Robert Vetock, a lifelong resident of Johnstown who earned his master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1992, has continued his support for IUP’s student-athletes and his respect for students and alumni who are veterans with a gift of $25,000, which supports his IUP Alumni Veterans Scholarship for Athletics.
His gift 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. The campaign’s public launch took place in August 2025 with $81,236,852—54 percent of the campaign goal—raised from 11,673 donors.
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.
As of December 31, 2025, the campaign’s total was at more than $102 million, including $48 million specifically for IUP’s proposed college of osteopathic medicine.
The IUP Alumni Veterans Scholarship is open to a male and female student who is a member of an IUP NCAA-recognized athletic team and who has at least a 3.0 grade point average. Preference is given to students from Cambria County.
Vetock served in the Army during the Vietnam era. After his military service, he attended the University of Pittsburgh with the help of the GI Bill and scholarships. He worked for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania before enrolling at IUP to complete his master’s degree. Now retired, he worked in a number of positions at the Hiram Andrews Center before becoming a counselor, a position he held from 1991 to 2005.
“This scholarship is meant to honor all IUP alumni who served in the military prior to, during, or after their time at IUP,” Vetock said.
“Mr. Vetock’s generosity and his support for students is truly appreciated,” IUP Vice President for University Advancement Jennifer DeAngelo said. “His scholarship continues to make a positive impact for our students and is also an opportunity to remember and respect members of the IUP community who served in the armed forces,” she said.
A total of 855 current students at IUP are veterans or are military affiliated (dependents of veterans); IUP has one of the largest ROTC programs in the Commonwealth. More than 3,600 IUP graduates have served in the military, including in leadership roles; IUP has graduated 14 generals as well as a number of US Navy admirals.
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 during the 2025–26 academic year, the university honors a legacy of educational excellence while looking toward a future of innovation, leadership in healthcare education, and public service.