On Sept. 2, roughly 20 Pitt-Johnstown students took their signs – each written in larger letters and more colorful than the next – and gathered in front of Blackington Hall to protest U.S. involvement in Syria. An unprecedented occurrence, it may seem to many, that UPJ students were active and vocal about a world crisis.

On Sept. 27, the Pitt-Johnstown Nursing and Health Sciences Building – a year and a month after ground was broken – is to be used most likely soon after fall break by hopeful university officials and nursing students.

The building’s completion marks just the beginning of an important physical presence for the UPJ nursing program. Many nursing faculty members and students are sure it will lure more students to come to UPJ.

On Oct. 1, the final installation of wireless Internet devices is to be completed, fulfilling Pitt-Johnstown’s initiative to become a campus with complete wireless coverage. The Internet infrastructure has modernized drastically in the past few years.

Three years ago, only the academic buildings, Pasquerilla Center and Whalley Chapel had wireless Internet. In order to get online in dormitories, an Ethernet cable and a university-issued installation CD was required and the process was long and mundane.

Pitt-Johnstown had been the subject for long-term change, and, with many projects consummating this school year, things are bound only to get better.

The Syria protest was a hopeful and optimistic turning point for the lackluster involvement on campus. Even though 20 people may seem like a small number, for a campus this size it is noteworthy to see a group comprised solely of young men and women standing up in public for what he or she believes is rare.

It is safe to say these men and women are the forerunner for others on campus to represent, become aware of and challenge issues that are much larger than him or herself.

We believe these are all indicators of the beginning of a better college life, strung together with exceptional spirits and choices that better campus-life quality.

We feel our role as journalists is to recognize both the good and the not-so-good. In these instances we see reasons for optimism.