As a former Navy submarine sonar technician, Jerry Teckmeyer ‘78 worked for Westinghouse-Bettis as a quality control technician while earning his accounting degree Downtown. He got to know his classmates in a way that was not the typical college experience. "We didn’t bond in the traditional way, like going out to happy hour after finals,” he says. “Instead, we bonded because we all had to go home, change diapers, cut grass, and get ready for work."

Jerry currently lives in Murrysville, where he works for PMA Companies as a senior underwriting specialist. His job entails analyzing worker’s compensation accounts that are looking to reduce their cost of insurance through loss prevention and claims management. This year he celebrated his 20th work anniversary.

He will celebrate another big anniversary this year, with his 40th Class Reunion at Homecoming on October 6. Even though Jerry had class Downtown, he frequents the Moon Township campus to attend sporting events and traveled this season to Colonials away games at Ohio State and Albany. He is a member of the 1921 Club athletics boosters and is excited for the completion of the UMPC Events Center next year.

“The university, like me, has grown and developed over the last 40 years,” he says. ''I would encourage all alumni to visit the campus. Drive around and see how beautiful it is."

Written by Alyx Evans