Ghost Hunters Academy aired for two seasons on SyFy. On the show, different candidates competed for a position on GHI or the TAPS team. The applicants were judged by Steve Gonsalves, Dave Tango, and (in the second season) Jason Hawes. Each investigation took place at a different location previously featured on Ghost Hunters. Karl Pfeiffer & Susan Slaughter won the first season and Adam Berry won the second. Susan Slaughter has since moved onto GHI (2011), Karl Pfeiffer appeared in one episode of GHI, and Adam Berry recently joined the TAPS team and appeared on the show in late 2009.
GHA Cadets
Adam Berry (see TAPS bio)
Susan Slaughter (see GHI bio)
Karl Pfeiffer Biography
Job/School: English, Colorado State University
Biography: High-spirited and humorous, 20 year-old Karl recently joined the Northern Colorado Paranormal Society and has conducted several amateur investigations. His experience with cameras and computer software makes him a valuable investigative asset.
Website: www.karlpfeiffer.com
Social Media
Brett McGinnis
Location: Boyers, PA
Occupation: Film Student
Brett is an experienced researcher who has formed and leads his own investigative team. He follows TAPS methods of investigation, but considers himself a "true believer" rather than a skeptic. He claims to possess the rare ability to "rule with an iron fist without being a control freak."
Brett on Twitter >> twitter.com/brett_mcginnis
Brett on Facebook >> facebook.com/brettfilm
GhostHuntersfans.Net Interview with Brett McGinnis
Daniel Hwang
Location: Newport, RI
Occupation: Graphic Designer/Bartender
As a graphic designer, Daniel is a wiz with computers and cameras. As a bartender, he's learned how to read people. Having recently accompanied a paranormal team on an investigation of Fort Adams, he's anxious to bring his technical knowledge to the field.
Eric Baldino
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Occupation: Self-Employed
A former member of the Ohio Organization of Paranormal Studies and now head of his own investigative group, Eric lays claim to several hundred EVP hits. Experienced and detail-oriented, Eric is not shy about touting his skills as a paranormal investigator.
Michelle Tate
Location: Midland, TX
Occupation: Criminal Justice Student
Michelle is a precocious paranormal investigator, having founded her own group in Texas at the age of 17. She believes her natural charisma and experience make her a great leader on any investigation, and is looking for the opportunity to be on an elite paranormal team.
Michelle on Twitter >> twitter.com/michelletater
Natalie Poole
Location: Dana Point, CA
Occupation: Computer Programmer
Natalie is a hard-edged investigator who is passionate about doing things the "right" way and has little patience for teammates who "scare easily." An experienced sound engineer with a degree in computer science, she has the skill set to be a strong asset to an investigative team.
Rosalyn Brown
Location: Woodbury, NJ
Occupation: Unemployed
Rosalyn is a founding member of South Jersey Ghost Research, and has conducted over 125 formal paranormal investigations. Her extensive experience makes her a natural leader, but her confidence has sometimes been mistaken for cockiness.
Vera Martinez
Location: San Antonio, TX
Occupation: Psychiatric Nurse
Vera believes her experience as a nurse in a psychiatric hospital has helped her develop the patience, stamina and team mentality necessary for paranormal investigation. She claims to often be underestimated because of her looks.
Vera on Twitter >> twitter.com/verjmartinez
Ben Smith
Job/School: Visual Technology, Bowling Green State University
Biography: If there's a gadget that can track a ghost, 20 year-old Ben can make it work. An electronics whiz, he's an expert in photographic analysis and the manipulation of equipment. His experience is limited to amateur investigations in high school, but his enthusiasm is boundless.
Ben on Twitter >> twitter.com/imbensmith
Ben on Facebook >> Facebook
Ben's Website >> www.imbensmith.com Chris Smith
Job/School: Graphic Designer, Tennessean newspapery
Biography: Chris is low on investigative experience, but high on enthusiasm, as evidenced by his amateur work. As a graphic designer, he has a keen eye for visual examination and deducing the validity of photographic evidence. His claims of fearlessness will surely be put to the test.
Chris on Twitter >> twitter.com/tnwraithchaser
Chris on Facebook >> Facebook
Chris on Myspace >> Myspace
Tennesee Wraith Chasers >> www.tnwraithchasers.com Chris McCune
Job/School: Biological Science, Cal State-Sacramento
Biography: Chris is a 24 year-old science student who won't accept an answer unless it's backed up by concrete evidence. His lack of investigative experience is compensated for by his deft hand with electronics and copious research experience.
Chris on Myspace >> Myspace
Jane Riley
Job/School: Personal Trainer
Biography: Jane is a recent graduate with a degree in Psychology and, in her words, "Crazy photography skills." She works for New Jersey Paranormal Research and has assisted TAPS in several investigations. Jane loves research and is an eager addition to the team.
Episode Guide
1 - Web of Deceit
We are introduced to the first GHA recruits, Chris, Ben, Karl, Heathyr, & Susan. Their inaugural investigation will be at the historic Fort Mifflin. The recruits are led through the process of the investigation and kept on their toes by Team Leaders Steve & Tango. While reviewing the evidence, Karl finds one notable EVP. Susan is reprimanded for not being upfront abour her "empathic" abilites to the team and Steve & Tango and promises to not keep anything from them in the future.
Watch via The Paranormal Casebook
2 - The Honeymoon's Over
The recruits are headed to the USS North Carolina battleship where, after failing to pay attention to Steve and Dave, they spend most of the first night setting up equipment. The second night of investigation proves more hopeful for the recruits, but because they did not tag any of their evidence, all of it has it be thrown out by Steve & Tango. All the recruits worry that they may be the first asked to leave.
Watch via The Paranormal Casebook
3 - Back to Basics
The cadets face the challenge of investigating the infamous Eastern State Penitentary with a new investigator, Jane Riley. The team struggles to set up under Ben's poor leadership on the first night and fails to investigate. The second night turns out more productive, Chris & Susan are tested by Steve & Tango with dry ice, Heathyr is spoken to about her decisions, and Ben is told not to be influenced by other investigators. Both Jane & Heathyr are put in jeopardy, but only Heathyr is asked to leave.
Watch via The Paranormal Casebook
4 - Drama Queen
Steve and Dave take the cadets to Buffalo City Terminal where they have their first succesful set up without help. Tensions rise between Karl & Jane, Susan, Ben, and Chris improve their investigative skills, and Dave & Steve test the recruit's debunking protocall. The recruits are praised at the end of the night for completing their first "real" investigation and Steve and Dave are impressed enough to not send anybody home.
Watch via The Paranormal Casebook
5 - The Blame Game
St. Augustine Lighthouse is the next destination for the GHA recruits. Set up is smooth, but tensions run high as all the cadets feel the pressure of the looming elimination. To stir in even more chaos, a new investigator joins the team, Chris Smith. Karl & Susan are praised for their skills and ideas, Jane is criticized for her lack of common sense, and Steve & Tango find out that Chris M. is wants to go home. During evidence review, Jane calls out Chris M. for saying that he doesn't want to be there. Steve & Tango let Chris M. go and Jane is distraught over the situation. The recruits pack up and head out for their final exam.
Watch via The Paranormal Casebook
6 - Final Exams
The recruits are put to the final test at the Essex County Hospital in New Jersey. Steve and Tango investigate with each recruit and visit TAPS headquarters to review each recruit with Jason & Grant. Karl & Susan and chosen to investigate with GHI, Ben & Chris are invited back next season, and Jane is asked to leave.
Watch via The Paranormal Casebook
Season 1.5
1 - The New Class
Steve & Tango take a new class of cadets to the Waverly Hills Sanitorium, featured previously on Ghost Hunters Live!. Steve takes a group of recruits to Room 502 where noises are heard and Dave's group heads down to the morgue. On several occasions Natalie leaves the group, requiring Dave to tell her to remain with the other cadets. Adam & Rosalyn comes through as a strong contenders, while Dan seems easly influenced. During evidence review, the cadets find a few EVPS, but miss a floating light on video. When Jason returns, (cont.)Natalie is eliminated and Adam & Rosalyn are made team leaders next week. <<
Watch via The Paranormal Casebook
2 - Crazy For Power
The cadets investigate the Trans-Allgeheny Lunatic Asylum and split into twoo groups, one lead by Adam and and other by Rosalyn. In the Forensics Unit, Vera (in Adam's group) hears and feels somebody whisper her name. During a cigar smoke test, Adam's group finds the source, but Rosalyn choses to ignore it. However, Eric & Michelle continue to investigate and find Steve & Tango outside the window. Dan is reprimanded for turning off his recorder after activity occurs by Dave. Jason reviews the cadets and (cont.) Adam & Michelle are made team leaders and Dan is eliminated. <<
Watch via The Paranormal Casebook
3 - Dissension In The Ranks
The stakes get higher as Steve & Tango take the recruits to the historic Mark Twain House in Hartford, Conn. Adam & Michelle decide to make it men versus women when they get the option to form their own teams. Adam, Brett, & Eric hear knocks and other sounds while investing on the first floor. Michelle, Vera, and Rosalyn find a floating cold spot under a bed and later detect EMF spikes in the dining room. Vera feels as though somebody touches her hair. When Brett fails to get an external IR illuminator from the floor below, Steve begins to question his devotion to the field. Upon reviewing the evidence, some EVPS are found, but one piece of audio is missed by the cadets. It is a close call for Jason, but (cont.) Eric is made team leader and Brett is asked to leave. <<
Watch via The Paranormal Casebook
4 - Island Castaway
With Eric as their new team leader, the cadets travel to the isloted Fort Delaware, which was once used as a Civil War prison. During the tour, Eric comes off as abrasvie toward their tour guide and his fellow cadets. Eric, Michelle, & Adam hear movement in the powder racks and Rosalyn & Adam are able to debunk the sounds that they hear in the Officer's Quarters. Vera shows her creativity by singing with Michelle & Eric while investigating the kitchen, which impresses Steve & Tango. Adam remembers to mention Lee (who formerly worked there) while investigating with Rosalyn. Eric acts more as a teacher, than a cadet when he joins the other two halfway through the investigation. Some audio evidence is found. After reviewing the cadets, Jason (cont.) promotes Vera to team leader, warns Adam, and eliminates Rosalyn. <<
Watch via The Paranormal Casebook
5 - Schooled At Shawshank
The cadets visit the Mansfield (Ohio) Reformatory, home to the world's largest cell block. Vera falters with her leadership skills and has to rely on the advice of Adam & Eric to help get the investigated started. When Vera & Eric investigate the cell block, Vera hears footsteps & both smell cigarette smoke after Eric makes a comment about them. Adam & Michelle hear noises in solitary confinement and Adam sees a figure duck into a cell on the thermal camera. Both teams hear a loud crash and a second one after it, but are unable to determine its cause. Vera, Adam, & Eric all present evidence to Jason, however he gives rational explanations for each, except the thermal footage of a figure caught by Adam. Dave reveals that the cadets missed an EVP in their review, which seems to say "Happy Birthday". Jason is faced with a tough decision (cont.) and is forced to send Vera home. Adam, Michelle, & Eric advance to the final investigation. <<
Watch via The Paranormal Casebook
6 - Finals At The Stanley Hotel
For their sixth and final investigation Eric, Michelle, & Adam investigate the notorious Stanley Hotel, the inspiration for Stephen King's 'The Shining'. Without a leader, the cadets must work together as a group. They investigate different rooms in the hotel and Michelle gets suprising results when she does an experiment with her flashlight. Eric & Adam are later able to do the same thing in another area. Steve & Dave investigate individually with each cadet. In the music room, Adam & Dave hear sounds after Adam plays a recording of piano music. Michelle is left in a bad position when she forgets her EMF meter at central command when working with Steve. The cadets find one possible EVP that is dismissed and Adam fails to catch one piece of evidence found by Dave. >> Jason must choose which recruit will join the GH team and after reviewing all the recuits, Adam is chosen over Michelle & Eric. <<
Watch via The Paranormal Casebook
This page was last updated: 12/30/10.
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