Crimson and Gold Connection; Dr. Tim Puetz

Welcome to Crimson & Gold Connection, keeping you connected to the people and current events at Pittsburgh State University. This is Trent Johnson, thanks for joining us. Our guest today is Dr. Tim Pits, who is one of the 2015 outstanding alumni from Pittsburgh State University. Thanks so much for joining us today. What was your area of study at Pittsburgh State University and what year did you graduate? My area of study was physical education and I graduated in 2001 with a bachelor of science and education and then I went on to get my master's degrees in human performance and wellness in 2003. What interested you about those subjects when you came to Pittsburgh State? I've come from a long line of teachers and health educators so when I went to Pittsburgh State University I fell in line with the family business. Matter of fact my father and mother both were graduates from Pittsburgh so not only was I falling in line

with a love of health and fitness but also the love of Pittsburgh State University. You said that both parents attended Pittsburgh State University. Is that what influenced you to attend Pittsburgh State University? That was a major influence. Growing up we were always hit state fans. I knew Gus Gorilla before I knew the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus so my love of Pittsburgh State started at birth and it continues to today. When you were attending classes at Pittsburgh State University what was your favorite part or maybe something that stands out when you look back at your time here? Pittsburgh State is an interesting place and that a lot of people I think will go there with the end state of getting a degree but you don't just get a degree you don't just get an education you get a mindset and to ask me to name one class that created a mindset that took me into my career and where I am today is just

unfair. I ran into too many people, too many professors, too many opportunities that created a mindset, created a love, created a passion for people in the world and ultimately health that took me across the world. I have been to Western Africa and worked with the people of Liberia. I now currently look at the National Institutes of Health where I work at the Clinical Center, the world's largest research hospital and every day people ask me, how did you get here? Why are you here? Why have you done the things that you do? And it all takes me back to Pittsburgh State. My mindset that was created there and my love of people, health, and the world around me. You've recently been named one of the 2015 outstanding alumni from Pittsburgh State University. What does that mean to you personally? To be named and outstanding alumni is humbling, such that so many people have gone through Pittsburgh State

University and not just gone through Pittsburgh State University but gone on to do amazing things in the world. And to be recognized as really a representative of all the greatness that existed at Pittsburgh State is it's humbling and it also makes me proud that I can stand up amongst the ranks of current students and alumni that are doing and will be doing great things in the future. Are you going to be able to return to campus for the outstanding alumni reception and if so, what are you most looking forward to in your return to campus? I will be returning and I'm sad to say that I haven't been back to Pittsburgh State in almost five or six years and to be able to go back and set foot on campus again is going to be so exciting. I literally ran all over that campus as a

cross-country and track athlete and to be able to set foot in some of those places again will be exciting. One of the areas I really am excited to see is the new track and the sports complex that was just built there. But look at that and then also look at other things that have been built there such as the new performing arts center. It just shows the growth that continues to corrupt you Lee. I'm just so excited to be able to see the development that has occurred and the campus that I've always loved. You hit on it briefly a few moments ago but where are you currently residing and what are you doing professionally? I currently am residing in Washington DC and I work at the National Institutes of Health. At the National Institutes of Health I serve as the Operations Manager in the Clinical Center which is the world's largest research hospital. In that capacity my job is to develop and design improvement

programs of clinical care and then I focus on managing and supporting services to ensure that patients there get world-class health. You've mentioned how Pitt State not only gave you a degree but it also gave you a mindset. Can you explain a little bit where that might have came from? When I sit in Washington DC and people are talking about politics of it all. The conservatives, the liberals, they often will ask me like you have a little bit different mindset. I always laugh and say well the Kansas boy and I may not be a donkey I may not be an elephant but I am a gorilla and that goes back to that idea of mindset and taking that into the world around me. Then there's a lot of people that have had that influence on me. Coach Jewett is one of them. He's a tough man. I will not lie. I've spent almost eight years in the United States Army as a commissioned officer. I was

stabbed as a ranger and none of the sergeants while I was there compared to Coach Jewett. All the faculty within the HHPR department had huge influence on my life. Dr. Golem and Dr. Oplinger, Dr. Jewett. I can't even name them all. Every single person influenced me and that's likely why I'm at the NIH today. Another final group that was very important to me was the ROTC program and the leadership skills that they instilled in me and I've carried throughout my life. Finally if you could just sum up what Pitt State means to you in one line what would you say? Pitt's first date is a very special place. It will always be a special place for me and I hope that all the people that are students are there right now and alumni recognize that they're part of something great. Again our guest today has been Dr. Tim Pitt who has been named one of the 2015 Outstanding

Alumni from Pittsburgh State University. For Crimson and Gold Connection and KRPS this is Trent Johnson. Join us for Crimson and Gold Connection Wednesdays at 8.50 and Fridays at 350.