150 Years of Scholarship: IUP Celebrates Its Sesquicentennial with Innovation and Impact

This year marks Indiana University of Pennsylvania’s (IUP) 150th anniversary—a remarkable milestone reflecting a legacy of academic excellence, innovation, and community impact. This sesquicentennial celebration is not just a look back at the university’s storied past, but a bold affirmation of its leadership in solving the problems of today and tomorrow.

At IUP, bright futures are built through hands-on learning. The university offers a wide array of internship opportunities—ranging from job shadowing to full-time placements—that connect students with employers across diverse industries. Whether pursuing careers in nursing, criminal justice, special education, finance, cybersecurity, or other high-demand fields, IUP students benefit from immersive experiences that set them apart in the job market.

Mentorship is also a cornerstone of the IUP experience. Programs like the University College Peer Mentoring and the Alumni Mentoring Network help students transition into college life and bridge the gap between college and career. These initiatives provide invaluable guidance, foster professional connections, and support students during critical transitions in their academic and personal journeys.

IUP is also taking bold steps to address Pennsylvania’s rural healthcare crisis. As many rural communities across Pennsylvania are struggling to maintain access to quality, affordable, and accessible healthcare, the university has made rural health a top strategic priority, highlighted by its proposal to establish the first college of osteopathic medicine at a public university in the state.

“This initiative reflects a deep and growing commitment to addressing healthcare shortages and improving access in rural communities across Pennsylvania,” says Jennifer DeAngelo, Vice President of University Advancement.

IUP’s health-related programs—including its top-ranked bachelor of science degree in nursing and EMT training—are complemented by strategic partnerships with the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Department of Human Services. The university co-hosted the inaugural Western Pennsylvania Regional Rural Health Summit, bringing together healthcare professionals to develop actionable solutions. At the PA Chamber’s 2025 Healthcare Summit, IUP’s Director of Strategic Partnerships, Christina Koren, showcased how the university is leveraging both Artificial Intelligence (AI) and human-centered approaches to tackle rural health challenges.

As a recipient of a portion of the Southwestern Pennsylvania New Economy Collaborative’s $62.7 million federal Build Back Better Regional Challenge grant, IUP is advancing workforce development efforts with a focus on data analytics, geospatial intelligence, robotics, and STEAMSHOP initiatives. IUP is proud to play a role in driving innovation throughout the greater Pittsburgh region.

As a PA Chamber Investor Member, IUP brings a unique blend of academic innovation, regional leadership, and workforce readiness to the Commonwealth. The university is deeply committed to educating Pennsylvania students and encouraging them to build their futures within the state.

“Since 2002, we’ve graduated more than 3,000 nurses, 9,000 STEM professionals, 12,000 business students from the Eberly College of Business, and over 10,000 teachers,” DeAngelo notes. “Our graduates are entering high-demand fields and, more importantly, they’re staying in Pennsylvania. They are the next generation of caregivers, educators, innovators, and public servants.”

As it celebrates 150 years, IUP stands as the only university in Pennsylvania to hold both the Carnegie Foundation and American Council on Education’s “Opportunity College and University – Higher Access, Higher Earnings” designation and the prestigious R2 Doctoral Research University designation. The “Opportunity College and University – Higher Access, Higher Earnings” designation underscores IUP’s commitment to opening doors for students from all backgrounds, with graduates earning 50 percent higher salaries than their peers in comparable fields. The R2 Doctoral Research University designation, affirming its dedication to research, innovation, and preparing students to drive Pennsylvania’s economy forward.

As IUP honors its sesquicentennial, it does so with pride in its past and confidence in its future. The university’s enduring mission—to foster equity, opportunity, and student success—continues to guide its path forward. With thousands of alumni celebrating their own successes, IUP’s 150th anniversary is not just a celebration of history, but a testament to the lives it has transformed and the communities it continues to uplift.