Spring 2026 Features
Message from the President
Our History Is Just the Beginning
As we wrap up the celebration of our 150th anniversary, we have seen how our history shapes our path forward. A milestone like a sesquicentennial is more than a chance to look back; it’s also a reminder that the seeds of IUP’s future were planted in its past.
Our core mission—giving students what they need to succeed—goes straight back to Jane Leonard. That same spirit that led to her famous words, “Go forth. Be true, be brave, be successful!” is still alive at IUP today, more than 100 years after she led our campus in its early days.
In this issue, you can read how that legacy lives on, as campus community members share their favorite moments from IUP history. You will also see that spirit in action in the story of a 60-year tradition of lunchtime pickup basketball, in which faculty members, staff members, and students meet to play and connect.
When we give our students the right foundation, they achieve remarkable things. We see that on full display in these pages as we celebrate our women’s basketball team, which advanced to the NCAA Division II national championship game for the first time in program history.
But perhaps the biggest indicator of our future success is the major news from our pursuit of becoming the first public university in the commonwealth to open a college of osteopathic medicine. The college recently earned pre-accreditation status and has been approved to begin recruiting its very first class of students, which we expect to be on campus in fall 2027.
This is a massive step forward for IUP. By training primary care doctors to provide care in rural and underserved areas, we are doing something amazing and unprecedented that will meet a critical need across the state.
You can learn about the IUP College of Osteopathic Medicine, plus much more, inside.
As you read, I hope you feel a deep sense of pride in how far we’ve come. Our anniversary showed us the strength of our foundation, but milestones like our new IUP College of Osteopathic Medicine prove that our best days are still ahead.
Michael Driscoll
President
Letters
Stern Support
Marianne Dougherty’s lovely “Old School” in the last edition resonated so strongly with me that I am compelled to comment. First off, Dougherty captures the ethos of this chapter of IUP history incredibly well. Your younger readers are provided a vivid glimpse into many aspects of life on campus in the ’60s, from dial phones to Bermuda shorts.
I was particularly pleased that Dougherty included an account of poet Gerald Stern. He was my freshman composition teacher, and I subsequently took three more English courses from him. In addition to the other activism attributed to Stern, he also actually led the march for civil rights on Philadelphia Street in 1965. At that time, I was the editor of the Indiana Penn, and I followed and photographed the event for the front page of the newspaper. Stern was an incredible asset to IUP, and his influence on me continued for many years, including my decision to enter the Peace Corps and my own subsequent teaching career.
Bill Sweigart ’67
New Albany, IN
Swinging for the Blinds
At the 1977 Penn State invitational, from left: Becky Beard Paul ’77, M’82, Judy Lazzaro ’79, Bonnie Prencipe McMahon ’79, Alice Dickie, Debbie Bone ’78, and Donna Szwast Flickinger ’80. Missing is Maryann Dick ’78. Becky wrote, “The expression on Mrs. Dickie’s face is priceless—putting up with our silly shenanigans.”
I was sad to see the death notice for Alice Dickie. I was a physical education major and student of hers and later a friend. She formed a women’s golf club in 1977, and we practiced in Waller Gym, hitting off mats with plastic balls, aiming for the venetian blinds on the big windows. We were thrilled when she told us she was taking us to the Penn State Women’s Invitational, a two-day event, in May 1977. That was a time when many of us still did not have that many competitive opportunities. She was passionate about golf and, as a licensed LPGA [Ladies Professional Golf Association] instructor, wanted to pass on her love of golf to her many students. When a male golfer, thinking he was complimenting her, would say, “You swing like a man,” she would reply, “No, I swing correctly!” She is remembered fondly.
Becky Beard Paul ’77, M’82
Fredericksburg, VA
Achievements
Senate Awards
In May, the University Senate presented the following faculty and staff awards.
Distinguished Faculty Award for Teaching to Amanda Poole, professor of anthropology, a member of the faculty since 2009.
Distinguished Faculty Award for Research to Andrea Palmiotto, associate professor of anthropology, who joined the faculty in 2018.
Distinguished Faculty Award for Creative Arts to Timothy Paul, associate professor of music and director of Bands, a member of the faculty since 2015.
Distinguished Faculty Award for Service to Gian Pagnucci, professor of English and chair of the Department of Language, Literature, and Writing, who joined the faculty in 1995.
Distinguished Staff Award for Service to Michelle Fryling, executive director of Communications and Media Relations, who joined the IUP community in 1992.
Young Alumni Achievement
IUP presents its Young Alumni Achievement Award annually to one graduate of the last 15 years from each academic college. Following are the 2025 award recipients, with their information from the time of the award presentation in November.
Ray Edwards ’11, Eberly College of Business. A Cook Honors College alumnus, he is the director of Data Engineering for Home Depot. A native of Wernersville, he now lives in Atlanta.
Byron McClure D’16, College of Education and Human Services. A native of Fort Washington, Maryland, he is the founder of Lessons for SEL (Social and Emotional Learning) and the founder and CEO of School Psych AI and the Black School Psychologists Network. He lives in Spring, Texas.
Luke Piper ’13, Kopchick College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. An alumnus of the Cook Honors College, he is a consult psychiatrist and Integrated Behavioral Health faculty member for UPMC in Central Pennsylvania. Originally from Indiana, he lives in Elizabethtown.
Angelica Terepka M’13, D’16, College of Health Sciences. A native of Queens, she is the director of psychology for New York City Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst and an associate professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.
Cykhira Walton ’15, College of Arts, Humanities, Media, and Public Affairs. A native of Philadelphia, she is the senior policy advisor to council member Anthony Phillips, who represents Philadelphia’s 9th District.
Second Fulbright
For the 2026-27 academic year, biology professor Josiah Townsend was awarded a Fulbright to Costa Rica to resolve taxonomic confusion surrounding the leopard frog. This is his second Fulbright award. During his first, in 2019, he designed a faculty-led study-abroad program to Honduras that has since had more than 60 student participants.
Volunteer Awards
In April, IUP presented its Award of Excellence in Volunteer Leadership in four categories:
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The Advancement Support award went to Punxsutawney Area College Trust for its longtime support of the IUP Punxsutawney Campus. The trust has also provided funding for high school students taking college courses, for scholarships, and for the IUP Academy of Culinary Arts and its new facility.
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The Affinity Service award went to Denise Spangler Imbrogno ’78 and Patrick Imbrogno ’78 for their support of the IUP football program and for hosting former players and coaches at their Moon Township home each summer. A former football standout, Pat is a 2014 inductee into the IUP Athletics Hall of Fame.
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The Regional Impact award went to Sloan Kayla Dantzler ’15, cochair of the Black Experience Alumni Committee, which works to improve the college experience for minority students. Dantzler coordinates alumni-student networking events in the Philadelphia area and serves as an IUP Admissions and Promising Scholars Program volunteer.
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The Aspiring Alumni award went to Kamden Boyle, a 2024 bachelor’s degree recipient who went on to earn a master’s in public affairs in May. A highly involved student, he served as a campus tour guide, a resident assistant, a graduate assistant in the Office of Alumni and Friends, and a graduate support assistant for Housing Operations.
In honor of IUP’s 150th anniversary, a special Legacy Impact award was presented to Charles Cashdollar ’65, professor emeritus of history, and his wife, Donna Cashdollar, a graphic designer, for creating The IUP Story: From Normal School to University, the first book in 30 years to chronicle IUP’s history.
Keynote speaker for this recognition event was Karen Kelly Deklinski ’79, a past president of the IUP Alumni Association Board of Directors, a 1998 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award, and a 1988 recipient of the Alumni Ambassador Award.
In addition, alumni association board member Scott Rhoades M’06 presented the university with an IUP flag that he took on a 2016 reduced gravity research flight as part of his work in aerospace health.
Milestone Generosity
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, 2025.
Make a gift to a fund of your choice using the Online Gift Form at IUP.edu/makeagift.
Stephen Abel ’73
A gift to support the IUP Veterans Assistance Fund and many other initiatives, including a matching gift opportunity to encourage student organizations to raise funds for the Student Assistance Fund.
Jane Miller Banks ’56
A gift to support the Jane Miller Banks ECOBIT (Eberly College of Business) Scholarship.
Robert Basehore ’71 and Kathie Kuvinka Basehore ’71
Gifts to support the Bob and Kathie Basehore Boardwalk Bowl Scholarship, the Robert W. Basehore Jr. and Kathie Kuvinka Basehore Athletic Scholarship, and the IUP College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Tim Cejka ’73 and Debra Phillips Cejka ’73
Gifts to support the Student Assistance Fund and the Fusion Fellows Program, a competitive, yearlong initiative that fosters research collaboration between students and faculty of the College of Arts, Humanities, Media, and Public Affairs and the Kopchick College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.
Jere Cowden ’69 and Sharon Tahl Cowden ’71
A gift to support the IUP College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Robert Danko ’80
A gift to establish the Danko Family Scholarship, supporting members of the men’s swimming team, with preference given to students majoring in fine arts.
Gregory Davis AA’80, ’85 and Frances Nee
A gift to support the William F. and Louise R. Nee Endowment, benefiting members of the women’s swimming team.
Mary Ann Dickey
A gift to support nursing and culinary students.
Michael Driscoll
Gifts to support the IUP College of Osteopathic Medicine, the Sutton Scholarship, and the Fund for IUP.
T. Kerry Green ’78
A planned gift to support the Dr. Lou Sutton Track and Field and Cross Country Scholarship, the Coach Fry Athletic Enhancement Fund, and students majoring in health and physical education or exercise science.
The Leonard A. and Mary Jane Schafer Foundation
A gift to support the Fund for the IUP Libraries and the Student Assistance Fund. Mary Jane McMurray Schafer was a member of the Class of 1931.
Douglas Lingenfelter ’83
A planned gift to support the Eberly College of Business Dean’s Innovation Fund.
Robert O’Toole ’74 and Melinda Estridge
A planned gift to establish the James and Jean O’Toole Memorial Scholarship benefiting students from Indiana, Jefferson, Clearfield, Cambria, Westmoreland, or Armstrong County with demonstrated financial need.
Punxsutawney Area College Trust
A gift to support the Department of Culinary Arts Student Scholarship and the Punxsutawney Campus.
Ruth Riesenman ’64
Gifts supporting the Dr. Ruth A. Riesenman Scholarship; men’s basketball; the University Museum Enhancement Fund; the Allegheny Arboretum at IUP; the IUP College of Osteopathic Medicine; the College of Arts, Humanities, Media, and Public Affairs Dean’s Merit Scholarship; and the IUP Libraries Department of Special Collections and University Archives.
Rutter’s
A gift to support educational programs in the Educational Improvement Tax Credit Program.
William Scheeren ’68 and Judith Scheeren
A gift to support the Labyrinth Center.
The Estate of William Sefler ’62
A gift to support the IUP College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Terry Serafini ’61 and Janet Serafini
Gifts to support the IUP Food Pantry and Help Center, the Military and Veterans Resource Center Enhancement Fund, and the IUP 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.
Ashley Stoner ’15
A gift to establish the Ashley Rose Stoner Women’s Basketball Scholarship, benefiting women’s basketball student-athletes, with preference given to those enrolled in the Cook Honors College.
Joyce Thames
Gifts to establish the Richard Thames, DO, College of Osteopathic Medicine Scholarship.
William Wagner ’75 and Amy Wagner
A gift to support the William J. Wagner Eberly College of Business Scholarship.
David Walzak ’71 and Rebecca Blocker Walzak ’70
A gift and planned gift to support the IUP College of Osteopathic Medicine.
B. Gail Wilson and Michael D. Barrett
A gift to establish the Wilson-Barrett Fund for Communications Media and the B. Gail Wilson Fund for Communications Media to support the academic and programmatic needs of the department.
John Wingfield ’85, M’88 and Tania Williams Wingfield ’88
A gift to establish the John V. Wingfield Diving Enhancement Fund to support the academic, programmatic, and scholarship needs of the diving program.
Frances Zambotti
A gift to establish the Geno and Fran Zambotti Scholarship for Nursing. Geno Zambotti ’57, M’62 was an IUP professor emeritus of chemistry.
In Brief
Medical College Begins Recruiting Students
In May, IUP’s College of Osteopathic Medicine earned pre-accreditation status from the American Osteopathic Association’s Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation.
With this status, IUP can begin recruiting students to its Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program and can begin instruction within the approved curriculum. The program was approved by Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education in April.
While Pennsylvania has three colleges of osteopathic medicine, IUP’s would be the only one at a public university.
To achieve pre-accreditation status, the university had to complete a self-study, feasibility study, and business plan and host a COCA team visit, which happened in March.
A college of osteopathic medicine can hold pre-accreditation status for up to five years. For the college to achieve accreditation, the first class of students must graduate within those five years. IUP’s first class is to enter the program in fall 2027 and graduate in 2031.
Also in May, the IUP Council of Trustees gave its support for the college’s annual tuition, which, for 2027-28, is $43,200 for Pennsylvania residents and $65,000 for students who live out of state. Tuition would have a 3 percent base increase annually for all four years.
Osteopathic medical students typically spend their first two years in the classroom and the next two at clinical sites in the community. IUP has secured clinical training partnerships at more than 30 sites, which is well above the number needed for accreditation.
In 2022, IUP began exploring establishing a college of osteopathic medicine to address the shortage of primary care physicians throughout rural Pennsylvania. National data shows that physicians trained in osteopathic medicine are four times more likely to select primary care specialties and almost twice as likely to practice in rural areas as physicians with doctor of medicine (MD) degrees.
As of the pre-accreditation status announcement in May, the IUP College of Osteopathic Medicine had received $54 million in funding from individual donors, foundations, and agencies.
At the announcement of pre-accreditation status, from left: Indiana Regional Medical Center CEO Steve Wolfe; state representative Jim Struzzi; IUP President Michael Driscoll; IUP trustees Susan Snell Delaney ’64 and Laurie Frisina Kuzneski ’93; the College of Osteopathic Medicine’s Luke Mortensen, Miko Rose, Ryan Smith, and Jamie Murphy; state senator Joe Pittman; and trustees chair Sam Smith.
Leadership Changes
Recent changes in IUP leadership positions include the following:
In January, Peter Holden started as vice president for Administration and Finance. He came to IUP from Williston Northampton School in Massachusetts, where he was chief financial officer. Larry Wakefield filled the role in the interim.
In May, Prashanth Bharadwaj transitioned from interim dean to dean of the Eberly College of Business. In his more than 30 years at IUP, he has also served as professor and chair of the Management Department and dean’s associate for the business college.
In May, English professor Todd Thompson took over as director of the Cook Honors College. A faculty member since 2009, he succeeds Chauna Craig, who had led the college since 2019 and who continues to serve on the faculty of the Department of Language, Literature, and Writing.
In June, Emily Ruth Rutter started as dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, Media, and Public Affairs. Previously, she was associate dean for Academic Affairs and a professor of English at Bloomfield College of Montclair State University in New Jersey. At IUP, she replaced Curt Scheib ’77, M’78, who retired in June after seven years of service.
In June, IUP announced the selection of Stephen Rossi as dean of the College of Health Sciences. He comes to IUP from Georgia Southern University, where he was senior associate dean and interim dean of the Waters College of Health Professions. Hilliary Creely, IUP’s vice provost for Research and Innovation, was serving as the college’s interim dean.
Impact 150 Campaign Advances
At the end of March, IUP announced that Impact 150, its largest-ever comprehensive fundraising campaign, had surpassed $114.5 million, or 76 percent of the campaign’s $150-million goal. Through March, Impact 150 had received 50,150 gifts from 13,138 donors. Its public launch coincided with the August 2025 kickoff of IUP’s sesquicentennial celebration.
Culinary Project Progresses
As part of the IUP Academy of Culinary Arts’ long-range facilities master plan, a new facility is coming to downtown Punxsutawney. Last year, the university started a demolition project in the 100 block of West Mahoning Street to make way for the building—a two-story, 27,250-square-foot addition to the Fairman Centre. The first floor will house three teaching kitchens, one dual-purpose kitchen, a banquet room with a demonstration kitchen, and a reception lobby. The upper floor will have two classrooms and a connecting bridge to second-floor classrooms of the Fairman Centre. The new facility is expected to open in 2028.
Around Campus
In June, 130 alumni couples renewed their wedding vows, and a young-alumni couple got married during a ceremony in the Oak Grove that wrapped up IUP’s 150-year anniversary celebration. Standing for the toast were Sue Ann Johnson Fox ’88 and Alan Fox ’88 of Virginia.
Last spring, students and faculty members had five weeks to put on the developmental premiere of John Spellos’s By the Time We Got to Woodstock, directed by Joshua Kelly. The small cast included Ashley Rhodes and Nathaniel Roberts.
In January, the first IUP Night at the Pittsburgh Penguins drew more than 350 people—and mascot Norm. The Pens beat the Philadelphia Flyers, 6-3.
Namedroppers
By Matthew Burglund
Nyshae’ Weaver and Marin Miller (with the ball) during the national final against Grand Valley State (Tristan Landsberg)
Many IUP student groups and athletic teams were on hand to cheer on the Crimson Hawks during the Elite Eight tournament in Pittsburgh. (Tristan Landsberg)
When it was announced a few years ago that the 2026 NCAA Division II women’s basketball Elite Eight tournament would be held in Pittsburgh, probably many people from the IUP community thought it would be nice if the Crimson Hawks could advance that far.
In a postseason run that opened a lot of eyes and made a lot of memories, head coach Craig Carey’s team obliged. IUP made the tournament and won its first two games before losing on March 28 in the national championship game—its first-ever appearance in the title tilt. All three games at Duquesne University’s UPMC Cooper Fieldhouse had a vocal IUP contingent on hand, including several student groups and athletic teams, plus many members of the Indiana community.
“It was great,” Carey said after the Crimson Hawks beat Colorado Mesa in the national semifinals to reach the title game. “The girls feed off that. We’re asking these girls to play a lot of minutes in some grueling games. They’ve been really physical and fast-paced games, and any little energy boost helps. I think it’s rattling the other teams as well, especially when you have the football team behind a basket and all that. You’re expecting it to be in an emptier gym with just your fans, but here come 500 students who are just screaming and yelling at them in warm-ups. All of that psychologically takes a toll.”
It was a remarkable run for a team picked to finish third in the Western Division in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference preseason coaches’ poll. The Crimson Hawks won a school-record 31 games, the PSAC championship, and the Atlantic Region title, proving their detractors wrong.
“The reason it means so much to us is because nobody thought we could,” said senior forward Nyshae’ Weaver, the team’s leading scorer. “When you do it when nobody thought you could—so all the odds are against you, and you do it—that’s a great feeling.”
Although IUP fell short in the national finals to defending champion Grand Valley State, the Crimson Hawks still put together a remarkable season that few people outside the Kovalchick Complex probably saw coming.
“Now when people hear IUP, they’re not sweeping it under the carpet,” Weaver said. “We’re getting a little more respect, so that means everything. The future is bright at IUP.”
In the Spotlight
It’s safe to say there’s not a bigger name in college football—or maybe all of sports—right now than Curt Cignetti.
The former (2011-16) IUP head football coach led the Indiana Hoosiers to the NCAA championship in just his second season with the team, which, before his arrival, had been the losingest program in college football history. After an undefeated regular season, Indiana beat Ohio State in the Big Ten championship game and then defeated Alabama, Oregon, and Miami (Fla.) to cap a perfect 16-0 season.
Curt Cignetti with the national championship trophy after his Hoosiers defeated the Miami Hurricanes in January (Indiana Athletics)
For his leadership, Cignetti captured nearly every major coaching award.
On the national stage, Cignetti became the first coach to win back-to-back Home Depot and Walter Camp National Coach of the Year honors. His postseason sweeps also included the prestigious Paul “Bear” Bryant Award, the Maxwell Football Club’s George Munger Award, and the AP Coach of the Year, alongside top coaching honors from the American Football Coaches Association, The Sporting News, and ESPN. Additionally, Cignetti was named the 50th recipient of the Dodd Trophy, recognizing his program’s excellence on the field, in the classroom, and in the community.
He was also a unanimous choice for Big Ten Coach of the Year after guiding the Hoosiers to their first outright conference title since 1945. His impact extended well beyond the gridiron, culminating in Indiana Governor Mike Braun presenting him with the 2026 Sachem Award—Indiana’s highest civilian honor—for his transformative leadership and service to the state.
In May, Cignetti and the Hoosiers were guests at the White House, where they were welcomed by President Donald Trump. During a ceremony on the South Lawn, Trump called Cignetti the “coach of the last decade.”
In addition, Bryant Haines, who was an assistant at IUP under Cignetti in 2015 and is now the Hoosiers’ defensive coordinator, was named winner of the Broyles Award, given annually to the top assistant coach in the country.
Called to the Hall
The IUP Athletics Department has announced its Class of 2026 for the IUP Athletics Hall of Fame: Johnny Franco ’13, football; Helen Gilbey M’85, cross country; Matthew Kohler ’83, swimming; Krista Matsko ’14, M’15, track and field; Gary Milanovich ’68, M’73, football; Taylor Norwood ’14, lacrosse; Mike Steve ’67, baseball; Randy Strayer ’84, wrestling; Kristen Tunno ’11, softball; and Ryan Uhl ’17, baseball.
In addition, Adel Heder, the IUP women’s soccer coach from 2001 to 2022, will be inducted in the Coach/Administrator category; the 1977 men’s cross country team, which won PSAC and regional championships, will be welcomed in the Team category; and longtime IUP supporter Audley “Pete” Alexander ’80 will receive the Bell Ringer Award.
The honorees will be feted at the annual hall of fame ceremony in September before the football game vs. Seton Hill.
Making Headlines
During her nearly two-decade tenure at the University of Pittsburgh, Jennifer Tuscano M’07 has advanced through several key administrative roles and now serves as executive associate athletic director for Sport Administration and senior woman administrator. Named Pitt’s “Gold Standard Leader” in 2022 for exemplary service, she served as interim director of athletics in 2024.
Last fall, Phil Miller M’12, who earned his master’s in sport management from IUP, was named athletics director at Alma College in Michigan. Most recently, Miller served as the associate director of Operations and Facilities at Franklin & Marshall College.
Coaching Moves
Ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season, Ashton Smith was hired as a full-time assistant coach with the Atlanta Hawks. Most recently, Smith had served as a player development coach for the Hawks. He played at IUP from 2008 to 2012 and was inducted into the IUP Athletics Hall of Fame in 2024.
In March, former IUP men’s basketball assistant coach Joey Cantens was hired as head coach at his alma mater, Florida International University. Cantens was on IUP head coach Joe Lombardi’s staff for the 2014-15 season.
Also in March, Adeniyi Amadou ’07, ’08, who played at IUP from 2004 to 2008, was named head women’s basketball coach at New Mexico State University. Amadou had been an assistant at the University of Rhode Island for the past seven years.
In football, Anthony Leonard, who coached the defensive line from 2016 to 2021 and spent last season at Akron, was hired as the defensive line coach at Marshall.
Bob Ligashesky ’85, an assistant coach at Division I schools and in the NFL for more than 40 years, was hired as the special teams coach at Wisconsin. He spent the last two seasons at Minnesota.
Tom Rebholz ’03, who most recently served as defensive coordinator for Division II Findlay (Ohio), was hired in March as linebackers coach at Division I Southern Illinois. Rebholz played football at IUP from 1998 to 2001.
Matt Scott ’08, who was named PSAC West Coach of the Year last season for leading Edinboro to a 7-4 overall record and a share of the division crown, left after one season with the Fighting Scots to become defensive coordinator at Division I Albany.
And Logan Danielson ’26, a senior on last year’s IUP team, has begun his coaching career as defensive line coach at Division III Waynesburg.
In Memoriam
John Angelo, who served as manager of the IUP football team for 18 years and was known for leading the team onto the field at home games, died in Indiana on March 26. He was 53. IUP bestowed the Honorary Bell Ringer Award on Angelo in 2017.
Tom Beck, who was IUP’s men’s basketball head coach from 1983 to 1988 and was a 2010 inductee to the IUP Athletics Hall of Fame, died on April 24 in Pittsburgh. He was 93.
Mentors
Distinguished Professor
Waleed Farag, professor of computer science and director of the Institute for Cyber Security, was named IUP’s Distinguished University Professor for 2026-27.
A member of the faculty since 2002, he has secured more than $20 million in federal funding for IUP. That total includes the largest grant in university history—nearly $5 million from the US Department of Defense to establish and lead a consortium of community colleges to strengthen the workforce in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields.
As part of the Distinguished University Professor award, recipients are allowed a reduced teaching load for one year to pursue an academic project. Farag’s project, the Cyber Workforce Ecosystem and Pathway Initiative, focuses on mapping, analyzing, and strengthening regional STEM workforce pipelines, with an emphasis on cybersecurity.
Postpartum Support Pioneer
Laurence Kruckman, professor emeritus of anthropology, was interviewed for Rachel Moran’s 2024 book, Blue: A History of Postpartum Depression in America, about the role he and his wife, longtime childbirth educator Carolyn White, played in forming Postpartum Support International, a nonprofit focused on mental health issues related to childbearing. A founding member and former acting president of PSI, Kruckman said IUP’s contributions, including the work of many students on the PSI website, were pivotal to the organization’s early growth. He has a book, Driftless Anthology: Coming of Age in Southwestern Wisconsin, slated for release this year. Kruckman retired from IUP in 2011 after 27 years of service and now lives near Madison, Wisconsin.
From Keystone to Lone Star
In July 2025, the Keystone Wind Ensemble performed in San Antonio for the annual convention of the Texas Bandmasters Association, the world’s largest state band organization. Established in 1992 by Jack Stamp ’76, IUP professor emeritus and retired director of Bands, the ensemble is composed of roughly 50 alumni, students, faculty members, and administrators. Keystone Winds presented a clinic, “The British Are Coming—Again!” on the convention’s opening day and gave a full-length concert the following morning. Conducting duties were shared by Stamp and his successor at IUP, Timothy Paul. Find a report by ensemble member and professor emeritus of trumpet Kevin Eisensmith ’78, as well as photos of the event, at IUP.edu/KWEinTexas.
Faculty and Dean Deaths
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Abbas Ali, who retired from the Management Department in 2025 after 36 years of service, died February 24, 2026. He received the lifetime title of Distinguished University Professor in 2012.
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Thomas Beck, a professor emeritus who retired from the Department of Health and Physical Education in 1994 after 22 years of service, died April 24, 2026.
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Brooke Grant ’63, a faculty member who retired from the Sociology Department in 2003 after 35 years of service, died February 7, 2026.
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Rebecca Hartman, a faculty member who retired from the Nursing and Allied Health Professions Department in 2008 after 16 years of service, died July 5, 2025.
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Grace DePolo Marlin ’58, M’65, who retired in 1998 after 30 years of teaching at the University School, died December 6, 2025.
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Doyle McBride, a professor emeritus of mathematics who retired in 1991 after 27 years of service, died February 6, 2026.
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Trevah Panek ’91, M’93, a former faculty member in the Nursing and Allied Health Professions Department, died August 31, 2025.
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Maggie Patterson, a faculty member from 1979 to 1982 in the English Department and, later, the English and Journalism Department, died November 10, 2025.
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Richard Ray ’58, M’65, a professor emeritus who retired from the English Department in 1993 after 28 years of service, died April 24, 2026.
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Cora Lou Sherburne, a faculty member who retired from the Psychology Department in 2020 after 20 years of service, died May 15, 2026.
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Rosalee Stilwell, a faculty member who retired from the English Department in 2021 after 23 years of service, died February 15, 2024.
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Connie Evans Sutton ’67, M’68, a professor emerita who retired from the Geoscience Department in 2003 after 35 years of service, died February 1, 2026.
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Dan Tannacito D’70, a professor emeritus of English who retired in 2012 after 34 years of service, died November 16, 2025.
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Lawrence Turton, a professor emeritus who retired from the Special Education and Clinical Services Department in 2001 after 21 years of service, died November 4, 2025.
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Mary Lou Zanich, a professor emerita of psychology who retired in 2011 after 34 years of service, died April 18, 2026. She also served as interim dean of the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.
Masthead
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IUP Magazine welcomes contributions to help defray the cost of publishing. The Official IUP Magazine Form may be used for this purpose.
©2025 by Indiana University of Pennsylvania. All rights reserved.
Indiana University of Pennsylvania is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to excellence through diversity.
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
Design: Meghan McMeans Strittmatter ’13
Photography: Brian Henry, Tristan Landsberg