The Foundation for IUP and IUP cut the ribbon September 24, 2009, for Phase III of the Residential Revival project, a public-private collaboration that is revolutionizing the way students live and learn at IUP.
Phase III of this $270-million multiphase project includes the Sutton Suites and Suites on Pratt, offering 1,084 beds for Fall 2009.
The Residential Revival's continued advancement is symbolic of the investment in IUP's future, Dr. Tony Atwater, IUP president, said during ribbon-cutting ceremonies.
“We are committed to maintaining a legacy of excellence while moving forward to secure the university's future for generations to come. This nationally recognized capital project offers important linkages to the living-learning concept in order to ensure student academic success,” he said.
“These new buildings complement the look of an already beautiful campus in a very unique way. This project not only meets our primary goal of serving our students but also serves the community by attracting jobs and enhancing the economic climate of Indiana Borough and Indiana County.”
Other speakers included David Osikowicz of the Council of Trustees; Frank Kinter Jr., secretary-treasurer of the Foundation for IUP; Dr. Stuart Chandler, professor of religious studies; and student Christina Santiago. Remarks from state Senator Don White were offered by Rod Ruddock, Indiana County commissioner.
The Sutton Suites building, at Pratt Drive and Grant Street, reflects the architecture of Sutton Hall, the university's main administration building. The Suites on Pratt building is at Maple Street and Pratt Drive.
Sutton Suites will include a number of rooms for meetings and recreation, as well as a multipurpose room that accommodates up to 150 people. It also will remain open during university breaks to accommodate international students.
The Foundation for IUP, a nonprofit entity, owns the completed buildings. It is coordinating construction of the project through developer Allen and O'Hara of Memphis, Tenn. Massaro Corp. of Pittsburgh is the general contractor for the project. The buildings were designed by WTW Architects of Pittsburgh.
The Residential Revival involves the replacement or renovation of fourteen of IUP's residence halls with buildings that integrate a “living-learning” philosophy into their design. During the four phases of the Residential Revival, IUP will maintain its current bed capacity of approximately 3,800. Whitmyre Hall, home to the Robert E. Cook Honors College, is the only residence hall that will not be replaced.
The project is participating in a federal program called LEED, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. All of the buildings in the project are designed to reflect a “green building” philosophy.
In conjunction with the living-learning emphasis, all of the residence halls reflect a special theme, and many have “clusters” of students with common interests or majoring in specific disciplines.
The themes are global awareness for the Sutton Suites and leadership development and civic engagement for the Suites on Pratt. The Sutton Suites building also has a cluster for Asian studies, global awareness and Piso Cervantes (Spanish).
The Suites on Pratt building has a business cluster, but this focus will shift to the Crimson Suites, part of the final phase of the Residential Revival, when it is completed in Fall 2010.
Phase II, completed for fall 2008 student occupancy, involved the Suites on Maple East, Suites on Maple West, and the Northern Suites. These buildings provide 1,102 beds for students.
Completed before the Fall 2007 semester, Phase I of the Residential Revival included Susan Snell Delaney Hall, dedicated in May 2008 in honor of Susan Snell Delaney, a longtime member of the university's Council of Trustees, and Donna D. Putt Hall, dedicated in June 2009 in honor of Donna D. Putt, former president of the Foundation for IUP. Delaney and Putt halls offer 746 beds.
To make way for the Phase III buildings, Campus Towers, Esch and Wallace halls, and the Pechan Health Center were razed.
Campus Towers, built in 1971 by a private business, was purchased by the university in 1990. Campus Towers was one of the first two buildings, along with University Towers, to offer apartment-style living on campus.
Esch Hall, constructed in 1973, served the university for thirty-five years as a coeducational residence facility. The building was named after Mary L. Esch, who served as the university's registrar for fifty years.
Wallace Hall was constructed in 1973 as a mirror image of Esch Hall and, like Esch, served as a coeducational residential building. The facility was named in honor of Florence Wallace, a social studies professor at IUP from 1933 to 1964.
Pechan Health Center was built in 1968 and named after Pennsylvania Senator Albert R. Pechan, a former dentist from Ford City who died in 1969.
At top: Pictured cutting the ribbon were, from left, Lynn Barger, acting vice president for University Relations and acting executive director of the Foundation for IUP; Dr. Stuart Chandler, professor of religious studies and speaker; Dr. Yong Colen, Foundation for IUP board member; Susan Delaney, IUP trustee; Ray Edwards, IUP student trustee; Sandi Gillette, representing state Senator Don White; Carson Greene of the Indiana County Development Corp.; David Osikowicz, IUP trustee; Rod Ruddock, Indiana County commissioner; Dr. Tony Atwater, IUP president; Frank Kinter, Foundation for IUP secretary-treasurer; Dr. Rhonda Luckey, vice president for Student Affairs; George Hood, Indiana Borough mayor; Sue McMurdy, Foundation for IUP board member; Gail McCauley, White Township supervisor; Diana Paccapaniccia, Indiana school board; Dr. Ruth Riesenman, Foundation for IUP board member; Christina Santiago, student speaker; and Gealy Wallwork, IUP trustee.