University Times

Certified handwriting analyst Mary C. “Mitzie” Biertempfel agreed to provide “quickie” analyses of handwriting samples taken from three well-known Pitt volunteers: Richard Colwell, president of the Staff Association Council; Patricia D. Kroboth, dean of the School of Pharmacy, and Stephen P. Zupcic, coordinator of Pitt’s Volunteer Pool.

Biertempfel was not told whose handwriting she was analyzing prior to her analysis. She asked that the participants write three sample sentences — chosen because they cover most of the letters of the alphabet — in ink on an unlined white sheet of paper. They were asked to write naturally in cursive form.

Biertempfel said, “Handwriting analysis cannot determine the gender of the writer if it is not already known, so for ease of writing I used the male gender in [my] analyses.” Legibility is immaterial in handwriting analysis, she added.

Following are the handwriting samples, Biertempfel’s analysis of each and each writer’s responses to her analysis of the five most dominant personality traits that emerge from the samples. Biertempfel also did an analysis for a fourth volunteer who later chose to withdraw from this story. That volunteer said Biertempfel’s analysis largely was inaccurate.

—Peter Hart

Biertempfel’s analysis: This writing sample indicates that the writer feels any emotional situation very strongly. And because of this he can easily relate to others’ problems. He is a people person and tends to make decisions based on his emotions.

Zupcic: “This is quite true. Not only do I experience a high level of empathy for others and their situations, but I tend to ‘take it to heart.’ This makes me effective at working with groups of people of diverse backgrounds and diverse personal qualities.”

This person will work most efficiently in a people-orientated job as opposed to a job working alone. This writer also needs room to work and would not work well in small spaces.

Zupcic: “This is also true. I have worked for decades in both professional and voluntary community relations and community organizing in all sorts of communities and with all sorts of people. I feel most gratified when I am dealing with global issues and their importance to specific individuals I know. I really enjoy being out of doors in locales around the world. I have spent my life in a large work environment — a ‘world-class University’ — constantly caring about the individuals within it and affected by it.”

This writer is very self-confident and has a high self-esteem. This person will reach whatever level of success he desires. This self-concept is possessed by less than 2 percent of the population and that 2 percent contains the most successful people in the world. When a person has a high self-esteem, he frees himself to achieve an unlimited world of success.

Zupcic: “Also true. It has taken me years of difficult personal development, being open with others and expecting a similar level of openness from them, to achieve this. My understanding of what constitutes success has evolved. I know now that I have achieved it and will continue to. A sense of humility demands that I feel embarrassment at the analysis that I am among the 2 percent of ‘the most successful people in the world.’”

When this writer gets excited about something he is filled with enthusiasm. This enthusiastic attitude can take projects and people all the way to the top.

Zupcic: “At the risk of self-aggrandizement, I think that this also bears truth. Over the years there have been projects around the University and in outside settings that I was told would be impossible to succeed. Through enthusiastic consensus-building supported by solid fact-based research, I have actually been able to pull them off and witness their continued success.”

When this writer expresses an opinion on an issue he will stick to that opinion and probably will not change his mind. Changing his mind can be very difficult. Once he makes up his mind, he doesn’t want to be confused with the facts.

Zupcic: “Based on an administrative principle that I learned from a member of our senior staff — ‘No decision is ever final’ — I often continue to plead my case to those in power, even when I have been told that there has been a decision to the contrary. I continue with consensus-building and back my opinion up with fact-based research. I never cease to be amazed that this actually works. So the analyst’s closing phrase really isn’t true. I simply continue to research additional supportive facts.

Biertempfel’s analysis: The person who wrote this sample learns faster through demonstration than through directions or written instructions. Once he has learned new material, and understood it, he won’t forget.

Kroboth: “Because the statement makes a comparison of two learning styles, it is difficult for me to comment, especially since I don’t often have the opportunity to learn from demonstration and I am pretty good with learning from written directions. My husband even agrees!”

This person is intuitive. This mental “I had a hunch” ability is very often correct. He can usually sense when someone is lying to him or things are just “not right.” This intuitive ability should be trusted.

Kroboth: “Right on! I think that anyone who has worked closely with me would agree.”

This person has a desire for responsibility. He wants to be the most important factor in an organization. He has the desire to lead many people; if given this opportunity, he will be an asset.

Kroboth: “I feel fortunate to have been given the opportunity for leadership in our School of Pharmacy, which continues to prosper because of the collective efforts of our faculty, students, alumni and friends. While I have always readily accepted responsibility and gravitated to leadership positions, I don’t feel the desire to be the most important factor in an organization. I generally just see a way to accomplish something and seek to make it happen.”

This person’s goals are planned, practical and down to earth. He has a positive self-esteem that contributes to his success. He has enough self-confidence to leave a bad situation, yet he will not take great risks, as they relate to his goals.

Kroboth: “I am truly amazed at this insight. It is entirely on target . . . and I could give examples!”

This person desires people to speak to him in a direct manner. He does not like “beating around the bush”; he wants to get directly to the point and not waste his time.

Kroboth: “How my handwriting gave insight to this last statement amazes me. I personally think it would be more accurate if the ‘and not waste time’ had been omitted. I do at least take time to say hello!”

Biertempfel’s analysis: The is a very emotional person with a broad range of emotions. He feels any emotional situation very strongly and because he feels situations intensely, he easily relates to others’ problems.

Colwell: “When first reading the analysis of my handwriting I started to wonder, Who me? But after sitting down with a couple of co-workers and doing a line-by-line comparison with examples, I would give the handwriting analysis an A+. I am an active member of the Salvation Army — helping people in bad situations. I am president of SAC, trying to make progress for all staff members, advocating good pay and fairness, good working environment/benefits; not having a personal agenda or pushing my personal wishes. I see others’ problems and want to help.”

This person’s code of ethics, philosophical or religious beliefs are set in stone.

Colwell: “My beliefs are set in stone. I never lie. I try to treat others as I would want to be treated. I have some other home-type values, such as believing in a good upbringing, believing that everyone is created equal, being a good listener. A small but important thing: I hold the doors for the ladies.”

This person will work most efficiently in a people-oriented job as opposed to a job working alone on an assembly line.

Colwell: “I would rather do something different every day than the same thing every day. I prefer a team effort over the grandstanding of one person.”

This person is persistent about achieving his goals. Once goals are set, he will not stop until they are achieved.

Colwell: “That’s me! When I set out to do something, I do it.”  

This person has a private side that he intends to keep that way. This person can keep secrets and confidences. This is a good trait to have especially if he needs to keep certain information confidential.

Colwell: “On the private side, I would relate it to the fact that I may be loud and to the point (on first impression), but once past that I will do what I can to help or change the situation. On keeping secrets and confidences, that is one thing the University Times wishes I did not do. But as president of SAC, that is a trait that is a must to have, and without it I would never have any information shared with me. Maybe that is why I have been the president or vice president of SAC for 13 years in a row.”