The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown's student newspaper

The Advocate
The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown's student newspaper

The Advocate
The University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown's student newspaper

The Advocate
Matt Churella

Matt Churella, Staff Writer

  • Graduated High School: 2016, Cambria Heights High School (Patton)
  • Year: Senior
  • Anticipated Graduation Date: April 2021
  • Major(s)/Minor(s): Journalism/Psychology
  • Years with The Advocate: Three
  • Progression: Contributing Writer, Staff Writer, Opinions Editor, News Editor, Our Town Correspondent, Daily American Correspondent, Altoona Mirror Stringer, The Tribune-Democrat Stringer, Editor-in-Chief
  • Prefers: News
  • Accomplishments: 2018 Journalism Award, 2019 WJAC-TV Award, 2019 Walter W. Krebs Award, Bob Fryer Memorial Scholarship recipient for outstanding young journalism
All content by Matt Churella
State Theater of Johnstown to host '31 Days of Halloween'

State Theater of Johnstown to host ’31 Days of Halloween’

Matt Churella, Staff Writer
October 5, 2021
Senior Joe Romano picks up his food Jan. 9 at the Pitt Stop café where students can exchange one meal swipe per meal period for a combination of food options.

Exchange flexibility sought

Matt Churella, Staff Writer
January 17, 2020
Freshman Hannah Ribblett prepares for a Jan. 9 Conemaugh Valley School Board meeting as Superintendent Shane Hazenstab (left) and board President Todd Roberts (right) have a conversation in the background.

18-year-old freshman fills big shoes

Matt Churella, Staff Writer
January 17, 2020
Assistant athletic director Abby Gearhart (right) speaks to student organization leaders at a meeting Sept. 11 as student government members look on.

Changes have been detailed for extracurricular groups

Matt Churella, Editor-in-Chief
September 18, 2019
The Living/Learning Center is set to be renovated for the next 16 months.

[Photo] Center renovation begins at age 25

Alyssa Coleman, News Editor
September 18, 2019
Career Services Director Sherri Rae is one of six candidates who submitted 100 signatures to run for Johnstown City Council.

Administrator files for city council

Matt Churella, Editor-in-Chief
March 26, 2019
Last Wednesday, about eight students visited WJAC-TV’s television studio in Upper Yoder Township, which is an annual tour offered each spring in adjunct instructor Richard Bukoski’s Broadcast Journalism class.

[Photo] Students tour studio

March 6, 2019
Massaro Corp. workers consider their work during July construction of the John P. Murtha Engineering and Science building’s chemical enginnering addition. The construction was to be finished by Jan. 1, but campus officials have said that it will wrap up soon.

[Photo] Building is set to open soon

Rachel Logan, Copy Editor
January 16, 2019
Pitt-Johnstown officials are planning to update the Living/Learning Center’s showers, along with other renovations to the building, over summer break. Finance and Administration Vice President Amy Buxbaum said the renovation details are not finalized.

[Photo] First updates planned for building

Alyssa Coleman, News Editor
January 16, 2019
Student government members hold spaghetti noodles and pasta sauce in the Student Union. They are collecting donated goods to assist local families this Christmas. | Photo: Matt Churella

[Photo] Donations will reduce fines

Alyssa Coleman, News Editor
December 5, 2018
Allan Scott and his Christian rock ‘n’ roll band are to perform in the Whalley Memorial Chapel on Friday. | Photo: Sam Zubler

Former addict is to rock at chapel

Matt Churella, Editor-in-Chief
December 5, 2018

Students are charged

Matt Churella, Editor-in-Chief
December 5, 2018
L&M Excavating workers installed a storm drain inlet Nov. 2 to a drainage system near a Biddle Hall sidewalk where water had collected frequently during storms.

Sidewalk drainage added

Matt Churella, News Editor
November 14, 2018

Committees merged to two

Matt Churella, News Editor
November 14, 2018
Sophomore Ana Gonzalez looks at the newly updated Pitt-Johnstown website Nov. 8 in Owen Library.

Website gets update: more is to come

Matt Churella, News Editor
November 14, 2018

Conversion planned

Matt Churella, News Editor
November 14, 2018
Dr. Gaetan Sgro recalled a story last Tuesday of a 92-year-old World War II veteran he met while working as a physician to Pitt-Johnstown students in Blackington Hall.

Doctor recounts a patient’s story

Matt Churella, News Editor
November 14, 2018
Sodexo General Manager James Butler speaks with students in the Student Union Dining Hall on Oct. 29.

Food service gets new head

Matt Churella and Alyssa Coleman
November 7, 2018

Two accused of marijuana lodge smoke

Matt Churella, News Editor
November 7, 2018
Richland Township supervisors' solicitor Gary Costlow at an Oct. 29 meeting.

[Photo] Appeals offer more revenue threats

Alyssa Coleman, Opinions Editor
November 7, 2018

One button to produce video here

Matt Churella, News Editor
November 7, 2018

Snow tractors’ force gets doubling

Matt Churella, News Editor
October 31, 2018

23 students still live in mold exile

Matt Churella, News Editor
October 31, 2018
Senior Sam Miller (left) reads his lines for a major role in “Canfessional,” a film in three parts that history professor Paul Newman (right) wrote and is directing for entry in film festivals.

[Photo] Two films in the works for festivals

October 31, 2018
Freshman Josh Salava pets therapy dog Shaylee in Owen Library on Oct. 17.

Dogs soothe midterm stress

Matt Churella, News Editor
October 24, 2018
Plastic pumpkins are to be hidden throughout campus from Oct. 27-31.

Pumpkin hunt is back and to start Saturday

Matt Churella, News Editor
October 24, 2018

10 students going to prison for class

Matt Churella, New Editor
October 24, 2018

Citations are filed with magistrate

Matt Churella, News Editor
October 24, 2018
Junior Justin Sprinkle and his service animal, Clyde, standing outside the Nursing and Health Sciences building Aug. 30.

10 comfort animals among residents

Matt Churella, News Editor
October 10, 2018
Pitt-Johnstown President Jem Spectar introduces the campus’ new Communications and Public Relations Director Eric Sloss at an Oct. 3 Town Hall meeting.

PR director to burnish perceptions

Matt Churella, News Editor
October 10, 2018
Students work with geography professor Mitzy Schaney (right) to identify vegetation Oct. 4.

Students finding wetlands’ borders

Matt Churella, News Editor
October 10, 2018
Pitt-Johnstown President Jem Spectar addresses Faculty Senate members Sept. 19.

Moves to boost enrollment planned

Matt Churella, News Editor
October 2, 2018
Nine freshmen senators were sworn into student government committees at a Sept. 17 student government meeting after having been elected by Pitt-Johnstown students services.

[Photo] Freshmen will serve others

Tyler McNulty, Editor-in-Chief
September 26, 2018

Students receive magistrate charges

Matt Churella, News Editor
September 26, 2018
Sophomore Matt Stark shakes hands with Owen Library director Peter Egler at an Aug. 30 open house. Egler said that, eventually, all students will go through the personal-librarian program during their first year.

Librarians seeking to be more useful

Matt Churella, News Editor
September 12, 2018
Junior Hannah Brown talks with student government President Sam Miller during an Aug. 27 meet-the-senators meeting. Brown was one of the few to attend the meeting.

New meeting time has no more ties

Matt Churella, News Editor
September 12, 2018
Senior education and biology student Kylie Hogan holds up a Chum Salmon. She visited Bristol Bay, Alaksa over the summer to learn about a toxic mine and go fishing. |

Environmentalist visits Alaskan bay

Matt Churella, News Editor
September 12, 2018
Pitt-Johnsotwn junior pitcher Brady Walker started for Martella’s Pharmacy in the AAABA Championship Game on Aug. 11 against New Orleans at Sargent’s Stadium at the Point.

Cats played role in first champion

Matt Churella, News Editor
September 12, 2018
An unwanted ingredient was found in a student’s March 26 lunch.

Data dictates food options

Matt Churella, News Editor
April 18, 2018

Military recruiters can give answers

Matt Churella, News Editor
April 18, 2018

Members to receive a one-stop spot

Matt Churella, News Editor
April 18, 2018

Students have been charged

Matt Churella, News Editor
April 18, 2018
A total of 21 dead trees were removed March 26 near first-year residence halls by Jordan Tree Service employees. There are no plans to plant new trees, according to Finance and Administration Vice President Amy Buxbaum.

[Photo] Rules discussed, criticized

Tyler McNulty, Editor-in-Chief
April 11, 2018
Senior Brady Willis pays Sodexo worker Lori Seigh for his food at the Tuck Shop.

Food quality polled

Matt Churella, News Editor
April 11, 2018
English literature instructor Tuangtip Klinbubpa-Neff tells students about scholarship opportunities at a March 27 study-abroad seminar.

Eligibility for scholarships discussed

Matt Churella, News Editor
April 4, 2018
Students gather Feb. 20 at Delta Chi’s Larkspur Lodge balcony. Students can now place a bid with a Greek organization after participating in a workshop.

[Photo] Freshmen can go Greek, after a class

Tyler McNulty, Editor-in-Chief
April 4, 2018
Pitt-Johnstown alumnus Rich Ragan, who donated $500,000 for a new campus basketball court, spoke to students and faculty about business leadership March 21 in the Pasquerilla Performing Arts Center.

Alum speaks on leadership to encourage

Matt Churella, News Editor
March 28, 2018
Physical Plant employee Taylor Slagle shovels snow March 21 from the steps near a Student Union entrance.

Students upset over no cancellation

Matt Churella, News Editor
March 28, 2018

Pitt Day bus trip to be rescheduled

Matt Churella, News Editor
March 28, 2018

Students receive magistrate charges

Matt Churella, News Editor
March 28, 2018
Owen Library Director Peter Egler talks to student government senators about the library’s resources at a Feb. 27 meeting.

More staff needed for night

Matt Churella, News Editor
March 21, 2018
After the sidewalk and bike path connect project is completed, students are to be able to safely walk from campus to the Richland Town Centre.

Sidewalk project is underway

Matt Churella, News Editor
February 28, 2018

Commuter involvement rebooted

Matt Churella, News Editor
February 28, 2018

New tool can aid class scheduling

Matt Churella, News Editor
February 28, 2018

Accused students have fines listed

Matt Churella, News Editor
February 28, 2018
Students are signing petitions to place cameras throughout Pitt-Johnstown’s parking lots. Pitt-Johnstown President Jem Spectar reportedly said he would not authorize cameras in parking lots until students back the idea.

[Photo] Petition for cameras to be placed

Tyler McNulty, Editor-in-Chief
February 21, 2018
Pitt-Johnstown administrators are not going to cover costs to renovate the Log Cabin, which does not meet Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.

Log Cabin to cost too much

Matt Churella, News Editor
February 14, 2018

Police charge three with marijuana

Matt Churella, News Editor
February 14, 2018
State Rep. Bryan Barbin, D-71st, answers audience questions at a Feb. 6 forum in the John P. Murtha Center for Public Service.

Forum panel discusses boundaries

Matt Churella, News Editor
February 14, 2018
A grounds maintenance worker plows snow Jan. 30 off the sidewalk near Blackington Hall.

Snow removal reorganized

Matt Churella, News Editor
February 8, 2018
Phi Sigma Sigma is Pitt-Johnstown’s only sorority. Organizing another campus sorority’s potential is in discussion.

[Photo] New campus sorority is arriving ?

Tyler McNulty, Editor-in-Chief
February 8, 2018
South Lodge pipes froze Jan. 7, causing flooding throughout both Buckhorn and Sunset Lodges. At least some students’ personal property was damaged.

No help for water damage

Matt Churella, News Editor
January 31, 2018

Two staff members receive awards

Matt Churella, News Editor
January 31, 2018

New York City bus trip fills up fast

Matt Churella, News Editor
January 31, 2018
Education Club members are collecting box tops in 149 Biddle Hall for the Greater Johnstown School District until the semester’s end.

[Photo] Students can help with collection

Tyler McNulty, Editor-in-Chief
January 31, 2018

Students are charged in incidents

Matt Churella, News Editor
January 24, 2018
Peter Egler is Owen Library’s new director.

Owen Library gets a new director

Matt Churella, News Editor
January 24, 2018
Students Abigail Moran (left-right) and Trevor Belding watch TV near Brioche Dorée cafe in the Student Union. Internet protocol television is to be installed by March 6.

[Photo] No TV? Relief is on the way

Tyler McNulty, Editor-in-Chief
January 24, 2018
The Mt. Cat Club reopened Nov. 10. The club is opened Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Mt. Cat Club is reopened for students

Matt Churella, News Editor
December 3, 2017
Student government members (left-right) Keirstin Ward, Gretchen Sheppard, Brady Willis and Joe Evanko particapate in a toy buy at Toys R Us Nov. 7

Students, Marines buy toys

Matt Churella, Opinions Editor
November 15, 2017
U.S. veteran and Pitt-Johnstown student Cameron Carr stands in front of The Heroes Memorial near Whalley Chapel Friday.

Wreath was placed to honor veterans

Matt Churella, Opinions Editor
November 15, 2017
Senior Nicole Panichella schedules her last spring semester at Pitt-Johnstown.

Committee members allow course overlap after change

Matt Churella, Opinions Editor
November 8, 2017
Students talk to study abroad representatives at a fair Oct. 11 on the Student Union’s second floor.

Learning abroad discussed at event

Matt Churella, Opinions Editor
October 18, 2017
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