Six student organizations at Indiana University of Pennsylvania participated in the first IUP Philanthropy Cup event, raising funds to support the Student Assistance Fund and creating initiatives to inspire students to “give back” and engage in creative fundraising.
In addition, Col. Stephen Abel, a 1972 graduate, and Thomas A. Baker, a 2005 graduate, each donated $5,000 for the initiative, which included prize money for the winning groups and $5,000 donated directly to the Student Assistance Fund.
South Asian Student Association officers, from left, Visalakshi Jayaraman, Aarati Poudel, Larry Glasmire, Reva Nalamati, Amisha Vinde, Israt Momo, Alak Patel, Jasmine Bishnoi, and Sharika Neopaney. Association officer Rachana Bharadwaj, who also worked on the project, is missing from the photo.
The six organizations participating in this year’s event were the South Asian Student Association, IUP Ambassadors, Phi Sigma Kappa, Residence Hall Association, Student Giving Committee, and Women in STEAM. The groups collectively raised $447 for the Student Assistance Fund.
In addition to total funds raised, organizations received points for social media activity and member participation. Awards included the Philanthropy Cup champion (awards for overall points), the Spirit of Giving Award (most donors), and Dollars for Impact Award (most dollars raised).
The South Asian Student Association won first place in the Philanthropy Cup, second place in the Spirit of Giving Award, and first place in the Dollars for Impact Award, collecting $150. The IUP Ambassadors student-alumni association won second place in the Philanthropy Cup, third place in the Spirit of Giving Award, and third place in Dollars for Impact Award, raising $78. Phi Sigma Kappa won third place in the Philanthropy Cup, first place in the Spirit of Giving Award, and second place in the Dollars for Impact Award, raising $110. Only gifts from current IUP students were counted toward the Philanthropy Cup competition.
“I’m really proud of our students and how they showed up for our first-ever IUP Philanthropy Cup,” IUP Annual Giving Coordinator Alexa Zacek said. “Our student organizations put so much heart into their fundraisers, and it was amazing to see students supporting one another through their gifts. That’s one of the best parts of IUP: lifting each other up when it matters most. The Student Assistance Fund is a perfect example of that kind of impact, which is why it was chosen as the fund to support during this competition.
“This event wouldn’t have come together without our student organizations being willing to try something new, and I’m so grateful for the support from Col. Abel and Dr. Baker. Their generosity shows our students just how powerful philanthropy can be,” she said.
Winners were announced during the university’s annual Giving Tuesday celebration on December 2, a 24-hour campaign focusing on support for a number of student-focused initiatives, including the Student Assistance Fund.
Created during the pandemic and originally supported by federal emergency relief, the Student Assistance Fund relies fully on private donations from students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends. The fund provides critical support for students experiencing financial hardships by helping with lifting financial holds on IUP accounts, purchasing groceries or textbooks, and addressing other urgent needs that may impact a student’s academic success.
Giving Tuesday is a national effort, scheduled each year for the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. IUP began its Giving Tuesday tradition in 2017, and more than $300,000 has been raised over the past nine years during this event. Totals raised for 2025 Giving Tuesday are still being compiled.
To qualify as a participating organization for the Philanthropy Cup, each group was required to attend an informational meeting, host at least one fundraising event benefiting the Student Assistance Fund, participate in a fundraiser planned by the Office of Annual Giving, and create a thank-you for donors Col. Abel and Dr. Baker.
The IUP Philanthropy Cup is part of the university’s Impact 150 comprehensive fundraising campaign. Launched in August, Impact 150 is named in honor of the university’s sesquicentennial celebration in 2025.
The Impact 150 Campaign centers around raising funds for healthy students, including supporting students academically and personally; a healthy university, including maintaining IUP’s commitment to excellence and innovation; and healthy communities, including IUP’s work to establish a college of osteopathic medicine.
Col. Abel, US Army (retired), of Washington Crossing, has been a long-time supporter of IUP. A Distinguished Alumni Award recipient, he is originally from Tamaqua and Morrisville.
Baker, a graduate of IUP’s Cook Honors College, was honored in 2025 with the Distinguished Alumni Award. He and his wife recently committed $100,000 to IUP to establish a scholarship to support students in chemistry or biochemistry research programs.
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 and through the Impact 150 comprehensive campaign, the university honors a legacy of educational excellence while looking to its next 150 years of student success, innovation, leadership in healthcare education, and public service.