Finding Friendly Faces

Community can come in unexpected places. Gerald stays busy with academics in the Cook Honors College on top of playing for IUP’s championship-caliber football team. But he also had to “grow up quick” as a young father. He found support through a grant that pays for childcare and through the caring staff of the campus dining hall.

I honestly love those people. They see my face every day, and I started to develop a relationship with them. And they’ve taken really kindly to my son. They had an old highchair that was broken, and they went out and bought a new one for us to use.”

67% of IUP varsity athletes were named Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference scholar-athletes in 2021–22. That means they kept up a GPA of 3.25 or higher. If varsity sports aren’t for you, try club or intramural sports from hockey to esports or rugby to sailing.