I hail from the Rochester, NY suburb of Webster (which, at least according to all the signs you see as you enter town, is "Where Life is Worth Living"). After many years in Western New York followed by a year in Connecticut, my wife (Dr. Lisa Nogaj) and I moved to Erie in 2010, and are thoroughly enjoying all that Northwest Pennsylvania has to offer -- especially Presque Isle, Asbury Woords, and proximity to Chautauqua Lake.
In my role as the Director of the STEM Center, I really enjoy working with a dedicated bunch of Gannon student tutors, helping students meet their course goals and overcome a lot of fear and intimidation that so many individuals have when it comes to math and other STEM topics. I like using technology and data in ways that advance learning and engender smart, efficient processes.
As a rabid Buffalo Bills fan and intense player of Scrabble, I have amassed a useless trove of NFL trivia and statistics, and an internal dictionary of obscure words that are legal in Scrabble even though I have no idea on earth what they actually mean. I also enjoy computer programming and creative writing in my free time, but my biggest hobby is playing ultimate (a.k.a. ultimate Frisbee). I coached the Fairport HS Bipolar Bears (previously the Deathsheep -- ultimate team names tend to be... creative) for five years, and was named the New York HS Coach of the Year in 2009. I now play locally in Erie, thrilled to still be able to outrun 20-year-olds while my body allows.