Pitt-Bradford Graduates Its Largest Class Ever; Lt. Gov. Addresses Grads

By Kimberly Marcott Weinberg
Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing
University of Pittsburgh at Bradford

Lt. Gov. Joe Scarnati urged graduates of the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford Sunday to “always carry yourself as if someone’s watching.”

He cited an example from his own life in his address to the 286 graduates, Pitt-Bradford’s largest class ever, during commencement ceremonies held in the KOA Arena of the university’s Sport and Fitness Center.

In addition to those students, 15 employees of Zippo Manufacturing Co. received two-year degrees in business on behalf of Pitt-Titusville through a partnership between the two campuses and Zippo.

Scarnati, R.-Brockway, who is also Senator Pro Tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate, told the class that as a boy, he began washing dishes in his family’s restaurant when he was 10. He said he didn’t like it in the kitchen where it was hot, and that he wanted to be in the dining room with the customers.

At 12, he was promoted to busboy, and his father and grandfather admonished him to always smile, always have something in his hands and be doing work and never argue with the customer.

Scarnati said he knew where all the customers liked to sit, which waitresses they liked best and what condiments they would ask for, but he didn’t really know them.

“But those people were watching me and my work ethic, and two decades later, they helped me run for state senate,” he said.

He told the graduates that while they are “heading into a tough time in America,” they can take advantages of whatever opportunities are presented to them.

“Carry yourself as if someone is watching and do the right thing,” he said, “not because you have to, but because you should.”

Also addressing the class was Dr. William Conrad who, along with the Stackpole-Hall Foundation, received the Presidential Medal of Distinction.

Conrad is the executive director and trustee of the Stackpole-Hall Foundation, which has contributed to the development of the university through grants totaling $336,000 for improving the nursing program, reimagining the curriculum, upgrading technology and bringing more programs to both Elk County and Native American students.

“It’s a humbling honor to be a recipient of this award,” said Conrad, who sketched out his four-decade-long involvement with the university that makes him “feel a connection almost back to the beginning.”

Conrad said Stackpole-Hall became especially involved in the nursing program at Pitt-Bradford because “we understood how badly this area needed RNS and people with nursing technique.”

Conrad has served on the Pitt-Bradford Advisory Board since 1990 and currently serves as chair of the board’s Academic Affairs Council.

“I’ve had this grand opportunity to really be part of how Pitt-Bradford’s developed,” he said. “I can see how important what Pitt-Bradford does is to students throughout the region.”

Pitt-Bradford presents the Presidential Medal of Distinction to a person who has either volunteered his or her time for several years; supported the university either financially or with expertise or advice; served the university’s service region through community, government or business affiliation; or has made distinctive achievements in his or her field that have affected Pitt-Bradford.

Previous medal winners are Harvey L. Golubock, Harry R. Halloran Jr., Madeline Miles, Judge John M. Cleland, Dr. Richard E. McDowell, Dennis Lowery, Edwin Clemens, Marilyn Horne, Howard Fesenmyer, Henry P. Pruch, Robert D. Galey, Lester Rice, William F. Higie, Samuel Gregg Jr., Dr. Robert C. Laing, Hariett B. Wick, Sarah B. Dorn, U.S. Rep. John E. Peterson, Virginia L. Miles and Dr. Robert B. Bromeley.

(Photos courtesy of Pitt-Bradford)