The Bloggers
Our bloggers hail from different parts of the country, have different majors, and have lots to say about their lives here at Duquesne University, and, most importantly, their experiences in the McAnulty College of Liberal Arts. We’re working on adding more bloggers’ profiles and pictures, so be sure to check back soon! In the meantime, read about a few of our bloggers below.
Alyssa Federoff
Originally from New Jersey, I am pursuing a degree in Media Studies and Women and Gender Studies in the Liberal Arts College. Aside from my involvement in the College as a blogger, I am an involved in an array of activities on campus, ranging from my position as a Resident Assistant to volunteer organizations such as Strong Women, Strong Girls. I attempt to bring a unique prospective to the blog covering topics like the Port Authority bus system or time management, but I am always up for suggestions!
Erica Tuite
I’m currently a Journalism and Public Relations major at Duquesne. I hope to learn as much as I can from the amazing professors in the JMA department so I’m prepared to use my writing and planning skills in the real world. I love communicating with people from all over the world, so reading, writing and traveling have always been huge interests of mine. Outside of class and writing for the blog, I’m also involved with the Duquesne Duke, PRSSA and last year I completed the SPIRIT Emerging Leaders Program. Ultimately, I want readers of my posts to learn more about events going on around campus and understand my own perspectives about life here so they might feel more informed and connected to Duquesne and the McAnulty College of Liberal Arts.
Jake Kurtz
I am a junior at Duquesne with a major in Integrated Marketing Communication and a minor in Political Science. When I first came to school here I had an interest in both business and politics, and when I started taking classes, I realized that every aspect of business required great communication so I became really interested in that. As for myself personally, I was born in California, then lived near Chicago for a few years, then came to the Pittsburgh area when I was about 8 years old. So basically I’ve gotten to see all across the country. I enjoy hanging out with friends, going to Southside, spending time with my girlfriend, watching sports, listening to music, and working out on a daily basis. I recently got my first internship at a nearby marketing company and hope to get another one this summer. I feel it is important to get a lot of real world experience before graduating in addition to classes. Anyway, I hope my insights can contribute to the blog and I will make sure to touch on subjects that will appeal to as many people as possible. Make sure to let me know if there is anything specific you guys want to hear about. Enjoy!
Laura Lowe
I am a junior Psychology major. I transferred to Liberal Arts from the Physical Therapy program when I discovered that my real love was interacting with people and analyzing my own experiences.
Besides blogging here, I write for Duquesne’s Creative Writing Arts publication Lexicon, work on research projects with my professors in the Psychology department, and get involved in multicultural affairs and commuter events. As a little background on me: I come from a tight-knit Peruvian family and “Yo hablo español!” I went to Cyber School through high school. Some of my hobbies include rollerblading, writing, sculpture and befriending my professors.
Despite being a commuter, I practically live on campus, (just about thirteen hours a day). If you see me around campus, stop and talk to me anytime, I’d love to get to know you!
I’m particularly interested in blogging about how to spiff up resumes for post-college plans, adjusting culturally, and finding fun things to do on and around campus. I’m wide open to suggestions, too, so please let me know if there’s anything you want to see!
Ellen Gaus
I am a pure Pittsburgher, born and raised in Black and Gold pride. North Hills is my alma mater, where I participated in theatre and marching band. At Duquesne, I spend my time studying integrated marketing communication and international relations, which really means that I love calling myself a polysyllabic major(19 to be exact). You can find me walking downtown to catch a bus to work or pick up some new books at the library. Just look for the girl with multicolor hair.
Sarah Ismael
HI! I’m Sarah. I’m a Psychology major in the Liberal Arts with a 36-credit Pre-Med minor. I’m from Upper St. Clair and I commute to Duquesne every day of my exciting life. I love talking, making people happy, and petting my cat Leo. I named him after THE Leo DiCaprio. I love new adventures, traveling, and watching movies (as much as I love movies, I always wait until it comes on TV to actually watch it). It is I that is the one with 5 different colored pens every day in class because they just make everything that much more exciting. I’ve been writing about my life in my little diaries from when I was only 6 years old and then online every day since I moved from Bridgeville to Upper St. Clair in 2006 while sitting in an empty house and with my very first journal entry being “I’m bored.” And that is what led to me to this, the Liberal Arts blog. You’ll be hearing a lot from me!


