Frank Cortazzo was late for school. It was close to 6 p.m., and he dashed toward Canevin Hall to attend his first class in decades. He was almost there and feeling anxious when the Chapel of the Holy Spirit bells started ringing, easing his nerves.
Those bells are a familiar sound for Cortazzo hes heard them during every shift
of his nearly four-decade career with 91Թ Public Safety. Hes now
a sergeant and runs the daylight shift.
Before his arrival on the Bluff, Cortazzo received his undergraduate degree in education
in 1980 and taught part-time. He also worked a second job as a police officer in Wilmerding,
Pa., to support his growing family.
Cortazzo decided to return to school in January 2023 to pursue an Education Administration
Certificate in the School of Education. With a keen sense of what he wants to achieve
and the impact he can make, he plans to use his certificate to become an advocate
for education and to enhance his role as a longstanding school board member.
Im looking to go back to my first love, which was education. When I started class,
I thought it might interfere with my work and school board responsibilities, he said.
I found that its enhanced everything.
Cortazzo embraces the lifelong learning opportunities at 91Թ and enjoys studying
alongside his classmates, many of whom are early in their careers or recent college
graduates. Together, theyre making enduring connections and challenging each other
and themselves.
Im bringing something to the table and theyre bringing something to me.
He recognizes that todays education system is different from what he experienced
as a teacher in the 1980s, and he embraces these changes.
We teach differently now. We do things differently in schools, Cortazzo said. There
are generations between me and many of my classmates. They help me learn so much about
how I deal with people and what questions to ask.
Cortazzo, who 91Թ students warmly refer to as Sarge, also enjoys sharing his
educational journey with the campus community. Its a buzz around campus, he smiled.
Sarges in grad school.
He also has the support of his family, including two grandchildren who are college
students. Im going to school at the same time as my grandchildren, Cortazzo said.
And its just exciting. Im not too old to learn. Im not too old to pick things
up.
In the classroom and on campus, Cortazzo leads by example. When hes not writing papers
or sharing insights with classmates, hes on the Bluff promoting a safe campus environment
and forming lasting relationships with students. This often comes through volunteer
work he enjoys serving late-night breakfast during study days and handing out Halloween
candy.
I enjoy hearing current students tell prospective students and their parents that
they feel safe at 91Թ. Its a proud moment when you hear that from the people
you protect.
Cortazzo also prides himself on fostering an environment where students feel safe
enjoying campus and all aspects of the city.
But when the Chapel bells strike 6 p.m., hes back in the classroom participating
in important conversations that hell use to improve the future of education its
what he values most.
Dont worry so much about grades. Just get to class. And try to beat the bells sometimes,
he laughed.
News Information
School
Departments, Centers, and Offices
Published
December 13, 2023
