Gian’s Cool News Items
Affordable College Now! Rally in Harrisburg, PA
On Sep. 28, 2026, the Association of Pennsylvania State College & University Faculties (APSCUF), held a rally to urge the Pennsylvania State legislature to increase funding for higher education by 15%. According to rankings by U.S. News and World Report, Pennsylvania has fallen to dead last in the nation (50th out of 50 states) for higher education funding. With costs rising on everything, this makes it highly challenging for students to be able to afford a college education.
Below is a video of the rally. The speeches are great, especially by a lot of students talking about the need for more government support for education. Dr. Pagnucci was at the rally, and if you go to around 27 minutes into the video, you can see him holding up a big S sign for APSCUF (and for Superhero, of course!).
The De-Chartering of CCCC
As a career Composition Studies professional, I am highly troubled that the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) made the decision in Summer 2026 to de-charter the Conference on College Composition and Communication (CCCC).
CCCC was formed in 1949 and has served writing teachers in higher education as their primary disciplinary organization. I have presented at CCCC many times as working composition studies professional.
I am very saddened to see CCCC de-chartered. This is a professional blow, disrespectful of college writing teachers. It’s a especially troubling to learn that CCCC reportedly had 2500 members and over $4 million dollars in its accounts when the organization was closed for “financial reasons.” A group of former CCCC leaders has drafted a statement pointing out these problematic issues:
I remain hopeful that a new organization for college writing teachers will emerge that can serve the professional needs of the discipline. I want to applaud those currently pursuing the creation of a new body.
Dr. Pagnucci Wins IUP 2026 Distinguished Faculty Award for Service!
I was thrilled to win the annual faculty award for service to the university. To be selected for this award is highly competitive and it is a great honor since it shows I have earned the respect of my colleagues across IUP.
I love collaborating with others and try to help wherever I can. I currently serve on IUP’s Academic Affairs Committee (ACC), the Academic Computing Policy and Advisory Committee (ACPAC), the College of Arts, Humanities, Media, and Public Affairs Leadership Council, the University Budget Council (UBAC), and the APSCUF Executive and Representative councils. I was Co-Chair of the Academic Restructuring Implementation Advisory (ARIA) Committee and served on IUP’s Middle States Commission on Higher Education Accreditation Steering Committee. I also serve as a faculty mentor for IUP’s Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program for International Teachers (FDAI).
One big contribution I feel I have made to student success at IUP is serving on many dissertation committees. At last count, I had directed 64 dissertations and had been a reader for 158 dissertations. Professionally, I also have been serving as President of the Pennsylvania College English Association for the past eight years. I also served as Vice President of the Indiana Free Library Board of Directors for eight years.
Dr. Pagnucci Serves as Grand Marshal for IUP 2026 Spring Commencement
In my role as the senior IUP Distinguished University Professor, I serve as Grand Marshal for IUP’s commencement ceremonies. That means I have the great honor of carrying the university mace. Recently, The Indiana Gazette wrote a very brief online news story about IUP’s Spring 2026 commencement ceremony and included a very cool picture of me carrying the mace!
Dr. Pagnucci’s Newest Book!
I’m thrilled to announced that I have just received a new book contract! The book will explore real life lessons that can be drawn from superhero literature. The book will an edited collection and will be called The Life of a Superhero: Heroic Journeys and Super Takeaways for Real People. My Co-Editor for the book is my good friend Dr. Sandra Eckard who is an English Professor and the Writing Studio Director at East Stroudsburg University. The book will be published by McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers.
In 2026, the IUP Women’s Basketball Team made it all the way to the championship game. They played their hearts out and had the best season in program history. Congratulations to this fabulous team of high achieving student athletes!
R.I.P. Chuck Norris (1940-2026)
I’m sorry to say that the great Chuck Norris passed away on March 20th, 2026, at the age of 86. I always loved his movies, especially when I was a young high school and college student. My favorite Chuck Norris film is Code of Silence. It’s well worth watching in his honor. You can read a nice story about Norris by clicking the picture below:
I’ve also written a small tribute in Norris’s honor: Chuck Norris: A Real Life Superhero.
Please Help Brittany Marsh
- In mid February, the IUP community received devastating news that custodian Brittany Marsh lost her two daughters and fiancé in a terrible apartment fire
- This was such heartbreaking news, and I hope people will keep Brittany and her son in their prayers and thoughts
- In addition, a GoFundMe account has been established to help after this loss
- Please consider giving to the fundraiser if you can; even small donations are very meaningful
New IUP Technological Literacy & AI Certificate
- IUP has just launched a new certificate for students to study the nature of AI and how to apply it to writing and research tasks
- This 12-credit certificate can be added to any IUP major
- Gian worked with Dr. R. Scott Moore, Chair of IUP’s Department of History, Philosophy, Political Science, and Religious Studies, to develop this new AI Certificate
Dr. Pagnucci’s Presentation at the 2026 Academic Chairperson’s Conference
- Dr. Pagnucci just gave a presentation at the 2026 Academic Chairperson’s Conference
- The national conference is for academic leaders and was held from Feb. 4-6 in Atlanta, GA
- Dr. Pagnucci gave the presentation with his good friend Dr. Alex Romagnoli, Associate Dean of the School of Education at Monmouth University
- Their presentation was entitled “The Leader’s Handbook for Not Losing Your Mind: Tips & Strategies”
Congratulations to Coach Cignetti on Winning the College Football National Championship!
- Coach Curt Cignetti was IUP Head Football Coach from 2011-2016
- In six seasons, Cignetti led IUP to a 53-17 record, three NCAA Division II playoff berths, and one Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) championship
- For the 2025 college football season, Cignetti led Indiana University to a perfect 16-0 record
- Cignetti’s win also occurred while the Philadelphia Eagles and Head Coach Nick Sirani were still 2025 Super Bowl champions
- Sirani was IUP Wide Receivers Coach from 2006-2008
- This means that for a brief time, former IUP football coaches held both the national championship trophy and the Vince Lombardi trophy at the same time
- IUP has had a huge impact on the world of football!
- Go Crimson Hawks! Talons up!
