IUP Promise Plus aims to expand on the Pittsburgh Promise, which is designed to help students in Pittsburgh public schools plan, prepare, and pay for education at an accredited postsecondary institution in Pennsylvania. This is the fourth year that IUP Promise Plus has been awarded funding by The Heinz Endowments; the new grant brings total Heinz funding to $610,000 for this successful program.

In his new role, William Speidel is responsible for directing a comprehensive fundraising program, overseeing the Office of Alumni Relations and Advancement Services area, and serving as liaison to the Foundation for IUP.

A special-use learning area at IUP Punxsutawney has been named in honor of the late Ralph F. Roberts, Punxsutawney businessman and IUP trustee.

The Heinz Endowments of Pittsburgh has awarded IUP a grant of $361,500 for a program designed to increase the number of African-American men in teacher preparation programs in colleges and universities.

IUP honored Jim Wansacz, Lackawanna County commissioner-elect and former state representative, with the Friend of Higher Education Award and named Representative Frank Dermody its fourteenth Legislative Fellow on December 1.

IUP now owns 3.35 acres adjacent to the Kovalchick Complex after the conveyance of the land from the Department of General Services became final November 10, 2011. The land is intended to be the site of a hotel.

A limited number of tickets are still available for the November 14, 2011, First Commonwealth Endowed Lecture with former CIA operations officer Valerie Plame Wilson and U.S. diplomat Joseph Wilson. Admission is free, but tickets are required. They are available at the Hadley Union Building Box Office or by calling 724-357-1313.