Colleagues,

Thank you for your active participation in our Open Conversations, Informal Conversations, and our January “Future of IUP” event. I am very pleased with the outstanding attendance, honest and frank dialogues, and thoughtful discussion. I also am extremely proud of your pride and ownership of our work together to advance student success and define IUP’s next 150 years.

One of my presidential goals is to engage the internal and external IUP team in realizing the vision of becoming an exceptionally student-centered university. Because IUP is stronger when we work together and when everyone is informed and engaged, we will continue our Open Conversations series, Informal Conversations, and all-day employee workshops. 

The Open Conversations will have focused topics and will be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person, with the option to pose questions in advance. These events will be held in the Sutton Hall Blue Room during the Common Hour (11:20 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.). 

The Informal Conversations will not have planned topics, as the goal for these informal meetings is to listen to you: to answer your questions; to provide the information that you need to do your work; to hear suggestions on how to create a more student-centered university; and to allow you time to meet with us and with one another. Each of these Informal Conversations will include members of the President’s Cabinet; I will join these meetings as my schedule permits. 

The Informal Conversations will continue to take place in different locations and at a variety of times to accommodate as many people as possible. They are in-person only (no livestream).

For your planning purposes, I am sharing the schedule of these and other important university events scheduled for this coming year; please mark your calendars and plan to participate:

  • Aug. 22, 9:00 a.m.—Opening of the Academic Year, Performing Arts Center Fisher Auditorium 

  • Oct. 21—All-day employee workshop (fall pause is Oct. 20–21)

  • Feb. 9, 2026—All-day employee workshop

Open Conversations

11:20 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., Sutton Hall Blue Room

  • Sept. 22—Academic Conversation

  • Nov. 17—Financial Conversation

  • March 16, 2026—Academic Conversation 

  • April 27, 2026—Celebration Conversation

Informal Conversations

  • Sept. 9, 11:00 a.m. to noon—Stouffer Hall, room 138

  • Nov. 4, 11:00 a.m. to noon—Kopchick Hall, room TBD

  • Feb. 24, 2026, 11:00 a.m. to noon—Stright Hall, room 202

  • Punxsutawney Campus (date and time TBD)

The all-employee workshops, Open Conversations, and Informal Conversations are open to all employees; the Informal Conversations are open to both employees and students. Students also will be invited to the April 27, 2026, Celebration Conversation.

More information and a number of reminders will be sent via email closer to the dates of the events.  

As I begin my 14th year at IUP and IUP’s 150th year, I continue to be extraordinarily grateful to all of you for your commitment to our students and to our university. 

Thank you.

Michael A. Driscoll
President

PS: I hope to see you on Saturday, Aug. 23, from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. for our 150th Kickoff Carnival Celebration in the stadium parking lots between the Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex and Miller Stadium. This event is free and open to all. There are many additional programs and events planned to celebrate our sesquicentennial; please watch the IUP website and your email for more information about upcoming programs.