December

Capturing Moments in 2022

Relive the highlights of 2022 with our curated photo gallery, showcasing our most cherished moments and unforgettable memories.

“Rural Health Pulse” Podcast by IUP, IRMC, Continues with Episode on COVID-19 Testing

ϳԹ and Indiana Regional Medical Center’s podcast, “Rural Health Pulse,” continues with an episode on the IUP-IRMC COVID-19 testing collaborative and partnership on December 15, featuring Narayanaswamy Bharathan, chair, Department of Biology, and Jackie Sansig, IRMC director of Laboratory and Respiratory Services. The episode explores the evolution of the same-day COVID-19 testing process at IRMC by Bharathan.

Commencement

ϳԹ held commencement ceremonies on December 10, 2022, for 551 graduates. Enjoy some of our favorite moments from both the graduate and undergraduate events.

IUP Trustees Approve Proposal to Reduce Tuition for Domestic, Out-of-State, Undergraduate Students by Almost 20 Percent for Fall 2023

In keeping with its ongoing commitment to meeting the needs of students, ϳԹ’s Council of Trustees today approved reducing annual tuition by $2,690, or almost 20 percent, for out-of-state, undergraduate, domestic students who take 15 credits per semester.

Fall 2022 Provost Scholars

To be named a Provost Scholar, students must have earned a minimum of 45 semester hours at IUP with a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or higher. Provost Scholar recognition is given only once during a student's time of study at IUP.

IUP Administration and Research and Training Center Select Students for Justice Research Fellows Program

Two students at ϳԹ—Angelique Alcantara and Owen Zablocki—have been selected from a pool of exemplary nominees to be the inaugural Justice Research Fellows at the IUP Administration and Leadership Studies Research and Training Center.

Homeless Heroes Stocking Project Results in 3,000 Stockings for Western ϳԹ Homeless Veterans

Students in ϳԹ’s Rho Tau Chi military service fraternity collected enough toiletries and supplies to create 3,000 holiday stockings for homeless veterans in Indiana County and western ϳԹ.

Fashion Studies Major Creates Opportunity for Current, Future IUP Students

Jordan Brown left IUP in December after earning her bachelor’s degree in fashion studies, but her commitment and initiative will impact students for many years to come. She organized taking 22 IUP fashion studies majors to work as volunteers for the fall 2022 Pittsburgh Fashion Week event.

IUP to Celebrate Graduates With Ceremonies on Dec. 10

ϳԹ will hold commencement ceremonies on December 10 for 551 graduates, including honoring students who have completed their bachelor’s degrees and who are graduating with perfect 4.0 grade point averages.

IUP 2022 Giving Tuesday Continues Tradition of Exceeding Goal

ϳԹ employees, alumni, students, and friends continued the tradition of shattering the annual Giving Tuesday goal again this year. IUP raised $41,337, more than doubling the goal during the 24-hour effort, with 204 gifts from 175 donors.

Net Gain: Former IUP Basketball Star Scoring Big in Healthcare Field

From scoring her 1,000th career point while on the IUP women’s basketball team, to discovering new career options in the healthcare industry, IUP gave 2016 graduate Leslie Stapleton opportunities that have made a big impact on her life.

IUP Selects Five Graduates for Fall 2022 Young Alumni Award

Five graduates of ϳԹ have been selected for the 2022 IUP Young Alumni Award. This award was created to recognize recent IUP graduates identified as being outstanding in their professions.

November

IUP Honors Jane E. Leonard, Recognizes Cashdollars at Leonard Hall Dedication

Members of the community gathered Monday, Nov. 28 to honor Jane Elizabeth Leonard’s legacy and to offer appreciation for Dr. Charles Cashdollar and Donna Cashdollar’s contributions during a formal dedication of Jane E. Leonard Hall

IUP Secures $731,099 to Develop Framework to Detect, Mitigate Cybersecurity Attacks in Zero Trust Environments

An ϳԹ computer science faculty member and director of IUP’s Institute for Cybersecurity has received $731,099 from the National Security Agency to develop cybersecurity solutions for contemporary work habits, including remote working environments.

How Well Do You Know Aunt Jane?

You’ve heard the name, but how much do you know about Jane Leonard, an educator and administrator whose impact on IUP has been compared to George Washington’s impact on America? Test your knowledge—or just learn more—in this quiz.

Fall Finals Week Hours for the Library, Tutoring, Folger, and De-stressing Activities, and More

You’re heading into Finals Week and doing your best—to complete those last homework assignments, study for finals, and finish semester projects. We’ve brought together the Finals Week hours for study spaces like the library and Folger, tutoring schedules, dining schedules, and de-stressing activities. Take advantage of these resources to help make Finals Week go smoothly as you work your way through your schedule of final exams.

IUP Selected for Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting Recognition

ϳԹ has been selected by a nonpartisan organization, @allintovote, in its inaugural list of “Most Engaged Campus for College Student Voting.”

IUP Administrator Jeff Montgomery Honored with Statewide Technology Association Lifetime Emeritus Award

Jeff Montgomery, director of Enterprise Applications and Project Management in ϳԹ’s Information Technology (IT) Services office, has been selected by the ϳԹ Banner User Group (PABUG) for the lifetime emeritus award.

IUP vs. Ashland

No. 1 seeded IUP beat Ashland, 19-13 on Saturday in the second round of the NCAA Division II football playoffs. With the win, the Crimson Hawks advanced to the quarterfinals, where they will host the No. 2-seeded Shepherd Rams on December 3. Kickoff at Miller Stadium is at 1:00 p.m.

IUP to Dedicate Jane E. Leonard Hall on Nov. 28

While three of her namesake buildings have come and gone, Jane Elizabeth Leonard’s legacy – and ϳԹ’s respect for her and appreciation for Dr. Charles Cashdollar and Donna Cashdollar – continues to stand tall.

Mark Your Calendars: November 29 is Giving Tuesday

On Tuesday, November 29, IUP will join the global fundraising campaign, Giving Tuesday. This is your chance to make an impact on IUP students now and in the future.

IUP, Indiana Regional Medical Center Continue Collaboration on Rural Health Care

ϳԹ and Indiana Regional Medical Center will celebrate National Rural Health Day on November 17 with the launch of a podcast, “Rural Health Pulse.”

Leonard Hall Dedication

Please join Michael Driscoll, president, and Curtis Scheib, dean of the College of Arts and Humanities, for the dedication of Jane E. Leonard Hall in honor of Charles and Donna Cashdollar on Monday, November 28, 2022, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. in Leonard Hall’s main lobby, across from Stapleton Library.

Homeless Heroes Stocking Project Continuing to Serve Veterans for Sixth Year

For the sixth year in a row, students in ϳԹ’s Rho Tau Chi military service fraternity are committed to helping homeless veterans in Indiana County and western ϳԹ through the Homeless Heroes Holiday Stocking Project.

IUP Football Wins 2022 ϳԹ State Athletic Conference Championship

The IUP football team defeated Shepherd for a 24-21 victory at Miller Stadium Saturday in the ϳԹ State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Championship game.

IUP 3D Art Students Continuing Common Goods Pop-Up Store at Indiana Mall

IUP 3D design students will hold a pop-up store from November 17 to 19 in the Indiana Mall. Sales will benefit the Future Maker Forum, which brings visiting scholars from multicultural backgrounds to IUP for workshops and public talks.

Vietnam Veteran's Memorial

Forty years after dedicating the ϳԹ Vietnam Veterans Memorial, a group of Veteran's Club members gathered again to re-dedicate the monument in front of Pierce Hall, the home of IUP's Reserve Officers' Training Corps.

Mentee to Mentor: Donta Green ’10

Donta Green ’10 took the skills and knowledge he gained at IUP and used them to become a prominent member of his home community—as the CEO of the Trade Institute of Pittsburgh and the football coach at Westinghouse High School.

Mentee to Mentor: Donta Green '10

Donta Green works every day to be a positive influence in the lives of the people around him. In his day job, he is the CEO of the Trade Institute of Pittsburgh, a nonprofit that helps people with barriers to education get job skills in construction and masonry, as well as life skills such as interviewing and personal finance.

Garden Grows with IUP Help

IUP volunteers have been essential in helping the Indiana Community Garden thrive for 10 years. Volunteering has also helped these students make connections in the community. See photos of students at work.

IUP Vietnam Veterans Alumni Organize Rededication of IUP Vietnam Veterans Memorial on Veterans Day

Five graduates of ϳԹ who served during the Vietnam War have organized a rededication ceremony for IUP’s Vietnam Veterans Memorial in its new location in front of IUP’s Pierce Hall—marking the fortieth anniversary of the original dedication of the memorial.

Hundreds of Alumni Returning to Campus Nov. 4–5 to Celebrate IUP Marching Band Centennial

More than 900 alumni and friends are expected to celebrate the 100 years of “The Legend,” ϳԹ’s Marching Band, during events planned for November 4 and 5.

October

Lights, Camera, Passion: Lindsay Ward '08

Lindsay Ward found that IUP had all the things she needed to prepare her for a career in broadcasting.

Lights, Camera, Passion: Lindsay Ward ’08

From a young age, Lindsay Ward heard the call of the city, but she wasn’t sure how to get there. At IUP, she developed the skills and network to eventually land her dream job as a news anchor in Pittsburgh.

IUP Organizations Staging “Redefining Masculinity” Event Nov. 9

Three organizations at ϳԹ—UBORA Men of IUP, the Haven Project, and the University College—will present “Redefining Masculinity” on November 9 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Hadley Union Building Ohio Room. The event, free and open to the community, is designed to offer male-identifying and masculine-presenting individuals at IUP an opportunity to examine the role masculinity plays in society, both negatively and positively.

Eberly AAU Program Graduates Seventh Cohort

The collaboration between IUP and the Arab American University in the West Bank reached a new milestone as 30 students in the seventh cohort of the Executive MBA program participated in the graduation ceremony in Ramallah on October 22.

IUP to Present “Ordnung, An Amish Ballet,” With Mahoning Valley Ballet

ϳԹ’s Dance Theater, along with devised theatre students from the Department of Theatre, Dance and Performance; guest artists; community members; and the Mahoning Valley Ballet, will premiere Ordnung, An Amish Ballet, on November 10, 11, and 12.

IUP Hosting Holocaust Survivor Oscar Singer on Nov. 10

ϳԹ’s Holocaust Remembrance Committee will welcome Holocaust survivor Oscar Singer of Pittsburgh for a presentation on November 10 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. in the Hadley Union Building Ohio Room.

Senator Casey Jr. Convenes Roundtable Discussion at IUP

US Senator Bob Casey Jr. recently convened a roundtable discussion at ϳԹ to address rural healthcare workforce and economic needs—and opportunities—in western ϳԹ, specifically connected to IUP and to Indiana Regional Medical Center.

IUP to Receive $2.9 Million for Academy of Culinary Arts Long-Range Project

ϳԹ will receive $2.9 million for the IUP Academy of Culinary Arts long-range building plan as part of the 2022–23 State System of Higher Education capital allocations budget for the university.

IUP Selected as National Guard-Friendly School

ϳԹ has been selected, once again, for the ϳԹ National Guard Association’s Guard-Friendly School designation. IUP was selected for the designation in 2019, the inaugural year of the award, and has continued to be recognized with the honor since that time.

IUP Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient Selected for Inaugural Keepers of the Flame Award

Debra Evans Smith, a 1981 IUP criminology graduate who received the university’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2022, will be honored on November 4 during the ϳԹ State System of Higher Education’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Summit for her longstanding contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts at IUP.

Preparing Nursing Students to Remedy a Global Crisis

The American Hospital Association predicts a shortage of half-a-million nurses by 2026. Here’s how IUP’s undergraduate- and graduate-level nursing programs are preparing students to fill the void.

Vice President for Student Affairs Segar Selected as Inaugural Fellow for Leadership Organization

ϳԹ Vice President for Student Affairs Thomas Segar has been selected for a volunteer leadership role in a national organization working to make leadership training for youth more accessible.

DEI Summit To Open With In-Person Reception and Watch Party Event for Opening Session

Sponsored by the State System Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, the 2022 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Summit will be held virtually November 2 to 4. This year's theme is “What does it mean to belong? Cultivating relationships and centering equity in our communities.” 

Autumn

According to a recent online poll, most students favor Autumn as their favorite season at IUP. Our photo and video teams went out to document this year's colorful display.

IUP Secures Funding for Full-Tuition Scholarship for Cybersecurity Doctoral Student

ϳԹ has received $203,130 from the National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity (NCAE-C) Program that is managed by the National Security Agency to support a qualified student seeking a doctoral degree (PhD) in cybersecurity.

Supply Chains in 10 Minutes

Competition is no longer just between companies—it is also between supply chains. Learn the basics of supply chain management in less than 10 minutes with Prashanth Bharadwaj, professor of management in IUP’s Eberly College of Business.

IUP Office of International Education to Host International Education Week, Includes Naturalization Ceremony

INDIANA, Pa. – ϳԹ’s Office of International Education will present several events celebrating International Education Week at IUP Oct. 17 through Oct. 21, including a naturalization ceremony on Oct. 21 hosted by IUP.

IUP Faculty to Assist In COVID-19 Community Interviews, Artifact Gathering in Local Community

During the next two years, ϳԹ’s Special Collections and University Archives will partner with faculty from the IUP Department of English and the IUP Department of History on a project to document the impact of COVID-19 on the campus and in the community.

IUP Cybersecurity Day Set for Oct. 18

ϳԹ’s Institute for Cybersecurity, in collaboration with the Information Technology Support Center, will host the fifteenth annual Cybersecurity Day on October 18. This annual event features nationally recognized security experts as well as speakers from regional law enforcement, government, the security industry, and academia. It is free and open to the community.

IUP Anthropology Department Holding Opening House

The Anthropology Department at ϳԹ will hold its annual Archaeology Open House on October 15 from noon to 3:00 p.m.

IUP Hosting Award-Winning Voice Actress and Television Writer Oct. 20

Award winning voice actress and television writer Jorjeana Marie will offer an interactive presentation, “Writing as Play: Have Fun and Boost Your Productivity with Playful Approaches to Writing,” on October 20 from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m. in Stabley Library, room 201. The event is free and open to the community.

IUP Sees Increase in New Students for Fall 2022

Students continue to show strong academic credentials, diversity; international student numbers show increase.

IUP In Top Four Public Universities in Pa. Selected for “Best For Vets” Listing

ϳԹ has been selected as one of the top four public universities in ϳԹ by Military Times magazine for its 2022 Best for Vets: Colleges list.

IUP Hosting Algerian Freedom Advocate Rahmani and Poet and Comedian Avila

Two internationally known civil rights and diversity advocates will present programs at IUP in October 2022. Anouar Rahmani, a journalist, author, and law expert from Algeria, will be at IUP on October 12; and professor, author, and comedian Javier Ávila will present his one-man show on October 18. Both programs are free and open to the community.

Addressing Last Week’s Rumored Threat of Violence—A message from Vice President Fitzsimons and Vice President Segar

Additional information to help understand what occurred last week, the actions we took to protect you, and what to expect for future communications with regards to potential dangers and imminent dangers on and around our campuses.

Dan Rugh '95 x Commonwealth Press

Dan Rugh ’95 took what he learned at IUP as a communications media major (he calls it his “broad and weird foundation”) and used his passion to form Commonwealth Press, a Pittsburgh company that is gaining a lot of attention for its work.

Designing a Business: Dan Rugh ’95

Dan Rugh ’95 took what he calls his “broad and weird foundation” from IUP and formed a printing company that handles many kinds of projects. He approaches them with a creative eye and work ethic that solve problems for clients.

September

Deadline Extended: Applicants Sought for Student Trustee Seat

Applications are being accepted for the student seat on the IUP Council of Trustees until February 20, 2023.

Farag Secures Largest Grant in University History to Enhance Cybersecurity Education 

ϳԹ has received $4.98 million from the Department of Defense for the first three years of a novel project to enhance Cybersecurity and STEM education in ϳԹ (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

IUP Homecoming Expected to Attract Thousands with Annual Parade, Reunions, Crimson Huddle, Football Game

ϳԹ’s annual Homecoming celebration, September 30 through October 2, is expected to draw thousands to Indiana for alumni reunions and events for the entire community, including the annual parade and football game.

COVID-19 Omicron BA.4- and BA.5-Specific Booster Now Available, Free of Charge, at IUP Health Service

The most current COVID-19 bivalent Omicron BA.4 and BA.5-specific booster has been received at IUP Health Service and is available for free to students and employees. IUP Health Service is located in the Center for Health and Well-Being in the Suites on Maple East.

Institute for Cyber Security Hosts International Cybersecurity Experts

IUP’s Institute for Cyber Security hosted cybersecurity experts from 17 countries on September 23. The experts were invited to the US under the auspices of the Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program.

Are you ready for IUP Homecoming 2022?

It's time to come home! Homecoming will take place October 1, 2022 with festivities planned for the entire week.

Frank Cignetti: A Force beyond Football

Former head coach Frank Cignetti may be best known for his football success. But many knew him for something more. Hear from a former player, student coach, and Penn reporter how Cignetti’s impact extends far beyond the football field.

COVID-19 Update – Change in CDC Community Level Status for Allegheny, Armstrong, and Indiana Counties

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has updated the Community Level COVID-19 status for Allegheny, Armstrong and Indiana counties to low. Jefferson County continues to be classified as low.

IUP Students to Be Part of Initiative to Help Struggling Students in Cambria County

IUP’s Department of Counseling has been invited to join the Cambria County Drug and Alcohol Program and REACH (Reaching Educational Achievements with Clinical Mental Health), a school-based mental health agency, to provide interns for supervised counseling and support for students in Cambria County schools.

IUP Family Weekend Offering Variety of Events to Welcome Families

ϳԹ and the Indiana community will welcome hundreds of families for the 2022 Family Weekend celebration on September 23 and 24. The weekend’s programming is designed to appeal to all ages.

IUP Hosting Internationally Known Composer, Conductor for Residency Sept. 26–29

ϳԹ will host two internationally known music artists for a four-day residency September 26–29. Composer Cindy McTee and conductor Leonard Slatkin will offer lectures, masterclasses, and leading rehearsals during the residency as Edward R. Sims Distinguished Artists.

Learning Commons Brings Student Resources Together under One Roof—Inside IUP

President Michael Driscoll tours the new Learning Commons in the IUP Libraries during its open house.

IUP, ϳԹ Highlands Community College Sign Dual Admissions Agreement

ϳԹ President Michael Driscoll and ϳԹ Highlands Community College President Steve Nunez signed a dual admissions program agreement on September 16, 2022, designed to streamline the process for students who earn an associate degree at Penn Highlands to complete a bachelor’s degree program at IUP.

Indoor Masking Now Highly Recommended on IUP Indiana and Northpointe Campuses

We highly recommend that you follow CDC guidelines and wear a mask when you’re indoors at any of our buildings at the Indiana or Northpointe campuses, since Armstrong and Indiana counties have been elevated from a medium to a high COVID-19 community level. Free masks are available at all buildings and facilities.

IUP Online Master’s Program in Food and Nutrition Ranked in Top Five Programs in the Nation for Salary of Graduates

ϳԹ’s online master’s degree in food and nutrition is ranked fifth in the nation by OnlineU for the high level of salaries earned by its graduates.

Additional Funding Released for IUP Child Care Access Means Parents in School Program

Academic success for students at ϳԹ who are parents of young children may become a little easier, thanks to additional funding for IUP’s Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) program.

IUP Continues National Recognition in U.S. News & World Report

ϳԹ is ranked, for the twenty-ninth consecutive year, as one of the “Best National Universities” in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

IUP Mourns Passing of Hall of Fame Coach Frank Cignetti Sr.

Frank Cignetti Sr., who won 182 games as IUP football coach and served for more than a decade as the university's director of athletics, died Saturday morning in the Pittsburgh area after an extended illness. He was 84.

Second IUP Student Selected for Full-Tuition Scholarship by Statler Foundation

Josephine Vance, a senior hotel, restaurant, tourism, and event planning major from Natrona Heights at ϳԹ, has been awarded the prestigious Statler Foundation’s Scholarship of Excellence.

IUP to Offer Annual Memorial Program to Mark September 11 Attacks

ϳԹ will mark the anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on Sept. 12 starting at 11:40 a.m. in front of the 9/11 memorial in the IUP Oak Grove.

IUP Approved for $1 Million Project as Part of Build Back Better Regional Challenge Grant

ϳԹ has been approved for a $1-million project as part of the Southwestern ϳԹ New Economy Collaborative $62.7-million federal Build Back Better Regional Challenge grant awarded by the US Economic Development Administration.

IUP Selected for Princeton Review “Best Colleges” Guidebook, Ranked as a “Best Health Service”

Praised for “delivering on its promises” of affordability and quality programs, ϳԹ has been selected for the Princeton Review’s Best Colleges guidebook for the twenty-second consecutive year.

IUP Celebrating Constitution Day With Public Reading, Program on Framers of the Constitution

ϳԹ will celebrate Constitution Day on September 12, with two events free and open to the community: the traditional public reading of the Constitution by members of the IUP community, and the Six O’Clock Series event, “What Would Our Founding Fathers Say?” with Ben Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, Charles Pinckney, and James Madison.

Honoring Faculty Members Promoted in Academic Rank

The Office of the Provost has announced the promotion of several faculty members to full professor effect the fall 2022 semester.

August

IUP Police Academy Hosting Week-Long Training Event at Robertshaw Building

The ϳԹ Police Academy will host an Active Attack Integrated Response train the trainer course at the IUP Police Academy in Robertshaw September 12 through 16 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Dean's List for Summer 2022

The list of Dean’s List recipients for the summer 2022 semester.

IUP Confluence Park Project Moving Forward

The Allegheny Arboretum at ϳԹ and IUP have hired a firm to complete an environmental study as the next step in advancing the IUP Confluence Discovery Park.

IUP Receives Funding from USDA to Develop Biosafety/Biorisk Management Certificate Program

ϳԹ has received more than $460,000 from the United States Department of Agriculture to develop a specialized Biosafety/Biorisk Management Certificate program at IUP.

Semester Preview: Fall 2022

Learn about some key events this fall—from the IUP Day student involvement fair to Homecoming to Winter Commencement.

IUP Nursing Doctoral Student Selected for National Scholarship

Laurie Connors, a student in ϳԹ’s PhD doctoral program in nursing, has been selected for a 2022 National League for Nursing Education Scholarship.

Starting a New Academic Year – Driscoll's Update

President Michael Driscoll welcomes members of the IUP community, including new students, to a new academic year and lets students know where they can find help and information.

Home Is Where the Mind Is: Supporting Students from Countries in Crisis

Students from Ukraine, Afghanistan, and other countries in crisis face many obstacles to completing their education in the US. See how some have coped and have found help through IUP and the greater community.

IUP Selected for Princeton Review “Best Colleges” Guidebook, Ranked as a “Best Health Service”

Praised for “delivering on its promises” of affordability and quality programs, ϳԹ has been selected for the Princeton Review’s Best College guidebook for the 22nd consecutive year.

IUP Receives $200,000 for Big Ideas Program

Lynn Botelho, Distinguished University Professor and professor of history at ϳԹ, is the recipient of a $200,000 grant from the Teagle Foundation – the National Endowment for the Humanities to implement the Big Ideas: Transformative Culture and the Professions program at IUP.

IUP to Begin New Academic Year with Welcome Week for All New Students; Opening of Academic Year Program Planned for Aug. 19

ϳԹ will welcome the majority of new students to campus for the fall semester on August 13 and 14 with a week-long schedule of events, including a new one-stop check-in process.

IUP Receives Funding from PLCB to Address Underage and Dangerous Drinking, Retention of Black and Brown Students

ϳԹ has received $40,000 from the ϳԹ Liquor Control Board’s Reducing Underage Drinking and Dangerous Drinking Grant program, with a focus on both reducing underage and dangerous drinking and increasing retention of Black and Brown students, while welcoming all students to participate in grant project related events and activities.

IUP Students Part of IRMC Internship Program

David Fyock and Tommy Letso, biology pre-medicine majors at IUP from Indiana County, are completing Indiana Regional Medical Center’s Pre-Med Undergraduate Summer Internship, shadowing physicians from eight different medical specialties, one each week of the eight-week internship.

Update on Fall Semester Operations and COVID-19 Precautions – A Message from President Driscoll

IUP will return to fully face-to-face instruction and in-person events and activities for fall 2022. In most circumstances, meetings and gatherings will transition to in-person formats, and employees will return to working at their university locations.

Students’ Summer Research—In Their Words (U-SOAR 2022)

Want a preview of the research you can hear about Friday, August 5, at 11:00 a.m. in the HUB Monongahela Room during the Undergraduate Summer Opportunities for Applying Research (U-SOAR) program symposium? Watch as four students explain their projects.

IUP Graduate Selected for Fulbright Scholarship to Taiwan

Teresa Kuo of Cabot, a May graduate of ϳԹ’s early childhood and special education program with a concentration in urban education, has been selected for a 2022–23 Fulbright English Teaching Assistant award to Taiwan.

July

Mathematics Faculty Selected for Fulbright Scholarship

Yu-ju Kuo, professor of mathematics in ϳԹ’s Department of Mathematical and Computer Science, has been selected for a 2022–23 Fulbright US Scholar fellowship to Bhutan.

U-SOAR Program Celebrates Student Researchers With Final Research Symposium Aug. 5

Students participating in IUP’s Undergraduate Summer Opportunities for Applying Research (U-SOAR) program will present their research projects at the program’s final research symposium on Aug. 5.

Students, Faculty to Conduct Second Forensic Archaeology Field School in Germany at Site of World War II Airplane Crash

For the second year, IUP’s Department of Anthropology has been selected by the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine Inc. through the Department of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency to conduct a field study in Germany at the site of a crash of a World War II airplane.

Spring 2022 Graduates

Here is an alphabetic list of students who graduated from IUP in May 2022.

Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Announces Appointments During Transitional Period

With the retirement of Yaw Asamoah, dean of the University College and IUP Libraries after 38 years of service and leadership at IUP, on June 30, IUP Provost and Vice President Lara Luetkehans has announced leadership changes for the University College and for the IUP Libraries.

Education Secretary: Today’s Higher Education Investments Benefit Tomorrow’s Workforce

ϳԹ Department of Education Acting Secretary Eric Hagarty visited ϳԹ to discuss the importance of continued funding for higher education in the commonwealth.

IUP Receives Funding To Host International Fulbright Recipients For Seventh Year

ϳԹ has received $300,000 to continue to host the Fulbright Distinguished Awards in Teaching Program for International Teachers.

June

English Professor Expands International Teaching Experience During Semester at Sea

It’s not a traditional classroom, but for IUP professor of English Timothy Hibsman, it was smooth sailing, combining his love of teaching with first-hand opportunities to explore nautical history and literature. Hibsman was a member of the faculty for a spring 2022 Semester at Sea voyage on the ship World Odyssey.

A Welcoming Walkway

See a bird’s-eye view of the new rainbow sidewalk, suggested by students from the LGBTQIA+ community. It is one of the most visible symbols of IUP’s commitment to making all people feel welcome and supported on campus.

LGBTQIA+ and Supported at IUP

In its efforts to be truly student centered, IUP aims to support every student. Key to that are services for the LGBTQIA+ community. Hear about the experiences of a gender-fluid student and about the support IUP provides.

IUP Student Confirmed as Student Member of PASSHE Board of Governors

Abigail Hancox, of Albion, a political science major with a pre-law concentration and minor in homeland security in the Cook Honors College at IUP, has been confirmed to serve as a member of the ϳԹ State System Board of Governors. She currently serves as president of the IUP Student Government Association.

Potts Selected for Director of Financial Aid Position

Following a national search, a professional with extensive and progressive financial aid experience has been selected to serve as director of Financial Aid at ϳԹ. Tiffany Potts, who most recently served as associate director of Financial Aid at IUP, was chosen for the position. Potts has been a staff member of the Office of Financial Aid since April 2010.

IUP Ranked Second in State for Affordability, in Top 20 Universities by Academic Influence

ϳԹ has been recognized as second in the state for affordability, third in the state as a “best public college,” and in the top 20 in the state as a “ϳԹ’s Best Overall” university by AcademicInfluence.com.

Student from North Huntingdon Selected for Fulbright Award

Grace Skarzynski of North Huntingdon, a May graduate of ϳԹ’s Student Affairs in Higher Education master’s program, has been selected for a 2022–23 Fulbright English Teaching Assistant award to Greece.

Dean’s List for Spring 2022

Undergraduate students receive recognition on the Dean’s List for each fall, spring, or summer term(s) which they earn at least a 3.25 GPA based on at least 12 credits of graded (not P/F) undergraduate coursework, or a combination of graded graduate and undergraduate coursework.

IUP Vice President for Enrollment Management Selected for Advisory Board

ϳԹ Vice President for Enrollment Management, Patricia Curran McCarthy, has been selected by Ruffalo Noel Levitz to serve on its Undergraduate Enrollment Advisory Board.

May

IUP Student from Philadelphia Selected for Gilman Scholarship for Study Abroad

Sfen Kadirifu, a junior international studies major with a focus in fashion at IUP, has been selected for a 2022 Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship. The scholarship will help to fund her study at Yonsei University in South Korea for the fall 2022 semester of her senior year at IUP. She is IUP’s twenty-first Gilman scholarship recipient.

Sculptural Lighting Fixtures Designed and Produced by IUP Students in IUP STEAMshop, Installed in Sprowls Hall

Students in ϳԹ’s Department of Art and Design’s three-dimensional art and design course used IUP’s STEAMshop—IUP’s digital fabrication makerspace—to light the way in IUP’s Sprowls Hall. Students in Sharon Massey and Sean Derry’s Art 113 course used Rhino 3D and Fusion Slicer software to design hanging light fixtures for the building, which is home to IUP’s Department of Art and Design.

A Life-Changing Experience

The University College’s Luke Faust makes sure students have the support they need to succeed. Recent graduate Imani Jefferson attests to the life-changing experience she had at IUP with Faust’s help.

Giving New Life to Oak Grove’s Fallen Trees

Fallen trees from the Oak Grove are sawed into boards and used in student art projects in the Wood Center. Students experience the complete process, from logs to finished art, thanks to IUP’s innovative woodworking program.

IUP Receives $125,000 in Funding from Statler Foundation to Create Check-In Desk for Students in Travel and Hospitality Industry

A $125,000 gift to ϳԹ from the Statler Foundation will be used to construct a hotel desk simulation lab for students in IUP’s Hotel, Restaurant, Tourism, and Event Management program.

Hawks Helping Hawks Campaign Results in More Than $84,000 to Impact Student Success

Employees and students at ϳԹ celebrated raising more than $84,000 through the 2022 Hawks Helping Hawks campaign at a donor and volunteer appreciation event on April 25.

Xi Wang Selected as IUP Distinguished University Professor for 2022–23 Academic Year

Xi Wang, professor of history at ϳԹ, has been selected as IUP’s 2022–23 Distinguished University Professor.

IUP Recognizes University Senate Award Winners, Faculty Emeriti

ϳԹ has announced recipients of the University Senate Awards and the list of new faculty, dean, and associate dean emeriti.

IUP to Celebrate Graduates with Ceremonies on May 6 and 7

IUP will hold commencement ceremonies for 1,722 graduates on Friday, May 6, and Saturday, May 7, at the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex. Students graduating in May and August are eligible to participate in the ceremonies.

IUP Squad Community Art Studio Program Presenting First Exhibition With Keys Montessori School

ϳԹ’s Squad Art Studio, an alternative, community-based, multi-site Saturday school for young children facilitated by IUP preservice art educators and art education faculty, will join with Indiana’s Keys Montessori School for a joint art exhibition.

Local Father-Son, Mother-Daughter to Graduate from IUP May 7

At IUP’s May 2022 commencement, two Indiana County families who are longtime friends will celebrate parent and child graduating together.

Nearing the Finish Line—Driscoll’s Update

President Driscoll talks about the Hawks Helping Hawks campaign, the newest hawk on campus, next steps outlined in his “The Future of IUP” speech, and good news about IUP’s membership in the American Passport Project program.

Mulvihill Selected for Fulbright Administrator Grant

Jessica Mulvihill, director of education abroad and national student exchange in ϳԹ’s Office of International Education, will be traveling to Japan in June as the recipient of a Fulbright International Education Administrator Award.

April

IUP Selected for American Passport Program to Encourage Study, Travel Abroad Experiences

IUP is one of 40 universities in the nation selected for the Institute of International Education American Passport Project grant. This grant funds up to 25 IUP students who are first-year enrolled students who meet financial eligibility requirements to obtain a US passport to support their study abroad journeys.

Biology Major Selected for Kopchick Summer Internship at MD Anderson Cancer Center

Scott Semelsberger, a junior biology pre-medicine major at ϳԹ from Northern Cambria, has been selected for IUP’s 2022 Kopchick Summer Fellowship. As the fellowship recipient, he will spend 10 weeks during the summer (from June 6 to August 12) engaged in research at the internationally known MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

Spring Finals Week Hours for Library, Tutoring, Folger, De-Stressing Activities, and More

You’re heading into Finals Week and doing your best—to complete those last homework assignments, study for finals, and finish semester projects. We’ve brought together the Finals Week hours for study spaces like the library and Folger, tutoring schedules, dining schedules, and de-stressing activities. Take advantage of these resources to help make Finals Week go smoothly as you work your way through your schedule of final exams.

Hawk Statue Lands in Oak Grove

The Oak Grove has a new resident. Thanks to the generosity of Ray Kinter ’67, M’68, it is now home to a bronze hawk statue, created by artist Raymond Gibby. Kinter presented this new addition as a gift to the university, its current students, its future students, and the alumni who are proud to call IUP home.

Additional $1 Million in RACP Funds Released for Academy of Culinary Arts Building Project

On April 22, Rep. Brian Smith (R-Jefferson/Indiana) and Sen. Joe Pittman (R-41) confirmed ϳԹ will receive a second $1-million grant from the Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program for IUP’s Academy of Culinary Arts building project.

International Student at IUP Selected for Institute of International Education Scholarship

Oksana Moroz, a doctoral student at ϳԹ from Ukraine, has been selected for the Emergency Student Fund Award from the Institute of International Education (IIE) Emergency Fund.

IUP Cook Honors College Director, Students Honored by National Collegiate Honors Council

A faculty member and students in ϳԹ’s Cook Honor College have been honored by the Northeast Regional Honors Council, an affiliate of the National Collegiate Honors Council, at the organization’s conference on April 10 in Philadelphia.

Take Back the Night Event Supports Survivors of Sexual Assault

Last week, the Haven Project held Take Back the Night, its annual event to raise awareness of sexual assault and to show support for survivors. The day included the release of a virtual speak-out, a video in which Haven Project peer educators gave a voice to survivors by sharing their anonymously submitted stories.

$500,000 in Federal Funding Announced for Culinary Academy Renovations

On Friday, April 15, US Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson announced $500,000 in federal funding for IUP to rebuild and renovate its Academy of Culinary Arts building located in downtown Punxsutawney.

Taking Time to Celebrate and Enjoy Our Successes—Driscoll’s Update

President Michael Driscoll talks about the success of recent events, a major gift to advance the IUP Academy of Culinary Arts building project, and the Unity Ball, a reinvented initiative focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Students Tell the Story of the Crimson Scholars Circle

Five students talk about the friends, mentors, and opportunities they’ve gained through the Crimson Scholars Circle, a scholarship program designed to reduce the retention and persistence gap for Black and Brown students.

Indiana Student at IUP Selected for Scholarship Established in Honor of IUP Graduate Physician Astronaut from Homer City

Kendra Bass, of Indiana, a junior biology pre-medicine major at ϳԹ, has been selected as the recipient of the 2022 Patricia Hilliard Robertson Memorial Scholarship for Outstanding Female Science Student. The award was presented to

IUP Celebration Weekend Honors Donors, Student-Athletes, Alumni Volunteers, Distinguished Alumni Award Recipients

It was a weekend of celebration April 9 and 10, 2022, for IUP, with the annual Celebration of Philanthropy on April 9, the annual Volunteer Recognition Breakfast on April 10, and the Distinguished Alumni Awards Gala on April 10.

Unity Ball Celebrates Latino Culture, Intersectionality

Celebrating Latino culture and intersectionality, ϳԹ’s Latino Student Organization (LaSO) will host the inaugural IUP Unity Ball on April 23 from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. in the IUP Hadley Union Building Ohio Room. The event will include refreshments catered by Casa Jaliso and dancing. Formal attire is requested. It is free and open to the community.

Imagine Unlimited Impact

Four students help illustrate the impact of IUP’s record-breaking Imagine Unlimited campaign. Hear from scholarship recipients in chemistry and football, a grad assistant promoting fairness in policing, and a food pantry worker who has connected hundreds of students with meals.

IUP Celebrates Distinguished Alumni, Volunteers, Student-Athletes During Celebration Weekend

ϳԹ will be celebrating some special members of the IUP community—including IUP’s nationally ranked athletic teams—as part of the 2022 Celebration Weekend planned for April 8 and 9.

IUP Biologist Names Dinosaur Discovery After Alumnus John Kopchick

ϳԹ graduate and molecular biologist John J. Kopchick has a new—but very old—namesake, thanks to IUP biology professor Shundong Bi.

IUP Research Appreciation Week Introducing New Program to Celebrate IUP, Indiana Regional Medical Center Collaboration and Rural Health

ϳԹ will showcase research collaboration and cutting-edge student and faculty research and creative activities during Research Appreciation Week at IUP from April 4 to 8.

Research Week Is Calling You

It’s Research Appreciation Week 2022, and it’s a great time to find out how you can get involved with research at IUP.

March

Congratulations to Student-Athletes, Thanks to Donors, Upcoming Events—Driscoll’s Update

President Michael Driscoll talks about the successes of IUP student-athletes and Day of Giving and offers reminders about important upcoming university events, including Research Appreciation Week.

IUP Research Appreciation Week Events Include In-Person Scholars Forum, Stem Women’s Summit, IRMC Day

ϳԹ will showcase research collaboration and cutting-edge student and faculty research and creative activities during Research Appreciation Week at IUP from April 4 to 8, 2022. Traditional events continuing this year include the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Women’s Summit on April 4 and the Scholars Forum and Three-Minute Thesis competition on April 6.

Annual Service Awards Honor IUP Employees for Years of Service

IUP celebrates employees who completed 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 years of service to the university during the Employee Service Awards luncheon in the Blue Room.

Making Coffee Production More Sustainable

Jeff Larkin, an IUP Biology professor, uses his expertise in working landscapes as part of a team targeting coffee production’s environmental impact and exploring the use of solar power, carbon credits, and new farming methods to save forests and the biodiversity they host.

ϳԹ State System Chancellor Hosts Virtual Open Forum at IUP on April 4

Dan Greenstein, chancellor of ϳԹ’s State System of Higher Education, will offer a virtual open forum for faculty, staff, students, and the community during his virtual visit to ϳԹ on April 4.

Internationally Known Tubist, IUP Graduate Jim Self to Do IUP Residency

Internationally known tubist Jim Self, a 1965 graduate of ϳԹ, will be a guest artist in residency at IUP March 27 through March 30.

IUP Designated a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense

The National Security Agency has designated ϳԹ as a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE-CD), continuing a 20-year recognition of IUP’s leadership in this discipline.

IUP Day of Giving is Here and You Hold the Key

On Thursday, March 24, IUP will celebrate Day of Giving, a 24-hour day of giving. Thanks to the generosity of Terry Serafini ’61, you can help unlock $50,000 to support the General Scholarship Fund, just by supporting an area of campus you are passionate about.

Employee Town Halls to Present Updates on New Tuition Affordability Plan, Finances, Enrollment, and Operationalizing the Strategic Plan

Two town halls will be held on Tuesday, March 29, and Tuesday, April 12, in Fisher Auditorium to present updates on the new tuition affordability plan, finances, enrollment, and operationalizing the strategic plan. 

IUP Trustees Approve Reductions in Installment Plan Fee, Late Payment Fee and Review Out-Of-State, International Student Fee Change

At its meeting on March 17, 2022, ϳԹ’s Council of Trustees approved reductions in two fees, standardized the installment payment plan fee, and reviewed a recommendation to keep tuition flat for out-of-state and international students.

IUP Council of Trustees Approve Resolution of Appreciation for Glenn Cannon

At its meeting on March 17, 2022, the ϳԹ Council of Trustees approved a Resolution of Appreciation for the late Glenn Cannon.

Tuition, Basketball, Commission on Diversity and Inclusion Cochairs—Driscoll’s Update

President Michael Driscoll talks about good news for the university, including the success of the women’s and men’s basketball teams, and he announces the new cochairs of the Commission on Diversity and Inclusion.

Smoothie Sale, Macaroni and Cheese Crockpot Cook-Off, Speaker for National Nutrition Month, Sponsored by IUP Student Association of Nutrition and Dietetics

The Student Association of Nutrition and Dietetics at ϳԹ have organized several events to celebrate National Nutrition Month in March, including a smoothie sale, macaroni and cheese crockpot cook-off competition, and a program with a nationally known speaker.

Two International Students at IUP Selected for Institute of International Education Scholarship

Two doctoral students at ϳԹ have been selected for the Emergency Student Fund Award from the Institute of International Education Emergency Fund.

When a Change Becomes Essential

Tired of changing his son’s diaper on the men’s room floor, 2009 graduate Donte Palmer made an Instagram post that led to a national campaign pushing for changing tables in all public restrooms. His organization has since expanded to offer other help to parents, but especially to fathers.

Tuition Affordability Plan Approved by Board of Governors

President Michael Driscoll updates the community on the State System Board of Governors approval of IUP's Tuition Affordability Plan.

Update to COVID-19 Masking Mitigation for IUP Buildings, Facilities

Following consultation with IUP’s leadership team and based on the advice of IUP’s COVID Planning Group, IUP will follow the new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control. That means that effective at noon on March 2, masks/face coverings will no longer be required in IUP’s indoor facilities and buildings, except for IUP Health Service and the IUP Counseling Center, and Punxsutawney Regional Campus facilities.

IUP Selected for “Military Friendly Schools” Listing

ϳԹ has been selected by Victory Media for the tenth consecutive year for its list of Military Friendly Schools.

February

IUP Alumna Donates $850,000 to Establish Full Tuition, Four-Year Scholarship for Nursing Students

A graduate of ϳԹ’s nursing program has made a donation designed to create generational change for IUP nursing students.

National Survey of Student Engagement: Watch Your Inbox, March 8

Share your IUP experience in an upcoming survey, so the university can create an even better experience for future students.

IUP Research Institute to Provide Services to System Universities

ϳԹ’s Research Institute is partnering with four other ϳԹ State System universities—Bloomsburg, California, Edinboro, and Lock Haven universities—to expand their work in sponsored research through a shared services initiative.

December 2021 List of Graduates

An alphabetic list of students who graduated from IUP in December 2021 and January 2022.

Dean’s List for Fall 2021

Undergraduate students receive recognition on the Dean’s List for each semester (or summer session cumulatively) in which they earn at least a 3.25 GPA based on at least 12 credits of graded (not P/F) undergraduate coursework, or a combination of graded graduate and undergraduate coursework.

IUP Commitment and Success in Research Recognized With R2 Designation

In recognition of ϳԹ’s research commitment and success, IUP has been ranked as an R2 Doctoral University–High Research Activity (R2) by the National Center for Postsecondary Research’s 2021 Carnegie Classification.

IUP Trustees Approve Proposal to Reduce ϳԹ Student Undergraduate Annual Tuition for Majority of its Students at almost 20 Percent; Authorize Presenting Plan to State System Board of Governors

IUP’s Council of Trustees approved a proposal to reduce annual tuition for undergraduate in-state students, effective for the fall 2022 semester—resulting in an almost 20 percent savings for students who take 15 credits each semester.

Grant to IUP to Help Advance Stem Education in Indiana County Schools

ϳԹ has received $100,000 from the ϳԹ Department of Education to provide resources for kindergarten through grade 12 teachers in Indiana County area schools to assist with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education.

IUP PhD Propels Student to Professor

IUP's doctoral program in the Department of Communications Media included theory, research, production work, and teaching experience. It was the perfect combination to propel Jeremy McCool from an ϳԹ graduate student to a professor at West Chester University.

IUP Criminology Master’s Program Ranked Top in ϳԹ by Intelligent.Com

ϳԹ’s online master’s in criminology has been ranked second in the nation and first in ϳԹ by Intelligent.com in its 2022 Best Online Programs in Criminology listing. The ranking is due in part to IUP’s reputation as a research university.

COVID-19 Precautions, Black History Month Programming—Driscoll’s Update

President Michael Driscoll stresses the importance of following COVID-19 safety protocols and discusses Black History Month programming and a survey on diversity, equity, and inclusion issues for students and employees.

Academy Talks Careers on WQED

Pittsburgh PBS station WQED recently featured the IUP Academy of Culinary Arts in its Future Jobs web video series. Hear chef instructor Thomas Barnes and culinary student Emily Shaffer discuss the field’s opportunities and appeal.

Three IUP Graduate Programs Selected for U.S. News Best Online Program Recognition

Three online graduate programs at ϳԹ have been selected as a “2022 Best Online Program” by U.S. News & World Report: the master’s in nursing, the master’s in mathematics education, and the master’s in criminal justice

January

Peffer Selected for IUP Director of Facilities Planning and Construction

Following a formal search, ϳԹ Vice President for Administration and Finance Debra Fitzsimons has announced the selection of Mitch Peffer to serve in the position of director of Facilities Planning and Construction.

Pandenarium: Unearthing Black Settlers’ Stories

Two IUP master’s program graduates—and the only archaeologists to have excavated the Mercer County site of Pandenarium, a Pre-Civil War settlement for free African Americans—are revealing the settlers’ untold stories with help from their descendants.

IUP Graduate Student Selected for Department of State Project

The US Department of State has selected ϳԹ graduate student Jimalee Sowell for a nine-week English Language Specialist virtual project. Sowell is a PhD candidate in IUP’s Composition and Applied Linguistics program.

Creely Named Dean of IUP School of Graduate Studies and Research

Hilliary Creely, who has been serving as the interim dean of the School of Graduate Studies and Research at ϳԹ, has been appointed to the permanent position after consultation with key university stakeholders, President Michael Driscoll announced.

Participate in the System-wide Climate Survey, Jan. 31 to March 4

On January 31, IUP students, faculty, and staff will be invited to participate in the System-wide Climate Survey. The anonymous survey is designed to take the pulse of each university’s campus climate and will help IUP, as well as ϳԹ’s State System of Higher Education, identify trends, challenges, and opportunities for continued growth.

COVID Safety, In-Person Classes, Diversity Survey, New Deans, MLK Day—Driscoll’s Update

President Michael Driscoll discusses COVID-19 safety plans, a new It’s on Us PA grant, and an upcoming survey on diversity, equity, and inclusion issues. He also congratulates two new deans and gives a Martin Luther King Jr. Day panel preview.

IUP Plans to Begin Spring Semester with In-Person Instruction on January 18

IUP plans to begin the spring 2022 semester as planned, with in-person classes starting Jan. 18. We will continue to monitor conditions and adjust as necessary based on potential changes in the situation and/or in the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and the ϳԹ Department of Health.