The Tuck Shop Podcast

Matt and David are here for another week of fun and excitement while they work away the summer.  After their discussion, we revisit a discussion with Madi Walker, new UPJ Alumni Association board member!  Contact Matt at: [email protected] Contact David at: [email protected] Subscribe to the Visions of Whimsey and Delusions of Grander Podcast: https://vwdg.podbean.com/ Geosciences Pirates Game Link: https://www.gofevo.com/event/Upjgeosciences0814

Matt and David launch the 2026 Summer Series with some interesting conversation, review of what the summer series actually is, and a quick rundown about some things coming up.  We then revisit our interview with the legendary Tony Golden!   Contact Matt at: [email protected] Contact David at: [email protected] Geosciences Pirates Game Link: https://www.gofevo.com/event/Upjgeosciences0814

We made it to Episode 100!  We needed something big, something huge, something that alumni across the generations will know for this one and we got him!  Dr. Ray Wrabley sat down with Matt and David to record this special 100th Episode of the Tuck Shop Podcast.  We talk about Ray's path to UPJ, teaching generations of students, being VPAA, and more!   Sign up for the Alumni Golf Classic by Friday May 22nd at: https://www.johnstown.pitt.edu/alumnigolf Contact Matt at: [email protected] Contact David at: [email protected]  

It's finals week here at the best campus in the universe!  That means David and Matt have their traditional end of term chat.  We discover a class David may have to repeat and we learn that Matt can't remember many stories from his finals weeks.  We also talk about the Hall of Fame event from last weekend, preview the upcoming event in Pittsburgh, and get ready for graduation.   Contact Matt at: [email protected] Contact David at: [email protected] Vote in the Alumni Elections (lots of Tuck Shop guests on the list!) by Friday: https://pitt.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8GSbZnTrYGZCZbo?fbclid=IwY2xjawRdkRxleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETExSTNvRjlQRWZ1M296Wk45c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHv8bo2Azv8vq_SLw14N7dufuHOKsySaFczn5vhTEGuBpfL6Kh0fBgno31Eds_aem_vBDYrK7wDXBM7Y1C-FHWPQ Alumni Golf Registration:  www.upj.pitt.edu/alumnigolf 

The show travels across the Krebs parking lot to the Murtha Center and the 2026 UPJ Education Division Spring Student Teacher Showcase.  We talk to the student teachers who are just days away from graduation and talk about everything from math to AI in the classroom and everything in between. Contact Matt at: [email protected] Contact David at: [email protected] Register for Pub Night in Pittsburgh by Friday the 24th at: https://tinyurl.com/27d2ez6y  

The guys are all over the place in this one.  Can David's Ford SUV set a record at the racetrack?  Will he ever find out what his password is?  Will Matt survive back to back conferences?  The Titanic sank?  And we revisit, with all the news about Artemis, our interview with Don Freeburn who worked on the original Apollo Program!  Contact Matt at: [email protected] Contact David at: [email protected] Register for the Hall of Fame: https://www4.upj.pitt.edu/pub/HallOfFameBanquet   24 credits at UPJ? Vote in the Alumni Election here: https://pitt.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8GSbZnTrYGZCZbo?fbclid=IwY2xjawRLLQZleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFtZUdTWXF0b0tRcGJJTkVSc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHoKZscxljIVO_Z_SJL-zRNQhoml-4vplhoQCEQEJ0wd5l1vAPbaU3t_aJjfv_aem_rgOz90xhnD2JMVHqAT4J0g    

Matt and David, as usual, run through the calendar of events, discuss why Matt clearly has the superior taste in Jelly Beans, and then welcome Alissa Mincek to discuss her time here at UPJ and her experiences as a nationally recognized volleyball player. Contact Matt at: [email protected] Contact David at: [email protected] Learn more about the Path Forward Anti-Human Trafficking Conference at: www.pathforwardconference.com   Register for the Hall of Fame: https://www4.upj.pitt.edu/pub/HallOfFameBanquet   Save your spot for the ASCE Mid Atlantic Student Symposium alumni mixer: https://forms.gle/Dca9q2ti2shotDC49 for the full symposium schedule: https://www.asce.org/.../events/meetings/student-symposium  

Matt and David are back on April's Fool's Day.  Hear Matt's disappointment in realtime as he figured out a great April Fool's Day episode idea that has been missed.  Then the guys talk about all the upcoming events in April.  Finally, they welcome Wendy Smith who is both an alumni of UPJ's Respiratory Care Program and now teaches in the department! Contact Matt at: [email protected] Contact David at: [email protected] Learn more about the Path Forward Anti-Human Trafficking Conference at: www.pathforwardconference.com For information on the Engineering, Pittsburgh, and Marketing events, check out the Alumni Social Media on Facebook and LinkedIn.  

Buckle up for this week everyone, because we have a great one for you.  Matt and David go over the calendar of events as usual then we get into our interview with Mark Bursic.  We talk about his hunt for a potential historical effort from his time with the Advocate, we discuss some interesting information about Artificial Intelligence, and we learn why Mark needed to punch David in the 1980's!   Contact Matt at: [email protected] Contact David at: [email protected] Register for the Natural Science Event: https://www4.upj.pitt.edu/alumni/naturalsciencesreunion2026 Register for the Hall of Fame: https://www4.upj.pitt.edu/pub/HallOfFameBanquet  

Matt and David welcome Dr. Ed Hartle to the show.  After discussing upcoming events, they chat with Ed about his time here at UPJ, his time in the Army, his time back at UPJ, and a bunch of other things.  The guys also provide a medical consult. Contact Matt at: [email protected] Contact David at: [email protected]  

Matt and David dive right into a weather based conspiracy David has plus a boat load of events for the next month or two!  Then Matt is joined by Dr. Ryan Kerrigan who talks about the educational trip the Geology Club takes over spring break! Contact Matt at: [email protected] Contact David at: [email protected]  

Matt and David are back for another week.  Matt's a Doctor now, so David gives him a hard time about that before discussing some upcoming events.  Then the guys welcome UPJ Basketball legend Rich Ragan to the show.  They discuss basketball, UPJ, business and life all at the same time!   Contact Matt at: [email protected] Contact David at: [email protected] 

Matt and David recover from Pitt Day of Giving by listing all the awesome upcoming events for this spring!  Make sure you have your calendars ready!  Then we revisit Professor's Skip Glenn's class working on an amazing project at the Johnstown Galleria Mall as more progress is reached on that project.   Contact Matt at: [email protected] Contact David at: [email protected] 

David is back!  He and Matt catch up and then go over the Pitt Day of Giving for 2026.  Can you help us get to 100 new $10 Alumni donors?  We hope so!  We've tried really hard and need your help.   Contact Matt at: [email protected] Contact David at: [email protected] Donate for Pitt Day of Giving: https://pittdayofgiving.com/pages/pdog-johnstown Update you Contact information: https://www.johnstown.pitt.edu//alumni

Reports say David is alive, but still missing in action, so Matt tackles Valentine's Day at UPJ with Jeff and Kristen Cerula.  They share their UPJ Alumni stories, how they ended up being a UPJ couple, and working on the next generation of UPJ Alumni!   Contact Matt at: [email protected] Contact David at: [email protected] Pitt Day of Giving:https://pittdayofgiving.com/pages/pdog-johnstown

David is still on assignment this week but Matt is still kicking!  He's joined by Alumni VP John Wozniak where they talk about the new Alumni Association ASCEND Program!   Follow UPJ Athletics at: https://pittjohnstownathletics.com/ Contact Matt at: [email protected] Contact David at: [email protected]

The snow storm did a number of the production schedule.  David is wondering between snow drifts, somethings are open and others are closed, but the show must go on, so that's what Matt does.  Just a quick one today to go over the 100 Alumni Donor Challenge and a recap of Winterfest.   Contact Matt at: [email protected] Contact David at: [email protected] Register for the Alumni Donor Challenge: https://www.johnstown.pitt.edu/upj-presidential-challenge 

Exciting episode this week!  David and Matt catch up with Jim Sestrich and hear how the Spring term is going for the LearningPLUS Program and then Abby Gearhart stops by to talk all things Winterfest and hear about an amazing project that is starting! Contact Matt at: [email protected] Contact David at: [email protected] The LearningPLUS Program: https://www.johnstown.pitt.edu/admissions/special-programs/learningplus-program Register for Winterfest here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc7HtLv4O-p28R7ua-9JO0BsRwJfB18bA_koqTa662eXVercg/viewform?fbclid=IwY2xjawPcf1VleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFldEtZUEF5ejFlWm1JeEU5c3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHsOI6ce-7-Pz7o-pF0pfGKEEJA_ot1esYXBHla4Y01KAXwf2mWScTv_RTp46_aem_v6DvLD6bZSJ7blXhhHsSAA  

Matt and David are back.  Matt vents some frustration over a traffic related issue and then he and David run down a very busy January and February for campus and the Alumni.   Contact Matt at: [email protected] Contact David at: [email protected]  

David shows up for the show this week and he and Matt celebrate Final's week.  We have some updates on the calendar for 2026 and have a deep conversation about  media and history.   Email Matt at: [email protected] Email David at: [email protected]  

Matt's flying solo on this one.  Journey through the thoughts of a podcasting geographer and learn how this whole podcast came to be along with some teases about some upcoming projects and A CHALLENGE!   Email Matt at: [email protected] Email David at: [email protected]

In the spirit of Thanksgiving and togetherness, Matt and David welcome their significant others to the show.  Learn about the upcoming regional event and then see if Matt and David will enjoy Thanksgiving or end up in the dog house!   Contact Matt at: [email protected] Contact David at: [email protected] Learn about the Evergreen Afterschool Program: https://wwwevergreenasc.org/

Matt and David are still talking about the amazing Johnstown Tomahawks game from Saturday night.  We also address David's first experience with students finding out his age.  Then we welcome Deborah Breth to the show to talk about here time at UPJ. Contact Matt: [email protected] Contact David: [email protected]  

Matt and David are back with a great list of upcoming events, including a regional meeting in Indiana, Pa!  Matt then sits down with Ben Epstein who was on campus earlier this year to discuss his time here in the 1970's and his career since.   Contact Matt at: [email protected] Contact David at: [email protected] Get Hockey tickets at: https://www.gofevo.com/event/Upjalumni2

Matt and David are back for another week of fun.  Despite his best efforts, Matt doesn't keep control for long as we go over the calendar of upcoming events and then jump right in with Coaches Vickroy and Oterson from the UPJ Women's Basketball team!   Contact Matt at: [email protected] Contact David at: [email protected] Get tickets for the Women's Basketball event at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/upj-womens-basketball-barrels-bites-tickets-1762964697869 Get tickets for the UPJ Night at the Tomahawks at: https://www.gofevo.com/event/Upjalumni2

Matt and David have their usual round table of events with a side of confusion and then we welcome David Bigbee who visited campus a few weeks back to talk about his time here in the early 1970's!   Contact Matt at: [email protected] Contact David at: [email protected] Get Hockey tickets at: https://www.gofevo.com/event/Upjalumni2

Matt and David are on the road this week when we travel to the Living Learning Center for the UPs Engineering and Computer Science Employer Day.  We talk to Brian Houston who puts the event on and then to plenty of UPJ Alumni who came looking to hire!   Contact Matt at: [email protected] Contact David at: [email protected] Contact Brian Houston at: [email protected] Register for UPJ night at the Tomahawks at: https://www.gofevo.com/event/Upjalumni2

Matt and David have had a rough week so they decide to try and make the best of the show by celebrating a bunch of things.  First off, we find out how the UPJ Soil Judging team did at their completion and then we rundown all the upcoming events between today and the middle of November! Email Matt at: [email protected] Email David at: [email protected] Learn more about Homecoming at: https://www.johnstown.pitt.edu/homecoming Sign up for the UPJ Night at the Tomahawks: https://www.gofevo.com/event/Upjalumni2

Matt and David welcome Paul Tunink back to campus all the way from Florida!  They talk about his time here as a student, playing Baseball, and the journey that brought him to the podcast!   Contact Matt at: [email protected] Contact David at: [email protected] Learn more about Paul's company at www.arrowwealthllc.com

David returns from assignment this week to discuss all the news regarding the Alumni First Business Directory and a mountain of events coming up around UPJ including Men's and Women's Basketball in at the Oakland campus and UPJ Homecoming.  Then Matt talks to Dr. Mitzy Schaney, Dr. Chris Coughenour, and Lyra Mingin about the Region 1 Soil Judging competition on campus next week.   Contact Matt at [email protected] Contact David at [email protected]  

David is on assignment this week, so Matt gets some help from some former show guests to launch the UPJ Alumni First Business Directory!  Prof. Stacy Roberts and Kim Dorchak from Kotzan CPA join Matt along with Nathan DiFrancesco who put the project together! Visit the Alumni First Business Directory at: www.upj.pitt.edu/alumnifirst  Reach Matt at: [email protected] Reach David at: [email protected] If you would like to help with a Business Internship, you can reach Stacy Roberts at [email protected]  

Matt and David are back with another great episode.  They review the schedule of upcoming events.  Matt tries to explain the podcast tradecraft to little success and then we talk to Tony Golden about his time at UPJ and why he and his friends call the campus home even if they didn't technically finish! Contact Matt at: [email protected] Contact David at [email protected]

This week is a can't miss episode of the podcast!  Matt and David struggle with the nature of their day and fail biology.  Then they are joined by Coach Aideen O'Donoghue from the Mountain Cat Ladies Soccer team to talk about her journey to UPJ, the upcoming season, and the huge Ladies Soccer event coming up! Contact Matt at: [email protected] Contact David at: [email protected] Register for the Education or GeoSciences event at: https://www4.upj.pitt.edu/alumni/Geoscience-EducationReunion

Lot's on the calendar this week for Matt and David to talk about including the Education and Geosciences events and Women's Soccer.  Later, Matt sit's down with Jessica Marines to talk about her time as a student, her role as a member of the UPJ staff, and some of the cool stuff her daughters are doing.  Contact Matt at: [email protected] Contact David at: [email protected] Register for Education or Geosciences at: https://www4.upj.pitt.edu/alumni/Geoscience-EducationReunion Learn about Era-X at: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556155093949 Follow Emily at WJAC here: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575511614366

Season 3 kicks off with a bang!  Matt and David are back and welcome Dr. Julie Wagner to talk about the summer, the first day of school, David's CD collection, and the Johnstown Slavic Festival.   Contact Matt at: [email protected] Contact David at: [email protected] Learn more about the Festival at: https://www.facebook.com/johnstownslavicfestival Learn about the Podcast at: http://www.tuckshoppodcast.com

Subscribe today at: https://thetuckshop.podbean.com In their final episode of the Summer Series, Matt and David recap their summer and then listen to their interview with Athletic Director Abby Gearhart about the new sports coming to UPJ!  Special thanks to Executive Producer Betsy Martinelli. Contact Matt at: [email protected] Contact David at: [email protected]

Subscribe today at: https://thetuckshop.podbean.com As the Summer Series starts to reach its conclusion, David spends some time with Matt in his very empty Krebs Hall office waiting for classes to start.  They then revisit the sit down Matt did with the Geoscience students before their trip to Detroit this spring.  Special thanks to Executive Producer Betsy Martinelli. Contact Matt at: [email protected] Contact David at: [email protected]

Subscribe today at: https://thetuckshop.podbean.com Just a few more weeks of the Summer Series to go Matt and David discuss how alumni can come back and take a class for the joy of education!  They then listen to their interview with Senator John Wozniak who just returned himself for a class!  Special thanks to Executive Producer Betsy Martinelli. Contact Matt at: [email protected] Contact David at: [email protected]

Subscribe today at: https://thetuckshop.podbean.com Matt and David celebrate Christmas in July during the Summer Series with a debate on what Santa would wear at the end of July and then listen to their interview with Mark Stevens, UPJ alum and professional Santa!  Special thanks to Executive Producer Betsy Martinelli. Contact Matt at: [email protected] Contact David at: [email protected]

Subscribe today at: https://thetuckshop.podbean.com Matt and David spend some time chatting about the Summer Series and then they review their sit down interview with Don Freeburn.  Don’s experience carried him from UPJ to the Apollo Space Program!  Special thanks to Executive Producer Betsy Martinelli. Contact Matt at: [email protected] Contact David at: [email protected]

Matt and David remind everyone that only 24 hours remain to get tickets for the UPJ Night at the Pittsburgh Pirates, our big event of the Summer Series, and then we move to the discussion with long time UPJ fixture George Hancock!  Special thanks to Executive Producer Betsy Martinelli. Contact Matt at: [email protected] Contact David at: [email protected] Register for UPJ night at the Pirates here: https://www.gofevo.com/event/Pittjohnstownalumni0725

Summer Series is in full swing as Matt and David discuss campus happenings and then revisit the interview with Joe Ettien, USMC.  He called in from Japan!  Special thanks to Executive Producer Betsy Martinelli. Contact Matt at: [email protected] Contact David at: [email protected] Register for UPJ night at the Pirates here: https://www.gofevo.com/event/Pittjohnstownalumni0725

Matt and David get ready for the 4th of July holiday with a quick chat and then listen to the interview with Colonel Jim Moschgat discussing the history and impact of UPJ Alumni Buzz Wagner, WW2 Ace!  Special thanks to Executive Producer Betsy Martinelli. Contact Matt at: [email protected] Contact David at: [email protected] Register for UPJ night at the Pirates here: https://www.gofevo.com/event/Pittjohnstownalumni0725

More Summer Series fun as Matt and David revisit their discussion with Addi Georgantzis, our first guest who asked to be on the show!  Special thanks to Executive Producer Betsy Martinelli. Contact Matt at: [email protected] Contact David at: [email protected] Register for UPJ night at the Pirates here: https://www.gofevo.com/event/Pittjohnstownalumni0725

Subscribe today at: https://thetuckshop.podbean.com The Summer Series continues with some Matt and David time followed by a flash back to our sit-down interview with Karen Esaias!  Special thanks to Executive Producer Betsy Martinelli. Register for UPJ night at the Pirates here: https://www.gofevo.com/event/Pittjohnstownalumni0725

Subscribe today at: https://thetuckshop.podbean.com We kick off the Summer Series with a quick discussion with David and Matt and then we revisit our very first interview with Business Alum Kim Dorchak!  Special thanks to Executive Producer Betsy Martinelli. Contact Matt at: [email protected] Contact David at: [email protected] Register for UPJ night at the Pirates here: https://www.gofevo.com/event/Pittjohnstownalumni0725

David wakes Matt from his summer slumber to attend the Music, Media, and More reunion on campus.  We talk to alumni from WUPJ Radio, WUPJ, TV, Programing Board, and the Advocate about all sorts of different topics from the state of newspapers today through getting threatened by famous music artists!     Contact Matt at: [email protected] Contact David at: [email protected] Register for UPJ night at the Pirates here: https://www.gofevo.com/event/Pittjohnstownalumni0725

Matt and David welcome Doug Ledney from Education to this end of term episode.  They review the year, everything going on this summer, and talk about an Education and Geosciences event for the fall.  Plus, it's the last day of the term, so expect some fun! Media Reunion Registration: https://www.johnstown.pitt.edu/music-media-and-more-reunion UPJ Night at the Pirates: https://www.gofevo.com/event/Pittjohnstownalumni0725?fbclid=IwY2xjawJ58PFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFOY1l0WUNpZmxmcm4xc0JZAR5B9slbuRjgZHllA6W3XN6KJNAxSxzZ_LxC0BuTcDLqNzPy0IoT3jiqjXK2BQ_aem_GHwHRtHaYVPEOoNoPfxZyQ   Email Matt at: [email protected] Email David at: [email protected]

Lots going on today.  The show congratulates David's family for their new addition, it's nice enough for sandals, plenty of events, and that's just the start.  We then welcome Jeff Martinelli to the show to talk about his time at UPJ, his career, and the upcoming Media, Music and More reunion!  Media Reunion Registration: https://www.johnstown.pitt.edu/music-media-and-more-reunion UPJ Night at the Pirates: https://www.gofevo.com/event/Pittjohnstownalumni0725?fbclid=IwY2xjawJ58PFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFOY1l0WUNpZmxmcm4xc0JZAR5B9slbuRjgZHllA6W3XN6KJNAxSxzZ_LxC0BuTcDLqNzPy0IoT3jiqjXK2BQ_aem_GHwHRtHaYVPEOoNoPfxZyQ Alumni can still vote for the board at: https://pitt.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_5anpOowUQsNQyRE?fbclid=IwY2xjawJ2A9FleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFVOGdpTVNhU3o5cFJwRHlGAR4OrhQ4090d9rI7QBpNrmTgW8M1AU0eOBJWw0iX1sQ3gCh255ZqZhqEfI2z6g_aem_dzuyjdy8KCSzdupQHKQQzw Email Matt at: [email protected] Email David at: [email protected]

The show goes on the road, or in this case walks across the Krebs parking lot to the Murtha Building, to attend the Pitt-Johnstown Education Division Student Teacher Showcase.  We learn plenty and have a great time with everyone learning about their hard work to become teachers.   Media Reunion Registration: https://www.johnstown.pitt.edu/music-media-and-more-reunion UPJ Night at the Pirates: https://www.gofevo.com/event/UniversityofPittsburgh0621 Contact Matt: [email protected] Contact David: [email protected]