Indiana University of Pennsylvania alumni Tim and Deb Cejka were honored by the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education with the 2025 Keepers of the Flame Award for their sustained leadership, vision, and generosity.
From left: Tim Cejka, Debra Cejka, IUP Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer and Title IX Coordinator Elise Glenn
The Cejkas are 1973 graduates of IUP.
The award was presented on October 30 as part of the 2025 PASSHE Summit “Together We Thrive, Building Inclusive Excellence Across the State System,” held virtually and at PennWest Clarion on October 29 and 30.
The Keepers of the Flame Award recognizes an individual from each of the 14 State System university campuses for their contributions to creating and promoting diverse, equitable, and inclusive environments that cultivate a sense of belonging.
Award recipients may be students, staff, faculty, administrators, or community members. They are members of the university who inspire others, engage in collaboration, and enact positive change. The annual award began in 2022.
“Tim and Deb are longtime supporters of IUP, its students, and its mission to change the world one student at a time,” IUP President Michael Driscoll said.
“The Cejkas embody the values of diversity, inclusion, and belonging that this award celebrates. Tim and Deb’s story is one of vision, generosity, and heart. They have consistently leveraged their leadership and resources to create opportunities for others, particularly those historically underrepresented in higher education and in access to health care,” he said.
Tim Cejka, a 2006 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient and retired president of ExxonMobil Exploration Company, has served on IUP’s Council of Trustees since 2018, where his guidance has been instrumental in shaping initiatives that strengthen diversity and inclusion.
Together, the Cejkas have served in key volunteer leadership roles, including as members of the IUP National Campaign Cabinet and as chairs of the campaign effort benefiting the John J. and Char Kopchick College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.
In May 2018, the IUP Council of Trustees honored the Cejkas with a resolution to name the IUP planetarium and atrium in Kopchick Hall in recognition of the couple’s ongoing generosity and support. In 2019, the Cejkas received IUP’s inaugural Award of Excellence in Volunteer Leadership.
“The Cejkas’ impact extends far beyond philanthropy; it is grounded in their unwavering belief in access and opportunity,” President Driscoll said. “They have been champions of IUP’s diversity and inclusion initiatives, helping to meet critical student needs and ensuring that all students feel a sense of belonging and support,” he said.
Notably, the Cejkas have been instrumental in supporting the Crimson Scholars Circle, a specialized cohort program that provides comprehensive financial, social, and academic support to high-achieving IUP students from diverse backgrounds.
IUP Vice President for Student Affairs Thomas Segar developed and launched the Crimson Scholars Circle in 2021. Students in the Crimson Scholars Circle receive renewable scholarships, intensive mentoring through peer and alumni networks, and access to workshops and professional development opportunities. The program also fosters a living-learning community where students build relationships and strategies for success together.
“The Cejkas’ support of the Crimson Scholars Circle ensures that students who may face barriers to higher education not only enroll, but also thrive and graduate, prepared to lead,” Vice President Segar said.
The Cejkas are lead advocates and supporters of IUP’s proposed college of osteopathic medicine; once established, it will be the first college of osteopathic medicine at a public university in Pennsylvania.
“Their leadership in this initiative directly addresses one of the most pressing issues of our time: access to quality health care in rural and underserved communities,” President Driscoll said.
“Recognizing that families in Pennsylvania often travel hours for basic medical services, the Cejkas have championed a solution that will not only train future doctors but also improve health access for generations to come.”
“There is a medical care desert in Pennsylvania,” Tim Cejka said. “We might not be able to fully solve this crisis, but we can take action and make a real difference in helping to create solutions.”
“By linking education, health care, and community need, Tim and Deb Cejka exemplify what it means to be Keepers of the Flame,” IUP Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer and Title IX Coordinator Elise Glenn said. Glenn presented the award to the Cejkas at the event.
“They have inspired fellow alumni, business leaders, and legislators to join them in advancing initiatives that foster equity, inclusion, and a brighter future for all. Their work ensures that IUP not only prepares students for meaningful careers but also fulfills its public mission to serve the Commonwealth and beyond,” Glenn said.
“The Keepers of the Flame Award honors individuals whose leadership, dedication, and impact have strengthened the PASSHE community,” Christa Cobb, assistant vice chancellor and chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer, said. “These recipients exemplify how a commitment to student success, inclusive excellence, and academic achievement can transform lives, open doors, and inspire others across our campuses.”
In addition to the Keepers of the Flame Award, the two-day Summit featured presentations and panel discussions with more than 130 members of the PASSHE community. IUP faculty, staff, and students who participated in the Summit as presenters were:
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Professor of Applied Theater and Director of IUP’s Center for Teaching Excellence Rachel DeSoto-Jackson, Vice Provost for Academic Success and Dean of the University College Amber Racchini, and Title III Grant Program Coordinator Stephan Schaffrath presented “Fostering a Culture of Belonging Together: IUP-ACUE Collaboration Through a Title III Grant;”
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Associate Vice Provost for Research and Innovation Kelly Heider presented “High Impact Practices for Inclusive Excellence: Connecting Libraries and Research Support Services at IUP;”
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Department of Professional Studies in Education Professor Crystal Machado presented “University Policies and Practices that Inhibit and Enhance Women Faculty Wellbeing Online: A Qualitative Study;”
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Associate Professor of Nursing Benjamin Martin presented “Building Inclusive Excellence in Nursing: Faculty-Led Strategies to Support Underrepresented Student Populations;”
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Distinguished University Professor and Chair of the Department of History, Philosophy, Political Science, and Religious Studies R. Scott Moore presented “When Three Become One: Navigating Belonging and Identity in a Merged Department;”
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IUP proposed college of osteopathic medicine Founding Dean Miko Rose, IUP proposed college of osteopathic medicine Associate Dean of Pre-Clinical Affairs Luke Mortensen, and IUP proposed college of osteopathic medicine Associate Dean of Clinical Affairs and Graduate Medical Education Ryan Smith presented “Let’s Build a Med School;”
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Doctoral student Emmanuella Musiime presented “University Policies and Practices that Inhibit and Enhance Women Faculty Wellbeing Online: A Qualitative Study;”
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Associate Professor of Political Science Gwen Torges presented “HPPR Happy Hour: Low-Barrier Gatherings that Build Student Belonging” and joined Moore for “When Three Become One: Navigating Belonging and Identity in a Merged Department.”
Past IUP recipients of the Keepers of the Flame Award are:
2024: Kevin W. Bailey, a 2019 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient and vice chancellor for student affairs at UNC Charlotte. Bailey is a highly regarded educator who began his career in student affairs at UNC Charlotte in 1990 and returned to campus as vice chancellor for student affairs in 2017. Over his 30 years in higher education, Bailey served as vice president for student affairs at the University of West Florida in Pensacola and associate vice president for student affairs at Tulane University. He also held leadership and teaching positions at Millersville University of Pennsylvania, Bowling Green State University, and IUP.
2023: Charlene Mickens Dukes, a 1980 graduate of IUP and a 2008 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient. She was the first female president of Prince George’s Community College and holds the title of president emerita. She recently served as interim president of Montgomery College. She was unanimously voted president of the Maryland State Board of Education after having served two terms as vice chair.
2022: Debra Evans Smith, a 1981 IUP criminology graduate who received the university’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2022. Smith retired from the FBI after a 30-year, award-winning career. Smith was one of the first 50 black female FBI agents in the 1980s. A “spy chaser” for most of her career, she won top honors for her role in such cases, including the case of Robert Hanssen. Smith received the Attorney General Award for Intelligence and the United States Attorney’s Award for her role in this major espionage investigation. She also received the National Intelligence Community Certificate of Distinction for her role in a national security matter. After retirement, she returned to the FBI and managed a priority initiative under directors James Comey and Christopher Wray to address what had been the Bureau’s inadequate record on diversity, equity, and inclusion. She also cochairs the Minority Inclusion: Reevaluating Real Opportunities Responsibly Project, a grassroots strategy developed by a group of retired special agents who are concerned with racial disparities within the FBI.
Since its founding in 1875, IUP has evolved from a teacher-training institution into a doctoral research university recognized for its commitment to student success and achievement. As IUP celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2025, the university honors a legacy of educational excellence while looking toward a future of innovation, leadership in healthcare education, and public service.