Skip to main content

Pictured left to right are Eric Zahren, special agent in charge U.S. Secret Service; Katelin Hanna, senior intelligence studies and national security major; Patrick Tutka, senior intelligence studies and national security major and president of the Society for Intelligence National Security student group and Point Park University President Paul Hennigan.
Pictured left to right are Eric Zahren, U.S. Secret Service special agent in charge; Katelin Hanna, senior intelligence and national security major; Patrick Tutka, senior intelligence and national security major and president of the Society for Intelligence and National Security student group and Point Park University President Paul Hennigan.

More than 80 students, faculty, staff, alumni and guests attended Point Park's fifth annual Spies in Black Ties event hosted by intelligence and national security majors in the Society for Intelligence and National Security student group.

The event was held at the Harvard Yale Princeton Club, a few blocks from campus, and featured dinner, a ceremonial toast, and keynote speaker Harry Hayden. Hayden spoke on behalf of his brother, U.S. Air Force General Michael V. Hayden, former director of the National Security Agency and former director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

"It was great to get together with my peers and celebrate intelligence," said Patrick Tutka, a senior intelligence and national security major and president of the Society for Intelligence and National Security. He was inspired to pursue a career in the intelligence and national security field by his uncle, who served two tours of duty in Iraq as an army engineer.

Tutka chose Point Park for its Downtown Pittsburgh location and the strong reputation of its intelligence and national security program.

"Point Park is known for teaching trade craft techniques and its intelligence and national security program is recognized as one of only three of its kind in the nation," explained Tutka. "The professors and curriculum are second to none. I would especially like to thank Assistant Professor Mike Botta for being a mentor to me and helping me land an internship in Washington, D.C."

Andrew Gribschaw, a senior intelligence and national security major and treasurer of the Society for Intelligence and National Security, chose Point Park for its proven track record in helping graduates find employment in the intelligence community. "Having a dedicated undergraduate degree in this interesting field of study will set me apart from the thousands of applicants to jobs within the intelligence community and federal law enforcement," said Gribschaw.

Upcoming activities for the Intelligence and National Security student group include traveling to Washington, D.C. this spring to tour various intelligence agencies.

Photo Gallery: Fifth Annual Spies in Black Ties Event

Spies in Black Ties 2011

Back