wordsworth Workshop at Dove College, UK), Sara Factor (Vienna), Benjamin Flanagan (Wales), Alex Gorshenin (Moscow), Shirley Hixson (Vienna), Patrick Johnson (Bolivia), Emmalie King (Italy), Matthew Leonard (Bolivia), Erika Mills (Vienna), Jeremy Myers (Australia), Bethany Simunich (Vienna), Christopher Solomon (Bolivia), Katharine Thomas (Spain), Shawn Willis (Lancaster, UK), and Salina Wolfe (Spain).