2020-22 Donor Report

Inspired by Generosity 2020-22

Report to Donors

A Future So Bright

From my office in John Sutton Hall, I hear progress. It’s the sound of construction on our new, state-ofthe-art John J. and Char Kopchick Hall, which will be the home of our College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics when it opens in 2024. The sounds I hear fill me with admiration for our students and admiration for you. Our students have returned, and as I see them hustling through the Oak Grove, I admire them for their tenacious commitment to their education. I am also reminded of the

generosity of our donors, like you, whose time and treasure benefit so many of the students I see walking near that new steel-framed building. As you look through this report, I hope you will appreciate, as I do, the impact of your generosity. Recently, members of the IUP family surpassed our goal and raised more than $81 million for our students in the Imagine Unlimited campaign. You are making a real difference in the lives of our students, as you will see in the stories in this report. Some of your gifts have been used to create a food pantry to address student food insecurity, develop new perspectives in law enforcement training that impact our diverse population, and form an intergenerational music ensemble for students of all majors.

With you, the IUP experience is elevated from good to great because our students have access to unlimited opportunities. Your support is critical, and I hope you will stay engaged with us as we look ahead to our bright future as a great university that changes the world one student at a time.

Michael A. Driscoll President

The Business of Success

Eugene O’Sullivan ’71, who earned a bachelor’s degree in business from IUP, believes the quality of education he received at his alma mater put him on a path to a successful career. He and his wife, Saundra, understand the importance of giving back, and in 2020 they established the Eugene and Saundra O’Sullivan Scholarship. Their scholarship provides support to full-time students in the Eberly College of Business.

Yuxin Deng was looking for a great accounting program to prepare her as she planned to enter her family’s business. Her high school business teacher, an IUP alumna, recommended that

she look at IUP. Deng was amazed at Eberly’s investment room, the professionalism of the faculty and staff, and the positive energy she felt. What solidified her decision to choose IUP, however, was the scholarships, and she is appreciative of the O’Sullivans.

“I want to ask them what experience at IUP they had that made them contribute,” she said. “I want to be them! I want to help the juniors after I graduate. I want to see them grow. I don’t want them to worry about tuition.”

Yuxin Deng

Opening Doors to the Future

Donald Howe ’79 came to IUP from Philadelphia. At IUP, he formed a lifelong friendship with Felicia Fred ‘81. Felicia was also from Philadelphia, and Don was her mentor at IUP. They treasure their time at IUP and in 1990 became members of the IUP Alumni Board.

Donald and Felecia recognized the need for scholarships for young Black students, and so they created the African American Alumni (Endowed) Scholarship. Since it was created, the scholarship has awarded $12,000 to more than 27 students of color.

Marketing major Jaquan Gethers is a first-generation college student. He was a high achiever from an

early age, and his family had always assumed he was bound for college. Jaquan is thankful for his scholarship because it has helped him stay debt-free.

“I haven’t had to take out any student loans and got the resources I needed,” he said.

Jaquan graduated in May 2022 and is seeking marketing positions at companies that promote sustainability and veganism.

Jaquan Gethers

An Excellent Opportunity

The Statler Foundation was established in 1934, following the death of hotelier Ellsworth M. Statler, to support innovation and training in the hotel industry. The Statler Scholarship of Excellence was established in 1997 and is awarded to students who demonstrate a high degree of academic performance in the hotel management field. Support from the Statler Foundation brings innovation to IUP with the creation of a hotel front desk simulation lab. The lab will give students industryrelevant experience with hotel equipment and software.

Kyle Kubicko is outgoing, friendly, and determined to own a restaurant.

He is a senior majoring in hotel, restaurant, tourism, and event management, and he has already earned an associate degree and certification from the IUP Academy of Culinary Arts. Kyle is also an early admission student in IUP’s MBA program and spent his externship working at the five-star Breakers Resort in Palm Beach, Florida. He is IUP’s first Statler Scholarship of Excellence recipient.

“Through all of this, I’ve kept a 4.0 GPA, in part thanks to Statler,” he said. “Without having to worry about going to work, I’ve been able to focus on my studies quite a bit more.”

Kyle Kubicko

Creating a Home for Everyone

Dr. Fred ’55 and Hazel ’55 Streams were education majors at Indiana State Teachers College. Supportive faculty encouraged Fred to pursue higher education, which led to a successful career in entomology and ecology. Hazel taught elementary school and established a non-profit home care agency

Mirna Torres Ayala and her family immigrated from Mexico to Philadelphia six years ago. When it was time to choose a college, she picked IUP because of the great facility and the financial aid package she was offered. She is enrolled in the Cook Honors College, majoring in geology.

As much as she loved IUP when she visited, Mirna’s first week on campus was hard. She was homesick and struggled with some of her coursework because of the language barrier. But those days are in the past.

“I talked to my advisor,” she said, “and he motivated me to keep going. I feel very happy and welcomed here.”

Mirna Torres Ayala

A Community in the Kitchen

In 1962, members of the Punxsutawney Chamber of Commerce and the Punxsutawney Area School District’s Board of Directors formed the Punxsutawney Area College Trust to pursue the creation of a college campus in their town. The group selected Indiana State College, now IUP, and established the IUP Punxsutawney Regional Campus.

The PACT has been a vital community partner ever since, supporting the campus, the IUP Academy of Culinary Arts with its Fairman Centre, and the Culinary Arts Student Scholarship. PACT also supports high school students with scholarships to pursue other career paths in higher education.

Silas Gesser ‘21 decided to pursue culinary arts in his senior year of high school in Gettysburg. He chose the IUP Academy of Culinary Arts because it checked all his boxes.

“The price was right, the five hours of kitchen time is the best around, and the kitchens were really amazing,” Silas said. “They have all of the same equipment we have in the industry.”

Silas graduated in 2021 and is employed at the prestigious Duquesne Club in Pittsburgh. He plans to return to IUP this fall, enrolling in the Bakery and Pastry Arts program in the ACA Fairman Centre.

Silas Gesser ‘21

A Gift With Gratitude

Bedford John Silvey ‘62, known as BJ, was the son of an IUP professor and he began his education at IUP’s lab school. He came to IUP with the intention of becoming a teacher, but instead he became active in IUP’s ROTC program and joined the Army after he graduated. He served in Korea and Vietnam, attaining the rank of colonel. Later, he worked for the Department of the Navy.

“BJ loved returning to IUP,” said BJ’s wife, Marilyn, “including for his 50th class reunion when he joined his classmates in marching with the class of 2012.”

BJ passed away in 2019. He and Marilyn were active volunteers in their community and today she continues the tradition of giving back. In 2020, she established the Bedford John “BJ” Silvey, Sr. Scholarship.

Parker Clayton is a freshman accounting major in Eberly College of Business. A native of Indiana County, his career goal is to work for the FBI as a forensic accountant. Parker is a

first-generation college student and appreciates the financial support he receives.

“You haven’t wasted your money on me,” Parker said. “I care about my grades. I’m not here to mess around. I’m here to get a degree and be successful in life.”

Parker Clayton

Donor Report Statistics 2020-21

Who gives to IUP?

2,936 Awards presented

2,150 Students received scholarships

$6,513,898 Total in scholarships awarded

*This total reflects cash donations received during the 2020-21 fiscal year. Commitments of planned gifts and pledges that extend beyond the fiscal year are not included in the total.

How Your Gifts Support IUP

$225 Average annual fund gift amount

2,192 Loyalty Society donors (those who given for 5+ consecutive years)

585 Leadership Society donors ($1,000+ annual donors)

5,689 All donors

Donor Report Statistics 2021-22

Who gives to IUP?

2,302 Awards presented

1,715 Students received scholarships

$4,624,826 Total in scholarships awarded

*This total reflects cash donations received during the 2020-21 fiscal year. Commitments of planned gifts and pledges that extend beyond the fiscal year are not included in the total.

How Your Gifts Support IUP

$313 Average annual fund gift amount

1,845 Loyalty Society donors (those who given for 5+ consecutive years)

576 Leadership Society donors ($1,000+ annual donors)

4,548 All donors