Pitt-Johnstown President Jem Spectar presented staff awards Dec. 20 during an annual staff luncheon in the Living/Learning Center’s Heritage Hall.

Admissions employee Pam Penatzer received an award for excellence in community service.

Student Affairs employee John Ziats received an award for excellence in Pitt-Johnstown service.

Penatzer said she felt it was an honor to be recognized.

“I was very appreciative,” Penatzer said.

She said that she belongs to Oakland United Methodist Church in Stonycreek Township where she helps her church community by working with its youth group and assisting with vacation Bible schools.

Penatzer said her favorite part of working at Pitt-Johnstown, for the last 10 years, has been interacting with students.

Ziats said he is still surprised that he was chosen to receive a staff award.

“My joke is that it’s because they were getting to the end of the alphabet,” Ziats said.

Ziats said he has worked at Pitt-Johnstown for 35 years.

He said he began his career in 1982 working at the bookstore, and he briefly worked in maintenance.

Ziats has been working in the Student Affairs office since 2015.

Ziats said that he also enjoys interacting with students.

“I think that they help me to keep thinking young, in spite of my age,” Ziats said.

Ziats said that in the Students Affairs office, none of his work days are similar.

“I usually say that I come to work and wait for things to happen,” Ziats said.

According to Pitt-Johnstown’s website, Spectar said that Pitt-Johnstown is blessed to have many loyal and dedicated staff members.