Day by day, week by week, month by month, IUP is on the move.
As this annual report clearly demonstrates, we’re taking strides to be stronger and more efficient and to flourish amid some disruptive times for higher education.
Our progress is guided by our strategic plan and the seven presidential goals, which serve as a blueprint for success. These goals focus on fostering student success, strengthening our academic offerings, expanding our horizons, enhancing inclusivity, engaging with our communities, achieving financial sustainability, supporting research and innovation, and ensuring operational excellence. This cohesive vision has allowed us not only to navigate challenges but to turn them into opportunities for growth.
Throughout 2024, IUP demonstrated resilience, creativity, and a steadfast commitment to providing exceptional education and shaping future leaders. From groundbreaking partnerships to transformative research and meaningful community engagement, this year’s achievements reflect the extraordinary efforts of our students, faculty, staff, alumni, and supporters.
As you explore this report, you will see the tangible outcomes of our shared work. The stories and accomplishments detailed here, month by month, illustrate a university that is not standing still, but driving forward with purpose and determination. Whether it is the establishment of new clinical training sites for our proposed college of osteopathic medicine, the national recognition of our students and faculty, or the ongoing enhancement of our campus facilities, IUP is a university in motion—moving confidently toward a brighter future.
None of this progress would be possible without the support and dedication of the entire IUP community. That unwavering belief in IUP’s mission fuels our momentum and inspires us to reach even greater heights.
Thank you for your continued support of IUP. Here’s to our shared success and to an even brighter tomorrow.
Michael A. Driscoll President
Presidential Goals
2023-28
1 Keep every student who comes to IUP by being an exceptionally student-centered university.
2 Grow market share in traditional market.
3 Educate other student groups in new markets.
4 Grow IUP’s reputation.
5 Engage the internal and external IUP community in realizing the vision.
6 Find alternate revenue streams to support our work.
7 Focus resources on the highest priorities to ensure a sustainable, thriving future.
When the spring 2024 semester began, IUP saw a 6.5 percent increase in enrollment compared to spring 2023, alongside a record 90.1 percent fall-tospring retention rate for first-time, full-time students.
January
Kopchick Hall, IUP’s long-awaited new science building, opened for classes on January 22 for the start of the spring semester. At more than 142,000 square feet, the building includes labs, collaborative spaces, faculty offices, a planetarium, and much more.
On February 23, IUP President Michael Driscoll was the keynote speaker at the annual gathering of the State System’s Board of Student Government Presidents. “You have the power to lead by example,” he told the student leaders, “and you cannot take that responsibility lightly. You have the power to show what can happen when we put aside our differences and work together to make this world a better place.”
On January 31, as part of the state budget, State Senator Joe Pittman announced $2 million in funding for our proposed college of osteopathic medicine to bolster our goal of creating the commonwealth’s first college of osteopathic medicine at a public university.
In a show of support from our dedicated alumni family, IUP announced in January that the IUP Alumni Association Board of Directors pledged $500,000 to support our proposed medical college.
February
At a special IUP Council of Trustees meeting, updates to the Indiana Campus Long-Range Facilities Master Plan were approved, guiding the university’s development over the next 20 years. Extensive community engagement, with over 1,000 participants, shaped the plan. The update ensures a dynamic, student-centered future for IUP , aligning with academic growth and community needs while prioritizing sustainability and efficient space use.
To honor Black History Month , IUP produced a feature story about Robert C. Vowels, our first Black faculty member. Hired in 1963 , Vowels taught economics and was active in the local and state civil rights movement. After leaving IUP in 1969, Vowels held influential political and higher education positions before retiring. He died in 2014 at 89 .
At the March 7 IUP Council of Trustees meeting, a new pricing structure for dual enrollment students was approved, reducing costs for high school students taking IUP courses. The changes resulted in savings of up to $3,344 for students taking 32 credits. The program provides high school students with a cost-effective, university-level experience while easing their transition to college.
Donovan Daniel ’09, M’14, director of Student Leadership at IUP, presented a TEDx talk in Pittsburgh on March 8. The talk, titled “Shear Connections: Making Moments Matter,” focused on combating loneliness and fostering community through informal spaces for connection. Daniel’s inspiring message encourages people to engage with one another to create lasting, positive change. He was chosen from more than 50 applicants to be one of the six presenters at the Pittsburgh Playhouse.
March April
Faculty member Ben Ford was selected as a Fulbright US Scholar, providing him with research opportunities in Portugal. Ford’s research will focus on human-environment interactions in coastal landscapes and aims to advance our understanding of maritime archaeology and to foster future collaborations, including potential student involvement in research.
On March 23, President Joe Biden signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act, securing $150,000 in federal funding for IUP’s proposed college of osteopathic medicine. Alongside state and federal support, IUP has also received significant private donations to create this medical college.
In a student success story, IUP profiled senior Cameron Horning, a photographer and graphic designer who worked for IUP Athletics. Horning used his versatile skills to become valuable to IUP’s social media presence. After graduating in May, he landed a full-time job in his trade at Division I Mercyhurst University.
Sixty students and three faculty members from the Department of Music performed alongside international superstar Andrea Bocelli at his Pittsburgh concert at PPG Paints Arena on April 4 The IUP contingent joined Bocelli and the Pittsburgh Opera Orchestra to perform a two-part program with a 20-minute intermission.
In April, IUP’s Graphic Design and Illustration program hosted its first Slenkfest in honor of Robert Slenker, the university’s first graphic design professor. Highlights included a presentation by alumna Susan Burig, lead graphic designer for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and a showcase of alumnus John Ritter’s 30 -year career in editorial illustration.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro gave the keynote at an IUP commencement ceremony in May . Shapiro encouraged graduates to “take a walk” to gain perspective and find inspiration. He also reminded them that their diplomas are not just symbols of achievement but tools to overcome obstacles and create positive change.
May graduate Caio Gomes used the resources IUP offered to compile a stellar undergraduate career. It culminated in his acceptance into 12 law schools across the nation. Gomes ultimately chose Yale, completing his journey from IUP to the Ivy League.
Retired Rear Admiral CJ Jaynes ’79, M’82, a 2017 IUP Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, established the Rear Admiral CJ Jaynes Scholarship for Veterans in STEM. Jaynes served 33 years in the Navy and became the first woman at Naval Air Systems Command to achieve flag officer rank.
May June
Under the guidance of coach Steve Kline, a former major league pitcher, the IUP baseball team put together its best season in school history, winning the Atlantic Region championship to earn a berth in the NCAA Division II College World Series. The Crimson Hawks advanced to the national semifinals before capping the season with a 41-18 record.
In June , the Foundation for IUP announced that it had committed $20 million to support the university’s proposed college of osteopathic medicine. The foundation’s strong financial growth, fueled by operating income, portfolio earnings, and revenue from on-campus housing, made the gift possible. The foundation, a nonprofit founded in 1967, supports IUP’s philanthropic initiatives.
On Ju ne 25 , IUP and Punxsutawney Area Hospital signed a clinical training agreement for students in IUP’s proposed college of osteopathic medicine. It was the first agreement of this kind between IUP and a medical facility. This collaboration will offer students invaluable hands-on experience in a community-based setting and is a key step in the proposed college’s accreditation process.
On July 1, IUP launched a new academic structure to enhance opportunities for students and to foster faculty research and collaboration. The restructuring followed a year of discussions with the university community for input. The new configuration includes six colleges: the College of Arts, Humanities, Media, and Public Affairs; the Eberly College of Business; the College of Education and Human Services; the College of Health Sciences; the John J. and Char Kopchick College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics; and the University College.
Mallory Galinac ’23, M’24 was recognized in July as the newest Auditor 1 through the Pennsylvania Department of the Auditor General’s Intern-to-Hire program. Galinac, who graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s in accounting and earned a master’s in business administration, praised the program for providing valuable realworld experience and career opportunities.
Charles Baltzer ’53 gave $1 million to IUP in August to establish the Charles and Margaret Baltzer Memorial Scholarship, honoring his late wife. The scholarship supports full-time undergraduates pursuing education degrees, with priority given to military families.
July August
Erin Reed, a chef instructor at IUP’s Academy of Culinary Arts, took top honors on July 17 at the American Culinary Federation’s Pastry Chef of the Year competition during its annual convention in Phoenix.
On July 8 , Ryan Smith, a doctor of osteopathic medicine with a PhD in education and health science education leadership, began work as the associate dean of clinical affairs for IUP’s proposed college of osteopathic medicine. The associate dean of clinical affairs has an essential leadership role overseeing the proposed college’s clinical curricular areas.
Alumni Tim and Debra Cejka donated $2 million in July to support IUP’s proposed college of osteopathic medicine, recognizing its potential to save lives and address the healthcare crisis in Pennsylvania. Their gift will go toward helping IUP raise the funding to gain accreditation for the proposed college.
Luke Mortensen, a leader in osteopathic medical education, was named founding associate dean of preclinical affairs for IUP’s proposed college of osteopathic medicine. He started on August 1 Mortensen has a PhD in pharmacology and toxicology, has completed a National Institutes of Health postdoctoral fellowship, and has undergraduate degrees in chemistry and music.
As the fall semester began on August 26, IUP celebrated a significant rise in retention, reaching 75.3 percent, for first-time, full-time students. While new student enrollment saw a slight decline, IUP continued to excel with increased dual enrollment, growth in careerpreparation programs, and strong support for veterans and international students.
On September 10 , IUP and Indiana Regional Medical Center signed a clinical training affiliation agreement to support the proposed college of osteopathic medicine. This partnership will provide IUP medical students with vital clinical training at IRMC, enhancing education and local healthcare.
Communications media majors Emily Marines and Riley Yonchiuk made a bit of IUP history when they became the first team of women to broadcast IUP football games. Marines and Yonchiuk handled the duties all season as part of the Digital Sports Production Class under the guidance of faculty member Stephanie Keppich.
Students Caleb Rokosky (biochemistry) and Jessica Delaney (cell and molecular biology) shared their experiences in the Kopchick Summer Internship program at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center during a presentation at IUP on November 1. Established by IUP alumni John and Char Kopchick in 2018, the program provides one IUP student with a 10-week summer study opportunity at the world-renowned cancer center.
September October
As Kopchick Hall thrived as the new home of IUP’s STEM work, its predecessor, Weyandt Hall, was torn down. Built in 1965 , Weyandt Hall was progressive for its time but, over the years, was not best equipped to handle the fast-paced changes of the world of science and technology.
In October , IUP announced a sweetened deal with enhanced student housing scholarships. Initially offering $1,000 annually, IUP upped the ante to $1,500 and $2,000 for subsequent years for students electing to live in one of IUP’s eight suite-style residence halls. With a record-high retention rate and a growing residential population, the university has focused on affordability and community to enrich student life.
As part of the 2024-25 State System of Higher Education capital allocations budget that was approved on October 10 , IUP secured $2.5 million in state funding for key projects, highlighted by $2 million for the renovation of academic buildings in the health sciences cluster, including the proposed college of osteopathic medicine, and $500,000 for the Academy of Culinary Arts’ new facility in downtown Punxsutawney.
At the Pennsylvania Mountains Rural Health Conference on National Rural Health Day (November 21), four regional healthcare providers signed an agreement to offer clinical training for students of IUP’s proposed college of osteopathic medicine. The four are Broad Top Area Medical Center, Hyndman Area Health Center, Nulton Diagnostic and Treatment Center, and Primary Health Network.
November
On December 4, IUP and Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center signed an agreement for students in IUP’s proposed college of osteopathic medicine to do their clinical training at the Johnstown facility. Conemaugh, a Level 1 Trauma Center, will provide hands-on training for future physicians, reinforcing IUP’s mission to respond to the region’s rural health crisis.
Also at the rural health conference, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Secretary Valerie Arkoosh delivered the keynote on advancing rural mental health. The event, themed “Cultivating Wellness,” featured IUP President Michael Driscoll, IRMC CEO Steve Wolfe, State Senator Joe Pittman, and State Representative Jim Struzzi, uniting leaders to promote community wellness.
As 2024 ended, IUP advanced its Middle States accreditation renewal, reaffirming its commitment to excellence. This rigorous, decade-long process involves collaboration, self-assessment, and a review of academic and operational standards, ensuring continued quality as the current accreditation approaches its 2025 expiration.
December
On November 24 , IUP beat host Gannon, 3-1, to win the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Women’s Volleyball Championship, its first since 2002 . The Crimson Hawks dethroned the two-time defending champion Golden Knights, securing an automatic bid to the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region tournament.
The IUP Men’s Rugby Club team added another chapter to its storied past, winning the national championship by beating Northern Iowa, 38-29 , in the National Collegiate Rugby Division II title match on December 15 . It was the Crimson Hawks’ second national championship in 15 -man competition and fourth overall in school history.
IUP by the Numbers
31% of IUP students are enrolled in STEM-H programs as of fall 2024. (STEM plus Healthcare)
Financial Support
$26M+ in scholarships awarded to IUP students in 2023-24
$15,600+
average student aid award, including scholarships, grants, and loans, in 2023-24
$5M+ awarded in graduate assistantships in 2023-24
Total Graduates, 2023-24
2,417
Academic Experiences
2,273 out-of-classroom learning experiences completed in 2023-24
$16M+
expended in research and innovation in 2023-24
1 of 97
public universities in the US with a High Research Spending and Doctorate Production (R2) designation in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education
IUP Alumni and Friends Giving Back to Make an Impact
161,928 alumni in 100 countries
88,517 alumni in Pennsylvania
3,524 total donors in 2023-24
$6,222,490 in total gifts in 2023-24
2,458 alumni volunteers, from networking partners to admissions
