- Gian’s Cool 2019 News Archive
- Gian’s Cool 2018 News Archive
- Gian’s Cool 2011 News Archive
- Gian’s Cool 201 News Archive
- Gian’s Cool 2009 News Archive
- Gian’s Cool 2008 News Archive
- Gian’s Cool 2007 News Archive
- Gian’s Cool 2006 News Archive
2019 News
Avengers Endgame
“Part of the journey is the end”–Tony Stark (a.k.a. Iron Man)
I saw Avengers Endgame twice in its opening week, and it is a masterpiece. The first time through I was completely captivated by the breathtaking story. But the second time I was struck more by the quiet, deep moments. From the wrenching opening scene to the perfect finale (no spoilers here!), Avengers Endgame is one long, beautiful goodbye. A fitting conclusion to a 22 film epic saga and including Stan Lee’s final cameo. Luckily, though, while this might be “the end,” there’s still more to come.
Make Mine…
Captain Marvel is coming to save the universe!
2018 News
‘Nuff Said: Stan Lee (1922-2018)
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2011 News
Mourning the Loss of an iCon
I’ve been a Mac addict since my parents got an Apple II+ back in the 1980s. So I was extremely saddened to hear of Steve Jobs’ passing.
Steve Jobs
1955-2011
“Your time is limited.
Don’t waste it living someone else’s life.”
For too many years, loyal Mac users had to put up with being mocked as second class citizens. But our faith in Apple was well founded and, in the end, Steve showed that the principals of quality development, user-friendly interface, and style could be used to create the best computers on the planet. To a large extent, Steve managed to redesign the entire world of technology, and today we live in an iWorld in which we all benefit from his visionary ideas. I never met him personally, but I am very sorry he is gone. Probably the greatest thing about Steve Jobs, though, was that he made it cool to be a computer geek. Who would have thought anyone could accomplish that? Here’s hoping Steve’s spirit of technological cool lives on forever!
2010 News
Good Luck Crimson Hawks!
What an amazing playoff run! First a comeback victory from a 12-point half time deficit. Then a nail biting victory at the last second.
Good luck in the Championship Game.
Bring IUP home the Men’s Division II Basketball Crown!
2009 News
The Lives of English Teachers: A Readers’ Theatre Performance Read By Dr. David Schaafsma (University of Illinois at Chicago), Dr. Randi Dickson (Queens College, The City University of New York (CUNY)), and Dr. Gian Pagnucci (IUP)
Narrated by Sarah Rutter (University of Illinois at Chicago)
Wednesday–November 18th at 8:00 p.m.
in the Hadley Union Building (HUB), Monongahela Room
Most training for teachers focuses on classroom practices: what books to use, what tasks to assign, and what methods to employ. Even most discussions of educational philosophies and pedagogies focus on how teachers should behave in the school or university setting. But teaching is a 24/7 occupation. The best teachers are always thinking about their teaching, and trying to meld that teaching life into the rest of their existence. This readers’ theatre performance (where a text is read aloud in semi-dramatic style by the authors) focuses on the chaotic nature of teaching lives, both inside and outside the classroom. The reading will be accompanied by music and hopes to engage the audience in rethinking their own ideas about what it means to engage in the teaching life.
Gian Pagnucci and Dave Schaafsma at UIC in 2009
Sponsored by IUP’s Graduate Studies in Composition & TESOL Program and IUP’s Department of English.
Thank You!
I want to thank all the Composition & TESOL students and alumni who nominated me for
The 2009 Mentor of the Year Award
I was very honored to win this award and to receive this fabulous recognition. IUP’s C&T program has so many wonderful students, and it has been my great privilege to work with many of you during my 15 years of teaching at this university.
Thanks again.
Brett Favre Returns to Lambeau Field
It’s the Game that never should have happened!
Lots of people have asked me, “How do you feel about Brett Favre being a Viking?” My answer is, if I was coaching the Packers, Brett would still be wearing green and gold. When Tom Brady got hurt last season, the Patriots didn’t cut their future Hall of Famer. So what was Packers management thinking?
I’m hoping Brett has one last magical ride to the Super Bowl left in him. And I’ll be cheering him all the way.
Celebrate Writing!
The United States Congress has designated October 20th as The National Day on Writing.
So take a little time today to write in your journal, start your novel, update your blog, or compose a poem.
Brett Favre vs. the Packers?
Say it ain’t so!
Yes, the unthinkable has come to pass.
The Packers cut the greatest quarterback in the history of football, and now he’s about to remind them why that was such a big mistake. No matter who wins, it’s bound to be a great game, one of the biggest ever!
Cap is Back!
At long last, that hero among heroes, Captain America, is returning. Marvel Entertainment, Inc. has announced that it will release a new 5 part mini-series in July entitled Captain America Reborn in which the star-spangled super-soldier returns from the grave.
President Obama Signs Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act
Like Presidents Kennedy and Clinton before him, President Obama has issued a national call to service. This important new legislation includes ways for students to earn money for college by doing volunteer work.
Local Volunteer Opportunities
Interested in volunteering in your local community? A great information source on volunteering is:
Local Volunteer Opportunities
IUP Students and Faculty will want to also visit IUP’s Office of Service Learning which helps coordinate volunteer projects or the Citizenship and Civic Engagement Initiative (CCEI) which coordinates Alternative Spring Break and other activities.
Neil Giaman wins Newbery Medal!
One-time comic book writer Neil Gaiman has won the 2009 Newbery Medal for last year’s best children’s book. He won for The Graveyard Book published by HarperCollins Children’s Book.
Gaiman is a fabulous writer whose outstanding works include:
I’ve read all these books and highly recommend them to you.
2008 News
Help Make History!
The United States is mired in two wars and in the midst of the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression. Never has the Presidential election mattered more. And never have American’s votes meant more.
We need to change things now, before it’s too late. So please get out and VOTE on Tuesday, November 4th.
Tech Teaching 101: A Hands-on Workshop for Integrating Technology into Your Pedagogy
Saturday, October 11th, 2008
8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Sponsored by IUP’s Reflective Practice Project
It’s always darkest before the dawn.
Alas, Packers management traded away the greatest quarterback of all time. Here’s hoping Brett Favre gets one more chance to make it to the Super Bowl, even if it has to be as a New York Jet.
Still, though it may be a dark hour for Green Bay fans, at least solace can be found in the cinematic masterpiece which is the new Batman film.
The Dark Knight is on its way to becoming the #1 box office film of all time. I urge you to see the movie to help push Titanic out of the championship spot.
Will he be back?
You have to believe Brett Favre did not really want to retire, or he would not have turned down a $20 million offer from the Green Bay Packers to stay out to pasture.
The Greatest is Gone!
Brett Favre has officially announced his retirement after a 17 year career. In that career, Brett became the NFL’s only 3 time MVP, broke virtually every major quarterback record, won Super Bowl XXXI, and started 275 consecutive games as a Green Bay Packer. More important than statistics, though, Brett was a guy who just seemed to love the game, to play like a kid in the backyard. He seemed like one of us.
Thanks for all the great memories Brett!
Yes, Dr. Pagnucci is officially in mourning, at least until kickoff day!
Special Guest Speaker Dr. David Schaafsma 
Narrative Research Expert, Associate Professor of English at the University of Illinios at Chicago, and author of Eating on the Street
- Lecture: Mar. 27th Thur. at 8 p.m. in Leonard 219
- Narrative Research Workshop: Mar. 28th Fri. at 10:30 a.m. in Keith 238
- Dr. Schaafsma was Dr. Pagnucci’s dissertation director
- Attendance at these events is strongly recommended
Packers almost reach Super Bowl!
Well, Green Bay came close to the championship this year. And luckily, the Packers are the youngest team in football, so there’s still hope they can make it to the Super Bowl next year. (Best of all, they went 13-3 this seaon without having to cheat, which is more than can be said for some so called “perfect” teams.)
Greatest Quarterback of All Time
(Yes, the stinking Cowboys won, but the Packers only had half their defense hurt!) Steelers pull to 9-3! (Can they beat the Patriots and prove they deserve another shot at the Super Bowl?)
Could we be headed for the greatest Super Bowl match-up ever?
Thankfully Brett Favre survived a Dallas cheap shot and was back the next week to make his 250th consecutive start.
Favre needs less than 400 yards to take the all-time passing yards title away from Dan Marino. Is there any question left that Brett is the…
Greatest Quarterback of All Time
Packers beat Broncos and Chiefs on the road to reach 7-1!
Steelers Stomp the Ravens to reach 6-2!
Could we be headed for the greatest Super Bowl match-up ever?
(Keep your fingers crossed that somebody figures out how to stop Tom Brady!)
Favre’s Fantastic Feats
Brett Favre finally beat the Kansas City Chiefs, the only team he had never won against.
Favre has now thrown for over 300 passing yards in 5 games this season, so he is well on pace to take the all-time passing yards title away from Dan Marino. Is there any question left that Brett is the…
Greatest Quarterback of All Time
Packers Start 5-1! (curse the Bears)
Steelers Start 4-1! (curse the Cardinals)
Could we be headed for the greatest Super Bowl match-up ever?
(though Tom Brady and Randy Moss are going to be hard to beat!)
Brett Favre Record Watch
Brett Favre captures the all-time Touch Down Record (and the all-time interception record, ugh!).
Favre is also on pace to capture the all-time passing yards record so he can claim the title of:
Greatest Quarterback of All Time
Packers and Steelers Start 3-0!
Could we be headed for the greatest Super Bowl match-up ever?
Little remembered fact:
Brett Favre’s first victory came against which team?
The Pittsburgh Steelers
Milwaukee Brewers barely in Contention!
Well, there’s still a little hope, but the Brewers seem determined to throw away first place. Will they ever remember what it feels like to win?
Third Place???
Are you kidding me?
The Brewers spend almost the whole season in 1st, and now they lose 11 of 14 and drop to 3rd.
Come on, Guys! Keep your eyes on the ball.
Milwaukee Brewers in Contention!
After years and years of futility, my childhood baseball team,
are finally out of the baseball cellar.
Will history repeat and the Brewers choke yet again?
Or will they finally get back to the World Series?
Stay Tuned!
Current Major League Standings
Here we go, Badgers!
It’s time for the Big Dance.
The Wisconsin Badgers & Big Ten Player of the Year Alando Tucker are seeded #2 in the NCAA Basketball Tournament & aimed at the Final Four.
On Wisconsin!
(Little known fact: Badgers Coach Bo Ryan won 4 national championships as the coach of the University of Wisconsin – Platteville, which is located in Dr. Pagnucci’s home town.)
2007 News
R. I. P.
Captain America
1941-2007
Sadly, The Daily Bugle and other news sources have reported that Captain America was killed during the Marvel Civil War.
Crimson Hawks Field Hockey Wins PSAC Title
(October 2007)
This is the first PSAC field hockey championship in school history.
Let’s give a big cheer to IUP goalie Lydia Dolly, one of Dr. Pagnucci’s students.
Keep your fingers crossed as the team heads to the Final Four!
(Earth Rise: First earth photo from space.)
Global Warming is a fact, not a theory. And, unfortunately, we’re slowly boiling our planet to death.
Read more about Global Warming. Also watch Al Gore’s marvelous documentary:
Chicago Bears
It’s time to do the Superbowl Shuffle!
Congratulations to The Chicago Bears for making it to Super Bowl XLI!
(Little Known Fact: The Bears used to hold their summer training camp in Dr. Pagnucci’s home town: Platteville, Wisconsin. They recorded the Superbowl Shuffle back when Dr. Pagnucci was starting college.)
2006 News
In the grand tradition of pulling for the underdog, I backed the Kryptonite Kids (after the Badgers lost) to win the NCAA Big Dance in 2006 (they came close!).