IUP Magazine, Spring 2025

Let’s Look Ahead—Together

This year, our university marks a significant milestone—150 years of transforming lives and shaping futures. It’s a century and a half committed to education, community, and opportunity. It’s been a long journey, but it’s far from over. While we honor the past, we must also look to the future, imagining what the next 150 years will bring for IUP.

Our journey began as Indiana Normal School on May 17, 1875, with a simple, yet powerful vision: to provide a high-quality education to anyone who wanted it. Over the years, we have grown into a vibrant university with roughly 150,000 alumni and thousands of students from all walks of life, guided by a dedicated faculty and staff. IUP has become a place where diverse ideas, innovation, and lifelong connections flourish, creating a lasting impact locally and globally.

In January, we held “Shaping Tomorrow: Detailing IUP’s Future,” a daylong event that brought together members of our faculty, staff, and administration to focus on the issues and concerns that have held us back, as well as the strategies and innovations that will propel us forward. We are now poised to build upon these conversations and to lay the foundation for a sustainable, inclusive, and forward-thinking IUP that will continue to be a leader in higher education for generations to come.

The next 150 years will look different from the first 150. Still, our core mission will remain unchanged: to empower our students, foster critical thinking and creativity, and contribute to the betterment of our communities. We will embrace new technologies, fields of study, and opportunities to ensure our students are prepared for an ever-changing world, just as we have always done.

As we move into the next chapter of IUP’s history, I invite you to stay engaged with IUP. Whether you graduated recently or many years ago, you are an integral part of this university’s story. Your involvement, ideas, and support are essential to ensuring that IUP continues to thrive for the next 150 years. Together, we can build on our proud history and shape an even brighter future.

Michael Driscoll
President

Young Achievers

From left: Casey Ryan, Mark Smith, IUP President Michael Driscoll, Brianne Lenhart, and Donte Palmer

IUP presents its Young Alumni Achievement Award annually to one graduate of the last 15 years from each academic college. Following are the 2024 recipients and their descriptions from the November awards ceremony:

College of Arts and Humanities

Casey Ryan ’12

A Sharpsville native, he is the founder and principal of Ryan Blueprint Group in New York City.

College of Education and Communications

Donte Palmer ’09

Originally from Philadelphia, he founded the nonprofit Squat for Change and is a ninth-grade scholar advisor at SEO (Sponsors for Educational Opportunity) Miami.

College of Health and Human Services and Eberly College of Business

Brianne Lenhart ’16, M’17

A Saegertown native, she is the events manager at Wyndemere Country Club in Naples, Florida.

Kopchick College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics

Mark Smith ’11

Originally from Stewartstown, he is the founder and CEO of Macroscopic Solutions, LLC, of East Hartford, Connecticut.

Research Ranking

In February, IUP was again designated a Research 2 doctoral university in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education after initially receiving the designation in 2022. The full title is Research 2: High Spending and Doctorate Production, which requires that an institution spend at least $5 million on research and award at least 20 research doctorates annually. On average, IUP spent more than $6 million on research and granted more than 100 research doctorates annually during the years that determined the 2025 classification. In Pennsylvania, IUP is one of two public universities and one of six universities total with this classification.

Next Student Trustee

In February, Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education Board of Governors approved Jackson White, a student in the Cook Honors College and the Economics Honors and Political Science programs, as the next student member of the IUP Council of Trustees. White, of Uniontown, will begin his term after the current student trustee, Shagufta Haque, graduates in May.

Student of the Year

The National Hispanic Institute, a nonprofit dedicated to developing leaders in the Hispanic community, recognized Marisol Gonzalez Flores of Kennett Square as one of its two 2024 College Students of the Year. A Cook Honors College student pursuing dual degrees in geology and criminology, Gonzalez Flores was honored for her academic excellence and contributions to her campus and community.

International Efforts

Last October, the Pennsylvania Council for International Education presented Michele Petrucci D’05, associate vice president for International Education and Global Engagement, with its David Portlock Outstanding International Educator Award, which honors mentoring, leadership, and contributions to the field. Petrucci joined IUP’s American Language Institute in 1997 and has led the Office of International Education since 2003.

In November, the Institute of International Education recognized IUP for 75 years of reporting its international student data for inclusion in what’s now called the Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange. According to IIE, this publication is the only long-standing, comprehensive resource on international students studying in the US and American students studying abroad.

Rugby Royalty

In December, the Men’s Rugby Club team won its second straight National Collegiate Rugby Division II title in the 15-player division by beating the University of Northern Iowa, 38-29, in Houston. It was the fourth national championship for the Crimson Hawks, who also won the title in the seven-player division in 2022 and ’23.

Elevating Drones

In December, the Pennsylvania Drone Association presented IUP with its 2024 Ellie Education Award for elevating the state’s drone industry. John Benhart, professor of regional planning and director of IUP’s drone certificate program, accepted the award in Harrisburg. IUP is the only Pennsylvania university recognized as a Federal Aviation Administration Collegiate Training Institution.

Shout-out to Ruth 

I am so glad to see that she is still at it! 

I was moved to see the article about Ruth Riesenman ’64, published in the Fall 2024 edition of IUP Magazine. Reading about how Ruth continues to mentor and encourage young people brought back memories of working alongside and being encouraged by Ruth. 

While I was at IUP, she was head of Career Services and the sponsor of the Black Cultural Center on campus. A Philadelphian by birth, I had no idea the culture shock that would await me as a first-year student at IUP; however, I found myself drawn to the BCC and was surprised to find Ruth there as the center’s sponsor. What I didn’t anticipate was her warmth, her compassion, and her encouraging spirit. All of these qualities not only helped me with my culture shock, but encouraged me to be active in campus affairs in a number of leadership roles, including with the Black Student League, Student Government, and Concerts Committee.   

Years later, when I had the privilege of supporting the sponsorship of a busload of students from the Philadelphia area to IUP to meet and be vetted by the Culinary Arts team, Ruth continued to demonstrate hospitality and encouragement in her role as administrative assistant to the president of IUP. At that time, I was responsible for Human Resources at the Pennsylvania Convention Center, and in conjunction with the Philadelphia High School Academies, Inc., the bus trip brought students from the hospitality, restaurant, and tourism programs of George Washington, West Philadelphia, and William Penn high schools to the campus for a day. The students were so in awe of their experience, including Ruth’s hospitality and encouragement, that a few of them made IUP their college choice.  

I have written to Ruth to let her know how much I appreciate her as a person and a professional, especially when race relations at IUP were at times tenuous. To find that she has been consistent in her encouragement and lifting of hundreds, perhaps thousands, of students is refreshing—and just like Ruth.  

Thank you, Ruth! It is so good to know you are still at it. 

Charlene Bayne ’82 
Drexel Hill, PA 

A Familiar Face 

When I saw the Distinguished Alumni Awards [IUP Magazine, Fall 2024], I wracked my brain over how I knew Carolyn Violi from my 1976 class. Was she in my freshman dorm, Conestoga? Did she pledge my sorority, Alpha Phi? Days later, I remembered that we student-taught together at Knoch High School in South Butler School District. Carolyn, Terri Sochor, and I rented rooms from a retired woman who lived near the school. The award is a wonderful tribute to Carolyn and her fabulous career. I enjoyed my trip down memory lane. 

Sandra Colt ’76 
Pittsburgh, PA 

By Matthew Burglund 

Two more members of the IUP football family can now put “Super Bowl champion” on their résumés.  

Nick Sirianni received a Gatorade shower from DeVonta Smith, left, and A. J. Brown during Super Bowl LIX. (courtesy of Philadelphia Eagles)

Philadelphia Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni, an assistant coach at IUP from 2006 to 2008, led his team to a 40-22 win over the Kansas City Chiefs last February in Super Bowl LIX. Tyler Scudder, an assistant at IUP from 2010 to 2012, assisted him. 

That NFL championship was the first for this pair of former IUP assistants. It was the second title for another member of the Eagles organization with deep IUP ties. Brandon Hunt ’03, M’06, who played on the IUP offensive line from 2000 to 2003, is Philadelphia’s senior director of scouting and one of the Eagles’ championship roster architects. His first title came as a member of the Steelers’ scouting department during Super Bowl XL in 2006. 

The list of extended IUP football family members who have been part of Super Bowl-winning organizations now stands at 14. Hunt is one of only two of them—legendary Steelers owner Art Rooney Sr. being the other—to be part of multiple NFL champion teams. 

The rest of the list includes Jason Capizzi ’11 (Steelers, 2009), Tom Donahoe ’70 (Eagles, 2017), Jim Hostler ’90 (Ravens, 2012), John Jones (Ravens, 2001), Bob Ligashesky ’85 (Steelers, 2009), Ben McAdoo ’00 (Packers, 2011), Tom Modrak ’65 (Steelers, 1980), Anthony Piroli ’08 (Buccaneers, 2021), Rod Rutherford (Steelers, 2006), and Casey Weidl M’12 (Eagles, 2017). 

Brandon Hunt, right, the Eagles’ senior director of scouting, with former safety Anthony Harris (courtesy of Philadelphia Eagles)

Homecoming

Another member of the IUP football family has returned after a quarter century at the highest levels of football. 

In February, Frank Cignetti Jr. ’89 was named IUP’s offensive coordinator, a job he held under his late father, former head coach Frank Cignetti Sr. ’60, M’65, in 1997 and 1998. Cignetti Jr. left IUP in the spring of 1999 for a job with the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs, beginning a nomadic career with six NFL and six NCAA Division I FBS (Football Bowl Subdivision) programs. His most recent role was offensive coordinator at the University of Pittsburgh. 

“I have great pride in this program,” Cignetti told The Indiana Gazette. “I want to see this program be successful. There’s a high standard here that I was part of as a player and then as a coach. And now I get to do it again, which I feel very humbled and very grateful for that opportunity.” 

In another Cignetti family note, Curt Cignetti, IUP head coach from 2011 to 2016, received several awards after leading the Indiana Hoosiers to their best season in decades. He was named national coach of the year by The Sporting News, the Football Writers Association of America, the Associated Press, the Walter Camp Football Foundation, and the American Football Coaches Association. After winning only three games in 2023, Indiana finished 11-2 in 2024 and advanced to the College Football Playoffs, gaining national attention for its turnaround season in Cignetti’s debut.  

Frank Cignetti Jr. returned to IUP in February as offensive coordinator. (Sam Traini/IUP Athletic Communications)

Coaching Moves 

A handful of former IUP football players and coaches have new jobs in the coaching business: Jim Chapin, who was an assistant at IUP from 2012 to 2014, was named offensive coordinator at Central Michigan University; Chase Haslett M’15, a player in 2014 and ’15, was named the New Orleans Saints’ tight ends coach; Luke Getsy, an assistant from 2011 to 2013, was named an offensive assistant by the Green Bay Packers; Jalen Hairston, an assistant in 2021, was named defensive pass game coordinator at Maine; Hal Hunter, an assistant in 1986, was named tight ends coach at Maryland; Anthony Leonard, an assistant from 2016 to 2021, was named defensive line coach at Akron; and Matt Scott ’08, a player from 2004 to 2007, was named head coach at Edinboro. 

Soon after she led the Crimson Hawks to the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference championship last fall, women’s volleyball coach Lorelle “Lo” Hoyer left the university for the same post at Division I North Carolina-Wilmington. Avery Moore, former head coach at West Virginia State, replaced her. 

Mark Zacher ’80, the winningest coach in the history of Norwich (Vermont) University’s women’s basketball program, retired after last season. In 15 seasons under Zacher’s tutelage, the Cadets won 182 games and recorded two 20-win seasons and 12 postseason appearances, including two Great Northeast Athletic Conference championships.  

Honors 

Malloreigh Yingling ’21, M’23 was named National Photographer of the Year by College Sports Communicators at its annual convention. Yingling has been the assistant director of Athletics Public Relations at the University of Richmond since January 2023, focusing on women’s lacrosse, swimming and diving, cross-country, and women’s track and field. 

Two IUP alumni were recently selected for induction into the Indiana County Sports Hall of Fame. Bruce Yard ’99, M’03, an IUP baseball star who went on to play professionally for the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, was honored at a banquet at the Indiana Country Club. Also inducted was Frank Garritano M’80, D’98, who has been a PIAA official in many sports for the past 44 years and president of the Indiana County Youth Legion baseball program since 2001. 

Although he was unable to participate because of an injury, Irvin Charles, who was named to the All-PSAC West team in 2021, was chosen as an alternate for the Pro Bowl, the NFL’s annual all-star contest. Charles, who starred at IUP as a wide receiver, has made a name for himself as a special teams ace for the New York Jets. 

The university community is grateful to the following donors, who made gifts totaling $25,000 or more to the Foundation for IUP between July 1 and December 31, 2024. 

• An anonymous gift to support the creation of a college of osteopathic medicine 

• An anonymous gift to support the David (’53) and Audrey (’52) Johnson Unrestricted Endowment, the Ward and Sally Johnson Memorial Athletic Scholarship, the Lee M. Johnson Faulconbridge (’82) Scholarship, the David L. Johnson Family Safety Science Award, and the creation of a college of osteopathic medicine 

• Anthony Bosnick ’72, a planned gift to support the Eleanor Bosnick Memorial Scholarship for Nursing, which benefits nursing majors and gives preference first to graduates of Port Allegany High School and second to graduates of high schools in McKean, Potter, Cameron, and Elk counties 

• The Estate of Joan Frey Boytim ’55, M’64, a gift to support the James A. Boytim, EdD (’59, M’66) Scholarship, Scholarship for Mathematics, and Scholarship for Service and the Joan Frey Boytim scholarships for keyboard accompanist, male vocal performance, and female vocal performance 

• Tim Cejka ’73 and Debra Phillips Cejka ’73, a gift to support the creation of a college of osteopathic medicine 

• Concurrent Technologies Corporation, a gift of analytical chemistry equipment for use in the Madia Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Physics 

• Janet Daugherty ’63, a planned gift to establish the Janet Monnie Daugherty Scholarship for undergraduates majoring in nutrition, with preference given to students in the Dietetics track and to students who graduate from Punxsutawney Area High School or Indiana Area Senior High 

• Mary Ann Dickey, a gift to support nursing and culinary students and the creation of a college of osteopathic medicine 

• Gary Dotterweich and Christine Dotterweich, a gift of an electronic drum set to the Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance 

• Michael Driscoll, gifts to support the creation of a college of osteopathic medicine and to support the Sutton Scholarship and the Fund for IUP 

• Donald Ganassi ’78, a gift to establish the Donald E. Ganassi Family Scholarship for members of the men’s and women’s track and field and cross-country teams. Preference will be given to students in the Eberly College of Business or in the Pre-law track or minor and to students living in Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Washington, or Westmoreland County. 

• Barry Gasdek ’64, a gift to establish the Gasdek Family College of Osteopathic Medicine Scholarship for students in the proposed college of osteopathic medicine. Preference will be given to Pennsylvania residents and to active-duty military personnel, veterans, students who were ROTC cadets as undergraduates, and students with an undergraduate degree in nursing. 

• The Estate of Lawrence Hammonds, gifts to support the field hockey team and the academic and programmatic needs of the art program 

• CJ Jaynes ’79, M’82, a gift to support the Rear Admiral CJ Jaynes Scholarship for Veterans in STEM 

• Arlene Eva Langley ’78, a planned gift to establish the Arlene Eva Langley Memorial Scholarship for full-time undergraduates pursuing degrees in teacher education or criminology 

• The Leonard A. and Mary Jane Schafer Foundation, a gift to support the Fund for the IUP Library and the Student Assistance Fund. Mary Jane McMurray Schafer was a member of the Class of 1931. 

• Gwendolyn Howard Miller ’60, a gift to support the Rosalie Howard Memorial Scholarship for full-time students with financial need 

• The Estate of Ralph Morris ’69, a gift to support the Mellowmen Jazz Ensemble 

• Douglas Niesen ’87 and Heidi Niesen, a gift to support the IUP football team 

• John Ninosky ’93, a planned gift to support the Tammy Beale Ninosky (’93) Memorial Scholarship for students in the proposed college of osteopathic medicine. Preference will be given to students who have lost a parent. 

• Kathleen Darkes Prokay ’69, a gift to support the Bob (’70) and Kathy Prokay Boardwalk Bowl Scholarship for full-time students who play offensive guard or defensive tackle on the football team 

• Punxsutawney Area College Trust, a gift to support the Department of Culinary Arts Student Scholarship and the Punxsutawney Campus 

• Joseph Reinard ’01, M’05 and Annie Wardrop Reinard ’12, M’16, a planned gift to support the Joe and Annie Reinard College of Osteopathic Medicine Scholarship for full-time students in the proposed college of osteopathic medicine 

• The Estate of Richard Rezzolla and Dorothy Rezzolla, a gift to support the creation of a college of osteopathic medicine 

• David Siesko ’83, a gift to support the creation of a college of osteopathic medicine 

• Marilyn Silvey, a gift to support the Bedford John “BJ” Silvey Sr. (’62) Scholarship for full-time students, with preference given to first-generation college students 

• Frederick Streams ’55, a gift to support the Dr. Fred ’55 and Hazel (Grant) ’55 Streams Scholarship for full-time undergraduate students majoring in secondary education in natural sciences or in early childhood/special education 

• The Statler Foundation, a gift to support the purchase of software to enhance the training and proficiency of students in the Hotel, Restaurant, Tourism, and Event Management program 

• Michael Zang ’73 and Karen Focht Zang ’73, a gift to establish the Karen Focht Zang Education Scholarship for full-time students in the Early Childhood Education or Early Childhood/Special Education program. Preference is given to students who live in Cumberland or York County. 

Make a gift to a fund of your choice using the Online Gift Form at IUP.edu/makeagift.

On the Radio 

From left: Thomas Rainey, Dante Morgante ’23, WIUP-FM faculty advisor Zachary Stiegler, and Ali Appleman ’22, M’23.

During Homecoming weekend in October, scores of WIUP-FM contributors, past and present, attended a 55-year reunion that included a dinner in Sutton Hall’s Blue Room. Participants were also invited to Davis Hall to record their memories of working at the station. Faculty advisor Zachary Stiegler is collecting historical materials about WIUP-FM and welcomes alumni submissions. He also has plans to start a newsletter this summer. Contact him at stiegler@iup.edu. 

New Dean, Interim Vice President 

Recent changes in IUP leadership positions include the following: 

In February, Edel Reilly D’07 transitioned from interim dean to dean of the College of Education and Human Services. An experienced faculty member and administrator, she began work in the Academic Affairs Division in 2007 and had stints as director of Liberal Studies and as provost’s associate for Academic Planning. 

In March, Larry Wakefield came to IUP as interim vice president for Administration and Finance. Debra Fitzsimons left the permanent position in February after six years of service. Wakefield has worked in higher education budget planning and analysis and business affairs for more than four decades. 

Culinary Arts Project Moves Forward 

Work to prepare the site of a future IUP Academy of Culinary Arts facility along West Mahoning Street in downtown Punxsutawney has begun. Six unoccupied buildings are being readied for demolition to make way for construction of the multipurpose facility. The academy’s $22-million long-range plan recommended that all culinary education be provided in new or renovated buildings downtown, adjacent to the Fairman Centre, which houses academy classrooms and teaching kitchens. Design of the new facility is expected to be complete by June 2026. 

System Gets New Chancellor 

In April, Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education Board of Governors selected Christopher Fiorentino as the System’s sixth chancellor. The former president of West Chester University, he served as interim chancellor after Daniel Greenstein left the permanent position in October. PASSHE is the state-owned public university system; its 10 member institutions include IUP. 

Making Broadcast History

Emily Marines, left, and Riley Yonchiuk in the broadcast booth

In spring 2024, after students enrolled in her Digital Sports Production class for the fall, faculty member Stephanie Keppich M’09 listed all the jobs required to broadcast IUP football games and asked for each student’s preference. When none picked on-air duties, she approached Emily Marines and Riley Yonchiuk and suggested they team up on the play-by-play and color commentary. In doing so, she made a bit of school history by bringing together the first two-woman team to tackle streaming broadcast duties for IUP football. They called their first game, a win over Clarion, in late September. Read more at Making Broadcast History. 

Meet Our Faculty 

The Meet Our Faculty series, started in fall 2023 by the Marketing and Communications team, has highlighted a different faculty member on IUP’s website and social media platforms nearly every week of the academic year. Presented in a question-and-answer format, these features often reveal unexpected details about a professor’s career or life path, such as how Sean McDaniel, with no foreign language skills, got a chance to teach English in Spain—an experience that “transformed” him; how Jana Villemain’s love of solving biochemistry’s puzzles was a natural progression after growing up fixing and making things with her grandparents; or how artist Sean Derry was a Nordic skier on Alaska’s Junior Olympics team. Find roughly 50 series installments at IUP.edu/meetourfaculty. 

WWII Site Study Success 

Since 2022, IUP has assisted with US efforts to account for missing military personnel from past conflicts. Last August, those efforts led to the identification of 1st Lt. Wylie Leverett, whose aircraft was lost December 30, 1944, on a World War II bombing mission to Mannheim, Germany.  

Through a cooperative agreement with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency and the Henry M. Jackson Foundation for Military Medicine, anthropology faculty members Andrea Palmiotto and William Chadwick have led three field schools at the crash site in Germany, where students helped investigate and excavate the area. They plan to offer more training opportunities this summer and beyond. 

Faculty Deaths 

Recently reported deaths of former IUP faculty members: 

• William Bahn, a professor emeritus who retired from the Department of Special Education and Clinical Services in 1990 after 25 years of service, died November 11, 2024. 

• James Dougherty, who retired from the Sociology Department in 2015 after nearly 15 years of combined service, died January 4, 2025. He founded the Center for Northern Appalachian Studies in 2007. 

• Victor Garcia, a professor emeritus who retired from the Anthropology Department in 2021 after 30 years of service, died December 6, 2024. He was honored with the lifetime title of Distinguished University Professor in 2013. 

• Betty Lanham, a professor emerita who retired from the Department of Sociology-Anthropology in 1988 after more than 18 years of service, died February 16, 2019. 

• Cruz Mendizábal, a professor emeritus who retired from the Spanish and Classical Languages Department in 1999 after more than 30 years of service, died March 19, 2025. 

• William Srsic, who retired from the Office of Financial Aid in 2011 after 42 years of service, died November 23, 2024. 

• Edwina Vold, a professor emerita who retired from the Department of Professional Studies in Education in 1999 after 19 years of service, died January 5, 2025. 

• Harold “Hal” Wingard, who retired as dean of the College of Health and Human Services in 1999 after more than 18 years of service and earned emeritus status, died December 26, 2024. 

President of Indiana University of Pennsylvania:
Michael Driscoll

Editor: Elaine Jacobs Smith ’93

Contributing Editors: Karen Philippi Gresh ’67, Bob Fulton ’75

Namedroppers Editor: Matthew Burglund ’98

All About Alumni Editor: Jason Levan ’97

Contributing Writer: Mary Ann Slater

Design: Meghan McMeans Strittmatter ’13

Photography: Brian Henry

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