The Best People

Best Campus Celebrity: Mark Nordenberg

Our beloved chancellor has been voted by… Best Campus Celebrity: Mark Nordenberg

Our beloved chancellor has been voted by the readers of The Pitt News as the biggest campus celebrity. Chancellor Nordenberg, or Nordy, as some affectionately call him, recently presided over the enormous achievement of Pitt reaching its $1 billion mark in donations and funds intended to go toward research and development of our University. Pitt’s status as a nationally recognized research institution has increased under Nordenberg’s direction, and $1 billion is a lot of money. So if you see this man on campus, shake his hand and congratulate him on his celebrity status.

— Jared Trent Stonesifer, Assistant News Editor.

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Best Columnist: Justin Jacobs

For as long as music has existed, there have been jerks like me to criticize it. It’s a risky business, though, because for every success story that ends in a movie where Kate Hudson plays a drunk band aid, there are far more totally horrific stories where some dude ends up living in his parents’ basement writing about how Metallica’s members were way cooler before they cut their hair, for no other reader than himself, coming upstairs only to use the family microwave to cook Hot Pockets.

By voting me best columnist in The Pitt News, my friends, you have given me the courage to believe that I will not share in that terrible fate, and, rather, may actually succeed in this wild world of words. But I will be played by Denzel Washington, and the band aid will be played by Natalie Portman. Thanks a lot, guys. And remember, NCKLBAKSUX4LIFE.

Runner-up: Kim Stiles

— Justin Jacobs, A’E Columnist

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Best Pitt Sports Player: Tyler Palko

Pitt’s senior quarterback and offensive leader takes first place for this year’s best Pitt sports star. Palko, who currently ranks third on Pitt’s all-time passing list and fourth in total offense, will end his collegiate career as one of Pitt’s most prolific passers. Palko is a local boy, coming from West Allegheny High School to national prominence at Pitt. This year was his third as starting quarterback.

Runner-up: Levon Kendall

— Jared Trent Stonesifer, Assistant News Editor

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Best Oakland Regular: Opera Man

On any number of mornings, live music is provided free of charge to pedestrians on Forbes Avenue.

Perhaps you’ve seen its provider. To us, he’s known only as “Opera Man,” and little is known about him besides that he spends some of his time sitting on a boom box outside of Eckerd Drugs, belting out soulful and resounding gospel tunes at the top of his lungs to a recorded accompaniment.

Just one of many colorful characters dotting our neighborhood, Opera Man has been voted this year’s favorite Oakland Regular.

— Andrew Macurak, Staff Writer

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Best SGB Member to Hate on: Will Powers

The great journalist Edward R. Murrow once said that it is our duty as strong citizens to sometimes forsake what is popular to defend what is right. For SGB member Will Powers, walking this line seems to be a way of life. Tall in stature and blunt in his speech, Powers projects an image that some find objectionable. Whether you love to hate him or hate to love him, Powers has indicated time and time again that he is committed to his own persistence and will defend what he thinks is right no matter how unpopular his sentiments make him.

Runner-up: Joe Pasqualichio

— Doug Denison, Senior Staff Photographer

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Best SGB Member: Joe Pasqualichio

Much like the Pax Romana of centuries ago, the three years we have spent with Joe Pasqualichio on our Student Government Board have been years of peace and prosperity o’er the whole land. When he ascended to the presidency last year, the historic Pasqualichio Dynasty was assured. Ever tenacious and shrewd, President Pasqualichio unites an often-fractious board with his irascible wit and undeniable forensic skills. If any president ever deserved a weekend getaway to San Diego, it is the ever industrious and unshakeable Joe Pasqualichio. Long live the President, smash Carthage!

Runner-up: Joe Leinbach

— D. Clark Denison, Senior Staff Writer

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Best WPTS DJ: Kurt Gordon

The winner for this year’s best WPTS DJ is Kurt Gordon, host of the station’s bluegrass show that airs every Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. He plays the banjo, but he reportedly does not have a mustache.

Runner-up: Valerie Gomez

— Annie Tubbs, Managing Editor

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Best Pitt Professor: Ray Jones

Professor Ray Jones wins for the fifth year in a row. Known for being enthusiastic yet casual, Pitt News readers agree that he’s the best that Pitt has to offer. Way to go, Professor Jones, way to go. Good luck through the next year as you attempt to get a sixth win.

Runner-up: Eugene Wagner

— Annie Tubbs, Managing Editor

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Best Pitt Administrator: Albert J. Novak

Albert Novak joined Pitt’s Institutional Advancement staff in 1997 as associate vice chancellor for corporate and foundation giving. But in 2001, he was appointed senior associate vice chancellor of Institutional Advancement. In this position, he has worked with the chancellor and vice chancellor of the University to enhance its fundraising capabilities. In a 2003 Pitt press release, Chancellor Nordenberg stated that Novak was responsible for more than half of the first $500 million raised in their current capital campaign. The goal was $1 billion, which the Office of Institutional Advancement achieved in 2006.

Runners-up: Dr. Humphrey, Chancellor Nordenberg (tied)

— Sarah Kaufman, Assistant Copy Chief

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Best Police Officer: Curtis Smith

Some of us have seen him regulating the 7-Eleven on Forbes Avenue, because he’s been certified as a police academy instructor for more than two decades. Some of us have approached him as a cop of the public safety department at his office in Posvar Hall, because he’s trained more than a thousand Pennsylvania cadets. And some of us — the luckier ones — know him as the spandex-wearing, air-punching, fun-loving fitness and defense teacher in Trees Hall, because he’s been a veteran of the department for more than 20 years. And a fun fact you might not have known: Curtis Smith was fullback for the Pitt Panthers in the 1970s.

Runner-up: Tim Delaney

— Sarah Kaufman, Contributing Editor

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Best Campus Security Guard: Angela

It’s hard to describe a woman like Angela. Voted best security guard on campus, she epitomizes safety and kindness in ways that most other people can only dream about. What else can we say about someone who has done so much for the student body?

We salute you, Angela, and all those like you for serving your community so well.

Runner-up: Joel

— Andy Medici, News Editor

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Best Bartender: Gene

Sadly, because of my age, I’ve met neither Gene nor Lynn, but I can assure everyone that in a little over three months, Gene and I might be good friends, because at the end of the day, sometimes it takes a gin and tonic to cap off the day. Based on the fact that the readers of The Pitt News think Gene and Lynn are good people, I’ll trust that they’ll mix my (legal) drinks to perfection.

Runner-up: Lynn from Hemingway’s

— Annie Tubbs, Managing Editor

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Best Local News Personality: Morning Freak Show

Mikey and Big Bob know how to work it on the radio, at least between 6 and 10 a.m. They’re hilariously witty, and the occasional music they play is nothing but the hits. They joke about everything, they love the Steelers (of course) and their random informational sessions about various topics (one of the latest being female hunters, in honor of Thanksgiving) are hysterical. Mornings just wouldn’t be the same without Mikey and Big Bob on 96.1 Kiss FM.

Runner-up: Ken Rice

— Sarah Kaufman, Contributing Editor