For almost 50 years, thousands of IUP students, faculty, staff, and community members have known the place to be on Mondays at 6:00 p.m.
IUP’s Six O’Clock Series, offered Monday evenings during the fall and spring semesters, maintains its original goal of offering programming on career success, health, politics, history, and pop-culture phenomena—all free and open to the community.
When the series was launched in 1977, student attendance was often required as part of class assignments. While that has changed over the years, the series’ intent to expand students’ knowledge about the world around them and, specifically, how to be successful as they prepare for life after graduation has remained at its core.
The Division of Student Affairs manages the series, featuring internal and external speakers. Faculty and staff present proposals for programming, often in conjunction with national holidays and observances (Constitution Day, Veterans Day, etc.), but as budget has permitted, national speakers have also been part of the series.
Tedd Cogar, senior assessment coordinator and LGBTQIA Support in the Center for Multicultural Student Leadership and Engagement, is taking over managing the series this year.
“The Six O’Clock Series has a long and rich history at IUP,” Cogar said. “I am excited to engage with the university community by sharing thought-provoking topics and encouraging ongoing dialogue. I view the series as an IUP tradition that belongs to everyone. It has allowed students to earn extra credit and learn about new topics. I hope to honor that legacy while leading the series into the future.
“I hope to work with all stakeholders to have the Six O’Clock Series program planned so that topics can be incorporated into classes. I hope students will want to attend the series, not just for credit, but because they are curious to learn about the presentations.”
Cogar said attendance vouchers for students who ask for them will continue to be provided.
Valerie Baroni, IUP’s associate vice president for Student Life, said the Six O’Clock Series will continue in the tradition it was built on.
“The vision of the Six O’Clock Series moving forward is that of a dynamic platform fostering knowledge and encouraging students to become lifelong learners,” she said. “This speaker series will continue to address current issues and encourage attendees to explore familiar topics through fresh perspectives by highlighting speakers from within IUP and nationally. As a community-influenced initiative, with broad involvement and support of our dedicated IUP faculty and staff, the Six O’Clock Series will actively promote student engagement and involvement, ensuring that everyone can broaden their knowledge horizons and contribute to meaningful discussions.”
Students and faculty are encouraged to contact Cogar at sixoclock-series@iup.edu with suggestions for improving the series and with topics of interest.
Spring 2023 Programs
While adjustments are being finalized for the spring semester’s Six O’Clock Series, take a look at what is planned so far. Do you see a topic that interests you?
Active Shooter Training
Sponsored by the Student Government Association and University Police, this training provides comprehensive solutions for active shooter preparedness and other safety and emergency measures.
Escalation
Escalation is a compelling film that tells the story of an abusive relationship—from its sweet beginnings to the tragic end. The authentic depiction of unhealthy behaviors escalating into violence helps you recognize and understand the early signs of relationship abuse. You can take away information on how to have a healthy relationship and how to get out of an unhealthy relationship safely. This OneLove Foundation workshop is facilitated by the IUP Haven Project.
Untold Stories in ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø State Parks: Finding Diverse Pasts All around Us
Since the early 1800s, the Laurel Hill Settlement in Laurel Ridge State Park near Johnstown was home to an integrated community of Black, White, and Indigenous people. Today, the settlement cemetery is the most visible landmark, but a closer look reveals roads, foundations, and other evidence of 15 decades of life. The settlement has a lot to tell us about how this unique community adapted to life in America during a period of significant economic and social change. An interdisciplinary team of IUP students and faculty recently studied the settlement’s history and what it means to living communities, as well as how the site can be better used to educate people about the region’s diverse history.
Black History Month, Socially Conscious Rap: Raising Awareness of the Black Plight through Music
As celebrations of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop come to an end, it is important to continue reflecting on the impact of the genre. Join media professor Jeremy McCool D’21 as he discusses how socially conscious rap music has worked to illuminate world issues that have impacted Black Americans from the 1980s to now.
Student Green Dot Training
At IUP, we use the Green Dot Bystander Intervention Program to learn how to help one another. This training program focuses on how we can all do something to reduce the likelihood of sexual assault, domestic/dating violence, and stalking. Attendees can use these simple skills to make a lasting impact on our campus and in the lives of others.
—Translating Memoir into Performance
This workshop explores the potential of puppets to share our stories and to give these stories a voice. The process examines song, movement, and the actor/puppet relationship to explore what makes the puppet a special medium for evoking testimony. This workshop may be longer than typical programs. You are invited to attend and leave as needed.
Don’t Trip! Learning How to Lead without a Title with the CPDC
Leadership is more than just a noun; it is an action verb. Many people mistakenly believe leadership is tied to a position of authority. However, true leaders recognize that leadership begins long before they are given a job or win an election. In this discussion, participants will explore various leadership styles, reflect on the traits that influence how leaders are perceived, and share their experiences working with both effective and ineffective leaders. This discussion will be helpful for students who want to become more effective at leading themselves and their peers. Formal leadership positions (i.e., IUP Ambassador, Crimson Guide, resident assistant, Supplemental Instruction leader, Student Government Association member, or member of another student organization) are not required. All students are welcome.
Philadelphia Eleven
In an act of civil disobedience, a group of women and their supporters organized their ordination to become Episcopal priests in 1974. The Church of the Advocate in Philadelphia welcomes them, but change is no small task. The women are harassed, some lose friends, and others are banned from stepping on church property. In this feature-length documentary film, we meet the women who successfully build a movement that transforms an age-old institution and challenges the very essence of patriarchy within Christendom. The presentation is sponsored by the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies and the Lutheran Campus Ministry.
Freedom of Speech
Freedom of speech is not only an important individual right, it’s essential to a healthy democracy and absolutely vital to the core mission of the university. As a public university, IUP is committed to the ideals of free speech protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution.
When everyone has freedom of speech, it means that we may be exposed to mean, hurtful, or even offensive comments. It may seem odd or unfair that the First Amendment protects offensive speech, but freedom of speech is a two-way street. If my right to express my ideas is protected, it means that others who vehemently disagree with me can also express their ideas.
Expand Your Breadth of Vision and Critical Thinking through Liberal Studies at IUP
The Liberal Studies curriculum consists of a broad exploration of courses that are required for all undergraduate students. Part of any educational system is to provide opportunities for students to gain breadth and depth. A breadth of knowledge and skills are achieved through the Liberal Studies program. Depth of knowledge is attained through specialization in a particular major. Well-educated people have a breadth of vision and understanding which enables them to enjoy full, rich, integrated lives. Join us to discuss how the Liberal Studies curriculum can work best for you.
Into the Archives; Between the Lines—Poems, Poets, and Muses
What is your favorite poem, poet, or muse? In the 11th “Into the Archives” event, learn more about classic and modern poetry at IUP. Presenters will discuss specific titles, including works of poetry in the IUP Department of English’s Poetry Collection and in the IUP Special Collections and University Archives. The first edition of “The Raven,” by Edgar Allan Poe (1809–1849), and the first English printing of Dante’s Inferno, illustrated by poet and engraver William Blake (1757–1827), will make special appearances. The presentation will feature many poets and poems brought to you through a collaboration with the IUP Special Collections and University Archives (IUP Libraries) and the IUP Department of English.