Indiana University of Pennsylvania students have a unique opportunity to create innovative and multi-disciplinary projects addressing real-world challenges, thanks to the generosity of IUP alumni Tim and Deb Cejka.
The Cejkas, 1973 IUP graduates from Westmoreland County, gifted $265,000 to establish the IUP Fusion Fellows Program and support it for the next five years.
The gift to establish the Fusion Fellows Program is part of IUP’s Impact 150, the university’s $150 million comprehensive campaign. The largest fundraising campaign in the university’s history, the campaign is named in honor of the university’s sesquicentennial celebration in 2025.
Seated from left are Fusion Fellows Madilyn House; Deb and Tim Cejka; Fusion Fellows Riley Whiskeyman. Standing, from left, are Fusion Fellows Jocelyn McCray; Faculty mentor Dr. Ford, Dr. Conlin, and Dr. Chadwick; Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, Media and Public Affairs Dr. Curt Scheib; Vice President for University Advancement Jennifer DeAngelo; IUP Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Lara Luetkehans; IUP Dean of the Kopchick College Dr. Steve Hovan; IUP President Dr. Michael Driscoll; faculty mentor Stephanie Keppich; Associate Vice Provost for Libraries and Research Support Services and Fusion Fellowship Program Coordinator Dr. Kelly Heider; Fusion Fellow Serena Aumick; and IUP Vice Provost for Research and Innovation and Interim Dean of the College of Health Sciences Dr. Hilliary Creely.
The IUP Fusion Fellows Program is designed to foster collaboration between students and faculty from the College of Arts, Humanities, Media and Public Affairs and the John J. and Char Kopchick College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics. The program aims to cultivate innovative projects that integrate diverse disciplines, encouraging students to address complex real-world challenges through multifaceted perspectives.
The inaugural Fusion Fellows, working in teams of two, were selected through a competitive application process held during the fall 2025 semester. The successful teams were introduced at the Fusion Fellowship kickoff event on Jan. 30.
The two teams are Serena Aumick, a biology pre-veterinary concentration major in the Cook Honors College from Tunkhannock, and Riley Whiskeyman, a communications media major from Shillington; and Madilyn House, an applied archaeology master’s student from Orbisonia, and Jocelyn McCray, an applied anthropology major and history minor from Franklin.
“The Fusion Fellows program allows our students to pursue new experiences that are outside the realm of traditional higher education, gaining valuable experience in collaborative, cross-disciplinary work, preparing these students for diverse careers and advanced studies that require integrative thinking and problem-solving skills,” IUP President Dr. Michael Driscoll said.
“The Cejkas’s ongoing generosity and commitment to IUP truly knows no bounds. They have provided support over many years to meet both the immediate needs of our students and university and innovative opportunities like the Fusion Fellows program that our students may never have imagined. We appreciate and value all that they have done, and continue to do, for IUP and our students.”
The Fusion Fellows program is open to students from the Kopchick College and the College of Arts, Humanities, Media, and Public Affairs who have earned at least a 3.0 grade point average and who are sophomores, juniors, or graduate students.
In addition to completing their proposed projects, Fusion Fellows students will participate in monthly seminars featuring guest speakers, workshops, and discussions on topics at the intersection of arts, humanities, and sciences. They will serve as program ambassadors at student admissions and orientation events.
At the end of the program, Fusion Fellows will present their work at IUP’s Scholar Forum held during the university’s Research Appreciation Week, showcasing the outcomes of their interdisciplinary collaborations.
Funding for the Fusion Fellows Program supports costs associated with research, project execution, and travel and supplies.
IUP Dean of the Kopchick College Dr. Steve Hovan; IUP Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, Media, and Public Affairs Dr. Curt Scheib; and Associate Vice Provost for Libraries and Research Support Services and Fusion Fellowship Program Coordinator Dr. Kelly Heider coordinated the application and selection process.
“There was an outstanding pool of candidates for the Fusion Fellowship program, with well-developed and very interesting project proposals,” Dean Hovan said. “It was a very challenging decision, but it resulted in two incredible teams of students and great faculty mentors,” he said.
“IUP believes deeply in interdisciplinary collaboration and in providing unique opportunities for our students,” Dean Scheib said. “The Cejkas’s commitment to IUP and to our students offers an opportunity to bring both colleges together and to meet the program’s goal of blending arts, sciences and imagination, along with enhancing students’ research, communication, and leadership skills and contributing to community engagement and public understanding of interdisciplinary work,” Dean Scheib said.
“We are deeply grateful to the Cejkas for their generous support of the Fusion Fellows Program,” Dr. Heider said. “Their gift makes it possible for students and faculty to come together across disciplines, explore bold ideas, and engage meaningfully with the community. The impact of this program will be felt not only in the innovative work our Fellows produce, but in the lasting skills, confidence, and collaborative mindset they carry forward.”
About the Inaugural Fusion Fellows
Team Aumick and Whiskeyman, from left, faculty mentor Stephanie Keppich, communications media; Serena Aumick, a biology pre-veterinary concentration major in the Cook Honors College from Tunkhannock; Tim and Deb Cejka; Riley Whiskeyman, a communications media major from Shillington. Faculty mentor Dr. Josiah Townsend, biology, is missing from photo.
Aumick received the 2024 Sushak Undergraduate Biology Fund for Excellence Award. She is part of the Biology Undergraduate Research Experience, is a member of Phi Eta Sigma honor society, received the John J. and Char Kopchick College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Unique Scholar Award, is the founder and president of the Pre-Veterinary Club, is president of the IUP Sailing Club, is vice president of the Terrarium Club, is a member of Andale (Spanish club), and volunteers at the Indiana County Humane Society and Four-Footed Friends. She is the daughter of Rachel Aumick and a graduate of Tunkhannock High School.
She was selected for the 2025 Undergraduate Summer Opportunities for Applying Research ( U-SOAR) program, researching “The Phylogeographical of the Sceloporus malachiticus Species Complex from Honduras and Nicaragua,” working with Dr. Townsend as her faculty mentor.
Her project began the necessary work to delimitate the species complex by displaying genetic drift of several populations based on their geography.
Starting during her first year at IUP, Aumick worked in biology professor Dr. Sarah Emel’s research laboratory, totaling about 150 hours of time in the laboratory, performing DNA extractions of lagomorph fecal samples, polymerase chain reaction on the refined DNA, and aided in various procedures for genomic library preparation. She also analyzed chromatograms on MEGA11, utilized GenBank to determine the species based on sequenced DNA data, and aided in general data entry.
As a sophomore, she began work with Dr. Townsend, working in the Townsend Lab on campus and participating in his study abroad programs in Honduras. The summer 2025 trip revolved around conservation efforts of the Utila spiny-tailed iguana, Ctenosaura bakeri.
“I am ecstatic to have been selected as one of the inaugural Fusion Fellows,” Aumick said. “I am excited to delve into my project, highlighting the various conservation efforts that are being made on the Bay Islands of Honduras through a documentary and sharing that information with our local, and international, community.”
Whiskeyman, daughter of Peg Merkel of Shillington and Todd Whiskeyman of Ephrata, is a 2024 graduate of Governor Mifflin High School. She is a dean’s list student and a member of the Obsidian Dance Troupe and works with WIUP-FM, the university’s student radio station, with Sports Talk Live.
“Being chosen for this fellowship was very exciting news to receive, and it will be an important experience to have under my belt,” Whiskeyman said. “I chose this project because it will provide valuable lessons to me and others while combining my interests in production and animals.”
Seated, from left, Jocelyn McCray, an applied anthropology major and history minor from Franklin; Deb and Tim Cejka; Madilyn House, an applied archaeology master’s student from Orbisonia. Standing, from left, faculty mentors Distinguished University Professor Dr. Ben Ford and Dr. Bill Chadwick, both from the Department of Department of Anthropology, Geospatial and Earth Sciences; and Dr. Erin Conlin, Department of History, Philosophy, Political Science and Religious Studies.
House is a graduate of Southern Huntingdon County High School and daughter of Kristy Dick of Duncansville and Ryan House of Orbisonia.
“Being selected as an IUP Fusion Fellow is an honor,” House said. “Brown's Farm, recognized as one of Pennsylvania's early racially integrated settlements, has rich cultural and historical significance. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn from this site and to share that knowledge in collaboration with those closely connected to it.”
McCray, a dean’s list student, has been vice president and is current president of the IUP Anime Club. She is the daughter of Lisa McCray and Scott McCray and is a 2022 graduate of Freedom High School in Viriginia.
"I feel deeply honored to be one of the first four outstanding students to be awarded this opportunity to participate in Fusion Fellows program,” McCray said. “One of my professors reached out to me about this opportunity, and I thrilled to have had the chance to experience the process of applying, to be chosen to work with amazing partner Madilyn House and three brilliant and wonderful professors,” McCray said.
About the projects
Aumick and Whiskeyman’s project is “The Bay Islands of Honduras.” Their faculty mentors are Stephanie Keppich, communications media, and Dr. Josiah Townsend, biology.
The project will highlight the vital role of communications media in conservation biology by producing a documentary focused on the Bay Islands of Honduras and the contributions of IUP students and faculty to local conservation efforts.
House and McCray’s project is “Geophysics and Oral History,” and their faculty mentors are Dr. Bill Chadwick and Distinguished University Professor Dr. Ben Ford, both from the Department of Department of Anthropology, Geospatial and Earth Sciences, and Dr. Erin Conlin, Department of History, Philosophy, Political Science and Religious Studies.
This interdisciplinary project aims to document, interpret, and share the history of Brown’s Farm—an early free African American community in the Laurel Highlands—by combining geophysical surveying and oral history research.
Jocelyn McCray and Madilyn House, who are teaming up for "Geophysics and Oral History"
Riley Whiskeyman and Serena Aumick, who are teaming up for "The Bay Islands of Honduras."
During the spring semester, Aumick and Whiskeyman will acquire equipment, learn filming and editing techniques, and plan the field season with faculty mentors. During the summer, they will conduct fieldwork across Guanaja, Utila, and Roatán, gathering video, photos, and interviews with local scientists and members of the Townsend Laboratory at IUP, which is directed by Dr. Townsend.
In fall, they will edit the collected footage and implement a robust community engagement plan that includes partnering with IUP Marketing and Communications, distributing the documentary across multiple media channels, issuing press releases, hosting workshops, presenting at the IUP Scholars Forum, and screening the film both in Honduras and in Indiana.
House and McCray will collaborate with anthropology and history students and faculty to locate building foundations using ground penetrating radar while also conducting interviews and archival research to capture community memories and historical context.
Through this work, students will strengthen skills in research methods, project management, communication, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The project will culminate in a public seminar and written report, created in partnership with local stakeholders to enhance community understanding of the site’s significance and to demonstrate how scientific and humanistic approaches together offer a more complete view of the past.
About the Cejkas
Tim Cejka, a member of IUP’s Council of Trustees since 2018, is a 2006 Distinguished Alumni Award recipient and retired president of ExxonMobil Exploration Company.
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.
The Cejkas also are lead advocates and supporters of IUP’s proposed college of osteopathic medicine, donating $2 million to the project in July 2024.
In recognition of their ongoing generosity, the IUP Council of Trustees honored the couple in May 2018 with a resolution naming the IUP planetarium and atrium in Kopchick Hall. In 2019, they received IUP’s inaugural Award of Excellence in Volunteer Leadership. 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.
In 2025, the couple was honored with the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Keepers of the Flame Award, which recognizes individuals from each of the 14 State System university campuses for their contributions to creating and promoting diverse and inclusive environments that cultivate a sense of belonging.
The Cejkas, 1973 IUP graduates from Westmoreland County, gifted $265,000 to establish the IUP Fusion Fellows Program and support it for the next five years. Fusion Fellows were introduced during a kickoff event on Jan. 30. From left, Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities, Media and Public Affairs Dr. Curt Scheib; Tim Cejka; Deb Cejka; Fusion Fellows Riley Whiskeyman; Fusion Fellows Jocelyn McCray.
About Impact 150
Impact 150 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.
The campaign’s total is nearing $98 million raised, including $48 million specifically for IUP’s proposed college of osteopathic medicine. The campaign launched in August 2025 with $81,236,852 –54 percent of the campaign goal– from 11,673 donors.
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.